Collaboration & Partnerships
Our partnerships and collaborations are an important way to create larger impact through involving more people and pooling the best of ideas, thoughts and skills. We take pride in working with local organizations and artists to give them additional forums through which to showcase their work. Here are a few of our recent collaborations.
Cantamos!, Children’s choir
Cantamos! is one of several ensembles in ASO Sympatico, a music education program underwritten by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and provided in partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools. It is one of more than 100 El Sistema-inspired music education programs across the United States. All El Sistema programs are guided by similar core principles: equitable access to students regardless of income; intense and high-quality music instruction; the use of an ensemble as the main learning environment; community and family engagement; and of course, social change. Students in ASO Sympatico have qualitatively demonstrated more focus, better leadership skills, higher school attendance, and stronger ability to work in groups. Approximately half of the singers in "Cantamos!" speak Spanish at home, and we are delighted to sing this classic Spanish folk tune for you today with Music serving as our common language. "Cantamos!" sings under the direction of Cindy Gossman -aka- Miss Cindy, who has joined the Congressional Chorus to sing in two virtual concerts in 2021, "This Is Her Story" and "Viva la Musica."
João Paulo Casarotti, Pianist
João Paulo Casarotti is the Coordinator of the Piano Area of Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as well as Artistic and Pedagogical Director of the Encontro Internacional de Pianistas de Piracicaba, Encontro Internacional de Pianistas do Vale do Aço (Timóteo, MG) and Piracicaba International Piano Concerto Competition. Dr. Casarotti maintains an intense activity as an interpreter, pedagogue, researcher, and clinician. Dr. Casarotti performed as soloist and chamber musician in Brazil, the United States, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Portugal, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. He also performed as a soloist for orchestras in Brazil, Ukraine and the United States. His areas of expertise include Taubman Technique, Alexander Technique and Piano Wellness; the teaching of online piano and the pianistic work of the Brazilian composer Ernst Mahle.
Desireé González-Miller, Pianist
Desireé González-Miller is an award-winning Mexican pianist and pedagogue. She is also a frequent presenter at national and international music conferences where she advocates for Latin American piano repertoire. She earned her Bachelor and Master degrees at Brigham Young University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree with a related field in Musicology from the University of Utah. Dr. González-Miller serves as the director of the University of Utah Piano Outreach Program and is also an Associate Instructor in their Preparatory Division. She maintains an active schedule as a performer, pedagogue, and researcher.
Afro Blue, Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Afro Blue was formed by Connaitre Miller in the spring of 2002. Now in their 18th year of existence, Afro Blue, the dynamic vocal jazz ensemble from Howard University, has performed to wide critical acclaim. Singing music similar to the styles of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, while adding their own unique sound, Afro Blue continues to maintain a standard of excellence from year to year. Their repertoire is an eclectic mix of musical styles from traditional and contemporary jazz favorites to modern jazz and R & B influenced original songs. Afro Blue has a rich performance history having reached the top four on The Sing-Off, NBC-TV’s a cappella group competition; joined the legendary Bobby McFerrin in selections from his Grammy–nominated VOCAbuLarieS album as part of the D.C. Jazz Festival; and appeared in concert multiple times with world-class jazz pianist and Howard university alumna, Geri Allen.
Dr. Leah Claiborne, Pianist
Dr. Leah Claiborne is an Assistant Professor of Music in the Division of Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the District of Columbia. Pianist, scholar, and educator, Dr. Claiborne promotes diversity in the arts by championing piano music by black composers in her performances, research, and teaching. In 2017, Dr. Claiborne was the first pianist to be awarded the Rackham Predoc Fellowship at the University of Michigan, which allowed her to further her research in compiling, editing, and recording piano music by black composers.
Steve benzek
Steve Benzek is a software developer, computer graphics professional, cartography professor, and photographer who knows how to marry art and science to create beautiful and effective 3D virtual tours
Arts laureate
Arts Laureate is an elite recording team offering second-to-none audio recordings, HD video, event photography, digital production, live sound production, event consulting, and virtual ensemble recordings.
After COVID-19 forced us to rethink music-making in person, we added a new suite of virtual ensemble recording services and presentations for choirs, bands, orchestras, chamber groups, and more.
