Seattle Jewish Chorale

Our next ✨ member spotlight ✨ is Alivia, our Soprano assistant director!

Name: Alivia
Section: Soprano
How'd you get started with singing?: I started singing as a little kid in church, usually standing on the pew so I could see the words projected on the back wall (I've always been pretty short!)
How'd you find the chorale?: I found out about the SJC through a Facebook group for Seattle musicians.
What do you do for fun?: I love to read, collect stickers and enamel pins, and take care of my freshwater aquarium.
What is your favorite song you have ever sung?: I absolutely love "Contre qui, rose" from Lauridsen's "Flower Songs." It's so meditative and hauntingly gorgeous.
Fun fact: This summer I went diving with sharks at the Seattle Aquarium! Highly recommended!
Your favorite picture of yourself: Attached - this is me at nine years old in my first opera production, "La Boheme," dressed as a mischievous street urchin.

This wraps up our section leader introductions! We'll be releasing the date for our Hanukkah concert soon 👀 👀 Stay tuned!

This week's member ✨ spotlight ✨ is Kevin, our Bass assistant director!

Name: Kevin Aurell Wyatt-Stone
Section: Bass
How'd you get started with singing?: My parents sang together in a madrigal group for many years since before I was born, and have been community orchestra players for decades. I was consequently put in piano lessons when I was 4, but I actually didn't start singing in choirs until I needed a fine arts credit in Junior High. That director, Steve Stevens, quickly recruited me for the Columbia Choirs, a choir outside of school that he also directed, and it was all downhill from there.
How'd you find the chorale?: Facebook ad. Sometimes they work!
What do you do for fun?: All sorts of Gaming (D&D and other table top systems, board games, video games), crochet, and petting cats. I also help direct Level Up! Vocal Ensemble, a choir that sings entirely video game music.
What is your favorite song you have ever sung?: Whichever one I'm singing right now! But if you'd like something with a link, today I'll share this Lithuanian folk song from my college choir days: https://youtu.be/6ycVvYPwd_I?si=ih7tiuuMd607MXzi
Rogue wild fun fact: I had a good friend and neighbor in college who went to high school with our director Jacob - that connection helped me get the job!

Rehearsals are well underway for our season, and we'll be announcing our Chanukah concert soon 👀 Stay tuned!

Dear SJC Community,

It’s no secret that the past year has brought its share of turmoil. Through it all, we’ve found strength in each other. This season of reflection and new beginnings reminds us how grateful we are for you and for the community we've built together. This is a time of introspection, but also a time to celebrate all of the joy life can bring. Thank you for being part of it.

This new year, we hold onto hope, resilience, and the comfort of community. L'shana tovah tikatevu; wishing you a good and sweet year ahead.

-SJC Board and Staff

Please enjoy this recording of Avinu Malkeinu from our High Holy Days concert. https://youtu.be/zc1hPty4u_Y

None of what we do happens without support from our community. As we step into 5787, we hope you'll consider a gift to the Chorale, to help us keep singing for another year. Your contribution will support our mission to provide accessible Jewish music and culture to the Seattle area.

Seattle Jewish Chorale is a 501(c)3 and your donation is tax-deductible.

SJC - Avinu Malkeinu SJC performs Avinu Malkeinu by Carol Sams.Video: Jacob FinkleMix...

Our next ✨member spotlight✨is of our Alto section leader and associate Music Director, Naomi! Read below to learn about another member of the chorale!

Name: naomi adele smith
Section: Alto
How'd you get started with singing?: A better question would be, how can I be stopped from singing?
How'd you find the chorale?: I was riding the 41 home in 2011 and ran into an old UW Chorale friend, Sarah Salomon. She said SJC needed altos, and they happened to rehearse a few blocks away from my house at the time, so it seemed pretty convenient. I was hooked after the first rehearsal!
What do you do for fun?: Sci-fi books, synthesizers, line dancing.
What is your favorite song you have ever sung? "Not in Our Town" hits me just as hard every single time we perform it. It reminds me that even the smallest loving action can inspire a cascade of goodness.
Fun fact: I have played 100 escape rooms. AMA!

You still have time to audition with us! We have 2 spots available on 9/2/26! Please visit seattlejewishchorale.org/audition for more info and to sign up!

To start off our new season, we are going to be doing some ✨member spotlights!✨ Meet Tim, our Tenor assistant director!

> Name: Timothy Morrisey
> Section: Tenor
> How'd you get started with singing?: My Parents used to sing Peter, Paul and Mary songs, and I liked to sing along!
> How'd you find the chorale?: Referral from a former member
> What do you do for fun?: Travel and spend time with family and friends.
> What is your favorite song you have ever sung? Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen
> Fun fact: I once played the harpsichord down the hall from the statue of David.

You can get the chance to sing with Tim and so many more delightful singers this year! Our auditions are September 2nd, from 7:30-9:30 in 15 minute slots. Spots are going fast! Visit seattlejewishchorale.org/audition to learn how to audition!

We are gearing up to get started with our 19th season in Seattle! What are some of your favorite SJC memories? 🌠

We're excited to see everyone's oratorios and fully fledged operatic arias at our auditions on September 2nd! (Or maybe just Happy Birthday...) If you have any questions, please reach out!

(Picture is from our recent 18th Anniversary Gala Encore, where we invited former members to sing with us for the last song!)

It's tiiiiiiiime! 🌼🌻🌸 Auditions are coming up on September 2nd! Please visit our website for more information!

Thank you for supporting the Seattle Jewish Chorale at our Chai Anniversary Gala, as well as for the entire 18 years of our existence. This community has put in monumental effort to sustain SJC through ongoing challenges. Your donations and auction purchases will help finance our ambitious plans for commissioning more new works and conscientiously exploring cross-cultural collaboration.

We are so proud to share the beauty of Jewish music and culture with the world and we appreciate everyone's generosity so much. We'll soon be announcing auditions, concerts, and more -- but for now, thank you again for a wonderful Gala!

Please enjoy this recap video created by our planners and decorators, A Your Name Story, as well as some other photos of the event!

The flowers are blooming and so are we! Tickets are still available for tonight's performance!

! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet for our 18th Anniversary Legacy Gala, you only have 24 more hours!

Tickets and information are available at seattlejewishchorale.org/gala2026 !

If the ticket price is prohibitive, we are able to offer free and reduced ticketing options! Either select the Pay What You Can option on our Eventbrite or, for a free ticket, contact us. This is supported by a grant from 4culture.

Read below about another great silent auction item!

🎭 AUCTION ITEM: A Night Out at Village Theatre

Bid on two tickets to any show in Village Theatre's 2026-2027 Mainstage Season! The season features Ragtime, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, the Agatha Christie mystery And Then There Were None, and the world premiere musical comedy Love Is Dead! There is truly something for everyone. One of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved regional theater companies, Village Theatre never disappoints.

Tickets and information are available at seattlejewishchorale.org/gala2026 !