Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Youth Choral Programs in Seattle
Founded in 1974, our organization has dedicated over five decades to cultivating musical excellence and fostering personal growth through choral arts. Our programs serve young singers aged 6 to 18 from 115 diverse schools across the Puget Sound region, providing structured training in music literacy, vocal technique, and performance skills. With a staff of experienced professionals, we maintain rigorous artistic standards while emphasizing values like teamwork, discipline, and cultural enrichment. Our choirs have performed with prestigious ensembles including the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Opera, establishing us as a vital cultural institution. Through community outreach and financial accessibility initiatives, we ensure talented youth from all backgrounds can participate.Our alumni network spans generations of musicians who credit our programs with developing both their artistic abilities and personal character. The organization maintains strong partnerships with local arts groups while maintaining international recognition for musical excellence. Our leadership combines deep institutional knowledge with innovative approaches to choral education. We offer multiple training levels that progressively develop musical proficiency, culminating in professional-level performances of classical and contemporary works. The organization's commitment to artistic innovation is demonstrated through commissions of new compositions and collaborations with regional composers.
Services
Youth Choir Programs
Music Education
Summer Singers Camp
Performance Training
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of experience in youth choral development
- Our staff includes internationally recognized choral educators
- We provide need-based financial assistance for all programs
- Our choirs perform with Seattle's premier arts organizations
- We maintain 8 progressive training levels for musical development
Services
Youth Choir Programs
Structured vocal programs for ages 6-18 with progressive skill development. Our tiered system builds from foundational music literacy to professional performance capabilities. Participants receive comprehensive training in vocal technique, ear training, and choral literature while developing discipline and teamwork skills through ensemble performance.
Music Education
Comprehensive music curriculum covering theory, history, and performance practice. Our pedagogy combines traditional choral methods with contemporary techniques to develop well-rounded musicians. Students learn sight-reading, aural skills, and performance interpretation while building technical proficiency through regular vocal training sessions.
Summer Singers Camp
Intensive summer program focusing on vocal development and performance preparation. The camp offers daily rehearsals, masterclasses with professional musicians, and workshops on music theory. Participants experience accelerated skill development through immersive training while building camaraderie through collaborative performance projects.
Performance Training
Specialized instruction in concert performance techniques and stage presence. Our training includes repertoire interpretation, movement coordination, and ensemble synchronization. Students gain confidence through regular public performances and receive constructive feedback to refine their artistic expression and technical execution.
Community Outreach
Initiatives connecting youth musicians with broader community audiences. Programs include school partnerships, public concerts, and collaborative performances with professional arts organizations. These experiences help young singers develop cultural awareness while sharing their musical gifts with diverse audiences across the Puget Sound region.
People
Jacob Winkler
Artistic Director
Artistic Director with 20+ years conducting experience. Former Seattle Girls Choir conductor who has led international tours and festival performances. Holds advanced degrees from University of Washington and teaches film scoring at Seattle Film Institute.
Mark Shattuck
Executive Director
Executive Director with 20+ years nonprofit leadership experience. Former Merola Opera Program director and international choral performer. Holds degrees in Organizational Psychology and Business from California State University, East Bay.
Benjamin Kromholtz
Associate Artistic Director
Choral director with 25+ years organizational experience. Directs apprentices program and entry-level choir. University of Washington graduate with dual degrees in Music Education and Music Performance.
Taylor Hyde
Associate Executive Director
Music educator with six years teaching experience in Northshore School District. 2019 Outstanding Emerging Choral Director award recipient. Active performer with Choral Arts Northwest and Wellspring Ensemble.
Stephen OBent
Apprentices Director
Conductor and composer with diverse performance background. Former DigiPen professor and Flying Karamazov Brothers performer. Holds music degrees and extensive experience in choral, orchestral, and theatrical music direction.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We accept boys aged 6-18 and girls aged 12-18 in our programs.
Do you require prior singing experience?
No prior experience is needed for entry-level choir participation.
What performance opportunities exist?
Our choirs perform with Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, and other regional arts organizations.
Are there audition requirements?
Entry-level choirs have no audition requirements. Advanced groups require placement evaluations.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, we provide need-based scholarships to ensure accessibility for all qualified participants.
What training levels are available?
We offer 8 progressive training levels from beginner to professional performance preparation.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Aleks Bennett
Nov 10, 2019
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I have been with them since 2012. Great effect on the kids - Excellent music education, and wonderful community. My son and I couldn't imagine what our lives would be like without them. Come to the concerts, come to the auditions- it's impactful and often life changing!
Aaron Brown
Mar 13, 2019
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I work in the same building as this company and see them on a daily basis. The staff is super nice, professional, and dedicated to what they do.
George Birchfield
Apr 28, 2018
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My youngest son was a member of NW Choirs for 9 years. During his time with the choir he of course learned to sing well and read music. He and his fellow choir members learned to perform at a professional level. He sang with the Seattle Symphony over 30 times in his tenure with the choir. He traveled and sang on two regional tours: one to California and the other to the coastal states of the Southeastern US.
During the latter tour the choir was featured in the opening night gala of the prestigious Eastern Music Festival. However, more importantly he learned the values of team work, personal responsibility, integrity, how to set high goals and achieve them, and that the best form of fun comes from persistent and dedicated work. The NW Boy Choir experience is amazing. Don't be intimidated by seeing the choir perform, your kid can do it too.
All your boy needs is a little musical aptitude and to be ten or less in age. Go for it! As a parent this is the best extracurricular activity that any of our kids participated in. And they did a lot!
During the latter tour the choir was featured in the opening night gala of the prestigious Eastern Music Festival. However, more importantly he learned the values of team work, personal responsibility, integrity, how to set high goals and achieve them, and that the best form of fun comes from persistent and dedicated work. The NW Boy Choir experience is amazing. Don't be intimidated by seeing the choir perform, your kid can do it too.
All your boy needs is a little musical aptitude and to be ten or less in age. Go for it! As a parent this is the best extracurricular activity that any of our kids participated in. And they did a lot!
Suzanne Howell-Gleason
Jun 16, 2017
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We are jut starting and already we are seeing immediate jaw dropping upwards curve of learning, getting organized and overall genuine happiness. The teacher is phenomenal
