AMERICAN YOUTH CHORUS

Recuérdame / Remember Me by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, arr. Roger Emerson • Oct 2024
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American Youth Chorus (AYC) provides music education, performance experience, and community for Washington, DC-area children in grades three to eight. Artistic Director Jonathon Hampton teaches music theory and history, plus reading and writing of diverse music of all genres, centered on U.S. composers spanning centuries. AYC was founded in 2008 as part of a multigenerational family of choruses who they sing with and learn from—NorthEast Senior Singers and parent organization Congressional Chorus. Performance highlights include The White House, The Kennedy Center, The National Archives Museum, Library of Congress, and the U.S. Department of State. Several performances and collaborations throughout the school year give students experience showcasing their artistry, developing teamwork, independence, and confidence, engaging with professional musicians, and having fun. AYC also contributes to more inclusive and accessible arts by performing at civic events and community venues, singing for diverse audiences with dynamic, varied, impactful choral music. AmericanYouthChorus.org

Please select 3. American Youth Chorus under Donation Details (select an appeal)

 

PERFORMANCES

 

SOUNDSTAGE
Songs from the Screen

Saturday, March 29 at 4pm
The First Baptist Church of the city of Washington, DC
1328 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20036
$35-45 • FREE under age 13

From the sweeping scores of Game of Thrones and Star Wars, to chart-toppers from Barbie, throwbacks from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and stirring anthems from The Greatest Showman and Prince of Egypt, this program explores themes of imagination, power, justice, and identity. The evening also celebrates iconic themes from beloved TV shows like I Love Lucy, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and Cheers. Join us for an unforgettable concert that will resonate with film and television enthusiasts of all ages, showcasing the magic of music in visual storytelling.

 

  • SUBSCRIBE TO GOOGLE CALENDAR

    Feb 1, 5, 12, 19, 26 rehearsals

    Mar 5, 12, 19, 26 rehearsals

    • March 9: 7:15am rehearsal for 8:30am private performance at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, 201 Waterfront St, Oxon Hill, MD

    • March 15: 12pm rehearsal for 1pm concert with Not What You Think, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St SE

    • Mar 29: 2pm rehearsal for 4pm Soundstage concert with Congressional Chorus, Live! at 10th and G, 945 G ST NW, Washington DC

    Apr 2, 9, 23, 30 rehearsals

    May 7, 14, 21, 28 rehearsals

    Jun 4, 11 rehearsals

    • Jun 14, 2pm rehearsal for 4pm Showstoppers concert with NorthEast Senior Singers and Congressional Chorus, 4pm, Capital Turnaround, 700 M St SE, Washington DC. Followed by Summer Banquet.

 
 

  • OPEN HOUSE

    Sign up this summer for a free open rehearsal in August or September. Dates TBD. Students in grades 3-9 are invited to visit for a fun, free, open rehearsal as we learn and explore music together. Sing along or just watch until comfortable joining in. Parents attend this first rehearsal and will get to know the staff and chorus culture. Meet other students and families, ask questions, and learn some basics about singing through simple songs and musical games. No preparation or experience needed.

    REHEARSALS

    Fall 2026 dates & location to be announced, likely Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. Schedule includes DC Public Schools calendar year and breaks.

    Hour and forty five minute rehearsals begins with physical warm ups, vocal exercises, and musical games and lessons teaching music theory and ear training. Next we learn how to read music through newer songs before a break. Ensembles then combine as we go deeper with music that has previously been taught, getting ready for performance. It’s recommend everyone start in Beginners unless they've already been in an actively performing chorus for at least a year. It's recommended that every chorister in elementary school start with our basics in Beginners, to discover how we learn and sound. After after a visit, if staff, chorister, and parents all see that a student is more advanced, they'd be invited to try Intermediates. 

    Beginners (Juniors)
    Skills learned: unison singing, melodic ear-training, confidence, expression, teamwork and performance culture development, introduction to score reading, music history, and theory book one.

    Intermediates & Seniors
    For returning and older or experienced singers. Additional skills learned: harmony singing, harmonic ear-training, leadership, showmanship, sightreading, and theory book two.

    TUITION

    Your open rehearsal visit (with parent) is free. Assuming all goes well, you’ll be invited to enroll, set up payment or apply for financial aid, then your child may attend the next rehearsal (without parent) on a trial basis.

