Written by Shlomit Ovadia of JCC Denver
“Everyone can sing” is the hot take that Voices Rock—a non-audition rock choir welcoming all regardless of their musical background—wholeheartedly believes. The Colorado group has been practicing out of JCC Denver’s Phillips Social Hall for the past 5 years. Their Executive Director Anna Kaye joined the group when she moved to Denver about seven and a half years ago and was looking to make friends.
“I have no musical background whatsoever,” Anna recalls, but she was enticed by a Facebook post comedically referencing the magic of shower acoustics. She decided to check out the group and was greeted by a room of 50 folks belting out a Queen song. “Everyone was incredibly welcoming and lovely right away. I immediately found a community of people I wanted to spend my time with.” Not only is singing together powerful, but it “offers a lot of mental health support in the sense that it feels good,” Anna says.
We talk about how singing stimulates the vagus nerve, a nerve controlling your parasympathetic system (PNS), which is responsible for our rest-and-digest, relaxed state. “There’s no question of the correlation between the exercise of opening your mouth and breathing through your diaphragm and how those things trigger endorphins,” Anna says, adding that she will often hear members leave meetups saying, ‘I needed that so badly, this hour for myself and my community.’
Voices Rock hosts 10-week rehearsal sessions that culminate in a dress rehearsal and concert. Their most recent concert—celebrating 10 years—was held last month at the Newman Center, with an audience of 1,400 patrons from over 2 shows. “It was a moving and inspiring experience for people,” Anna remarks. “The joy that emanates from members on stage is palpable.”
“Voices Rock” choir rehearses in harmony at the JCC Denver Social Hall.
JCC Denver is Voices Rock’s flagship location, meeting here Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. Sessions are run by Voices Rock Founder and Director Jill Teas. They moved to the J when the group grew too large for their previous spot. “We intentionally wanted a space for other communities and understood the importance of that. The JCC’s mission aligns with ours in terms of being inclusive, open, and fostering community,” Anna explains.
Registration for their next cohort beginning in February 2025 opens in January. Sessions cost $285 for the entire season. Scholarships are available, and the group does not turn anyone away due to lack of funds. “We are able to bring people together who may not normally have ever met, and you can develop an instant bond through singing with people in a group. It’s an intimate and vulnerable experience because so many people, over the course of, their whole lives, for a variety of reasons, have been told they can’t sing.”
“I tell everyone, including people in the drive-thru at Starbucks, that everybody can sing because we all have a voice,” Anna insists. “Knowing how to use the instrument you were given is the basis of singing. I love watching people step out of their comfort zones and grow confident.”
Click HERE to see upcoming Choir schedule hosted at JCC Denver’s Social Hall.
Voices Rock shares a rental agreement with the JCC. If you are interested in renting a space with us or being featured as a business partner in an upcoming newsletter, please contact us here.
