Alaska Youth Choir

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History of the Alaska Youth Choir: 1994 – 2022


* 1994 - Grace Akiyama encourages Bob Norman to start a children’s choir
                John d’Armand donates ‘seed money’ to start the choir
                ‘Bob’ Norman, JSD Music Teacher, Founder of Alaska Youth Choir (AYC)
* 1994 - August 29
th AYC established as a 501c3
               with Board Members Diane Sly, Robert Norman, Deborah O’Brien, Leslie Rehfield, and Mary Alice MeKeen.
               Beverly Haywood Accompanist
* 1997 - Barbara Wilmot hired as Artistic Director
* 1998 - Missouri Smyth hired as Artistic Director
               Grace Akiyama Scholarship Fund
               Akiyama Family Foundation
               Preparatory, Intermediate, Advanced Choirs
* 2016 - Rich Moore hired as Music Director

1997 – 2014 AYC hosts: YIP’s Hong Kong Children’s Choir, Coastal Children’s Choir, Coquitlam, BC; Los Angeles Children’s Choir, Chautauqua Children’s Choral Ensemble, NY; Sir David Wilcox & Dwain Wolfe, Alaska Children’s Choir, Minnesota Boys Choir, Chicago Children’s Choir, Eastern Oregon University Choir, and Anima Glen Ellyn Children’s Choir, Chicago.

2000 – 2014, 2018 Tours - AYC Tours include Whitehorse Canada; Brooklyn Children’s Choir Festival, NY; World of Children’s Choirs, Canada; Pacific Rim International Children’s Choir Festival, HI; Sing A Mile High, Children’s Choir Festival, Colorado; Windy City Children’s Choir Festival, Chicago;  Cross Roads Children’s Choir Festival, Nashville Tennessee; New Orleans Children’s Choir Festival, New Orleans; Heart Of the Valley Children’s Choir Festival, Oregon; Children’s Choir Festival, Florida; Tuscany International Children’s Chorus Festival, Italy; Fringe Festival, Scotland; Fort Worden Children's Choir Festival, Washington.

2020-2021 COVID- AYC minimized contact by doing Zoom Sessions although not Ideal it did get us through this unprecedented time. 

2022-2023 - AYC started In person Rehearsals but still doing minimal performances. 
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Composers/Conductors: AYC has worked with and premiered original works of: David Friedman, Francisco Nunuez, Rollo Dilworth, Henry Leck, Dr. Barbara Tagg, Bob Chilcott, Paul Caldwell & Sean Ivory, Cristian Grases, Andre Thomas, Cheryl Dupont, Dr Doreen Rao, Dr Sandra Snow, Riders in the Sky, Tom Wopat, Rebecca Rothschalk, Ann Tomlinson, Alan Naplan, Sir David Wilcox.

Performances/Community Collaboration: Community Concerts, Alaska Legislature, NAEYC Conferences, Governor’s Mansion, Pillars of America, Dedication of Endicott Ferry, Folk Festival, Juneau Jazz & Classics, King Island Christmas, Martin Luther King Celebration, Juneau Student Symphony Premier of new work, Blessing of the Fleet, Perseverance Theater, Alaska Native Dance Group, Rotary, CBJ, Glacier Swim Club, Juneau Bach Society, Full Circle Music, Zahasky Family Band, Aurora Strings

Accompanists: Beverly Haywood, Missouri Smyth, Lorrie Heagy, J. Alan Mackinnon, Jacque Farnsworth, Annette Cordle, and Laurie Clough

Administrators – Sidney Fadaoff, Heather Gluth, Shelley Smith, Lori Fredenburg, Laraine Derr, Heather Miller, Melita Welling, Linda Sylvester, Amy Ely. Interim Volunteer Amanda Blackgoat

Board Presidents: Mary Alice McKeen, Beth Pendleton, Rich Stone, Jay Ginter, Robert Seward, Dan Johnson, John Kurland, Sarah Lewis, Amanda Blackgoat,

Volunteers: Chorister parents, business’, and community members 


              Thank you Juneau for your support, contributions, and volunteer service over the years!


Goals of the Alaska Youth Choir are to:

♪ Develop and encourage life-long learning, enjoyment, and love of music.
♪ Provide opportunities for youth to explore their humanity, create beauty, and find the source of artistry within them.
♪ Build and strengthen self-confidence through singing in a positive and supportive environment.
♪ Broaden each chorister’s view of the world’s diversity through exposure to a variety of music from different cultures, styles, and historical periods.
♪ Provide a music program of the highest standards that develops musicianship through music history, music theory, sight-reading, ear training, vocal training, and performance. 
♪ Support and supplement the music program offered in the Juneau School District through education, rehearsals, and performances.
♪ Perform choral music with school and community choirs, community instrumental groups, and vocal soloists.
♪ Provide opportunities for youth to serve the community of Juneau through music.
♪ Participate in local, national, and international choral festivals to broaden musical education, experience, and perspective.
♪ Promote the cultural image of Alaska when performing at national and international choral events by performing music arranged and composed by Alaskans
♪ Host children’s choirs from other states and countries. 
Alaska Youth Choir    
Po Box 33252
Juneau, AK 99803
(928) 600-5840
[email protected]

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