New Choir Brings Pop Music To The Heart Of NYC

A brand new choir is on a mission to help singers of all kinds rediscover their voices through pop music. Founded by Broadway vocal coach Chelsea Calder, NY Pop Choir is just six weeks old and the fledgling group is already performing a soundtrack of hits by Sam Smith, Nick Jonas and The Greatest Showman.

"My goal with NY Pop Choir is for every member to remember why they fell in love with singing in the first place," said Calder. "The theater and music industries can be so cutthroat and stressful that it's easy to forget that, first and foremost, singing should be fun."

The choir meets every Tuesday night at Shetler Studios in midtown Manhattan to rehearse new material, learn about music theory and create choral arrangements of major radio hits by pop stars Demi Lovato, Alessia Cara, Rihanna and more. No auditions are necessary to join and membership is gleefully diverse, with singer/songwriters and professional actors harmonizing next to school teachers, parents and office workers. As Calder points out, this certainly isn't your grandmother's choir.

"Being a part of NY Pop Choir has been a highlight of my year so far," said member Joey Simon, a professional actor. "As someone who always described himself as a 'strictly musical theater boy,' I'd never even thought about joining a pop choir. But working in such a judgment-free and supportive environment has absolutely changed me as a performer and a person...and it's a blast!"

Since its inception in January, the group has released two covers-a music video of Sam Smith's "Too Good at Goodbyes" and a live recording of "Jealous" by Nick Jonas-with additional live performances in the works for the conclusion of its second six-week session (beginning Tuesday, March 13).

Ultimately, Calder hopes the choir will unite New Yorkers in their shared love of music, no matter their background or experience level.

"I've had people join who grew up singing but haven't performed since high school," she said. "Seeing that passion for music reignite speaks to everything NY Pop Choir is about. No matter who you are, there's a place for you to sing with us."