As our outgoing seniors graduate, please peek at what's next for some of this year's 17 graduating young artists and reflections on their BCC experience!
Jo Almond
BCC has been a fixture in my life since fifth grade, when I started spending my Saturday mornings in the First Parish Dorchester with Mr. Reynolds in Dorchester Advanced Training (DAT). At my first MLK Jr. tribute concert, I was hooked. As a young aspiring activist, I had never realized how powerful music and song could be in enacting social change— especially when it connects us to the longer timeline of the fight for civil rights and other movements for social change. As I got older, BCC helped me learn independence and how to cultivate friendships independently of my school and immediate geography. When I joined Central Intermediate Advanced (CIA) in seventh grade, I started taking the MBTA for the first time, opening up the whole Boston area for my exploration. Through the rough years of middle school, the friendships I had in BCC were growing stronger and providing a welcome community of people who helped me feel less alone, even through the pandemic.
When we came back from COVID, our season theme of The Rising Tide corresponded perfectly to my increasing interest in climate activism. I still count my experience performing in WILD: A Musical Becoming at the American Repertory Theater (ART) among the happiest of my life— for the powerful message of the show, but also for the beautiful music and the hilarity (maybe borne slightly of extreme exhaustion) that fueled our backstage shenanigans. (Who remembers dressing up Bubby with Ferrero-Rocher wrappers??)
As my final year in BCC is almost at its end, I want to express my deep gratitude to all my conductors and all BCC staff who have been central to holding this space of music, honesty, exploration, joy, and connection throughout so many changes in my life. BCC has been a fluid constant, if that’s possible— changing year to year but maintaining its core community and values throughout. I will take what I’ve learned about music, but also what I’ve learned about the values I hold, and how to take action based on those values. As I head to Wesleyan University next year, planning to major in Environmental Studies and Social Justice philosophy, I will always be striving to cultivate community and commitment, and to make the rest of the world just a little bit more like BCC.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
If you want to actually memorize your music, you HAVE to listen to it. So much. Seriously, if there’s not a track, plunk out just your part on a piano (even an online one,) sing it once through while recording, and then listen to that sucker on REPEAT for a week. Guaranteed memorization!! Also, remember that in BCC, we aren’t just performers. What is most beautiful onstage is also what most needs to be heard in the streets, and embodied everywhere in your life.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
WILD and Cosmic Cowboy performances!!
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"We Shall Overcome" from my first season & "Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around"
Adam Balbale
Ash Carrerio
Although I've only been in BCC for three years, my BCC journey actually started when I went to the Still I Rise, 17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert in 2020. I went to that concert to see one of my friends perform, and by the end, I told myself I needed to join BCC. I wanted nothing more than to be on the stage of Symphony Hall, grooving to fun music like "Lead With Love", "My God Is a Rock", and "Let The River Run". And over two and a half years later, after auditioning at an open rehearsal back at the old HQ, I got that chance. I joined BCC at the beginning of my sophomore year (after a LOT of encouragement from my friends in BCC), and it was everything I ever wanted and more.
I knew I would get to perform in some high-profile gigs during my time at BCC, but my very first one, being at the Celtics home opener—one of the most high-profile gigs imaginable—was the last thing I expected. That gig was the first of countless unforgettable performances (three MLK concerts at Symphony Hall, two Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum concerts, two tours, opening for Sweet Honey in the Rock, performing "Panic" at the ceremony welcoming the Prince and Princess of Wales, the GBH Holiday Special, the American Chorals Director Association (ACDA) Eastern Region Conference 2024 performance, and so much more). And when I stepped on the stage of Symphony Hall for that year's MLK concert, my journey had officially come full circle. Just as my 7th-grade self had dreamed, I was on that stage, grooving to fun music like "Shine on Me" and "Let The River Run." Joining BCC rapidly became one of the best decisions I had ever made.
