Buy tickets for Once Upon the Holidays here.
It’s holiday time and Karla Dionicio is ready to sing.
“We’re going to do Christmas songs like Fa La La La La, La La La La!” she says excitedly.
Dionicio is a member of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City at Goddard Riverside, one of just two community choruses operated by the world-renowned Young People’s Chorus of New York City. It’s open to all children aged 7 to 10 in our Beacon and Community Arts programs—as well as to any child in the neighborhood, regardless of which school they attend.
Our choristers are joining the main YPC chorus for a festive two-night holiday celebration tonight and Sunday night. Once Upon the Holidays will feature special guest baritone Lester Lynch, who has performed on the world’s great stages—including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Vienna Volksoper and La Scala. It boasts an original story by Tony Award-winning lyricist Lynn Ahrens.
The video trailer promises dancing, acting, and “even a Grinch.”
Part One of the show will stream live on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. EST. Part Two will stream live on December 20 at 5:30 p.m. EST. Get your tickets here!
Being in the chorus takes a lot of hard work; the children practice weekly with professional trainers throughout the school year. They polish each song until it shines. But they never forget that singing is fun.
“You can learn how to sing, and they have games of singing, and it’s fun because you can be with your friends,” says Dionicio. “I feel free when I’m singing because I express myself and that’s why I love it.”