Bellevue Youth Choirs: Empowering Young Voices

In a world that often underestimates the value of the arts,  Bellevue Youth Choirs (BYC) exemplifies the many ways music can inspire, connect, and educate people no matter their story. That's why the nonprofit prioritizes shaping minds of children and young adults through a music educations informed by global perspectives. Through these experiences, BYC choristers of all ages develops the skills they need to pursue music in a nurturing and community-oriented environment. 

BYC boasts a variety of choirs for every age group, ranging from pre-k "Prelude" to young adult "Voce". Each choir is designed to adapt to the individual chorister’s skill set, informed by developmental milestones and level of musical understanding. Rehearsals follow the school calendar, leading up to three major concerts per year that feature a variety of folk songs, choral works, and culturally rich compositions. For many, this training becomes a pivotal part of their lives. 

“Music makes me feel safe and grounded. And yet when I play it, hear it, feel it, I am a million miles up,” says Cantare Choristor Dennie. 

Beyond the music, BYC provides a safe and welcoming space where young people can form lasting friendships. The team of dedicated teachers - many of whom have children enrolled in the program - help the program feel like a family. Rehearsals are structured to be engaging, with games, movement, and social breaks that keep students motivated and connected with one another. Executive & Artistic Director Kayla Johnson has seen shy children blossom at BYC and learn integral social skills outside of their traditional school environment. She sees how it can provide a third place that is all their own. 

“We want this to be a place where kids feel they belong,” says Johnson. “When there’s drama in their lives or challenges at school, this is a grounding space where they can feel safe and supported.” 

BYC embraces music from around the world. Each choir level learns at least one song in English and another in a different language, exposing them to a vast array of cultures. The organization takes great care to source music authentically, working with experts to ensure accurate pronunciation and representation. Fostering appreciation and understanding of diverse musical traditions is a core value of the choir in its mission to expand students’ worldview.  

Despite its success as a pillar of the community, BYC has not been without its challenges. During the pandemic participation numbers dropped drastically, and it took dedicated time and outreach to reach the size of the pre-pandemic program. This growth in numbers and enthusiasm is a testament to the strength of the program – seeing students return each year reinforces that BYC is providing essential enrichment for many lives. 

The local education landscape also presents hurdles. With some school districts reducing elective periods and cutting elementary band and orchestra programs, BYC aims to fill the gap. They continue to keep schedules manageable for every kind of student, sticking to a once-a-week model to ensure that students can balance their love for singing with other responsibilities. 

Intermezzo chorister Leilani sees the benefit of this structure in her life, explaining that "[she's] learned cool songs and even how to work hard without it really feeling like work. It’s like having a second family, but we get to make music all the time."

The barriers BYC currently faces does not deter them from looking to the future. Looking ahead, they envision expanding to older age groups to allow for a more advanced repertoire and further enriching the community of talented singers.  They plan to continue to nurture young voices, build friendships, and share the joy of music. BYC's recent spring concert, “Stories We Tell,” showcased pieces from classic folk tunes to Amazonian tribal music, highlighting storytelling through song. The June concert, “Shall We Dance?” will feature dance-inspired music from around the world.  

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