By Ashley Gilbert

Granada Hills Charter (GHC) hosted its own version of “The Masked Singer” featuring staff members in elaborate costumes performing alongside student dancers and vocalists. The event spearheaded by dance teacher Dana Fukagawa, brought together students, faculty, and the community for a night of entertainment, talent, and creativity. 

English teacher Rachael Phipps, performing as Zebra, won first place with her rendition of “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid.” Choir director Dr. Desiree Balfour, performing as Giraffe, earned second place with Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” while English teacher Shayna Arhanian, performing as the Unicorn, claimed third place with Beyonce, “Halo.” 

This production not only showcased the hidden talents of GHC staff but also provided an opportunity for students and staff to collaborate in celebrating the performing arts. Teachers sang alongside the choir and advanced dance class representatives. 

“The Masked Singer” is a reality television competition where celebrities perform songs while disguised in elaborate costumes, concealing their identities. A panel of judges and the audience guess their identities based on their performances and clues provided throughout the season.

In organizing the show, Fukagawa undertook a variety of logistical tasks to ensure everything in our GHC version ran smoothly. 

“Planning for the show was set in early August,” Fukagawa said. “I edited the music for each contestant and coordinated backup dancers to enhance their performances. Building a technical schedule and booking a tech crew were crucial steps, as was drafting a script for the hosts. I meticulously set up the show order and tech schedule, handled the lighting and calling of the show, and coordinated finding performers, judges, stage crew, and parent chaperones to ensure everything was in place for a successful event.” 

The Advanced Dance 2 class played a pivotal role, in choreographing dance routines for each contestant. This hard work added energy and professionalism to the performances, with dancers Katie Gerrity and Heather Dubrovo accompanying the first-place winner of the show. 

In addition to the dancers, members of the choir also contributed to the event, serving as vocal coaches for the participating staff and even singing backup for some performers. 

Together, both groups added a vibrant energy to the show.  

“As a project in my Advanced Dance 2 class, students were tasked to choreograph and costume their own backup routines for each contestant,” Fukagawa states. “Getting to see these numbers come to life in my classroom and then be translated onto the stage for the show was exciting to watch. I was proud of all my students who were able to participate. I was also proud to see my colleagues perform their hearts out for the show and bring such great entertainment, laughter, and joy to the community. It was a great project to be a part of.”

The judging panel added star power to the event, featuring English teacher Maureen Grandchamp, Office Assistant Ricky Vasquez, and Meisha Lee, professional dancer, Choreographer and Producer. Lee has had experience working with artists such as Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Miley Cyrus, and Queen Latifah, as well as being the supervising choreographer for “The Masked Singer” Season 2. 

Overall, the event was exhilarating and showcased various staff members performing in whimsical costumes, captivating the audience with their talent and mystery. The atmosphere was further filled with excitement as participants took turns singing, leaving spectators eagerly guessing their identities.

“The nerves and the stress of leading up to the show were the most challenging part of competing in The Masked Singer,” Phipps said. “I’ve never sung solo in front of an audience like that, so dealing with all of that was really nerve-wracking. That and finding the confidence to believe I could do it. I was in shock at winning. I did not think I would actually win. I just thought it would be a fun competition to do with my friends and build community and spirit on campus. I wanted to be competitive and not make a fool of myself, but I absolutely did not think I was going to win.” 

Overall, the staff edition of “The Masked Singer” was a resounding success for staff and students alike. The show provided an entertaining showcase of hidden talents among faculty. Also, it fostered a sense of community and creativity among students, culminating in an unforgettable experience that celebrated performance arts.