Transforming Lives Through Choral Music

Jeffery Ortega, Raul Figueroa, and Karin Bruns

In October 2017, several members of my Guatemalan choir and I traveled to Denver to hear Kantorei perform a new work by a composer we greatly admire. After learning of our visit, Kantorei’s conductor, Joel Rinsema, graciously invited us to join them for several songs. Since that time, Kantorei and my choir, Vocalis, have developed a beautiful relationship that has profoundly impacted the lives of many people across Guatemala.

Opportunities for choral music in Guatemala are extremely limited. There is little access to training in conducting or choral singing, so anyone wishing to study must travel abroad at great personal cost. Choirs struggle to survive, as there is no infrastructure to support choral activity—no trained conductors, no affordable rehearsal or performance spaces, and few resources for professional development. Musical quality depends entirely on what a conductor can learn independently, and even those who study abroad often choose not to return, since there are no viable careers for choral conductors here.

As the first non-profit choral organization in Guatemala, Vocalis seeks to transform lives through choral music. We have worked tirelessly to build a stronger choral community, and none of this would have been possible without the support of Joel and Kantorei. Their generosity has taken many forms: bringing their singers and conductor to Guatemala to perform, offering Guatemalans the rare opportunity to hear an outstanding choir live, and providing invaluable mentorship in conducting technique, repertoire, rehearsal planning, and organizational leadership. They even invited our leadership committee to Denver for a weekend retreat with Kantorei’s own team, helping us develop a sustainable structure for our organization. Perhaps most importantly, they have always approached this partnership with deep respect—listening to our needs and supporting us without imposing their own culture.

I am convinced that the success of Vocalis is possible only because of Kantorei’s ongoing support. Today, our non-profit organization includes more than 100 singers—from children to older adults—who find in Vocalis both a community and a creative home. We know that this work requires patience, persistence, and consistency. Real change takes time, and we believe it begins by planting the seeds of music early in life. With continued dedication—and with Kantorei’s partnership—we can nurture a lasting culture of choral music in Guatemala.

I am deeply grateful to Joel for his unwavering support. His generosity has profoundly changed our lives and the future of choral music in Guatemala. - Karin Bruns, Executive Director, Vocalis