The Hummingbird Conservatory for the Arts in Montrose will be kicking off its 2016-17 Season of Song with its Fall Cabaret titled “Getting to Know You” on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. in The Hummingbird Courtyard at 3531 N. Verdugo Road in Glendale 91208. It will feature the private voice students of the Hummingbird Conservatory accompanied on piano by Greg Schreiner. Also making its debut at the Cabaret is The Hummingbird Puppet Opera Theatre!

The purpose of the cabaret-style recital is to provide students and audience members with a more intimate experience than the standard voice recital. Students will be performing songs across genres ranging from American Musical Theatre to classical art song in foreign languages to the Disney Songbook. As always, The Hummingbird seeks to provide its singers with an opportunity for growth and accomplishment through a live performance experience but, in this case, students will also be “working the crowd” breaking down the fourth wall and inviting the audience in for some fun.

In addition, The Hummingbird Puppet Opera Theatre, debuting at this cabaret, is a new musical/education initiative being launched by Hummingbird Conservatory founder and voice teacher, Tara McGrath, to make operetta and opera more accessible to modern audiences. Built almost entirely by hand and nearly a year in the making, McGrath will lend her voice to the primary puppet-diva and will get student support from one of her junior divas, Sarah Martellino, who will be working the puppet-super-numeraries. Puppet-maestro Ricardo de Hare will be on hand to explain a few things about operetta and its contributions and influence to modern musical theater.

Admission is a donation of $10 and includes mocktails and snacks for the full cabaret experience. Seating is limited, so those interested in attending should contact Tara McGrath at (310) 916-6797, email thehummingbird2015@gmail.com or visit www.thehummingbirdconservatory.com. The Hummingbirds will be performing at Montrose Oktoberfest and will also be performing a holiday recital in December.

The Hummingbird Conservatory for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2015 by Tara McGrath. Garnering dual bachelors of music from the Hartt School where she attended on a vocal talent scholarship, McGrath was a Vocal Honors Award winner, a National Choral Award Winner and a Port Jefferson Arts Council Award winner.