Outreach
The Kulshan Chorus is an intergenerational, multicultural community chorus that sings a broad repertoire of music from cultures around the globe. In addition to our winter and spring concerts, we perform outreach concerts and work in tandem with other non-profit organizations.
There are many ways you can join the sound and the spirit of the Kulshan Chorus. Sing with Us! Come to a concert! Volunteer at fundraising events! Donate! For more information, please contact us at: info@kulshanchorus.org.
Kulshan Chorus believes that the power of music is universal. The beauty of choral music performed live is life-enhancing for all to enjoy and should be accessible to everyone without exception. We are committed to equity and diversity across race, color, age, religion, ability, cultural background, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, and experience. This commitment to inclusion and social justice is aligned with our mission and will continue to be reflected in our vision, strategic plans, and goals.
Kulshan Chorus rehearses and performs on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Lummi and Nooksack nations.
For the chorus, reaching out to the community takes many forms, from celebrations to peace marches, fundraisers, and raising awareness. In the spring of 2023, we partnered with Northwest Youth Services to bring awareness to their programs for LGBTQ+ youth during our presentation of “Considering Matthew Shepard.” In spring of 2018, a portion of the “Breaking Silence concert proceeds were dedicated to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center. It is the intent of the chorus to give back to the community, and support it through music and the celebration of the common bonds of humanity.
2018 “Gathering Concert” with local artist Rochelle Walden
2008 Peace & Justice Celebration
2023 Considering Matthew Shepard concert
2018 Breaking Silence concert - Dancers from Kuntz & Company
2013 Kulshan Chorus with The Far Corners Community Musical Theatre
History
In true community fashion, the concept of Kulshan Chorus was conceived in Flip Breskin's living room during a song circle in 1987. The chorus was initially led by founding director, Roger Griffith and accompanied by Karen Fitzgerald. Roger retired in 2013 and the chorus is currently led by Artistic Director Dustin Willetts.
The Kulshan Chorus sings to celebrate human diversity on behalf of those who have no voice, and with exuberance for the common life we share. We are dedicated to excellence in our performances, music education for our singers, and uplifting our audiences with the universal language of music.
In addition to our winter and spring concerts, we have partnered with the Interfaith Coalition, Sean Humphrey House AIDS Shelter, Habitat for Humanity Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, Northwest Youth Services, local public schools, and the Kuntz and Company Dance Ensemble. We and our director, Dustin Willetts, were awarded the Peace Builders prize by the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center in 2019. In 1998, Kulshan Chorus appeared with Judy Collins at the Mt. Baker Theatre. In October 2001, the chorus joined forces with the Whatcom Community Foundation in a program to honor philanthropy in Whatcom County.
Kulshan Chorus performing at Whatcom Museum 1992
Kulshan Chorus Concert - 2004 - French Chanson; Directed by Roger Griffith
We travel abroad to sing in other towns and villages from South America through Europe, and we sang annually at our local Martin Luther King celebration on MLK Day until 2021.
The chorus has sung and celebrated for over three decades. Drawing on music from America's vast cultural roots, musical selections include a range of styles and origins. Repertoire spans American folk classics to world music, along with well-known choral works and new premiers. This eclectic mix brings an awareness and celebration of the world's cultures to both the community of singers and our wider community of audiences.
Cultural Exchanges
Norway 2019
Kulshan Chorus embarks on self-funded tours to bring music to others and engage in cultural exchanges. All chorus members who take part in these tours are required to front their own costs. In the past we have enjoyed Norway, Croatia, France, Ecuador, Romania, Switzerland, Costa Rica and several other areas. Listening to the music of a culture is one of the truest ways of understanding people.
We visit and perform for rural groups and communities that have seldom had the opportunity to engage in cultural/musical exchange. We share the spirit and soul of the Kulshan Chorus in churches, caves, sea ports, mountain tops, islands, castles, markets, and old town squares. We learn indigenous songs to perform and meet and learn from numerous local folklore dance and singing groups.
We have also had the opportunity to reciprocate for the hospitality the Kulshan Chorus received while touring Ecuador by welcoming a group of dancers and musicians from that country. We watched them perform and celebrated with them.
Ecquadorian Dance Musicians visit Bellingham 2013
Costa Rica 2013
Norway 2019
Croatia tour 2016
Ecuador 2007
Meet the Chorus
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Meet Allie Pinnick
I’m originally from Spokane, I moved to Bellingham 5 years ago for school and now work as a chemistry teacher in Ferndale. I joined Kulshan Chorus because, after 7 combined years of high school and college choir, I knew singing was something I wanted to continue for my entire life! To me, being in a choir is as essential as breathing - it is a safe space I can come to each week where I can connect with the world on the most fundamental level, through the universal language of music. (Not to mention, it’s tons of fun!)
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Meet Will LaGrandeur
Hi there, my name is Will LaGrandeur and I’m a tenor 2. I’m from the Bellingham area and been living here for a little over 7 years now! I learned about the Kulshan Chorus from my friend Blake. We both previously were part of a high school choir at Sehome. Choir and singing holds a deep importance in my heart and soul, as music means a lot to me! Choir is such a great way to form community and togetherness, but also share the same love of music and singing with one another. Singing just fills my life with so much joy, happiness, so I’m so glad to be a member of the Kulshan Chorus.
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Meet Jenny Long
I originally joined the Kulshan Chorus in 2011 under Roger’s direction and sang until just before my daughter was born in 2017. I also served on the board of directors for about three years. I designed the visuals for many of the concert posters/programs during that time.
I took a 5-year singing-hiatus to parent and get a Masters degree (during a pandemic!). I rejoined the chorus this year to fill an artistic and emotional gap that was missing for me.
I learned that my high school choir teacher passed away recently. Twenty years later, I’m still reflecting on the importance of choir to my sense of self and my connection to the community.
2019-01-12 7:30PM at Mt. Baker Theater
Wherever you are, whether this is your 1st or your 30th Kulshan Chorus concert, we invite you to join us for our winter concert “Gathering” on January 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Baker Theatre. This concert will be full of surprises, from guest instrumentalists to immersion in a unique artistic experience. Prior to the event until intermission, there will be a silent auction in the Encore Room of over fifty items, from food to artwork. Come early!
Building community and healing divisions is a heartfelt desire for many; for Kulshan Chorus - it is our passion. Through performances and tours, we focus on building strong relationships within our community and around the world. In honor of our 30th year, we want to join together with you, our beloved audience, celebrating the different reasons people come together. Our Artistic Director, Dustin Willetts, has discovered a wide variety of diverse music from a Bollywood favorite to a traditional Roma tavern song—music that will delight you and remind you of the beauty of gathering together. See you at our “Gathering”!
Saturday January 12th, 2019 7:30pm
Directed by Dustin Willetts