Growing up in the Australian Girls Choir

Growing up in the Australian Girls Choir

This week, our alumni and parents reflect on the many benefits of  growing up in the inspirational environment of the Australian Girls Choir.

Seven AGC Alumni and parents recently sat down for an interview with CEO Nicole Muir about their time in the choir. Watch the interview with Rebecca, Lakshmi, Enya, Scout, Fiona, Georgia and Tina.

Australian Girls Choir Alumni Interview

Building community

At the Australian Girls Choir we’re committed to empowering young women across the country, supporting them to find their voice through music. We believe gathering together to sing develops confidence, fosters creativity and builds young people’s sense of community.

“I started with the choir when I was five years old. I consider the girls I met, the teachers I had, and the friends I still have, to be my second family.” Lakshmi Holmes AGC Alumni 1999-2011

Weekly lessons become a place where girls switch off from technology, and immerse themselves in a team building activity that is artistically enriching and develops friendships outside of the school environment.

“Having that commonality of loving music and performing and leaving the stresses of school and homework and having a really safe space to be together and form bonds. Knowing that I have that family of smart, talented, supportive women, peers and mentors to always come back to is something that you can’t get anywhere else.” Scout Rigoni, AGC Alumni 2002-2009

Providing aspirational role models

We find that our focus on mentoring and role modelling is an aspect of our program that sets us apart from similar organisations.

“We aim for the culture of the Australian Girls Choir to be an extremely positive place for girls to grow up. So at the heart of this organisation is positive role modelling and mentoring.” Says our CEO Nicole Muir.

One of the foundational characteristics of the choir is the ‘big girl, little girl’ relationships that blossom as a result of concert days, gigs and touring nationally and internationally. Our senior choristers become positive and aspirational role models to our junior choristers, who delight in learning from the more experienced performers.

 “When I was a younger chorister I remember looking up to the ‘big girls’. I didn’t realise then, but the things that I was idealising was their hard work, their ability to keep going and keep pushing and try new things. To be brave and put themselves out there. And I wanted to be just like that.” Rebecca Sabatino, AGC Alumni 1997-2008

Developing a deeper sense of self

“For me it really built resilience. Making new friends and the ability to keep picking yourself up and thinking ‘I’m strong enough to do this’.” Rebecca Sabatino

Parents value the hidden elements of our curriculum; a focus on developing confidence, self-esteem, public speaking, discipline, and presentation skills. Growing up in the AGC transforms even the shyest girls in confident young women who have the ability to stand in front of a crowd and advocate for themselves.

“We’re teaching girls to sing and dance but it’s more than that. We’re teaching them to collaborate and to be strong and to be creative. To give things a go and to have resilience. And it’s about giving them the tools they need to be the best version of themselves” – Rebecca Sabatino

Try a free class this February

Girls are encouraged to attend a free trial class before joining, which will provide a taste of the range of performing arts activities available in our weekly lessons. It’s not necessary for girls to prepare anything for this class and your daughter will not be required to sing by herself. She will be ‘buddied’ up with one of our current choristers and will participate in the class activities with the other girls, allowing her to get a feel for what weekly classes are like.

Register below to try a free class at your local rehearsal venue this February.

For more information about Open Classes, the junior curriculum,  timetables and fee information, please see our February Open Classes page.