By David Harry
Staff Writer

Give them a voice and a stage and they will come.
That is what Ronda Verges and Tammy Carusone expect as they launch a new chorus group in Biddeford.
Verges is the founder of the Academy of Developing Artists in Maine. Carusone teaches chorus, music and jazz band at Biddeford Middle School. Together they launched the tuition-free chorus program for children from kindergarten to 12th-grade at the academy on Elm Street across from Marden’s.
“It’s an all-ages chorus for anyone with a passion for singing,” Verges said.
All-ages does mean school age and the chorus is designed to replace an after-school chorus eliminated by budget cuts at Biddeford Intermediate School. New members will be accepted without audition because Verges and Carusone want to build self-esteem.
“We can’t say no, everybody can sing,” Carusone said.
Verges said at least six students joined this month. Rehearsals are held 4:30 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday. Students can enroll in the chorus until Oct. 15.
Verges has taught performing arts classes at the academy since 2008. Carusone said she heard from other Biddeford teachers about the new chorus Verges planned.
The academy is already drawing students from local and surrounding schools. Biddeford teachers, including fifth-grade instructor Rob Petit, who volunteers and sends his children to the academy.
Carusone said she expects to see some shyness from new students – it happens frequently in her middle school classes at the beginning of a school year – but she is ready to teach and encourage every level of experience and skill.
“Sometimes they don’t understand you can go up and do it and someone claps,” Carusone said.
The chorus will be bolstered by members of the cast of “Little Shop of Horrors,” which will be staged at the academy in November.
The production features middle and high school students from Biddeford, Lyman and Wells who were introduced to Carusone recently as she led them through vocal exercises.
“Little Shop of Horrors” is a musical and Verges said the cast presence in the chorus will have mutual benefits. New chorus members can learn about performing from peers and show cast can sharpen vocal skills, she said.
Wells High School freshman Micaela Wright has studied with Verges at the academy and Wells schools for several years.
“The singing makes me a little more nervous, but I am working at it,” she said.
Wells High School senior Alex Coffey has worked and studied with Verges longer than anyone in the academy program – he was about 5 when they met.
Coffey said he refused to sing until he appeared in his fifth production directed by Verges. He now holds the lead role of Orin Scrivello, the homicidal barber in “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“I just decided ‘I want to start singing today,’” he said about using his voice after so much urging by Verges.
Verges said the first time she heard Coffey sing he was honoring her late son, Adam. Adam died in a traffic accident in 2005.
Verges said her son wanted her to start the academy as a way to settle down from leading theater groups and teaching. Known by its acronym spelled as a|d|a|m, the academy is named in his honor.
Biddeford Middle School eighth-grader Cody Curtis said his work in the after school drama club with Petit led him to the academy. His classes and performances there have fulfilled Verges’s goal to create self-esteem through artistic expression.
“I get respect for myself and I am honest for myself. I was bullied and she taught me it was not OK,” he said.
At least five concerts have been arranged already, including an opening performance at the annual Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude, Verges said.
There is no cost to enroll in the chorus, but Verges said she is considering asking singers to sign a commitment sheet for 12 weeks of classes and performances.
Verges and Carusone are planning a second 12-week session for winter and spring so students can enjoy other sports and activities without overloading their schedules.
For more information visit www.academyofdevelopingartists.com.