    Monthly tuition covers the cost of staff, venues, music, workbooks, and supplies. Additional costs include concert attire ~$100, provided free for those receiving financial aid. Your first month is prorated depending on when you join. Thereafter payment is due at the beginning of each month with automatic billing through Chorus Connection.

    $180 monthly standard rate
    $126 monthly sibling discount—30% off
    $90 monthly 2+ siblings discount—50% off

    FINANCIAL AID

    Available based on needs, at full, half, and quarter tuition coverage, based on household income, dependents, and DC community eligibility. Full assistance is highly likely among Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school attendees and SNAP, TANF, FARM and Head Start participants. After your visit, before you enroll you’ll receive a form to determine your eligibility.

 
 

Jonathon Hampton

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Jonathon Hampton is a unique and versatile singer and conductor with nearly 20 years teaching experience, specializing in spirituals, early classical music, and contemporary popular repertoire. He is Artistic Director of American Youth Chorus in Washington, DC and previously created choral programs at Washington International School; at Grace Church in Newark, New Jersey; at his alma mater Cornell University and with alumni in New York; and in California at East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, Richmond's King Elementary, Caliber Beta Academy, and San Francisco Early Music Society's Music Discovery Workshop and Youth Collegium.

Having spent his youth in The American Boychoir, Hampton became Associate Director of Music and Outreach for another rare choir school, the Grammy-winning Pacific Boychoir Academy. Over 14 years, he taught all ages, recorded several albums, conducted tours, camps, and orchestral collaborations, managed recruitment, community programs, marketing and communications administration, and was principal conductor of the training chorus for day-school grades 4-8 and the after-school a cappella group of high schoolers, Continuum.

Hampton has also been Artistic Director of the adult Renaissance ensemble, Tactus SF, and Associate Director of San Francisco Youth Chorus. Also in California, he’s been guest conductor of Piedmont East Bay Children's Chorus, Cantare’s Nova Choir, the Cathedral of Christ the Light, Lafayette Christian Church, and Enriching Lives Through Music. In New York he has guest conducted the Cornell University World Music Choir and at Trinity Wall Street and Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church; in New Jersey at Trinity Church, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and Trinity and St. Philip's Cathedral. 

In addition to business management for several of the aforementioned, Hampton spent five years in arts administration with Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, and more recently with American Bach Soloists, Vocal Arts DC, and Strathmore. He is currently a board member of Experiments in Opera and Managing Director of Washington Men’s Camerata.

As a professional vocalist, Hampton sings alto, tenor, and baritone. He’s heard on 18 commercial recordings, including his solo album, Negro Spirituals: Songs of Trial & Triumph. In 2022 he was honored as a Heritage Keeper by Friends of Negro Spirituals. With guitar and piano, he also sings contemporary, popular music, including songs of his own. He performs regularly with the choir of Washington National Cathedral and has recently performed with the schola of St. John Paul II National Shrine, Washington Douglass Chorale, Cathedral Choral Society, Washington Master Chorale, National Philharmonic Chorale, and Washington Men’s Camerata. JonHampton.com

 

Ginny Maddock

PIANIST

Ginny Maddock (she/her) is a pianist, vocalist, and educator based in Northern Virginia. She hold a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Vocal Performance from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, where she lived and worked for over seven years. Ms. Maddock currently serves as Pianist of American Youth Chorus and is Music Director and Preschool Music Teacher at St. David’s Episcopal Church and Preschool in Ashburn, VA. She is the owner of Full Circle Music and Arts (formerly Ginny Maddock Music), where she teaches voice and piano lessons and group music classes. She is passionate about music education and is an active member of Music Teacher National Association, Jazz Educators Network, and the Somatic Voicework™ community. In her free time you can find her and her partner, Rachel, crafting, making music, or hanging out with their cats. She is thrilled to be working with AYC and supporting the musical growth of all the students! GinnyMaddockVoice.com

 

LeighAnne Markaity

ADMINISTRATOR & REHEARSAL ASSISTANT

LeighAnne Markaity holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Bowling Green State University. Originally from West Michigan, she has lived in DC and been part of Congressional Chorus for ten years. Ms. Markaity played a major role in the relaunch of American Youth Chorus and is their Rehearsal Assistant and Administrator for the entire Congressional Chorus organization. She is also the Congressional Chorus soprano section leader, is in their Chamber Ensemble, and a member of Board of Directors. She was previously a nanny and a flute and voice teacher and now additionally works in event planning. When not singing, she can be found lost in a book, on a run, cooking something new, and exploring the city with friends.