Oakland Youth Chorus
Artistic Director La Nell Martin
The Oakland Youth Chorus unites diverse communities and transforms young people's lives through excellence in music education and community performance. Empowering children and youth with safe, joyful avenues to express themselves and connect through the arts, Oakland Youth Chorus changes the lives that will transform our neighborhoods and our world.
OYC's award-winning Concert Chorus and Chamber Singers have performed with Roger Waters at the Oracle Arena, Oakland Ballet, Oakland Symphony, Richard Sherman and Jodi Benson, Bobby McFerrin, and the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus. They have toured nationally and internationally, collaborated on recording projects to end human trafficking and racial injustice, and represented Oakland for the National Guild for Community Arts Education, CASMEC, Gap Foundation, the Forbes 400 Philanthropy Summit, and the President of the United States at the White House.
To find out more about how the Oakland Youth Chorus creates community through harmony, visit oaklandyouthchorus.org.
La Nell Martin is an Oakland native, a graduate of Holy Names High School, and alumna of the Oakland Youth Chorus (1986-1989). She holds a B.A. in Voice from California State University-East Bay, a Kodály Level One Certificate from Holy Names University, and a Masters in Music Education from San Jose State University (expected August 2018). La Nell began conducting OYC’s Middle School Chorus programs in 2004 and Concert Chorus in 2006.
Under Ms. Martin’s direction, OYC’s Concert Chorus and Chamber Singers have received top honors at Heritage Festivals and Music in the Parks, and have been invited guest artists with the Oakland Ballet, Oakland Symphony Chorus, Yerba Buena Family Day, Oakland East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus, and California State University- East Bay. She has taken the Concert Chorus and Chamber Singers on tour to Las Vegas, Seattle, and New Orleans. OYC’s advanced singers have collaborated with the Max Park Band, on recording projects to end human trafficking and racial injustice, sung with Roger Waters at the Oracle Arena, and were selected to represent Oakland in performances for the national conference of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, CASMEC, Gap Foundation, and the Forbes 400 Philanthropy Summit.
La Nell has studied choral conducting with Dr. Buddy James (California State University), Judit Hartyányi (Holy Names University), and Dr. Charlene Archibeque (San Jose State University). She has also studied voice with Christine Abraham and Dr. Allen Shearer. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the Association of the American Kodály Educators, and the National Association for Music Education (NAFME).