Why should adults have all the choral fun? The Choir YYJr ensemble welcomes young people ages 8 to 15 who want to learn cool new ways to sing great pop songs!

And while we’re at it, you’ll also develop your musical talents and make new friends.

SINGERS, HERE'S HOW EVERYTHING WORKS

Join 50 young people making music with their unique voices.

art-calendarK

11-WEEK SESSION

Every DAY for eleven weeks, we get together for 90 minutes of learning and rehearsal. We also encourage you to spend 30-60 minutes of your own time each week practicing.

During the session, you’ll learn your part in the harmony and get comfortable as you memorize the song.

Fees are $175 per session. We also operate a program of financial support among our Choir community, please consider contributing or inquire about funding.

sound-barsK

What we sing

Our songs are arranged by director of The Choirs YYJ, Marc Jenkins, OTHERS – and feature the piano flair of our accompanist Erin Gray.

Our singing gives a bold, new sound to well-known pop, rock, and indie music.

During your first rehearsal, we’ll help you find the section (soprano, baritone, tenor, or alto) in which you’re naturally most comfortable singing. You’ll never have to sing alone.

Each week, we work on a couple of popular songs, working toward a repertoire of up to six songs during the session.

.

StaffK

NO AUDITIONS

Sheet music, lyrics, and practice audio are provided for learning.

If you have music experience, great! You’ll find new ways to enjoy your skills. And if you don’t, that works too! There’s no requirement to read music or to have prior singing experience. Many people learn by ear and repetition and pick up those skills simply through participation.

MixerIconK

WHERE WE SING

All our spaces and activities are inclusive, collaborative, and supportive.

Rehearsals are held at First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Rd, on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Each session we learn a new repertoire of songs. that we perform in a public concert!

PARENTS, HERE'S HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR SINGER

  1. Be on time. Bring your child to rehearsal with their sheet music and a labeled water bottle no earlier than 6:45 PM, and pick them no later than 8:45 PM.
  2. Help them learn with practice at home. Use the sing-along tracks we provide online to become better familiar with the repertoire.

WANT TO JOIN IN?

Simply drop us a line to find out about current availability

MEET YOUR MUSIC TEAM

BROOKE GALLUPE

Brooke Gallupe is an energetic and dedicated middle school teacher, youth vocal coach, and accomplished musician with a wealth of experience in both education and the music industry.
 
Brooke enjoys creating singing environments focused on fun, confidence, and musical growth. Leading a choir that specializes in contemporary music, he helps students explore their voices through modern songs, spanning genres like pop, rock, and folk.
 
Brooke is a middle school teacher at Central Middle School in Victoria, BC. He teaches Grade 8 French Immersion and is active in many extracurricular activities around the school, including musical theatre, sports coaching, and a French pop band that travels to elementary schools. He has worked with Victoria High as vocal coach and pit band member for their secondary school musical theatre program.
 
In addition to his teaching, Brooke has a rich musical background as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He gigs regularly with various bands, and he was formerly a member of the internationally touring band Immaculate Machine, a group known for its indie rock sound.
 
His experience on the global stage has allowed him to bring a unique perspective to his work as a choir director, blending his knowledge of contemporary music with choral techniques to create an engaging and dynamic choir program.
 
Brooke started playing guitar at twelve years old and leaped at every musical opportunity offered to him. In school in Victoria, BC, he played in concert band, marching band, choir and R&B band. He wrote and performed original songs with many bands outside of school as a teenager. He experienced the excitement and community music could provide to a young person and he is delighted to share that with The Choir YYJr.

Alison Whelan

Alison is a dynamic musician, advocate, and community builder, known for her passion for music and dedication to local arts and business initiatives. She founded Girls Rock Camp Saskatoon in 2014, empowering young girls and gender-diverse youth through music education and mentorship.
 
Classically trained on piano, Alison found her way into various rock bands over the years, most notably touring and recording with the popular indie group Carbon Dating Service. 
 
In 2016, Alison left Saskatoon to expand her creative horizons, and spent five years in Europe exploring languages, learning stage performance techniques, and honing her musicianship through a colorful mix of musical projects.
 

In addition to her musical pursuits, Alison once served as the chair of Saskatoon’s Broadway Business Improvement District, and was deeply involved in advocating for local businesses and the arts scene. Her efforts also extended to fundraising for various local charities, supporting causes close to her heart.

Before her European adventures, Alison held long-term managerial positions at the Broadway Theatre and The Bassment Jazz Club, where she dedicated herself to the revitalization and lasting resiliency of Saskatoon’s community-owned cultural institutions.

Now based in Victoria, BC, Alison is on a wildly different journey.  She is a skilled carpenter and timber framer, bringing her creativity and craftsmanship to the construction world. Her diverse skill set and deep-rooted commitment to her community continue to shape her work. With her new venture—a youth choir—Alison is once again nurturing the next generation of artists, offering a space for young voices to be heard and celebrated.

Alison and Brooke love to sing together and perform a few times a year as part of a 4-part cover band, Covers in a Dangerous Time. After so many years away from Girls Rock Camp, Alison is ecstatic to once again have the opportunity to share her joy of music with enthusiastic young people.