Music ensembles offer students of all ages a chance to play with other musicians while learning about music and having fun. Students gain invaluable experience by studying with top-notch musicians and educators.

FSPA Glee Club

Glee Club is a performance-based class that focuses on tight harmonies, rhythmic nuance and emoting a song as a soloist and as an ensemble. Glee Club also provides the perfect setting to continue work on ear training and sight-reading skills, increasing the level of musicianship from its members. Glee Club performs at FSPA events throughout the year. Students must be concurrently enrolled in Voice II or above and have the recommendation of their teacher.

Saturday Sessions

Under the direction of FSPA Music Faculty members Arnie Krakowsky and Kenny Hadley, and with special guest musicians throughout the year, “Saturday Sessions” meets on a weekly basis and explores all genres of music, including jazz, R&B, rock, blues, funk and pop. For students of all ages and any instruments, it is a great opportunity for musicians to supplement their instrumental studies.

FSPA "Jazz Krewe"

Instrumental Ensemble 

Under the direction of FSPA Music Faculty members Arnie Krakowsky and Kenny Hadley, and with special guest musicians throughout the year, “Jazz Krewe” meets on a weekly basis and explores all genres of music, including jazz, R&B, rock, blues, funk and pop. For students of all ages and any instruments, it is a great opportunity for musicians to supplement their instrumental studies.

Hallie Wetzell

FSPA Vocal Director, FSPA Academy Director, Glee Club, Instructor of Voice

Hallie Wetzell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Occidental College and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from New England   Conservatory of Music. As FSPA Vocal Director, Hallie oversees the FSPA Voice program and serves as music director for all ensembles, as well as productions of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) and Electric Youth. Hallie was the Vocal Director for the FSPA Children’s Choirs for the professional touring companies of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2000 and 2005 and Evita in 2004. She has been on FSPA’s Faculty since 1998 and became Vocal Director for FPAC in 1999.     

Kenny Hadley

Instructor of Drums, Director of Saturday Sessions and FSPA Percussion Ensemble

Kenny Hadley joined the FSPA Music Faculty in 1998 and has extensive teaching experience, including master classes and clinics throughout New England. He has played throughout the US, Europe and South America and has worked with many well-known musicians including Van Morrison, Dizzy Gillespie, The Count Basie Orchestra, Peter Wolf, The Drifters and Rebecca Parris, as well as with the North Shore Music Theater, Franklin Performing Arts Company and Electric Youth. He serves as orchestra contractor for the Franklin Performing Arts Company and has co-produced The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington, ‘Tis the Season! and the CD recordings of Electric Youth. His acclaimed Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with the Count Basie Orchestra, Dizzy Gillespie’s Band, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson. The band’s recordings include Come Sunday, A Beautiful Friendship and Common Thread.