Broadway Star Jessie Mueller Joins Michael Feinstein for Free Songbook Academy Event in Carmel

The Great American Songbook Foundation has announced a major highlight for this summer’s Songbook Academy®: Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning Broadway sensation Jessie Mueller will appear alongside Michael Feinstein in a special Public Masterclass on July 15 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts.

This engaging event is part of the Foundation’s 16th annual Songbook Academy, a weeklong summer intensive that brings together 40 of the nation’s most talented high school vocalists for training in the rich tradition of American popular music. Under the mentorship of celebrated performers and educators, students hone their artistry while embracing the legacy of the Great American Songbook.

The Public Masterclass—scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 15—will feature Mueller and Feinstein offering live feedback to 10 randomly selected student performers on the Palladium stage. Known for its mix of entertainment and insight, the masterclass is a fan favorite among Songbook Academy events. Admission is “pay-what-you-can,” with no minimum, and tickets are available now at TheSongbook.org/Masterclass25.

Jessie Mueller is best known for originating the role of Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a performance that earned her the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and a GRAMMY. She also starred as Jenna in Waitress and as Julie Jordan in Carousel, earning critical acclaim and multiple nominations. Her most recent Broadway appearance was in Tracy Letts’ The Minutes.

In addition to the masterclass, two other public Songbook Academy events are available:

• Songbook Showcase - Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. ETAll 40 participants will take the stage to perform solos, with additional spotlight performances by Michael Feinstein and guest mentor Nikki Renée Daniels. Daniels, known for her roles in Once Upon a Mattress, Les Misérables, and The Book of Mormon, brings Broadway prestige to the evening. Tickets are “pay-what-you-can” (minimum $5 for in-person attendance; no minimum for livestream).

• The Songbook Academy in ConcertS - aturday, July 19 at 7 p.m. ETThis grand finale concert will showcase group numbers, choral arrangements, and featured solos. Hosted by Feinstein, the event celebrates the growth of each student and pays tribute to iconic American songwriters. In-person tickets start at just $25, while livestream access remains “pay-what-you-can.”

Tickets and details for all events are available at TheSongbook.org, by calling (317) 843-3800 or toll-free at (877) 909-2787.

The Songbook Academy is made possible through generous support from the Efroymson Family Fund, Traditions Senior Communities, the City of Carmel, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Salon 01. Individual donors also play a key role in funding guest mentors, including Libby and Randy Brown, Tim and Karyl McGeath, Bob and Rose Popovich, and the Tobin Family.

The Songbook Academy in Concert is presented as part of the 2025-2026 Center Presents Season, sponsored by Allied Solutions, and is included in the BHI Senior Living Songbook Series.