Next year, I plan to study environmental engineering at the University of Vermont! And even though I'll have a ton of homework and spend a lot of time playing ultimate frisbee, I'll still make room for chorus. BCC, thank you for the hundreds and hundreds of pages of amazing music that I can play and listen to. Thank you for encouraging me to find countless new ways to express myself and teaching me how to live in the moment. Thank you for all the extraordinary experiences, lifelong friendships, and precious memories you've given me. And thank you for making these last three years the best ones of my life.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the conductors and other staff! They're always there for you if you need anything (help with the music, help with mental health, you name it). They want you to be the best possible version of yourself.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
There are soooo many I could choose from! One is my very first BCC gig ever, which was the performance at halftime of the Celtics' home opener (which the Celtics won, of course). Another is performing "River" with two of my closest friends at the Camp Hale retreat in October 2023. There's also the concert and dance party on the final night of the San Diego tour. And of course, I couldn't forget the entire Canada tour—that trip was just magical in every way possible.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
There are sooooo many!! Some of my favorites are "Finding a Home", "Precious Lord, Take My Hand", "Sign Me Up", "Undivided", "The Storm Is Passing Over", and "Lead With Love."
Sarah Farelli
Sarah has been in BCC for 11 years and could not imagine her life without it. Although waking up early on weekends was not her favorite thing at 7 years old, she stuck with it and created friendships that will last a lifetime. She will miss BCC and everyone on the creative team dearly and wants to give an extra special thank you to Ms. Howe, her first choir conductor, for believing in her, supporting her, and shaping her into the person she is today. Sarah will be attending Emmanuel College for nursing and wishes all her fellow seniors the best of luck in whatever they do!
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Stick with it! It's so worth it
What is your favorite BCC memory?
The Canada trip was amazing and completely changed my life.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"Weather" was so amazing!
Lucas Fernandez
Hello, my name is Lucas Fernandez, and I have been in BCC for 8 years. This community has been one of the few constants through elementary to high school, while other activities have come and gone, BCC has been a solid thing I can always look forward to. Special thanks to Ms. Cooper, who was in my first choir and my last, and she has always been amazing to be around, such a genuinely incredible human being. Next year, I will be attending Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, and will major in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Thank you again to everyone at BCC.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Try new things. If something is new, don't immediately think of it as a bad thing; try it out, and it's probably amazing.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
In my sophomore year, the Canada Tour. I had so much fun, we sang some amazing pieces, and it was an incredible trip with some awesome people.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"My God Is A Rock"
Klara Jamro
BCC was one of the first organizations I joined when I moved to Rhode Island in 3rd grade, and although it's a little bit of a trek from home, it was always worth it. Being able to share my love for singing with peers in a choir like this has been so rewarding. From rehearsals, to gigs, to MLK Jr. Tribute concerts, to Finale concerts, singing with a group of motivated peers has been an experience like no other. Through BCC, I found my voice--in every sense of the phrase, and I'm forever grateful for that.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
KNOW YOUR MUSIC!!! No matter how unmotivated you feel to practice it at home, I promise concerts are so much more enjoyable when you know what you're singing 
What is your favorite BCC memory?
Being able to participate in WILD: A Musical Becoming was my favorite BCC experience.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
My favorite piece I've sung at BCC will always and forever be "Oye".
