BHS Choir Performs with Special Guest

On May 13, the BHS Choirs performed their spring concert. After they performed their traditional pieces, the choirs took part in a special presentation with actor/producer/singer Jonathan Kirkland. Together, the students and Mr. Kirkland performed “Helpless,” “Right Hand Man,” and “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story,” from Hamilton.

Mr. Kirkland, who played George Washington in Hamilton, is part of the Local Education Agency Partnership (LEAP) Grant team that earned an “In-Toon: Democracy Has Its Eyes On You” grant that is funded by the US Government. The purpose of the grant is to give opportunity for young people to engage in dialogue about history, civic duty, and democracy through the lens of Hamilton. Berkley High School is one of six Metro Detroit high schools to participate in this three-year grant, along with two schools in Los Angeles.

In Fall 2025, BHS choir teacher Sarah Noble was approached by Mr. Kirkland to see if they wanted to be part of this grant. His niece is a current BHS student and Ms. Noble taught her while she was a student at Norup. This spring concert was the first collaboration of this grant.

The LEAP organization described this grant as, “This project combines constitutional principles education with creative expression through digital storytelling, animation and musical theatre, bringing founding narrative and constitutional government concepts to life through scholarly inquiry and artistic innovation.”

Photos are courtesy of the Berkley Choir Boosters.