
The Power of a Girls Choir
In 1984, Judith Curphey OAM founded the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) at a time when no other choirs existed for young girls. Even though she faced scepticism and was warned that her vision would never succeed, she defied convention to create a unique female choir that also incorporated movement into their performances. While society and the traditional choral world have gradually evolved, our mission remains the same: to empower girls to find their voices and reach their full potential through mentoring, role modelling, and leadership.
Watch your daughter grow with confidence at the AGC with like-minded girls and try a free class at our February Open Day!
Celebrating the female voice
Judith believed that the female voice had a unique choral sound deserving of recognition, especially in a landscape dominated by male choirs. The Australian Girls Choir has always embraced the diversity and potential of the female vocal instrument, passionately providing a platform for these voices to shine. Celebrating the female voice isn’t just about sound – it is also about celebrating the female perspective. In a society where gender discrimination still exists, the AGC creates a safe and encouraging environment for choristers to express themselves unapologetically.
This vision continues to be advocated for by ASPA CEO Nicole Muir AM, who is a natural mentor to ASPA’s national and international team. With a diverse background in arts management and education, coupled with a strong passion for feminism, Nicole has dedicated her career to empowering others, particularly women and girls, through the performing arts. She has witnessed firsthand how “girls flourish in an all-girls environment”, and is committed to ensuring that the AGC is a space where girls are seen and heard.
“My daughter has been with the choir since she was in Piccolo, and it thrills us to see herself and her peers develop through the years in terms of their voices and overall showmanship. AGC is her happy place. An avenue for her to express herself through your performances.” – NSW parent
Build confidence through choir
Studies have shown that girls display lower confidence and self-esteem compared to boys from early adolescence, however an Australian study has concluded that girls at single-sex schools actually match the confidence levels of boys. These results confirm that confidence can be nurtured, regardless of the age we start from. Over the past 40 years, AGC team members have observed thousands of choristers develop their confidence and self-esteem through our dynamic and inclusive classes. At the AGC, we know that girls thrive when surrounded by other like-minded girls and female role models in an educational setting.
“We enrolled our daughter with AGC for the confidence and camaraderie that comes with being a part of something so wonderful. She has made friends, enjoyed her time and gained so much confidence.” – VIC Parent
The significance of sisterhood
A key element to fostering special bonds among our choristers is creating an environment where girls uplift one another. By working collaboratively with peers who share their passion for singing and the performing arts, our choristers enhance their teamwork skills and learn to support each other as young women. Positive role models play a crucial role in this process, inspiring and motivating young learners to focus on self-improvement. Senior choristers serve as aspirational role models for their junior choristers, who benefit from learning from more experienced performers. This nurturing dynamic leads to meaningful “big girl, little girl” relationships, which flourish through concert days and in-class mentoring.
“AGC provides a space for young girls to witness and build positive female friendships – a space to build each other up and celebrate the achievements of their peers. This powerful standard creates a strong foundation for our girl’s future engagement with fellow women.” – ACT Parent
AGC choristers share music as common interest as their connection point. With this shared interest, the AGC is able create a sense of community in a supportive learning space where choristers are able to embark on their next challenge – whether this in on or off the stage.
Discover a space where girls thrive and express themselves through music and movement by joining us for a complimentary class at our February Open Day! Bookings are free but registration is essential.
Please visit our Open Day page for further details including venue locations and class timetables. Come and see how we can help your daughter shine both on and off the stage!