Voices Without Borders Festival Choir

The Voices Without Borders (VWB) Choir was first organized in 1999 by Dr. Jack Kukuk, as the American Youth Choir in order to represent the Americas at the International Society for Children’s Choral & Performing Arts’ (ISCCPA) Children of the World in Harmony Festival in Hong Kong, Beijing and Tianjin, China. The choir’s mission is to promote appreciation for and understanding of choral singing for children and youth and to develop international friendship and understanding through choral music and the other performing arts. The choir’s repertoire encompasses classical to spirituals to folk and contemporary music.

In 1999, the choir was comprised of singers from the United States, Canada and Mexico. In 2000, the choir participated in the Festival de las Americas in the USA, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. In 2001, the choir performed in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary as a part of the ISCCPA Children of the World in Harmony Festival.

In 2004, for the Children of the World in Harmony Festival in China, the choir changed its name to Voices Without Borders Choir and continued to include singers from Mexico, Canada and the United States. The choir’s membership, in keeping with its new name, added singers from Venezuela, China, and Vietnam to its membership for the tour to Vietnam and Hong Kong to participate in the 16th ISCCPA Choir Festival. This festival celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the International Society for Children’s Choral & Performing Arts.

In 2009, the Voices Without Borders Choir reaches its fullest potential as singers from more than 25 choirs throughout the world are invited to send members to form this truly international choir. This year, the choir will perform in the CHILDREN OF THE WORLD IN HARMONY International Youth Choir & Dance Festival in the Little Traverse Bay area of Michigan. The choir will be in residence at the festival from July 28 to August 2, 2009.

Serving as Musical Director of the VWB choir in 2009 is Dr. Julian Ackerley. Dr. Ackerley has achieved national and international acclaim as an accomplished conductor and administrator of children’s choral performing arts organizations. He has directed the VWB Choir for the past several years. He has trained and conducted choirs of all ages. Dr. Ackerley is Musical Director of the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Arizona.