Leigh Delano, Pianist
Leigh Delano is a music director, classical pianist, and teaching artist. She recently made the leap from the classical music world to theatre and is delighted to be collaborating with passionate artists in the DC theatre scene.
Dan gallagher, Bass guitarist
Dan Gallagher has become a fiercely in demand musician for artists in and around the greater DMV area. His multi-talented abilities as a bassist and vocalist have landed him countless hours touring nationally, playing locally, and recording in the studio.
Tyrone allen, bassist
Tyrone Allen studied at the Eastman School of Music under James VanDemark and Jeff Campbell respectively, and went on to attend the Berklee College of Music the following year. Tyrone continues to play with mentors he came to know in Boston, including Ralph Peterson, George Garzone, and Jerry Bergonzi.
Coalition on Human Needs
For it’s first ever virtual Hero Reception the Coalition on Human Needs’ asked to feature Congressional Chorus’ Ella’s Song video for the opening reception, and we were pleased to say “yes!”. The Coalition on Human Needs’ (CHN) 17th Annual Human Needs Hero Reception October 2020 honored Census Counts, Count All Kids, and Protecting Immigrant Families. CHN is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies which address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable populations. The Coalition’s members include civil rights, religious, labor, and professional organizations, service providers and those concerned with the well-being of children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The American pops orchestra
In an attempt to spice up members’ quaran-routine we happily partnered with @TheAmericanPops for "Name That Tune Trivia" June 30, 2020. In addition to raising money to cover lost revenue, other goals of this collaboration included increasing our audience, developing greater organizational recognition, and creating an approachable artistic environment. By using staff resources within both of our organizations, we were able to present this series with no expenses, making this a 100% profitable partnership. We raised $600.00, which we split 50/50. Thank you Josh Smith and your team for including us!
joy of motion Youth dancers
The Youth Dance Ensemble is Joy of Motion’s elite program for the developing young dancer, consisting of a Company for advanced high school-aged students and six preparatory levels. The Youth Dance Ensemble Company has been the recipient of the DC Dance Award for Outstanding Youth Performance three times (2006, 2010, 2013). With core classes in ballet, jazz, and modern and a guided curriculum based upon the National Dance Education Organization standards, this pre-collegiate program inspires excellence in dance, education, and life. Our most recent collaboration was November 2020, for the Nevertheless She Persisted concert.
Columbia Flute Choir
Columbia Flute Choir, under the direction of Sharyn Byer, has been delighting Washington audiences since 1994, performing throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The ensemble features all members of the flute family including piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute, contr'alto flute, contrabass flute, subcontr'alto flute and double contrabass flute.
Columbia Flute Choir presents a variety of classical music as well as original works for flute choir, and hosts an annual Flute Choir Festival in the Fall. Highlights of previous seasons include Columbia Flute Choir performances at the White House and at the Kennedy Center with Sir James Galway. Columbia Flute Choir has presented world premieres at the Washington Flute Society's Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention and the National Flute. We were delighted to have the Choir join us to perform Alexandra Molnar-Suhajda’s Serenade in our Nevertheless She Persisted concert.
Aaron Jackson, choreographer & dancer
Aaron Jackson first danced with the chorus in 1970s themed cabaret performance Imagine and most recently in Nevertheless She Persisted. He received his BA in dance from the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, he has danced with many local companies such as Arts United of Washington and K2 Dance. In 2008, he had the privilege of dancing on America's Got Talent with the DC Cowboys. He is currently a member of the GMCW company in residence 17th Street Dance.
Marjan Naderi
Marjan Naderi, the 2020 D.C. Youth Poet Laureate, is an Afghan-American writer and educator based in Washington, D.C. As a 7-time Poetry Grand Slam Champion, Naderi has been featured on The Washington Post, NPR, The United Nation’s Girl Up Campaign, NBC News, Nike, and more. Her writing has been recognized by The Adroit Journal, Brave New Voices, The Split This Rock Poetry Database, and The National YoungArts Foundation where she was nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Award. Her first chapbook, Bloodline, was released in 2019.
