* 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 29th 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 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. 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, 2018Tours - 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.
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
Accompanist: Laurie Clough
Board Presidents: Mary Alice McKeen, Beth Pendleton, Rich Stone, Jay Ginter, Robert Seward, Dan Johnson, John Kurland, Sarah Lewis, Amanda Blackgoat, Jennie Louwes
Volunteers: Chorister parents, local businesses, and community members
Thank you, Juneau, for your support and contributions over the years!