Anna Metaxatos
I distinctly remember my first rehearsal at BCC and how hesitant I was to walk into the Perry School for Training Choir at age eight. I remember reading senior bios in the programs at concerts, and I cannot believe that now, at age eighteen, I am writing mine. I could not have predicted what an impact BCC would make on me. The community I have found here is so supportive, and I feel I have grown so much during my years in chorus. I've met many incredible people in BCC, and I will miss them all so much. I knew that no matter how I was feeling or what was going on in my life at the time, I could always have a conversation with my conductors and they would try their best to support me. The people I have met through BCC form a community unlike any other. We are all different but united through music, and I think that is one of the beautiful things about BCC. Through this organization, I have been able to explore both music and social change, and have had so many unique and interesting experiences. This fall, I will be studying at the University of Vermont and majoring in Sustainability, Ecology, and Policy in the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. I am deeply interested in environmental work and advocacy, and hope to pursue a related career.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Be confident and be yourself. Allow people to know and appreciate you for who you are, and embrace new experiences.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
I have two... I remember going to Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, during the summer to perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra with BCC. It was surreal. It was my first time at Tanglewood, and I was awed by both the music and my surroundings. My other favorite memory would be the MLK 2025 concert. When I performed, it felt like all the memories from my years in BCC were coming back, from holiday concerts to taking the T with friends, to watching the waves from the beach in Southern CA, to sitting in the grass at Tanglewood listening to piano music as the sun set.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
I know, I keep picking two of everything... but "Oye" and "Ain't You Got a Right" would be my top favorites.
Ilaria Moore
I joined Boston Children’s Chorus as a freshman in high school, and now, four years later, I’m graduating with a heart full of gratitude and memories. From the moment I stepped into my first rehearsal, I knew I had found a place where music and community intertwine. BCC became more than just a choir; it became a second family.
Throughout my time here, I’ve forged friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Together, we’ve navigated the highs and lows of adolescence, always finding solace and strength in our shared love for music. BCC provided a space where I could truly explore and deepen my connection to the universal language of music, allowing me to express myself and connect with others in profound ways.
As I prepare to embark on the next chapter of my life, I carry with me the lessons, friendships, and melodies that have shaped me. BCC has not only nurtured my musical talents but also instilled in me a sense of purpose and belonging. I am forever grateful for the experiences and growth I’ve gained through this incredible community.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Embrace every opportunity to connect with the music, your fellow singers, and the messages behind each piece. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone; it’s in those moments that you’ll discover the true power of your voice and the impact it can have.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
It’s hard to choose just one, but the moments before a performance, when we’re all backstage supporting and encouraging each other, stand out. For me, every time I got to bond with my fellow choirmates was a “favorite” memory.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
I think "Proud Mary" or "Crowded Table" are my favorites; they’ve truly stuck with me.
Trevor O'Brien
Olivia Pappas
I am forever grateful for Boston Children's Chorus and the lifelong friends that I have made. I started in Dorchester Intermediate (DI) when I was 11, and seven years later, I am a Premier Choir singer. I found it hard to make friends when I was in DI, but I stuck with it, and because I did, I have formed some of the strongest bonds in rehearsals, concerts, and tours. Next year, I will be attending UMass Amherst and joining the Boston University Class of '29 in my Sophomore year, with a guaranteed transfer acceptance. I hope to be a social worker or a teacher, and continue my music education and performance into my adult years. I am so thankful to all of my conductors and the staff at BCC who have gotten to know me and for whom I have grown to care so deeply about. I will be back to sing with the alumni next MLK!!
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
When you are on stage, SMILE!! Cherish the opportunity that you get to come together and make music, because our collective passion and love for music is a gift that can't be found everywhere. Find a purpose in every piece that you do, every dynamic that you emphasize, and every word that you speak.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
A bittersweet memory I have is my last Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert. We had gotten to the last song in the program: "We Shall Overcome," and I was surrounded by some of my best friends, kids that I had grown up with and learned to sing with. I saw my sister, Sophie, on the balcony with her Training Choir, and I thought about how we are still fighting the same issues that we were singing about when I was in my Training Choir on the balcony. Especially with it being inauguration day, I began to cry, and I sang to my sister. But, when the music picked up and transitioned into "In That Great Gettin' Up Morning," I started to dance with my people as we wiped our tears and held our hands up in praise. I was reminded how grateful I am that we have the opportunity to lift our voices in resistance, and how much love I have for this organization.
