SingYourJoy is a non-auditioned family of choirs serving Greater Victoria. We believe that everyone can sing and we strive to remove all barriers to participation. Children, youth and young adults experience the joy of learning new skills, building friendships and growing community as they make magical music together.
SingYourJoy Victoria is a non-auditioned chorus for young adults co-founded and co-directed by Christine Chepyha & Gordon Miller. This group is a barrier-free organization – there are no fees and anyone ages 16-29 is welcome to join. Our members may be new to the city, starting new careers, entering a new field of study, or just determining who they are. SingYourJoy offers the unique opportunity of a safe space for creative expression, learning new skills, and forming new friendships.
“It doesn’t seem to matter whether I come in feeling like a million bucks or feeling next to worthless, I am accepted each week with open arms regardless. Through this compassionate constancy, I have come to realize that I don’t need to ‘prove myself’ in order to ‘earn’ the love of others. I don’t need to be the best and the brightest. I just need to show up. Gordon and Christine have nurtured such a sense of belonging and unconditional love that one cannot help but be enveloped in its shroud.”
“Two years ago I was in a much darker place. SYJ was one of the ladders that helped me climb out of that place. For the choral members it is not just the singing that makes SYJ so amazing. Though the singing is pretty darn amazing. SYJ is also a place to build skills, confidence, and friendships. I can’t stress enough how beautiful and important this whole thing is. Two years is short but SYJ has made that time so special and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
And from a parent: “SingYourJoy is one of the most amazing groups we have discovered for my son to participate in. He has epilepsy that is poorly managed by medications, which makes joining groups quite challenging. From the first night we were both welcomed with open arms. Christine and Gordon ensured everybody was aware of what he needed to be safe and to be able to participate. He has been welcomed by all in the choir and made to feel like he belonged from that first moment. Singing is something he loves and to be able to learn how to sing in harmony with such a powerful group of supportive people has made him more confident, given him new skills and especially a sense of belonging which is the greatest gift I can witness as a parent.”
SingYourJoy Victoria is grateful for the generous support of the NRS Foundation and the Larch Fund, all through the Victoria Foundation Community Recovery Grant program.
