Find Your Voice with Nova
Nova is an award-winning, citywide choir for 6th to 12th grade students from any Oakland school. This tuition-free choir is designed for vocalists ready to take on the challenge of advanced choral singing in multiple languages and styles.
Nova singers rehearse and perform an engaging, inspiring, and diverse repertoire of music from around the world. Choir members have the opportunity to perform in local choral festivals, sing alongside Cantare adult choirs, participate in team-building activities and receive professional voice coaching.
Rehearsals are held Tuesday afternoons and one Sunday afternoon a month. Consistent attendance, a requirement of participation, helps encourage responsibility, discipline, and commitment. Auditions are still available for the 2024-25 school year.
“I love going to Nova because it is a space where I always feel welcomed, can make friends, and can feel the joy of singing in a group.”
–Connie Tran, Nova Alumni
“My child has developed confidence and learned how to work as a team.”
– Nova Parent
Mentoring Program
One hundred percent of Nova graduates complete high school and 98% enroll in college & vocational programs. Many are first-generation college students. Nova high school students can choose to be paired with mentors from the Cantare community who support them beyond choir time. The Cantare Mentoring Program helps nurture each student as they transition from middle school to high school, graduation, and beyond. The program serves to empower our students to be confident, curious, involved, and informed members of our community.
SPOTLIGHT
Nova Takes Anaheim
Nova went on tour for the first time since 2019 this year. They visited CalPoly Pomona, taking a tour and attending a music class; performed at the Anaheim Heritage Music Festival; and visited Disneyland. At the Music Festival, they won the Gold Award for choirs, and senior Nai Trawick won the Maestro award for best vocalist at the Festival! We're so proud!
