VOENA Director, Annabelle Marie

VOENA was founded in 1994 by Annabelle, a composer and solo artist, who arranges most of the choir’s music which includes a cappella, acoustic, original and well-known songs from around the world. Some of the choir’s repertoire comes from the members themselves who bring it from their cultural backgrounds; some she composes herself, and she also commissions new works for the choir. The music is a mixture of folk, classical, pop and sacred music and is sung in Swahili, Japanese, Russian, Navajo, Hebrew and more than a dozen other languages. Multiple percussion instruments, dance and theatrical elements round out the a cappella
voice selections.

VOENA has given three Christmas Holiday performances at the White House and was chosen from over 600 applicants to perform at the 2005 Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Pageant of Peace Ceremony. In 2000 VOENA completed a world tour including performances in China, Italy, Greece and Mexico. The choir performed at Carnegie Hall, the Vatican for Pope Paul II and opened for Jose Feliciano at the Mondavi Concert Series in the summer of 2004. VOENA represented the United States at the 2005 World’s Fair in Aichi, Japan.

VOENA’s music is as diverse as their ethnic backgrounds and their songs are as unique as their many cultures. For 10 years, The VOENA children’s choir has delighted audiences from around the world with its eclectic repertoire and inventive a cappella vocal arrangements directed by Annabelle.

Hour TWO
New Orleans Christmas -
This and many more great music CDs
from around the world are available for
purchase from Putumayo World Music at http://www.putumayo.com/catalog/item.php?item_number=256-2

According to VOENA’s founder and director, Annabelle Marie, "The World Expo has always represented global harmony -- the coming together of people, nations, cultures, and voices. As a choir, VOENA seeks to embody those same ideals in song. We are thrilled with such a high honor – to represent the United States on this day and to add our voices to the world harmony.”  In addition, the choir, which is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, is accepting donations, selling VOENA t-shirts and holding fund-raising concerts. Donations are tax-deductible and may be made by calling Teresa White at (707) 751-1515. Information is also available by e-mailing voena@earthlink.net.

The internationally-acclaimed choir is made up of students from Solano County, Contra Costa County and Napa County, and from schools in the Northern California communities of Vallejo and Benicia. One student even drives from Yuba City -- two hours every week -- to attend rehearsals. Ranging in age from 7 to 18 years, the 110 members come from ethnically diverse backgrounds and most come into the choir without experience.

You can substitute any kind of tea for the Chai Tea Bags!