The Organization
The Olympia Youth Chorus was founded in 1995 as a program offered through the Olympia Parks
program. OYC was started by Cynthia Dinsmore, Artistic Director and Denise Daverso, Program
Manager and Voice Coach. OYC continued in the Parks program for three years, serving 17 youth the
first year and 25+ the last years with the Parks program.
Cynthia Dinsmore and Denise Daverso had a vision to make this program the premier youth choral group
in the Olympia area. They formed as a separate program in 1998 with an invitation to all participating parents
to help form the first board, along with key community members. The organization applied for nonprofit organization status in 1998. The first board was formed with elected members in 1998.
About Our Program
The Olympia Youth Chorus is a nonprofit vocal music program for young singers in the South Sound community. The Chorus draws youth from the greater Olympia area and from as far away as Tenino, Elma and Shelton. Singers come from public and private schools, as well as some members who are home-schooled. Although no previous formal musical training is required, many of our choral members perform in their school orchestras, bands or choirs. In addition to vocal solos, members have the opportunity to perform instrumental solos with the Chorus. The youth benefit from an enriching experience of working and performing with other talented young singers and our skilled professional staff. Boys and girls between the ages of 5-17 (with unchanged voices) may participate. The Chorus is made up of well-rounded individuals who are enthusiastic about singing and enjoy school, family, and the pursuit of excellence. About 150 youth participate yearly.
The Chorus sings unison, two, three, and four-part music written for treble voices. We choose from a wide range of traditional and contemporary music that is best-suited for the musical and vocal development of the choirs.
The Chorus performs in different venues throughout the year, including the Olympia Choral Society Holiday Benefit Concerts, the Governor's Mansion, State Capital Rotunda, the Washington Center for the Performing Arts Olympia’s Spring Artwalk, Providence St. Peters Foundation's Christmas Forest, Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert, as well as service organizations, retirement homes and elementary and middle schools in the area.
Olympia Youth Chorus has toured and participated in the following:
- Pacific International Children’s Choral Festival - Rebecca Rottsalk, Director
- Pacific Rim International Children’s Choral Festival, Hawaii - Henry Leck, Director
- Fort Worden Children’s Choral Festival – Juan-Tony Guzman, Director
- San Francisco Tour – Spring 2007, Grace Cathedral, Stanford University – Steve Sano, Director
- Somerset International Choral Festival, Sherbourne, England – Z. Randall Stroope, Director
Social activities for Chorus members are provided throughout the year such as our “Getting to Know You” picnic in the Fall, Cispus Retreat and Crystal Mountain Chamber Choir Retreat, and “Bring a Friend” rehearsals. All children are required to audition prior to registration. The Music Directors spend up to 30 minutes with each singer and parent/guardian. Auditions are private and are scheduled by appointment in January, June and September.