As an educator, Naderi has facilitated writing workshops across the nation. She's taught Quranic Studies at The Afghan Academy and founded the Washington International Academy Library. She's currently working with international non-profits to build schools and libraries in Afghanistan and The Gambia. Her work is featured in curricula including Fairfax County Public Schools, Bryant University, The University of Virginia, and L.M.S. Voice.
Naderi, 20, now attends The University of Virginia. She's currently working on her next chapbook, a memoir to Afghanistan.
Wyn Delano, Singer/voice actor
Wyn Delano is a D.C. based actor, singer, and voiceover artist. Prior to the pandemic, Wyn had the privilege of appearing on several of the area's largest stages including Arena Stage, Ford's Theatre, and Signature Theatre. Classically trained by Metropolitan Opera Baritone Vladimir Chernov, Wyn has had the unique experience of being exposed to both the worlds of classical singing and Broadway musical directors at nearly the same time. A native of Los Angeles, Wyn has significant choral experience and is a veteran of many regional theatres as well as a Broadway National Tour. Also a strong believer in interdisciplinary skills, Wyn records audiobooks and does voiceover work, and is of the opinion that if you can speak well - with enough practice - you can also sing well.
Oscar Gonzales, Poet
Oscar Gonzales has published three books of poetry, including: Central America in My Heart (Arizona State University: 2007), Amada en el Amado Transformada (Editorial Guaymuras: 1995), and Donde el Plomo Flota (Editorial Universitaria: 1993). Gonzales graduated from Yale College and won Yale's Theron Rockwell Field Prize for his book Donde el Plomo Flota (Where Lead Floats). Gonzales has published in The Yale Literary Magazine, the Yale Observer, Yale Daily News, A la Luz and the newspapers El Tiempo, La Prensa and El Heraldo. In addition, he was founder and editor of the Latino literary journal Compás at Yale.
Diana V. Sáez, choral conductor
Diana V. Sáez is the Director of Choral Activities at Towson University in Baltimore where she directs the TU Chorale, Women’s Choir and Choral Society. Prior to this appointment, Sáez was artistic director of Cantigas, a semi-professional choir that specialized in music from Latin America. She is frequently invited as guest conductor, adjudicator and lecturer in the United States and abroad and has presented interesting sessions at national and regional ACDA conferences. She has served as guest conductor in Colombia and has directed regional honor choruses Virginia, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Diana began her musical education at the Escuela Libre de Música in San Juan, PR. She earned a Master of Choral Conducting from Temple University, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Maryland in College Park.
Cecily, Singer/songwriter
DC-based vocalist and songwriter Cecily is known for her agile soprano and honest lyrics. Her current album Songs of Love and Freedom was named “Best New Soul on Bandcamp” by the Bandcamp editorial team, who described the project as “stirringly timeless and modern.” In her songs you’ll hear the influence of growing up surrounded by her parents vast record collection. Her father, a lover of Miles Davis, and her mother, a Smokey Robinson fan, filled their home with soulful sounds that captivated their daughter, and which she has channeled into her own work. Soulbounce says that Cecily creates “music that pulls from the past but looks toward the future.”
brandie sutton, Soprano
Versatile, dynamic, and mesmerizing, soprano Brandie Sutton has garnered accolades and devoted fans around the globe, thanks to an impressive array of recitals, operatic roles, and concert performances with acclaimed orchestras. Hailed by Opera News for her “sumptuous, mid-weight soprano,” and by The New York Times for her “warm, ample voice,” “ravishing performance” and “distinctive earthy coloring,” Ms. Sutton’s is one of the classical world’s most impressive new stars.
Benyo sound
Ryan Benyo is a Los Angeles based record producer, songwriter and keyboardist currently operating out of Benyo Sound Studios in Burbank, California. In addition, Benyo works with Kid Pan Alley, a nonprofit organization that writes songs with school children all around the U.S. Benyo also produces the internationally syndicated and acclaimed import radio show, Passport Approved with Sat Bisla.
Katherine kellert, Saxophonist
Katherine Kellert is an active freelance musician and private instructor in the Washington, D.C. area. Currently she is the Principal Clarinetist with the Mantovani Orchestra and performs regularly at theaters and with ensembles in the Washington, D.C. area.
