Jaymie’s story with the Uniting Voices Austin Neighborhood Choir

For 70 years, Uniting Voices Chicago has inspired and changed lives through music. Our Austin Neighborhood Choir has performed on world-class stages from the 2020 NBA All-Star Game Halftime Show to the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Ravinia Festival. But last fall, the choir had only two singers, and Jaymie P. was one of them. She found her love of choir at her first rehearsal. She was also the only Austin Neighborhood Choir singers to tour with Uniting Voices, traveling to Alabama and Mississippi. On tour, she rehearsed alongside singers from other Neighborhood Choir programs, made new friends and learned to share her voice. This fall, the Austin team worried Jaymie wasn’t coming back. Her mom quickly put their worries to rest: “Are you kidding? Jaymie will be a part of this choir for life.” Today the Austin Neighborhood Choir has grown to nearly ten singers. As one of the older students, Jaymie quickly became a leader, showing up with a positive attitude, rarely missing a rehearsal an