Let Their Voice Be Heard Benefit Dinner

Join us on November 14th, 2023 to honor Duane Davis.

Join the Girls Choral Academy at our annual Let Their Voice Be Heard Benefit on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at Watermark Country Club. We will be honoring Duane Davis, director of vocal jazz, musical theater and opera, as well as master educator, with our Giving Girls a Voice Award. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and program from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and include dinner, drinks and entertainment.  Please see the donation form to your right for more details on tickets and sponsorships. Contact the GCA at 616-361-6111 or [email protected]  for more details.

About Duane Shields Davis

Duane Davis is well known in vocal jazz, musical theater and opera communities as a master educator, director, conductor and more. 

He has taught in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area since 1969 where he recently retired as Director of Vocal Music at Grand Rapids Community College. He was awarded Emeritus Faculty status there in 2020.  He also previously served on the Western Michigan University faculty as director of Gold Company and GC II, their internationally renowned vocal jazz ensembles. 

Under his direction, the Grand Rapids Community College vocal jazz ensemble, “Shades of Blue,” has performed for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John Houseman, Coretta Scott King, David Letterman, Tony Bennett, and with Bobby McFerrin and Bob McGrath (“Sesame Street”). Davis served as Chorus Master for Opera Grand Rapids for 31 years.  He also taught music at Northeast Middle School and Creston High School in Grand Rapids, and was the music director for Circle Theater of Grand Rapids. 

Thank You to Our 2022  Sponsors

Music Maestro

Bob and Mikki Clay

Lynn and Doug Weaver

     

   

 

Music Director

Valerie and Michael Feehan Fund

     of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Kim Mitchell

Soloists

Douglas DeBoer Memorial Fund

     of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Jean Enright

Sara Smolenski and Linda Burpee

 

Accompanists

Michal J. and Cathy L. Alcala

Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart

Scott and Allyson Booth

Mark and Loree Frank

Grand Rapids Kiwanis

Grand Valley State University

Margaret Idema

Lake Michigan Credit Union

Tim and Pin Liang, the Hung and Elsie Liang

Fund for Music

     of the Grand Haven Community Foundation

Stephanie and George Leonardos

Marge's Donut Den, Inc.

Stephanie McNamara and John Meulenberg

Meijer, Inc.

Mercantile Bank

Phil and Kathleen Vogelsang

Urban League of West Michigan

West Michigan Jazz Society

 

Members of the Choir

Julie and David Bernstein

Tasha Blackmon

Deb Cleland and Scott Nowakowski

Stanley and Elizabeth Dole

Courtney Flanagan

Eastern Floral

Max and Jan Gibbs

Grand Rapids Children's Museum

Grand Rapids Community College

Charles Homeyer

Holly Jackson

Daniel and Deborah Mankoff

Isaac V. and Lisa René Norris

Tim and Karen O'Donovan

Robert and Marcy Roth

Secrest Wardle

Jaye VanLenten and Janette Tazzia

Janice and Dane VerMerris