Elevating the Human Experience through Choral Music: Kantorei’s Continued Partnership with Vocalis in Guatemala

At Kantorei, our Global Engagement efforts are more than just outreach—they are about forging deep, lasting connections through music. One of our most meaningful partnerships is with Vocalis, a trailblazing choir in Guatemala that is working against all odds to create a choral community where few resources exist and formal music education is limited.

This spring, several of our singers traveled to Guatemala to work alongside Vocalis Camerata in person, following weeks of online voice lessons and workshops. These pre-trip sessions allowed us to hit the ground running once we arrived, building on a strong foundation of trust and shared musical goals.

Throughout our visit, we offered one-on-one vocal instruction, sectional workshops, and training sessions, all in preparation for a special concert in Guatemala City and Antigua featuring music from Latin America of the Caribbean. We focused on essential elements like alignment, breath support, vocal registration, placement, and diction—core techniques that are often unavailable to singers in Guatemala due to a scarcity of trained vocal instructors. In many cases, any guidance they’ve previously received emphasized operatic techniques that aren’t sustainable for ensemble singing, presenting yet another barrier to accessing choral music.

And yet, despite these challenges, Vocalis is thriving. In just the last year alone, they’ve experienced tremendous growth. They now boast five ensembles, each one filled with committed, passionate singers. Their concert was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the audience—proof that choral music can flourish in Guatemala with the right support.

Our collaboration is not about imposing our methods, but about sharing tools and ideas that Vocalis then adapts in ways that are meaningful to their community. Watching Vocalis’ Artistic Director, Jeffrey Ortega grow into his role has been particularly inspiring. As he put it, "The consistency and longevity of this partnership have allowed everyone to better understand the vision of what could be and what’s possible. It’s not just technical—it’s a human, musical, spiritual experience."

Karin Bruns, Vocalis Executive Director, shared her gratitude: "Having the support is so amazing because it’s a huge challenge and we have so many barriers. I know why no one else has done this—it’s so hard. But the support of Joel and Kantorei has helped us feel like we can do this."

Another Vocalis member, Kennete Steve, summed it up beautifully: "Many people have to leave Guatemala to reach their full potential with music. But this relationship allows us to do that here. I’ve grown so much in my music—and in my English! I’ve seen so much happiness, excitement, and commitment from the kids in the choir."

We have built incredible friendships through this work. We have been moved by the resilience, warmth, and determination of the Vocalis community, and we return home as better musicians—and better people—for having shared in this journey.

Together, we are not just teaching music. We are creating opportunity, building community, and helping choral music take root in a place where its future is still being written.

Up Next: Voces del Sur – A Celebration of Latin American Choral Music

The next chapter in our partnership with Vocalis brings their singers back to Denver as guest artists for Voces del Sur: A Celebration of Latin American Choral Music in May of 2026. These collaborative concerts will highlight the vibrant and diverse choral traditions of Spanish-speaking Latin America, with repertoire spanning from the colonial era to contemporary compositions. Together, Kantorei and Vocalis will explore works that reflect the cultural richness, linguistic diversity, and musical depth of Latin America and the Caribbean. This joint celebration not only honors our shared commitment to artistic collaboration and cultural exchange but also invites audiences to experience the beauty and complexity of Latin American choral heritage.

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Kantorei’s Global Engagement initiative is a natural extension of our mission and values—fostering innovation, inclusion, and community on a global scale. Founded on the belief that meaningful cultural exchange enriches everyone involved, this work supports developing choral communities beyond the U.S. through musical education, leadership training, and sustainability strategies. A shining example of this is our longstanding partnership with Vocalis, a choir based in Guatemala.

In 2017, Kantorei and Vocalis discovered that we were performing similar concert programs half a world apart. What began as a shared artistic vision blossomed into a rich choral exchange: Vocalis traveled to Denver to perform with Kantorei, and Kantorei singers visited Guatemala to sing alongside Vocalis. This act of cultural diplomacy evolved into a co-commission of a new work by Grammy-nominated composer Jake Runestad, set to the poetry of renowned Guatemalan and Mayan poet Humberto Akʼabal and featuring text in English, Spanish, and Ki’che. Through partnerships like this, we amplify underrepresented voices, expand access to high-quality choral instruction, and foster lasting relationships that transcend borders—living out our mission to innovate, include, and build community through the transformative power of music.