High School Mentorship Program
Cantus’ High School Residency Program becomes the High School Mentorship Program
Cantus, renowned for exceptional vocal performances and dedication to choral music, deepens our educational impact through our High School Mentorship (HSM) Program, which offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to nurturing the talents of young singers and the educators who guide them. Through sustained engagement, Cantus becomes not just a musical ensemble but a supportive partner in the development of high school choral programs.
At the heart of the HSM Program lies a commitment to providing in-depth support that goes beyond workshops or one-off visits. Cantus invests time and resources into forging lasting relationships with the students of a single choral program with a free, year-long intensive collaboration with a Twin Cities area high school choral program. Striving for continuity and depth in our reach, the program will focus on improving the students’ musical skills; fostering conversation and activities around artistic entrepreneurship; observing and participating in models of giving and receiving constructive criticism in a collaborative setting; helping students develop their artistic voice through both music and text; and modeling empathy, vulnerability, and personal authenticity in music-making.
Cantus at Southwest High School.
The most important goal of the project is to enable students to affirm and celebrate their identities and artistic voices through music and storytelling. The aim of the HSM program is to provide students with unique and profound experiences by working with world-class artists with whom they may not otherwise have an opportunity to engage. The eight artists of Cantus will visit the classroom to present masterclasses, workshops, concerts, and other focus sessions. This sustained engagement allows for a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by each school and its students.
The collaborative nature of Cantus’ work is inherent in developing equity and climate frameworks that support all students. Through setting an environment of respectful discourse, power is shared in the classroom to include both students and faculty. This allows participants to have their voices, perspectives, and lived experiences guide the work.
As a part of our method, Cantus is proud to highlight social-emotional learning (SEL), particularly around vulnerability in the classroom and in our world. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning defines SEL as “the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” This perfectly dovetails with Cantus’ mission statement and our vision of “giving voice to shared human experience.”
Paul R. leads a programming session.
For educators, the HSM Program serves as a valuable professional development opportunity, providing techniques to engage students in collaboration and input, as well as cultivate a classroom environment that welcomes this approach. Cantus will hold space for vulnerable self-reflection with teaching staff to connect with culturally-informed learning that explores repertoire and lesson planning outside of Western European constructs. This program aims to embody Cantus’ commitment to collaboration alongside a dedication to musical excellence. By empowering teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to cultivate a thriving choral program, Cantus ensures that its impact extends far beyond the duration of the mentorship itself.
Jeremy leads everyone through warm-ups.
Chris, Alex, Rod, and Paul S. at the Southwest HS concert.
Experience, Learn, and Perform with Cantus:
- Masterclasses and interactive workshop experiences focused on improving musicality and technique, Social Emotional Learning principles, and collaboration in the choral classroom.
- A free in-school concert experience for the high school
- $5 subsidized tickets to Cantus home concerts
- A culminating concert in the spring featuring the high school singers and Cantus.
APPLY FOR THE HSM PROGRAM:
- Fill out this Application Form
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026.
- The selected partner school will be notified by April 15, 2026.
HSM PARTICIPANTS
- 2025-26 Johnson Senior High School — Saint Paul
- 2024-25 Southwest High School — Minneapolis
- 2023-24 FAIR School for Arts — Minneapolis
PREVIOUS HIGH SCHOOL RESIDENCY PARTICIPANTS
2022-2023: Minnetonka High School, White Bear Lake High School
2021-2022: Armstrong High School, South High School, Stillwater High School
2019-2020: Anniversary year, spent working with previous participating schools.
2018-2019: Monticello High School, East Ridge High School, Minneapolis Southwest High School
2017-2018: Fridley High School, Minneapolis South High School, New Prague High School
2016-2017: Johnson Senior High, St. Michael-Albertville High School, Washburn High School
2015-2016: Champlin Park High School, Osseo High School and Robbinsdale-Cooper High School
2014-2015: Dassel-Cokato High School, Irondale High School, Minnehaha Academy
2013-2014: Andover High School, St. Michael-Albertville High School, South High School (Minneapolis)
2012-2013: Braham Area High School, Chanhassen High School, Southwest High School (Minneapolis)
2011-2012: Central High School (St. Paul), Hopkins High School, Jordan High School
2010-2011: Farmington High School, Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul), Park High School (Cottage Grove)
2009-2010: Armstrong High School (Plymouth), Cambridge-Isanti High School, South High School
2008-2009: Como Park High School (St. Paul), Minnetonka High School, St. Peter High School
Have Questions?
Email education@cantussings.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.