Jacobson '14 Shines in National Singing Competition

Berkeley Preparatory School is proud to recognize the recent accomplishments of Maya Jacobson ’14 at The Great American Songbook High School Vocal Academy & Competition. Maya was recognized as one of the top ten national finalists at the competition held on July 26 in a sold out show at the 1,600-seat Palladium Concert Hall in Carmel, IN. She competed against regional finalists from 22 states.

As a regional finalist, Maya attended a five-day academy workshop on performing and interpreting the music of the Great American Songbook prior to the final competition held on July 26. Top music industry professionals such as five-time Grammy award nominee Michael Feinstein, five-time Grammy award winner Sandi Patty, two-time Grammy award winner Sylvia McNair, two-time Grammy nominated Jane Monheit, and Jim Caruso were among the mentors providing master classes to the finalists. The mentors provided tips and instruction on interpretation, enunciation, pitch, breathing and overall performance techniques. Classes also included tips on media, public relations, vocal health and nutrition.
 
To be selected to attend and compete in The Great American Songbook High School Vocal Academy and Competition Maya first competed in the Southeast regional competition in Atlanta, GA. She was named one of the two Southeast regional finalists along with Melinda Rodriguez from Miami.  She was selected as a finalist from hundreds of high school student entrants from North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
 
At Berkeley, the incoming senior has been featured in Berkeley’s theatrical productions taking on the roles as: Eva Peron in Evita, Tina Denmark in Ruthless the Musical and Esther in Playing for Time. Berkeley is proud of Maya’s accomplishments and would like to congratulate her on her accomplishments on the national stage this summer.
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Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.