Biography of NAVE Voices

Founded in 2012, the Choir is a multi-generational ensemble, from 10 different states, whose membership reflects a rich diversity of ages, cultures, and life experiences. Our singers come from a wide array of professional backgrounds - scientists, engineers, educators, healthcare workers, and more - most of whom do not work in music as a primary career. This diversity is central to our identity: it shapes not only the sound of the ensemble, but also the perspectives we bring to interpretation, collaboration, and community-building. By intentionally creating space for singers of different generations and backgrounds to engage as equals, we foster an environment where lived experience informs artistry, and where musical dialogue becomes a means of cultural and interpersonal connection, between generations, between amateur and professional identities, between cultures, and between local and global musical traditions.

Our repertoire reflects this philosophy not only in its stylistic and linguistic diversity, but also in its intentional focus on text and meaning. Themes central to the human experience are connection, loss, joy, resilience, identity, and belonging. For us, the words are as important as the notes; we approach each piece as an opportunity to communicate something essential and shared, allowing singers and audiences alike to connect through story, language, and emotion. We sing poetry – the texts are what connect the musical selections together, and the shared performance is what connects the singers to the audience.