Our ENSEMBLES

Vocal Essence of the Southern Tier (VEST) was born from a simple yet powerful belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to sing—regardless of age, background, experience, ability, or prior experience. As a conductor, educator, and lifelong advocate for equitable access to music, I have witnessed the profound ways choral singing transforms lives. Singing in community fosters connection, confidence, healing, and joy—but too often, access to high-quality ensemble singing is limited, especially for those outside traditional school or church programs. VEST was created to fill that gap and to reimagine what inclusive, intergenerational, community-based vocal music can look like.