Voena

During the year spanning july 1, 2023 through june 30, 2024, Voena continued its journey as a non-profit performing arts organization whose mission is to unite the world with childrens voices. Voena is dedicated to providing quality, ethnically diverse music education for children and youth ages 6 to 18 from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Voenas no audition policy, for which founder annabelle marie won the prestigious jefferson award, is a testament to voenas belief that all children with a voice and a desire to sing are welcome to join the choir. Choir instruction the choir continued to offer several levels of learning: preparatory, intermediate, concert choir i and ii, and advanced creavo for a variation on vocal training. All levels of choir participate in weekly rehearsals, which are also accessible remotely to ensure accessibility, and are eligible for performances with the higher level of the choir given opportunities for more challenging arrangements and solos. There were over 155 class enrollments of choir members and summer camp participants during the 2023/2024 season. Classes and rehearsals were conducted in benicia, redwood city, and pleasant hill, California. Voena awarded 39 scholarships, representing 29% of families, to members in need. Voena in schoolsvoena in schools brings musical education directly into the classroom to children who might not otherwise have an opportunity of this caliber. Over 350 elementary students in benicia, ca benefitted from this program which stimulates an interest in music and instills basic musical skills and techniques as building blocks for continued learning. Summer campvoenas summer camp is a fun, instructive, week-long, introductory music program geared toward children ages 6-13. The week serves as an introduction to Voena, where children learn singing, rhythm and ukulele through physical singing that engages the whole body in singing for fuller expression and emotional connection. Voena taught 3 sessions of summer camp during this fiscal year, including one new location, pleasant hill. Voena beatspercussion and rhythm level i and ii classes are also offered to choir members through Voena beats, a culturally eclectic program which uses instruments from ireland, africa and the middle east and honors their musical traditions. The percussion compositions are an integral part of Voena performances and add another dimension to the members musical experience and journey. This year, Voena engaged the services of world-renowned drummer jeff campitelli, who is a talented, creative and inspirational instructor. Performancesvoena performed over 18 concerts this year at such diverse venues as theaters, restaurants and churches in bay area counties. Further afield, 22 members of Voena had the experience of a lifetime when they performed at the iconic carnegie hall in new york city alongside 230 members from 16 choir groups from across the globe as part of the distinguished concerts international new york city concert. We intentionally added new venues to expand both our experience and reach and also sought out artistic collaborations which enriched our repertoire and created unique learning opportunities for choir members. Performances are the highlight of our season because the choir members can showcase their talents and passion and reap the rewards of their hard work and dedication.