Learn to sing and make new friends!
Mission
Vivace Children's Chorus gives young singers expert vocal training and inspiring musical experiences that develop confidence, community connection, and lifelong artistic appreciation."
Program Benefits
Vocal Technique
Learn proper breathing, posture, and vocal production techniques in a healthy, age-appropriate way
Cultural awareness
Exposure to diverse musical styles and traditions that broaden cultural understanding
Leadership
Regular performance opportunities that build stage presence and overcome performance anxiety
Music Literacy
Build sight-reading skills, music theory knowledge, and cognitive abilities enhanced by music education
Collaboration
Develop listening skills, teamwork, and the ability to blend individual voices into ensemble singing
Self-expression
Gain confidence in performance and develop artistic expression through varied musical repertoire
Dr. Ingrid Lestrud
Dr. Ingrid Lestrud enjoys an active career as a conductor and educator. Drawn to music and singing at an early age, she studied vocal performance as an undergraduate and discovered a passion for conducting choral and orchestral music. After completing her Doctor of Music degree at Northwestern University, Dr. Lestrud sang with the Chicago Symphony Chorus for several seasons under the baton of Riccardo Muti, performing in the Grammy award-winning recording of Verdi’s Requiem. She spent three years as the Voice Department Chair of the Merit School of Music, a community music school that serves over six thousand students with a focus on underserved communities. Collaborating with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, she worked with Renée Fleming to develop curriculum for Merit’s Solo Voice Program, and her choir performed for and with Ms. Fleming for special events.
Dr. Lestrud has served on the faculty of several colleges in the midwest and on the east coast, leading both choral and orchestral programs. In 2022, she won the Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artists Innovate + Create contest for her work with Performers With Purpose, a youth ensemble she founded that combines music with service projects for the community. Formerly a Principal Associate Conductor of the Grammy award-winning National Children’s Chorus, she has worked with some of the finest young singers in the nation, preparing them for concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Kennedy Center.
"My child has thrived in this musically enriching program. She has enjoyed learning new concepts and skills, making new friends, and participating in once in a lifetime opportunities to work with professional musicians."
- Erin Lebo
