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VOENA
Female Choral Group from Benicia, CA
VOENA youth ensemble was founded in 1994 with a mission, 'uniting the world with children's voices.' Ambassadors for peace, they have sung 5 times at the White House for presidents Clinton and Bush, Maya Angelou, represented the US at the World Expo in Aichi Japan, Carnegie Hall, and Opening Day at the London Olympics. The Crown Prince flew our singers over to Abu Dhabi to sing their original song, Voices Dream, for Interfaith Alliance. Founder/Director Annabelle Marie received the Jefferson Award for community enrichment with her innovative approach to having a no-audition policy and using world music to help young people to think beyond borders. A style of singing Ms Marie developed, called 'physical singing' helps the children embody their music and express from their soul. These 12 young ladies, ages 14-18 sing with originality and are grateful for opportunities to bring their message of hope and peace to audiences who have embraced them in the US and around the world from Bali to Croatia, Italy, and many other countries abroad.
Founded: 1994 Members: Skylar Vandeweg, Maggie Liu, Ava Letherman, Annika Arvik, Avery Jenest, Emma Newton, Rose Eiss, Amelee Freytag, Josie Fecteau, Grace Martin, Macayla Sedeno, Maximillian Burgess-Shanon Contact VOENA      Setlist for 2025 Bay Area |
Profile for VOENA on singers.com
 | Voena: A Cappella AmericaAnnabelle Cruz, founder and Director of Voena, her very special 56-strong international mixed choir boys and girls, ages 7 to 15. Based in Benicia, CA, "Voena" stands for "Voices of Eve 'N Angels" Annabelle encouraged the children, with multicultural backgrounds, to celebrate their unique sound, in the hope that they would become not just a choir but a family. They took off from there, singing 2 to 4-part harmonies, growing into doing song arranging and even composing. "A Cappella America" has 18 songs, featuring some excellent solos by young choir members. Some favorites: "Sweetly the Swan Sings," written by Annabelle, "God Bless America/My Country 'Tis Of Thee," "Children of Creation," with music by Annabella, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," the South African folk song "Singabahambayo," the traditional "Greensleeves," "America the Beautiful," "The Star Spangled Banner," "Simple Gifts, Shaker Hymn," Miriam Makeba's "Pata Pata," and Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Some accompaniment by Native Flute, percussion and fiddle. We find Voena's story inspirational, and their music beautiful and fine!
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 | Voena: Voices of Dreams -15th AnniversaryDynamic director Annabelle Marie leads her renowned children's choir, comprised of American children ages 6 to 18, representing 35 cultures in this marvelous, memorable album. Marie founded VOENA (Voices of Eve 'N Angels) in 1994 in Benicia, CA with 12 members, and the numbers soon grew. No auditions are needed to join, just a desire to sing and a willingness to work at it. Since then 150-member VOENA has become one of the country's most successful children's choirs, invited to perform in China, Italy, Greece and Mexico; performing 5 times at the White House, at Carnegie Hall, and has represented the U.S. at South Africa's Soweto Music Festival. There are 19 songs here, some of our favorites are the piano-accompanied English/Zulu song "He Lives in You," the traditional Ghana tune "Celebrate Asante," Annabelle Marie's lovely drum, guitar and piano accompanied "Voices Dream," the harp accompanied Celtic "Isle of Innisfree," the Gaelic songs "Kimberly" and "One More Day;" the guitar and violin accompanied Hebrew song "Erev Shel Shoshanim," Lennon & McCartney's "Blackbird" and "Let It Be;" "Mist and Shadow" with music by Billy Boyd and lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkein; the Macedonian tune "Tatkovina," the English/French song "I Believe in You" and so many others. Crystal clear solos, spirited harmonies, and literally the voices of angels on this joyous, inspirational, well-chosen collection. Treat yourself to this feel-good album and become an instant fan of director Marie and her wonderful choir!
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 | Voena: The Journey Makes Us OneThis 2-DVD set celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the remarkable Benicia, CA-based VOENA (Voices of Eve 'N Angels), created by director Annabelle Marie. Disc 1 features the group's amazing journey through an interview conducted with Annabelle in the front seat of her moving car, and a collage of still photos and colorful live performance videos. Disc 2 is packed with full performances of their 2004 COPIA and Napa Valley Opera House concerts, highlights of their 2003 A&E Special featuring VOENA in the Pageant of Peace Ceremony at the White House. The colorfully-dressed, talented, joyful children (including 12-year-old soloist Holly Stell, who recorded with Andrea Bocelli) dance and sing on stage with Annabelle in many languages, delighting us and their audiences with their joy of singing. There is usually some light accompaniment, percussion and piano supplied by the children, violin played by Annabelle, and other instruments. "The Journey" is a feel-good, inspirational CD set from start to finish!
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