Tradition. Talent. Excellence.
Grosse Pointe South Choir has a reputation of excellence and is one of the most successful choral programs in Michigan. The program has consistently received top accolades from various state and national organizations including the highest ratings at MSVMA, a featured choir at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival and four-time national show choir champions, most recently in 2019 and has received numerous awards for choral sound, choreography, technical assistance, costuming and show.
The Grosse Pointe South Choir Department is built on three important pillars: tradition, talent and excellence. The South Choral Department has a tradition of excellence and is comprised of four choral ensembles incorporating students from grades 9 – 12. These students feature their talent in major workshops, concerts and competitions throughout the school year and travel internationally bi-annually. Past International performances include Spain, Italy, Greece, England, France, Ireland, Spain and the French Riviera, Poland and Austria!
Meet the Choirs
Grosse Pointes South Choirs
Pointe Singers
Pointe Singers are Grosse Pointe South's Premiere Show Choir. Composed of students in grades 10-12, this group of talented performers have earned top placements across the Midwest and nationally for the past 30 years. In 2019 the Pointe Singers were crowned FAME Show Choir National Grand Champions. In 2025, the Pointe Singers will shine on their NYC Performance Tour.
South Singers
South Singers is Grosse Pointe South's Junior Varsity Show Choir. Composed of students in grades 9-12, this group of talented performers is excited to continue the tradition of excellence as a part of the Grosse Pointe South Choir family. South Singers will be traveling this year to New York City to take part in our NYC Performance Tour.
Concert Choir
Concert Choir is Grosse Pointe South's traditional choral choir. Composed of students in grades 9-12, Concert Choir performs music of a wide variety of genres and styles. 2024-25 saw the arrival of 20 new members to this ensemble! From Classical to Contemporary and everything in between, these talented performers are excited to continue the rich tradition of excellence as a part of the Grosse Pointe South Choir Family. In 2025, Concert Choir students will sparkle on the NYC Performance Tour.
Extracurricular Choir
Suspensions are Grosse Pointe South's Pop Acapella Ensemble. Directed by Alum Nick Kuhl, this group performs a wide variety of music in the style of Pentatonix, Straight No Chaser and Pitch Perfect. This auditioned group is composed of students in grades 10-12 who are a proud part of the Grosse Pointe South Choir program.
Suspensions
Planned Choral Events During the Year 2024-2025
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They make everything happen, for the students.
The Creative Team
Carolyn GrossChoral Director
Carolyn Gross brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to her role at Grosse Pointe South High School. For a rewarding twenty-six years she devoted herself to the Grosse Pointe Public Schools Music Department teaching choir and drama at Brownell Middle School. She served for twelve years as a music department chair, leading the annual Summer Choir Workshop, music directing the all-school musicals, and mentoring many student teachers. Most recently, she led the music learning at the Grosse Pointe Academy.
Carolyn directed the MSVMA Middle School State Honors Choir in 2012, the MMEA Elementary Honors Choir in 2019, and the Ohio Music Education Association District 1 Honors Choir in 2023. Her 8th grade choir performed at MSVMA Choral Hour in 2016 and 2018 and the Michigan ACDA fall Conference in 2017. Carolyn is also the founding artistic director and conductor of the community choir, One Voice, in the Detroit metropolitan area. Carolyn resides in Grosse Pointe Park with her husband James and their three children Eliana, Danny and Nolan. |
Richard WolfAccompanist
Richard has served as the accompanist for Grosse Pointe South choirs since August 2004. Prior
to South, he served for 9 years as the accompanist at Rochester High School. Richard also served on the full board of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA) in various capacities from 1999 to 2013. He is also the organist at First Congregational Church in New Baltimore since October 2012, and has worked in church music for over 20 years. Richard has also served as chorusmaster for the Lyric Theatre Program at Madonna University since the fall of 2023. A graduate of Ball State University, he has worked with Gordon Nelson, Thomas Sheets, Steve Zegree, Charlene Archibeque, Neeme Jarvi, John Morris Russell, Jeff Tyzik, Thomas Wilkins, and Leonard Slatkin. He has also had the opportunity to participate in High Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City as a singer in July 2004 and an organist in February 2012. |
Nick KuhlA Cappella Director
Nick Kuhl has worked for several years as a private vocal instructor and freelance choral director for Grosse Pointe Public Schools, and is currently the co-director of vocal music at Seneca Middle School in Macomb, Michigan, where he has the pleasure of teaching nearly 500 choir students each day. He has been a professional musician and freelance vocalist throughout the Detroit area for over a decade. Nick has received numerous awards for singing, including the National Showstoppers Vocal Competition in Disney World and the Toronto Vocal Competition for Classical Singing. He has been a featured soloist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Michigan Pops Orchestra, and the Rochester Symphony Orchestra. Nick has performed and recorded in New York and Nashville under Warner Music Group, performed in X Generation and other Tangerine Moon Productions acts, and currently performs in Nick Kuhl and the Gang, one of Detroit’s leading wedding bands.
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Cori CallahanChoreographerCori’s professional training began at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She attended as a dance major and performed with Jazz Dance Theatre. In 1997, she continued on to become a Radio City Rockette for seven years. Later, Cori performed at the Motor City and MGM Casinos. She is an active member with the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA, and has appeared in numerous regional and national commercials. Cori has been teaching and choreographing for over 15 years, including productions for Grosse Pointe Public Schools. Her choreography has won numerous awards for originality and entertainment. Cori is Co-Owner of Mack Ave Dance Center.
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Andrew PankiewiczChoreographer
Andrew Pankiewicz discovered a love for dance in a dark, abandoned room. Developing technique in Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Musical Theatre, Ballet, Congolese, Contemporary, and Modern dance, Andrew received his BFA in dance from Wayne State University. Training with Meg Paul, Dr. Biba Bell, Dr. Ras Mikey Courtney, and the BIARA Mvmnt Phlsphy taught him the importance of authenticity in dance. Studying under Hannah Anderson, Jessica Rajko, Lisa LaMarre, Mary Sherman, and Brandon Koepsell strengthened his understanding of ballet, contemporary, and musicality. Growing in his art, He hungered to create and perform. Andrew has traveled across Michigan and worked as a guest artist. Having taught dance education alongside Toi Banks in the Farmington district, Andrew utilizes dance as the vehicle to reinforce life skills to hundreds of students. Andrew carries his ongoing desire to perform and choreograph to each community he visits.
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Photo Credit: The Portrait Place
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