The National Convention choir consists of Federationists from all over the country, representing many different backgrounds and interests. All members share a passion for music and a desire to continually prove that blindness cannot hold us back.
In 2021, with the help of Braille music, Zoom, recording software, and some fabulous audio editing, we were able to come together virtually, uniting our voices across great distances, to prove that the power of love, hope, and determination can break through any barriers.
The 2021 NFB Virtual Choir will sing three songs during this year's general sessions: “Ritmo,” “You'll Never Walk Alone,” and “Stronger Together.”
Special thanks to the following members who coordinated the choir:
Recording Engineer: Kyle Woodruff
Director: Rachel Grider
Assistants:
Katelyn McIntyre
Tom Page
Leslie Hamric
Jeanette Kutash
Tarren Van Ettinger
Sharon Luka
Kayleigh Joiner
Ronza Othman
Veronica Martinez
Thank you to the Performing Arts Division for sponsoring the choir and helping financially with the music transcription.
Our Program
"Ritmo"
Accompaniment by: Kyle Woodruff
"You'll Never Walk Alone"
Music by: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II
Arrangement by: Mac Huff
Accompaniment by: Hal Leonard Choral
Trumpet Solo by: Chela Robles
"Stronger TogetherThis Is Me"
Music by Rachel Grider
Lyrics by Rachel Grider, Based On Washington Seminar Address by Mark Riccobono
Accompaniment by Rachel Grider
Cello by Leslie Hamric
Trumpet by Chela Robles
Singers
Alexandra Alfonso, DC
Jamie Allison, SC
Shelley Alongi, TX
Veronica Alston, CT
ReNae Anderson, CO
Lynn Baillif, MD
Patty Ann Behr, MD
Sarah Blumberg, VA
Jennifer Bose, MA
Debra Braiman, HI
Andrea Brandies, CO
Debbie Brown, MD
Elana Charles, WI
Vanessa Coles, MD
Alexandru Cozaciuc, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Andrew Del Castillo, CA
Taylor Durrett, TX
Jasmine Eiland, WA
Barbie Elliott, UT
Mason Fessenden, CA
Rachel Grider, CA
Barbara Hadnott, MS
Leslie Hamric, IL
Rebecca Ireland, CT
Jana Jackson, TN
Kayleigh Joiner, TX
Joanne Jordan, MA
Jeanette Kutash, MA
Sharon Luka, KS
Evelyn Maldonado, CA
Veronica Martinez, CA
Kira McCall, IL
Carolyn McGhee, MO
Fallon Minichiello, FL
Jeanine Mooers, NV
Leslie Mora, ID
Terri Nettles, MD
Ronza Othman, MD
Precious Perez, MA
Samantha Perez
Sharon Perry, MS
Debbie Pittman, IL
Maureen Pranghofer, MN
Marty Rand, CO
Christina Rebilas-Kruzik, PA
David Rissling, AL
Chela Robles, CA
Krystal Sanford, TX
Ryan Sima, OH
Deborah Kent Stein, IL
Tiffany Taylor, CA
Sally Utt, OR
Tarren Van Ettinger, IA
Jennifer Wing-Proctor, MI
Kyle Woodruff, UT
Brandon Young, HI
Shawna Zepeda, KS