Our History

A highly selective music education program for girls ages 6 and older, The Philadelphia Girls Choir is designed to instill confidence and responsibility through musical achievement. The choir takes a holistic approach to choral music that relates musicianship and performance to the broader human experience. Cultural diversity and personal development are essential elements of Philadelphia Girls Choir training.

Our program utilizes the Kodály Method, an internationally recognized musical education concept for children based on the idea that we should first learn to love music as human sound and an experience that enriches life.

“If we ourselves sing often, this provides a deep experience of happiness.” – Zoltan Kodaly, 1964

Founded in 2012, The Philadelphia Girls Choir began with 18 singers and has grown to include over 200 youth divided into four ensembles – Prelude, Etude, Cantata, and Concerto. After auditioning, girls who are invited to join the choir are arranged into an ensemble based on age, allowing each group to receive specific training through rehearsals and lessons. Beginning with the basics of music theory and performance, singers, progress over the years to learn more about vocal technique through challening repertoire. 

All programs include public performances at locations such as the National Constitution Center, the Met, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the Academy of Music. Additionally our performing choirs sing annually in the Philadelphia Ballet’s performances of The Nutcracker, and in 2024 PGC made its premiere with the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing Carmina Burana in the Kimmel Center and again in Saratoga Springs. Each semester culminates in a celebratory joint concert for family & friends.

Girls in the Cantata and Concerto groups travel internationally for a yearly summer tour. The combination of performances and cultural experiences helps to reinforce the core concepts of the Philadelphia Girls Choir, based on gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves, our community, and our world. Some previous tours have taken the choir to Italy, Austria, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Poland, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Budapest, and Germany. In 2025 PGC travels to Africa for the first time for an incredible tour of Morocco.

Our Ensembles

Prelude – Prelude is our all-gender beginning training choir where most singers begin their musical journey! Beginning at age 6 and going through ages 9 or 10, this training choir teaches the basics of music theory, healthy singing, and working collaboratively towards a common goal.

Etude – Etude is our advanced training choir, and is comprised largely of elementary-aged singers. These singers become more proficient with music theory, sight-singing, and solfege, and perform in our winter and spring concerts.

Cantata – Cantata is our younger performing choir, largely made up of middle-school-aged children. Cantata performs in the winter and spring concerts, as well as in annual performances of The Nutcracker with Philadelphia Ballet. Cantata singers are also eligible to tour in the summers alongside their peers in Concerto.

Concerto – Concerto is our elite performing choir, comprised of high-school aged singers who have met rigorous requirements in music reading and theory. Members of Concerto tour each year internationally with members of Cantata. Concerto appears regularly in concert both within the organization and for public-facing events. Concerto can also be hired for events and performances.

Our Directors

Nathan Wadley – Artistic Director

Nathan Wadley began his choral training at the age of eleven when he became a chorister with The American Boychoir, under the direction of Dr. James Litton, and he returned 15 years later to become the Resident Training Choir Director of The American Boychoir School, where he trained the newest choirboys in performance skills and musicianship. He has taught for over 20 years in both public and private school settings, and currently is on the faculty of Friends Select School in Philadelphia. Mr. Wadley earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Missouri State University, and was awarded a graduate assistantship under noted conductor Dr. Guy B. Webb. He is a certified Kodály music educator, studying at both New York University and Capitol University in Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Wadley conducts Concerto and Cantata, as well as CYC’s Division III.

Laura Harmon – Associate Director

A passionate musician who is dedicated to the musical growth and educational development of children, Laura Harmon has over 18 years of professional experience as an educator and choral conductor, and has directed choirs and taught general music to children ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade. Her success as an educator has led her students to perform in honors choirs throughout New Jersey, as well as to participate in several prestigious choirs, including All South Jersey Choir, All State Choir, and OAKE National Choir. Laura Harmon obtained her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. She earned her Level IV Kodály training from Westminster Choir College through The Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE).

Laura conducts both training choirs, Prelude and Etude, and co-teaches Cantata with Mr. Wadley.