Voena Children’s Choir To Perform at 2012 Olympics in London

On one of those glorious days when white and pink blossoms could be seen against a very blue sky, I went to the First Baptist Church where the Children’s Choir was rehearsing. I’d heard the choir a couple of years ago for the first time and was blown away by their music, the movement, and the naturalness of their performance. I’d always seen choirs stand stiffly as they sang. This was a whole new thing for me.

At the rehearsal, the dynamic director, Anna Belle Marie, stepped away from directing to talk with me. With her Master’s Degree in Music, is it any wonder that when she was raising three sons, there was lots of singing in the house? She wanted to find a choir they could be in, however when she couldn’t find the group she wanted, she decided to start one. She believes in “giving kids the best you can.”

Anna Belle lived overseas as a child, and her exposure to various cultures, and folk music influences how she helps children embrace music from many places. It’s “American kids, not melting into each other, but celebrating their differences.”

One-hundred and forty kids participate from thirty-five cultures.

I talked with six of the children. Notice their pictures alongside the column.

Seth Nichols has been in the choir for three years. He’s in the “guy section,” that would be the tenors. From American Canyon, Seth’s sister is also in the choir. He likes singing with a “big family” and laughing.

Acacia Chan has been in for four years and “loves it.” She particularly likes moving while singing. “It’s all natural, not forced,” she said. She also plays the viola.

Jonelle Henry Ford has a parent who works for Valero. She found out about grants Valero gives to the choir. “We’re all like family,” she said. She’s “kind of shy and was intimidated” by how good the group was initially, but her mom encouraged her and now she loves it. She lives in Sacramento.

Emily Toomey lives in Paso Robles and comes from a musical family. In the four years she’s been involved, her father has flown her back and forth so she can be in the choir. While other choirs, “just stand there,” this one doesn’t.

Parker Mergelkamp, the youngest child I spoke to, at eight, is in his second year. He likes that they get to move while singing.

Austin Kauzer is from Benicia. At eighteen, he’s the oldest, in fact, he’ll become an alumni soon.

Several of these children thought they would be studying music in college. Whatever they do, the influence of this good energy group will stay with them. Visit the website and, if you can, support their fundraising efforts.