Queer Choir is an intergenerational and re-humanizing community choir for queer, trans and gender-expansive humans, singing into the growing movement for collective liberation. Queer Choir makes space for queers of all backgrounds to reclaim and rejoice in their body as instrument while leaning into the magic of harmony-singing as interdependence. There is no audition for Queer Choir, and we do not use SATB voicing. At this time, Queer Choir is open to queer-identified folks only.

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SPRING COHORT

Each 11-week Queer Choir cohort becomes its own living organism—a sweet and spacious container for harmony singing, thoughtfully-held by Artistic Director elias wolf who leads with possibility, warmth, play, curiosity and humor. Together, we learn songs outside the traditional choral canon with meaningful messages and rich harmonies, focusing primarily on the work of independent queer and trans artists—and we have a lot of fun along the way.

11 REHEARSALS: Weekly Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm from April 21st through June 30th at The Wildish Theater, 630 Main Street, Springfield.

2 CULMINATING PERFORMANCES: Friday, June 26th and Saturday June 27th.

WHAT WE ARE PRACTICING:

Harmony-singing as interdependence
Queer joy as an act of resistance to tyranny
Weekly side-by-side singing as a commitment to rigor in times of uncertainty, destruction, and collapse
Learning music by ear, with sheet music and sometimes in spontaneous co-creation as an exercise in cultivating resilience and holding multiple possibilities
Attunement to voice and body as an orientation away from separation and disconnection (what all systems of oppression require of us) and toward self-responsibility and relationality (what collective liberation requires of us).

You can read more about Queer Choir at our website here. Please note that all registrants are required to read the Queer Choir Handbook and commit to our Community Agreements in order to complete the registration process. A link to access this document is in the registration form and can also be found here.

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RECIPROCITY / MEMBERSHIP DUES

Queer Choir uses a community-rooted, relational economy model

To sustain the life of this choir, we offer three tiers—not as a hierarchy, but as a circle of reciprocity. Choose an amount that is in alignment with your financial situation, your social location, and offered from a place of abundance, gratitude and ease: please check out the this graphic if you would like guidance in determining which tier is for you.

$250 Sustaining Tier – Covers Your Spot: This is the standard rate that helps cover your share of the choir’s real expenses: venue rental, staff pay, sheet music, part tracks, admin labor, etc. This rate keeps the engine humming.
$130 Supported Tier – For Those Needing Community Support: This rate is for those with limited financial access who would be unable to participate otherwise.
$370 Supporting Tier – Paying it Forward: This rate supports others in our community who cannot pay the full amount. If you are resourced enough to offer this, you are helping build an economy of access, equity, and care.

If you are not able to access Queer Choir at any of the above tiers, please send an email to our Artistic Director at info@queerchoir.com to inquire about a scholarship. You are also welcome to apply for one of our work-trade positions here.

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ACCESSIBILITY

Our venue is ADA-accessible and includes gender neutral restrooms. There is usually ample street parking, and the venue is a short walking distance from public transit. Sheet music and lyric sheets are provided for a variety of learning styles. This is a neurodivergent / neurodiverse-friendly space where multiple ways of interacting and learning are welcomed and appreciated.

COVID/illness policy: if you are sick, have any symptoms, or have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID or was otherwise contagious, please stay home. Masks are not required, but encouraged as needed (i.e. if you are no longer contagious but symptomatic).

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FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

elias wolf (formerly Lisa Forkish - they/them) is a heart-forward, moon-guided, water-bound singer, composer, teacher, vocal director and arranger, musical spellcaster, abolitionist, community-weaver, and spirited world-builder creating music and collective singing experiences. A change-maker from the start, elias is devoting this era of their life to stewarding what they call “re-humanizing queer song alchemy for the revolution.”

elias has been at the helm of over 15 choirs and vocal groups over the past 22 years, including 5-time national champion high school a cappella group Vocal Rush and powerhouse vocal quintet, HIVE. elias is also an award-winning vocal arranger, and their work has been showcased alongside Kehlani, Ben Harper, Pentatonix and the Oakland Symphony Chorus. Their love of organizing singing humans and producing events also led them to found an arts advocacy nonprofit devoted to uplifting marginalized voices in vocal music. elias’ stint as director of University of Oregon’s a cappella group Divisi from ‘03-’06 was the inspiration for the film “Pitch Perfect,” A graduate of Berklee College of Music, elias has released five albums of original music; their most recent album From the Ashes exploring themes of transformation, justice and love. A performer of 25+ years, elias has appeared at SFJAZZ Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Yoshi’s, and is currently recording their next release, to the water, arriving 11/11/26.

elias identifies as a genderqueer white-bodied witch of English, German and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. They hold the superpowers of ADHD and high sensitivity, as well as the gifts of being a Cancer Rising and Sun with a 1st and 12th house cusp. elias is currently a settler on unceded Kalapuya land where they live with their sweet chihuahua mix rescue pup Wally and their Yamaha upright piano.

You can watch this video to get an idea of what elias' singing spaces can look like, and explore their artist CV to learn more about elias' experience and training.

ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR

Felicia Figueroa-Carnine (They/Them) is a Queer NB Xicanx Indigenous Brujx. They bring over three decades of musical experience, with music woven into the fabric of their life since childhood. Raised in a musical family, they began learning instruments at age 8 and were performing professionally by 14. By their early 20s, Felicia was immersed in over a decade of near-constant touring. From street corners to theaters, singing was the only language their heart knew. Queerness, music, and queer community remain a deep source of liberation and resilience in Felicia’s life. They believe these are the spaces where we learn to hold one another fiercely and tenderly, creating room for authentic growth and connection. May that growth continue to spiral outward.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Queer Choir opened my heart, moved my spirit and filled me with joy.”

“If you would have told me six months ago that I would join a choir and rediscover the joy of singing at this point in my life, I would’ve dismissed the idea. Yet, here I am. Being able to connect with other queer-identified people in such an inclusive space that is free of judgement and powerful beyond words.”

"Queer choir with elias has been such an incredible experience! The safety and playfulness they create allows me to open my voice and open my heart. Singing with her and this rad group of queer folks lifts me up every week."

“Queer Choir keeps me grounded and alive. Coming together to be ourselves and sing is an act of healing and resistance each week. And bringing that energy out into the wider community feels powerful.”

“As adults, we are often told to keep growing, learning, and experiencing new things. But rarely do we come across an opportunity to do that, especially if it deviates from the path we’ve found ourselves on. Queer Choir is one of those few spaces where I fit and I am in a much better place today because of this experience.”

“elias has created a beautiful space and container for authentic and safe belonging for queers in this community. I appreciate so much about Queer Choir! I love the music we sing and the intention put into selecting, arranging and performing it in a way that celebrates queerness. I love the lean away from perfection and the lean into queer joy, celebration and embracing any 'flaws' as part of the process and part of our shared humanity. It is truly beautiful to witness elias create, lead and hold all of us.”

“Being in Queer Choir reminded me that my voice (and by extension me) has its special strengths and deserves to be heard along with others in harmony, or dissonance as it may be. Thank you for that!"

“I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for this choir, but it has become a highlight of my week. Choir practice became a safe place to unmask and celebrate identities with peers who are eager to support one another. The performances were intimidating and thrilling, and this cohort has given me confidence in so many different aspects of life. Thanks, elias, for bringing us together.”

“Queer Choir has been so joyful and hope giving for me. To be in a space with my community and learning music together has been so tender and meaningful! I’m so excited to keep joining choir! It’s something I really look forward to!”

Queer Choir Spring 2026