Kenny rittenhouse, trumpeter
Kenny Rittenhouse has led his own jazz quartet for over 25 years, performing in and around the Washington, DC area with many great jazz artists including Larry Willis, Ralph Peterson, Don Braden, Buck Hill, and Steve Wilson, and Butch
Warren. The Kenny Rittenhouse Ensemble is one of the hardest swinging jazz groups in the greater DC metro area.
Joey Antico, Drummer
Joey Antico has quickly become a sought after drummer to share the stage in the greater DMV area. Although his roots are in jazz, Antico strives to bridge the gap of old and new music, staying true to the traditions of jazz music while incorporating new ideas and electronics where they appropriately fit.
CapitAl city symphony
Although we were forced to cancelled our planned May 2020 Go West joint concert, we look forward to performing together soon. We have a long history of successful collaborations with this wonderful community orchestra, including the Annual Holiday Concert and Carol Sing at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Capital City Symphony (CCS) is a community orchestra based in Washington, D.C. and is one of the founding arts partners of the Atlas Performing Arts Center, located in Northeast DC’s Atlas District.
grace chorale of New York City
We were delighted to do a joint concert tour to Atlanta, Montgomery and Birmingham in July, 2019 for Let Justice Roll: Commemorating the Centennial of the Red Summer of 1919. Grace Chorale of Brooklyn is an 85-member chorus based in Brooklyn Heights dedicated to the performance and promotion of choral singing in Brooklyn. During its 40+ years, of concerts, performing partnerships, and educational outreach events the Chorus has offered a wide variety of choral music to audiences throughout the NYC Borough, and provided amateur singers of varied experience the opportunity to study the art of choral singing under the dynamic and professional leadership of Music Director, Jason Asbury, and Assistant Music Director, Matt Podd.
Helen Hayes, choreographer & dancer
Helen Hayes has been teaching modern and jazz at Joy of Motion since 1990. She is dedicated to building community through dance and believes that dance builds strong minds and strong bodies. As the Interim Programming Director and Director of the Dance Institute, she oversees the Youth Dance Ensemble, the Broadway Dance Academy and LEAP! (JOM’s conservatory training program for adults) in addition to all programming at JOM. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in dance. She has danced professionally with the Maryland Dance Theater, Perlo/Bloom and Co., Cathy Paine and Friends, Deborah Riley Dance Projects and Dupont Alley Dance Company. Touring internationally, she has been featured on Good Morning Hong Kong. She has performed throughout the United States including the Honors Gala in tribute to Chita Rivera at the Kennedy Center. Under Hayes’ direction, the Youth Dance Ensemble has won the Metro DC Dance Award for Most Outstanding Youth Performance in 2006, 2010 and 2012. In 2009, Hayes was the recipient of the prestigious Metro DC Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance Education. We been delighted to feature this amazing dancers in numerous concerts.
Darryl Pilate, dancer & Choreographer
Originally from Texas, Darryl Pilate begins his twelfth year in dance education at High Point High School in Prince George's County Public Schools. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance with a minor in Health Administration from Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman's University. He studied under various dance artists in genres such as ballet, jazz, Hawkins technique, hip hop, and contemporary. Darryl Pilate has taught in several middle and high schools choreographing many styles of dance. Since 2019, he has been a guest artist/choreographer for Light Switch Dance Theatre and Dance Exchange.Darryl was a featured dancer in Nevertheless She Persisted and choreographer for Vogue!.
The Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy
The string and timpani scores utilized in our November 2020 Nevertheless She Persisted concert were a newly-revised reduction and publication of Amy Beach's Festival Jubilate, Op. 17 by Publications Director Chris A. Trotman of Women's Philharmonic Advocacy, and part of their mission of encouraging performances of neglected music by women.
The Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy is a non-profit organization founded in 2008 in order to (1) recognize the achievement of The Women’s Philharmonic (1980-2004) over their 24 years of activity, (2) build on this work by advocating for the performance of women composers by orchestras and ensembles, (3) address the place of women composers (historic and contemporary) in today’s repertoire of orchestras and ensembles in the US and internationally and (4) present information that highlights the shortage of programming of works by women; the heritage of TWP emphasizes that this should and can be corrected.