Another one of my favorite memories is when we had our MLK Concert in March after a year of Zoom rehearsals. Despite the thick KN95 masks that we all wore, we were so excited to finally be back with each other, no longer singing in our rooms alone. While Symphony Hall wasn't packed because of health concerns, we had the most energy and were filled with pure joy that we were together again. Through a pandemic, the unwavering community that we built proved that no matter what happens, nothing can stop our fight for social justice.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"We Shall Overcome"
August Ponce
I first joined BCC when I was 12 because I wanted to sing. I was inspired by a friend who was in BCC and wanted to expand from singing in a church choir. My first year of being in Central Intermediate Advanced Choir was filled with many exciting experiences and concerts at venues I'd never thought I'd sing at. Our trip to DC opened my eyes to a world of possibilities, both with social interaction and the power of singing. BCC has taught me a lot through song choice based on current events or struggles within different communities. I found a community of loving and caring people in BCC and, with the help of their support, was able to push through some of the hardest parts of my life. My time in BCC will be a time I'll never forget, and I'm thankful for all the friends I've made during this chapter of my life.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
You know the music better than you think, don't be afraid to test how much you have memorized during rehearsal!
What is your favorite BCC memory?
Impromptu singing on every trip I've been on
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
Gustavo Rodriguez
I joined BCC 9 years ago as a singer in the Training Choir at West End House. At first, I was very shy on stage. Through the support of my peers and the welcoming staff throughout the organization, I learned how to express myself on stage through vocal technique and emotion, while also making friends along the way. Through performances such as in WILD, I have found motivation to use my voice for change. BCC helped me form my voice and use it not just in concert, but also to uplift my community. I will continue to bring the voice that BCC cultivated in me to the University of Michigan, where I will study computer science, and hopefully find a musical community there, too.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Be open to expressing yourself! At first, I was nervous on stage and in the rehearsal room, but over time, it is fun to come out of your shell and vibe with the music and friends. Also, learning the meaning behind the music is important and can help a good performance be great.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
I really enjoyed the trip to Canada. I was able to get to know so much more about all of my peers, both in BCC and meet new people. From sharing a hotel room and a dorm suite to singing on the streets of Montreal with friends, it was an amazing experience for me.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"Finding A Home"
Greta Rubenstein
I joined BCC at five years old, singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” as my audition song (a personal favorite for my young morbid mind), and fell in love with choir immediately. In the past thirteen years, I’ve met my closest friends and biggest supporters, gotten stuck on countless trains that broke down on the way to rehearsal, and learned hundreds of pieces of music. When I’m not at rehearsal, I’m playing violin, drawing, or spending time with my dog Arlo. I am committed to Oberlin next year for Biology, and I hope to become a farm animal veterinarian.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
MAKE FRIENDS!!!
What is your favorite BCC memory?
Singing "Carmina Burana" at Tanglewood!
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"Finding A Home"
Lee Rush
When I joined BCC roughly halfway through the 2017 season, I used Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go” in my placement session. I had no idea how accurate the sentiment would be. My entire family being musicians (professional and amateur alike), I had grown up perpetually surrounded by music, and perpetually in search of involvement in its creation. I’d been in two or three choirs before BCC-and none had ever made me feel as at home as BCC has. Over my time at BCC, I have been given immeasurable opportunities and gained skills, memories, and relationships that will shape me throughout the rest of my life. I am so incredibly grateful to my BCC family, and so so proud to have the privilege of calling myself a part of it.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
LPSW!!!!!!! (Loud and proud, strong and wrong) Raise your hand when you mess up and you know it!!!! Make mistakes loudly!!!!! The only way to grow as an individual and an ensemble is to take accountability for yourself and your mistakes- if you don’t know it’s a mistake, how can you fix it? If you can’t admit to having made one, how can you improve?
What is your favorite BCC memory?
When I think about BCC, I think of pre-show jam sessions and spontaneous singing.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand" is easily one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever performed.
