research dossier

BUFFALO GIRLCHOIR

BUFFALO, NY · EIN 813336280 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE A6B · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · buffalogirlchoir.org

revenue

$61K

expenses

$56K

net assets

$4K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

The mission of Buffalo Girlchoir is to provide exceptional music instruction to young women from all social strata culminating in transcendent performances at the highest level of artistic excellence, facilitating their development into self-assured young women.

profile · synthesized from sources

Buffalo Girlchoir is a choral organization founded in 2015 that provides music instruction to girls ages 5–18 in Buffalo, NY. It serves young female-identifying and gender-nonconforming singers from diverse backgrounds through four ensembles and a women's choir. The organization emphasizes artistic excellence, inclusion, and personal development through performance with professional ensembles and community events.

named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Arioso Choir

Ensemble for singers in grades 6–12 refining intonation, diction, resonance, blend, and sight-reading skills

Cantabile Choir

Ensemble for singers in grades 4–6 focusing on breath control, vowel formation, and music reading skills

Giocoso Choir

Auditioned ensemble for singers in grades 9–12 focused on advanced performance skills and musical excellence

Intermezzo Choir

Ensemble for singers in grades 2–3 developing vocal technique and basic score reading with emphasis on solfege

Prelude Choir

Ensemble for singers in kindergarten and first grade focusing on foundational vocal skills and music literacy

Summer Camp

Annual summer program offering singing instruction, recording sessions, and performance preparation for participants

Women’s Choir

Program for high school and college singers offering mentorship with professionals in treble repertoire performance

activities · 5 groups

What they do

Music Education and Training Programs 3 activities
- Offers mentorship and professional development for young singers
  
  Runs a mentorship program that pairs high school apprentices and college interns with experienced professionals to develop skills in performance of treble repertoire.
- Provides music education and guest conducting beyond choir rehearsals
  
  Delivers music instruction in classrooms from pre-school through college, including teacher education programs, and serves as guest conductor for regional and national festival and honor choirs.
- Provides music instruction and choral performance opportunities for girls
  
  Offers structured music education to over 80 girls ages 5–18 through four choral ensembles, with age-specific curricula including solfege, score reading, tone production, and advanced vocal techniques for junior (K-6) and senior (6-12) divisions. Rehearsals are held in-person at a studio in Buffalo, with fall sessions beginning annually in September.
Commissioning New Musical Works 1 activity
- Commissions and premieres new choral works
  
  Supports contemporary choral music by commissioning and premiering new compositions, including "Like A Bird" by Caroline Mallonee.
Community Choral Rehearsals & Performances 1 activity
- Hosts public concerts and community performances
  
  Presents free public concerts such as the spring concert at Babeville and performs at community events including Shakespeare in Delaware Park, the Susan G. Komen Annual Survivor’s Luncheon, and local holiday shopping events, expanding access to choral music and community engagement.
Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Operates a summer camp program for girls
  
  Runs an annual summer camp for girls ages 6–12 featuring daily singing, music instruction, arts and crafts, yoga, walking field trips, and team-building activities to foster friendship and engagement. The program includes recording sessions and concludes with a final performance, as demonstrated in Summer Camp II 2023.
Classical and Chamber Music Performances 1 activity
- Produces high-level artistic performances with professional ensembles
  
  Directs choirs in public performances at major venues including Kleinhans Music Hall and Shea’s Performing Arts Center, collaborating with professional groups such as the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and Apollo’s Fire. Notable performances include Orff’s Carmina Burana, The Nutcracker, and Holiday Pops concerts.

financials · form 990EZ · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$61K

Contributions & grants$33K53%

Program service revenue$24K39%

Investment income——

Other revenue$2K

expenses

Total expenses$56K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits$21K

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$7K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$4K

2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +28.1%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1

Name	Title	Hours/wk	Compensation
KATHLEEN BASSETT	ARTISTIC DIRECT	20	$5K

board members · 4

CHARLIE ROBERTS — Director
CHERYL RACZYK — Director
HEATHER DIDOMENICO — Director
NICOLE MORRIS JOHNSON — Director

relationships · 27

Who they work with

Amherst Central Schools Partner — Jeannine Joseph taught elementary music with Amherst Central Schools for six years.
Apollo’s Fire: The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra Partner — Choirs under Buffalo Girlchoir's direction have performed alongside Apollo’s Fire: The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra.
BPO Partner — Collaborated with BPO to perform in Carmina Burana at Kleinhans Music Hall.
Buffalo AKG Partner — Performs at the Buffalo AKG’s Christmas tree lighting and sing-along event.
Buffalo Philharmonic Partner — Choirs under Buffalo Girlchoir's direction have performed alongside the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Collaborates on performances including Carmina Burana, The Polar Express Holiday Pops, and The Nutcracker.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Collaborates with BPO to perform in Carmina Burana.
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for Holiday Pops and other events.
Carnegie Mellon University Partner — Jeannine Joseph holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
Channel 7 WKBW Partner — Local news outlet that featured Buffalo Girlchoir at the start of the 2022-23 season.
Cleveland Pops Orchestra Partner — Choirs under Buffalo Girlchoir's direction have performed alongside the Cleveland Pops Orchestra.
Erie County Music Educators Association Partner — Kathleen Bassett has presented workshops at conferences for the Erie County Music Educators Association.
GCR Audio Partner — Collaborated with GCR Audio for recording sessions during Summer Camp II 2023.
Gordon Institute for Music Learning Partner — Jeannine Joseph holds certification from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.
Immaculata Academy Partner — Kathleen Bassett was director of choirs at Immaculata Academy, where choirs achieved top ratings at NYSSMA festivals.
Martin House Partner — Performs at Martin House’s holiday tree lighting event.
Neglia Ballet Partner — Collaborated on a performance of The Nutcracker.
Neglia Ballet Partner — Collaborates with Buffalo Girlchoir on performances during The Nutcracker productions.
New York Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association Partner — Kathleen Bassett has presented workshops at conferences for the New York Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association.
Ohio Music Education Association Partner — Kathleen Bassett has presented workshops at conferences for the Ohio Music Education Association.
PayPal Partner — Provides secure online payment processing for camp deposits.
Shakespeare in Delaware Park Partner — Performed as part of the Shakespeare in Delaware Park program.
Susan G. Komen Partner — Performed at the Susan G. Komen survivor’s luncheon.
Susan G. Komen Partner — Performed at the organization's Annual Survivor’s Luncheon.
University at Buffalo Partner — Jeannine Joseph holds a Master’s in Music Education from the University at Buffalo.
Vocalis Chamber Choir Partner — Kathleen Bassett performs with Vocalis Chamber Choir.
Women’s Choir of Buffalo Partner — Extends the mission of Buffalo Girlchoir through a mentorship program for high school and college singers.

strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Arts-Based Youth Development Through Choral Music

methodology: arts-based_youth_development
By providing high-level music instruction and performance opportunities, we foster confidence, personal development, and self-efficacy in young women because artistic engagement cultivates identity, discipline, and belonging.
Equity-Centered Access to Arts Education

methodology: equity-centered_access
By removing financial barriers and actively cultivating an inclusive environment, we ensure access to choral music for girls of all socioeconomic and social backgrounds because equitable access enables diverse participation and strengthens community belonging.
Representation and Mentorship in Female Artistic Role Modeling

methodology: women-composer-focused_curriculum, mentorship_model
By centering music composed by women and pairing young singers with experienced professional mentors, we strengthen artistic development and identity formation because visible female role models and guided mentorship increase engagement and aspirational growth.