Core Values:
Artistic Integrity: We seek to inspire and motivate our singers through literacy and intentional practice. Our directors are professional music educators who teach musical skills and knowledge in a progressive manner.
Creativity: We commit to a program that is ever-evolving, and continue to discover and foster new voices, new ideas, and new ways to present choral music.
Collaboration: We foster a sense of belonging for our students and families and create a thriving, connected community. We provide opportunities to enrich our singers through participation in local, national and international touring, festivals, and showcase their accomplishments with performances at community celebrations and events.
Community Inclusion: We strive to reflect our larger community by mitigating barriers of participation, providing diverse music and cultural experiences, and encouraging kindness and acceptance- uplifting our choir members and the greater community through the work of our students.
Our start
In 1995, OYC was founded by Cynthia Dinsmore, a local choral director with a vision to bring young singers from the greater Olympia area for one reason: to encourage and develop their their love of choral singing!
Dedicated to excellence, our award-winning program has been inspiring and educating young singers for 30 years.
“I love all the opportunities for community outreach we get at OYC, such as singing with local college choirs, caroling at retirement homes, touring different schools, and so much more!”
“I really love the environment and the kindness of all the singers! I also enjoy being able to perform for others on stage- it’s such an amazing experience.”
Since our first rehearsal in 1995, OYC has grown to become a staple of music education in our community. With five choirs in the program, we serve K-12 singers from over 40 local schools from Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties.
Rehearsals are held on Monday nights, September through May, in Olympia. Our season includes three main concerts, and community performances throughout the season.
Community collaborations include singing for Panorama City and local retirement homes, holiday events and celebrations, Tacoma Rainiers, and choir swaps with local school choir programs.
Our choirs have been invited to perform regionally, nationally and internationally. Travel opportunities are exciting features of our program! Our upper elementary singers may participate in choir festivals, and our older singers have the opportunity to travel for domestic and international choir tours.
Kids Helping Kids
What is is?
With this annual project, our goal is to deepen our connection with our community. Once a year, we select a local non-profit organization in our community that supports youth or families.
Who we help
Most recently we hosted a book drive to benefit South Sound Reading Foundation! Other non-profits/projects we have supported in the past include: Homeless Teen Backpacks, Family Education and Support Center, Rosie's Place, Little Red Schoolhouse, Camp HOPE America - Washington, City Gates Ministries, GRuB, and SafePlace.
2026-2027 Season
We will be hosting a book drive at the March 20, 2027 concert to benefit South Sound Reading Foundation! We invite you to join us by bringing a new or gently used children’s book to the March concert!