Audition deadline is June 1
The Vocal Performance & Audition Skills Intensive is a one-week summer training program that will select 16 intermediate to advanced-level singers, aged 15-23, who are ready to take their vocal performance to the next level. Whether your focus is musical theatre or pop, this intensive will deepen your solo and ensemble skills while sharpening your audition technique and expanding your repertoire. The week includes attending a performance of the Drayton Entertainment production of Million Dollar Quartet and workshops with Juno Award-Winner, Stacey Kay.
The Acting Intensive culminates in an in-person sharing for friends and family, for students to showcase their growth, creativity, and everything they’ve learned.
Ages: 15 – 23
Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr. Waterloo)
Date: Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 11
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $395 plus tax
Family Discount: 10% discount for each additional member of the immediate family from the same household.
Multi Class Discount: 10% discount for each additional summer camp attended by the youth/teen.
Indigenous youth under 18 will receive free tuition for Youth Academy training programs. Read More
We strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, is able to participate. Inquire about our flexible payment plans and financial assistance programs.
About the Vocal Performance & Audition Skills Intensive
Led by acclaimed vocal coach and international performer Eric DaCosta, this program offers training in:
- One-on-one vocal tutorials
- Solo and group vocal technique
- Song interpretation and acting through song
- Musicianship (including sight reading and harmony singing)
- Diction and vocal clarity
- Healthy vocal production and stylistic versatility
- Movement for Singers Workshop
- Songwriting and Pop Music Performance Workshops with Juno Award-winning singer/rapper Stacey Kay
Audition Repertoire & Performance Coaching
In audition-focused classes, participants will explore script and score analysis, physical storytelling, gesture and body awareness, and strategies for managing performance anxiety. Each student will receive two new, customized audition pieces and will leave with a stronger, more personalized audition portfolio.
Throughout the intensive, students will benefit from:
- Individual vocal coaching sessions
- Group masterclasses with guest industry professionals
- Peer collaboration and ensemble-building
On Thursday, July 10, students will attend Drayton Entertainment’s evening production of Million Dollar Quartet at the Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre in St Jacobs as part of their tuition.
This is more than just a summer camp—it’s a transformative vocal training experience designed to empower the next generation of confident, connected, and expressive storytellers through song.
Dormitory-style residence accommodations are available at The University of Waterloo in the Ron Eydt Village, a 10 minute drive from the Academy or 30 minutes on the LRT with rates starting at $64 per night. More information can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/catering-event-services/summer-accommodations
Classes will run from 9:00am – 4:00pm daily.
A typical day:
9:00am-10:15am First Class
10:15am-10:30am Break
10:30am-12:00pm Second Class
12:00pm-12:45pm Lunch
12:45pm-2:15pm Third Class
2:15pm-2:30pm Break
2:30pm-4:00pm Fourth Class
This intensive will be held at the Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility at 145 Northfield Dr. Waterloo.
Announced Workshop Leaders and Teachers are subject to change.
Audition Requirements
In one YouTube video please include the following:
- Two songs of your choice, any style; under two-minutes that demonstrates vocal range, musicianship, and performance skills. The use of music tracks is acceptable.
- One, under one minute personal statement explaining why you want to attend our Vocal Performance & Audition Skills Intensive.
Audition deadline is June 1
Audition Form
Meet Your Specialty Workshop Leaders
Eric DaCosta – Vocal Instruction
Eric has been touring the world for the last four years in Hanna Moscovitch’s award-winning show, Old Stock. Previous credits include: Jersey Boys, Annie, Honk!, Snow White: the Panto, Peter Pan: the Panto (Drayton Entertainment); Key Change (Globe Theatre Regina); and Hollywood Hits (Stage West Calgary).
Stacey Kay – Songwriting and Pop Music Performance
Stacey Kay received the GOLDEN BUZZER on City TV’s new season of Canada’s Got Talent, receiving a standing ovation from Simon Cowell! She is a Juno Award winning singer/rapper, and her song covers have received recognition from the original artists including BeBe Rexha, RuPaul, Meghan Trainor, Fergie, and Jennifer Hudson. Her unique and powerful singing voice paired with her machine-gun rapping has garnered her online videos millions of views with multiple videos going viral!
Check out her CGT performance here!
Stacey is a motivational speaker who travels the world spreading her message about body positivity, and what it is like being a curvy girl in the pop music industry. She has performed with/opened for David Foster, CeeLo Green, Stevie Wonder, Leslie Odom Jr., Bryan McKnight, Michael Bolton, and Carly Rae Jepson.
In 2020, Stacey became the song writer, producer and vocalist for Canada’s Drag Race host Brooke Lynn Hytes, and Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka. Stacey’s songs were featured on Drag Race Canada Season 2.
Stacey has a full-length album titled 11 O’Clock Number, and a comedic podcast with her sister called I Have To Call My Sister. Follow Stacey on all social media platforms to see what happens next! Insta: @staceykaymusic
Jade McLeod – Auditioning With
Pop Rock
Most known for their critically acclaimed run as Jo on the Broadway National Tour of Jagged Little Pill, Jade McLeod is a Toronto-raised, New York-based performer, writer, teacher and activist. Recently, their focus has been developing new work that centers queer stories, with shows such as A Trip To The Moon (Parkside Lounge, NYC), Wakeman (Village Theatre, Seattle), WINNER (New York Theatre Barn), and Half World (East Village Basement). As a teacher, they love helping students find their authentic voice, both in a technical sense and through a storytelling lens.
Chad McNamara – Movement For Singers
As a proud member of Canadians Actors Equity and ACTRA, Chad McNamara is best known for creating and originating the role of Rooney Doodle on the Juno and Gemini nominated series, The Doodlebops. As a Doodlebop, Chad has recorded 3 albums with Universal music and toured across North America playing sold out shows at Madison Square Garden and LA’s Staple Centre. Selected TV: Doodlbops (3 seasons (Disney/CBC), How to solve a Problem Like Maria (CBC), Bomb Girls (Bravo),Walt Disney Christmas Parade (ABC), The Ron James Show (CBC), The Today show (featured performer/NBC), Queer as Folk (Showcase). Director/Choreographer: Recent: The World premiere(s) of Let’s Dance and Let’s Bop (Terra Bruce Productions) Anne &Gilbert (Island Theatre festival, PEI), Rock of Ages, 9 to 5, the Musical, Disenchanted, Bitter Girl The Musical, American Idiot (Stephenville Festival) Regional: In Common, a new musical, The 25th… Spelling Bee, 9 to 5… the Musical, Legally Blonde, Rent, Crazy for you/ Fight choreography, The Canadian premiere of Be More Chill.
