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regular-term students at SJSU, or members of the
greater community. Singing participants are asked to Tacoma Refugee Choir
do their best to respond to the conductor’s gesture, re- Submitted by: Erin Guinup
gardless if they have performed the piece in the past. Location: Tacoma, Washington
On occasion, the conductors are given a moment to refugeechoir.org
take the choir through one of their favorite warm-up Program or Project Title:
exercises. Dr. Jeffrey Benson and Kristina Nakagawa Tacoma Refugee Choir
provide feedback to the conductors both during the ses-
sion and afterward in private communication.
In terms of costs, a professional collaborative pianist
is hired, and a space is rented. Music is selected from
Resounding Achord’s recent repertoire and supple-
mented with works that the SJSU program has been
focusing on during their classes.

What is the most successful aspect of the project?

Approximately 100 conductors have benefited from
participating in the program, and there are nearly 100
singers who sign up to sing each year. As one partici-
pant noted, “The Summer Lab Choir during the SJSU Amidst an epidemic of loneliness and ongoing divi-
master’s program is by far one of the best and most siveness in our communities, the importance of creat-
transformative experiences of the program. Having ing spaces where connection and a spirit of welcoming
the experience of working with a live choir that really can thrive for all community members cannot be over-
responds to each movement you make, and having a stated. One of the most joyful ways to develop a sense
clinician on hand to give you direct feedback that you of belonging is singing with others. As we fulfill our
can try in that moment, is incredible.” mission—creating spaces for authentic expression, in-
terconnection, and healing through song and music—
What is the collaborative element of your project? we are meeting this fundamental need.
Since 2016 we have been welcoming immigrants,
This program is entirely collaborative from start to refugees, and allies into the Choir, with current mem-
finish. Resounding Achord Productions’ (RAP) admin- bership including forty-five people from seventeen
istration works with Dr. Benson beginning early in the countries, including Iran, Ukraine, Belarus, D.R. Con-
spring to schedule the lab sessions and review reper- go, Rwanda, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Cambodia. At
toire to ensure that music is ready for all participants weekly rehearsals and performances, we sing, dance,
at the first meeting. RAP secures the venue, hires the hug, and share our challenges and triumphs. Members
collaborative artist, and manages all communications are invited to actively contribute to the creative process,
to the singers, and Dr. Benson manages scheduling the and after eight seasons, members have collectively writ-
conductors. If the conductor is part of the three-sum- ten over thirty original songs that are frequently shared
mer master’s program, he also meets with them pri- in the community.
vately, both to prepare for the session and also to work
on aspects of what they experienced afterward. What is the most successful aspect of the project?

The most successful aspect of the project lies in the
Tacoma Refugee Choir’s commitment to nurturing a

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