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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Discovering common ground and celebrating our differences through music is in our DNA.

Our Commitment

Uniting Voices strives to unite youth of different backgrounds, beliefs and experiences in an environment where everyone feels valued and works together to develop global leaders through music. We are dedicated to fostering, cultivating, preserving, and advancing a culture of diversity and equity with an inclusive environment that respects the dignity of all people. We commit to the action of inquiry and accountability to discern, denounce, and deconstruct barriers of oppression. Our goal is for every person to use their unique experiences and backgrounds together—to spark solutions that create a better, more harmonious world.

Accessible Programs

No student is turned away for financial reasons. Tuition for Uniting Voices Chicago’s after-school programs are offered on sliding-scale based on household income, and Uniting Voices Chicago always works with families to ensure participation without financial barriers. Students in Uniting Voices Chicago’s school programs participate at no cost and Uniting Voices Chicago works with schools to offer programs at a minimum 50 percent subsidy.

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Future Music Educators

The power of music stems from its connection to our personal experiences. We believe that students deserve conductors who reflect the world they live in and their everyday experiences. The Future Music Educators program is designed to provide paid professional development to BIPOC music instructors, ensuring equity and impact in music education down the line.

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Nikita Sekhar

A few weeks after I sang the solo, I was sitting at a coffee shop, and this woman came up to me and she told me that as a queer parent herself, seeing me onstage really gave her hope for the future. Her words really validated me not only as an artist, but as a queer individual.

Nikita Sekhar, Uniting Voices Chicago graduate (2020)

Diversity

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In a world that’s full of so much hurting and hate, it’s reassuring and powerful to know that there are people who are trying their hardest to change other’s perspective on life through a creative and effective platform.

Ashley Franklin, Uniting Voices Chicago graduate (2020)
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Our discussions {around the issue of immigration} strengthened the dynamics of our group and brought us closer as we developed a communal understanding of the impacts of this injustice. With a few weeks remaining until the performance, we prepared ourselves mentally and emotionally to unite our voices and bring awareness to the issues of immigration in our country.

Anita Gandara, Uniting Voices Chicago graduate (2020)