Brooklyn Harmonics Teens, Tweens, Twenty+
Vocal Performance Program
Close Harmony, Bright Outlook
BKCM is thrilled to announce that Jeff Klitz and Christine Cornell are co-directing three vocal ensembles in the 2022-2023 school year. Brooklyn Harmonics Teens, Tweens, Twenty+ is a unique, multi-generational, vocal performance program for three age groups ranging from nine to adulthood. The program repertoire is popular music, the arrangements are customized for each group, and the three groups perform in
concert together.
Brooklyn Harmonics Teens (ages: 13–19 | 8th to 12th grade)
Brooklyn Harmonics Teens rock! Teens sing dynamic, close-harmony arrangements of pop, rock, jazz and world music, as well as some original tunes. All members sing solos too, backed by their ensemble mates. Brooklyn Harmonics Teens is a top-tier group that performs at BKCM and throughout the community, singing on mic and accompanied by a band. Sign up for an audition!
Brooklyn Harmonics Tweens (ages: 9–13 | 5th to 8th grade)
Brooklyn Harmonics Tweens is a preparatory group for Brooklyn Harmonics Teens. Tweens sing customized arrangements of popular songs (and some originals) to help refine their ability to sing in unison and develop their harmonizing skills. It’s a happy approach to singing with other 9- to 13-year-olds. And performing in concert with the Teens is an exciting and inspiring experience. No audition required.
Brooklyn Harmonics Twenty+ (adults)
Brooklyn Harmonics Twenty+ sing arrangements of pop tunes (and some originals) written specifically for the group, which are featured in concerts that will also showcase Brooklyn Harmonics Teens and Tweens. The three groups rehearse separately, then connect across generations in performance. Bring your singing joy to the adults of the Brooklyn Harmonics continuum! Sign up for an audition.
Interested in joining the Brooklyn Harmonics Teens, Tweens, Twenty+ vocal performance program? Click here to complete an interest form. Let’s sing!
About the Directors:
Jeff Klitz
Jeff is a Yale graduate and highly regarded New York music director, arranger, orchestrator and composer. On Broadway he served as music director/conductor for “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Hot Feet” and “Lennon,” and conductor and choral arranger for “Song and Dance” and “On Your Toes.” Other Broadway credits include “Chicago” and “Grand Hotel.” He has worked with numerous performers, serving as music director and pianist for Joanna Gleason, Judy Collins, Joel Grey, and Tommy Tune, among others.
His credits as arranger and orchestrator include work with the New York Philharmonic, The Chicago Symphony, and Disney, and as producer/arranger with Paul McCartney’s publishing house MPL. Jeff helped found, and was arranger and accompanist for, the New York Metro Mass Choir, an inter-faith gospel choir that performed at The Apollo Theater, Avery Fisher Hall, and Carnegie Hall. His songs have been performed in NYC venues from The Bitter End to Carnegie Hall.
In 2018 Jeff developed, with BKCM, the tight-harmony vocal group Brooklyn Harmonics, the inspiration for the new Brooklyn Harmonics Teens, Tweens, Twenty+ vocal performance program that he’s so excited to be co-directing with Christine Cornell.
Christine Cornell
Christine is a musician and teaching artist who received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Although Christine’s musical training is classical with an added emphasis on jazz, she is well versed in most contemporary vocal styles that are required of the modern singer. Her pedagogy training encourages flexible and healthy vocalizing stemming from a traditional Bel Canto technique. Her studio is versatile and energetic with a repertoire ranging from Italian classics to today’s chart topping pop hits. She has just returned from a sold-out run of “The Sound of Music” playing Sister Margaretta with the Virginia Arts Festival. She is part of the jazz duo Cornell & McCarthy and will join The Brooklyn String Orchestra for a performance with Terry Riley at New York Fashion Week 2022.
Christine can be seen on stages leading bands, backing up stars, dancing in musicals, and jamming on her guitar. Some favorite performances include: Joanna Gleason’s “Out of the Eclipse” (54 Below, Quick Center, Renberg), “The Most Happy Fella” (Goodspeed), “Celebrating the Life of Carol Hall” (the Times Center), “The Sound of Music” (Paper Mill Playhouse, Sacred Heart), “Master Class” (Gulf Shore Playhouse), “A Nantucket Christmas Carol” (White Heron Theatre) and “Four Saints in Three Acts” (BAM). Christine also produces music available on all platforms. She can also be spotted at many of BKCM’s wonderful events, including the House Party (2019 and 2021), as a soloist for the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra (2022) and for the Brooklyn Conservatory Chorale (2022).