Nine personalities make a girl group

They dress up in skirts and glitter, and perform well-known songs, including Madonna's ``Material Girl," while bouncing around with permanent smiles.

But the nine members of Girl Authority, a pop music group from the suburbs west of Boston, are just adolescents -- or younger -- ranging in age from 8 to 13. The girls have known one another for years and share a love for singing, dancing, performing live, and living in a material world.

Executive producer, vocal coach, and manager Samantha Hammel developed the idea for Girl Authority in June 2005, drawing from her performing arts company, Samm Entertainment, in Sudbury. Hammel was approached by Rounder Records, an independent record label from Cambridge, to see if she wanted to collaborate to make a children's album of covers of hit songs. From her class, she picked out nine girls who were among the most talented vocalists and actors, and possessed a range of personalities.

``They're not a random group of kids," Hammel said, adding that she didn't hold auditions.

``They're normal, everyday, regular kids who happen to be really talented, and all happen to be really good friends." Once the girls were chosen, the fun began.

In Girl Authority, the adolescents are defined by character labels encouraging everything from lavish partying at age 11 and fine shopping at age 13 (Party Girl Kate and Glamour Girl Carly, respectively) to caring for the outdoors, as Boho Girl Jess does.

Rounding out the group are Country Girl Crystal, Rock-n-Roll Girl Tarr, Urban Girl Gina, Fashion Girl Alex, Preppy Girl Zoe, and All-Star Girl Jacqueline. Covering nearly all the desirable labels a girl in that age range could want, each girl acts and dresses accordingly, on and off stage.

``I grew up in the era of boy bands," said Hammel, who is 22. ``I wanted to have nine so fans could relate to the different girls."

Jacqueline, aka All-Star Girl (the girls do not release their last names), 13, explained that Girl Authority personas were not a matter of accident. ``We each have the girls inside of us. We had to pick the character that best fits us."

Zoe, 8, who is Preppy Girl, said, ``I think preppy girls are fun, outgoing, energetic, love pink" and are just happy about what they do. ``That's how I am."

Part of the reason Zoe wanted to join Girl Authority was because the other girls ``are like a second family." As for Jacqueline, she performed in theater and worked with Hammel, and she jumped at the chance to join Girl Authority. ``I love to sing and dance, and the fact that it's a CD group, I was excited and said, ` Yes, I'll do it.' "

Last fall Girl Authority started recording its eponymous CD , which includes a mix of older hit songs as well as new favorites, such as Gwen Stefani's ``Hollaback Girl." Some of the lyrics were altered to become more kid-friendly. Each girl sings a solo on the CD. Jacqueline, who covered Kelly Clarkson's ``Breakaway," said, ``When it came time to record my song, it was really amazing. It's cool to hear yourself" on an album .

The group worked together for the rest of the album's 15 tracks. ``The group vocals show we can really all blend together," said Jacqueline.

Girl Authority made its debut in April, securing a Top 10 position on the Billboard Kids Chart and Top 20 on the Top Heatseeker chart. The CD was produced by Scott Billington, a Grammy award-winning producer.

According to the girls, the best part of being in Girl Authority is being able to perform interactive, high-energy shows in front of an audience. ``They sing right to the audience, and before every song there's a little skit leading up to it," Hammel said.

In April, the girls had the opportunity to share the stage with the Dresden Dolls , a rock group from Boston who performed at the Orpheum Theatre. Girl Authority sang Joan Jett's ``I Love Rock 'n' Roll," with the Dresden Dolls backing them up on vocals.

Hammel hopes that Girl Authority will tour nationally soon, and make a second album.

``It's been a really great experience," said Jacqueline.

``I've always dreamed about something like this."