Olivia Ryan
I initially joined BCC just because my older sister did, and it seemed like fun. BCC has since grown into one of the most stable parts of my life, something I look forward to every Tuesday and Thursday.
My 12 years in BCC have been such a blur, but they have created such a long-lasting impression on me. I started in Central Training (CT), where I was still figuring myself and my interests out, just singing whatever song we were learning without further thought. I had to go through COVID times, where we sang online or 6 feet apart, unable to actually hear others, and overly conscious of how I sounded. I spent my last 4 years in BCC in Concert Choir, then Premier Choir, with some of the greatest friends I could ever ask for, conductors that both challenge me and support me musically and personally, and amazing repertoire.
BCC has given me such amazing opportunities, from performances in WILD (even though I was only there for one day), to many amazing MLK Day concerts at Symphony, to our trip to San Diego. I've learned not only how to sing better, but also how to express myself and gain a better understanding of music. I have made amazing friends and memories at BCC that I could never trade for anything.
For the next four years, I will be attending Harvard University, pursuing chemistry with the hope of later going into the medical field. I'm going to miss going to BCC, but I know the people I've met and the joy it's brought me will affect me for years to come. Thank you, BCC, for everything!!
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Sing out, do new things, and try your best. I think it can be best summed up with my favorite phrase from BCC: LPSW (loud and proud, strong and wrong). When you sing, sing out so you know when you're wrong and can actually improve rather than stay in that limbo where you don't know what you don't know. Challenge yourself vocally and personally, both so you can improve, and so you can gain new memories of doing things you otherwise would be too scared to do. (Don't be afraid to try out for that solo!) Always do your best so you can continually be proud of everything you do
What is your favorite BCC memory?
Being able to sing all 18 minutes of "Weather: Stand the Storm" with the Boston Arts Academy. I loved being able to sing such an amazing song with such an important message and story with such talented singers.
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"Glorious"
Lily Scott
I've been part of BCC for 8 years, ever since I started at West End House in the Training Choir. Even though I haven't been able to participate as much this year due to conflicts, BCC still remains a home for me. The connections I've made and the experiences I've had - I wouldn't trade them for the world! I especially want to thank all of my conductors - you have all been role models, fostered my love for music, and allowed me to explore my passion for singing. Participating in BCC has shown me that music and performance are what I want to pursue in life, and I'm excited that I'll be attending CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory at Molloy University in the fall!
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
When I was starting out, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue at BCC. I'm glad that I stuck with it. The connections you will make with other singers and with the staff will get stronger over time, and this hopefully will become like a family to you.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
When I was in Dorchester Intermediate (DI), Ms. Cooper had the most fun yellow rainboots, and I loved it when it was raining because she would have them on! Also, at the Upper Choir retreat at Ron Burton Training Village, we made up a song for Mr. Griffith, and the look on his face when we sang it to him was truly a moment I cherish!
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
Either "We Sing" or "Talkin' Bout a Revolution"
Phaedra Sanon
I was always a shy kid. Despite that, I remember in my childhood how my mom made it a point to emphasize how I had to join some sort of art activity to change my outlook of the world; when I joined BCC in second grade with only the hopeful-childlike admiration of music, I couldn't have imagined the person I'd become after staying in BCC for the past 10 years. I've made so many lifelong friendships and been enriched by so many experiences that it feels so unreal now having to leave. I leave BCC knowing I've made so many friends and memories over the years, but a door opened when this one closed; I'm super excited to move on to my next chapter at Northeastern University, studying Computer Science and Linguistics.
What is one piece of advice you have for younger singers?
Take advantage of everything; I think that BCC gives so many unique opportunities that are very hard to come by otherwise.
What is your favorite BCC memory?
I don't know if I have one! They're all equally special to me, it's hard to pinpoint a specific moment
What is your favorite piece that you've sung in your BCC tenure?
"Weather: Stand the Storm"
