ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Chicago youth ensemble build cultural bridges on India tour
The program marked the ensemble’s first India visit since 2013 and included performances across four cities.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 26, Mar 2026
- 17:40 EDT
- 13
Uniting Voices Chicago’s youth ensemble, Voice of Chicago / Uniting Voices Chicago
Uniting Voices Chicago’s youth ensemble, Voice of Chicago, toured India from March 20-26 for a series of performances and cultural exchanges across multiple cities.
Led by Josephine Lee, the group of 53 singers between the ages of 14 and 18 performed in Panchgani, Mumbai, Dharamshala, and McLeod Ganj.
Also Read: California Indian Dance Academy set for Disney stage
The India visit marked the ensemble’s first tour to the country since 2013, according to a press release. In Panchgani, the singers performed alongside guest artists Leslie Nazareth, Mayuree Pandit, Shruthi Vishwanath, Vedanth Bharadwaj, and Sairaj Methari.
The group also took part in a cultural exchange at Sambhota Tibetan School in Dharamshala and performed at Tibetan Children’s Village Day School in McLeod Ganj.
The performances were held at the Initiatives of Change Auditorium in Panchgani on March 20, Willingdon Sports Club in Mumbai on March 22, Sambhota Tibetan School in Dharamshala on March 25, and Tibetan Children’s Village in McLeod Ganj on March 26.
“Music is the world's most powerful unifying force. When young people share their voices with the world, they discover our common humanity and learn what it means to be global citizens. Experiences like this help our singers grow not only as artists, but as the next generation of leaders who will build bridges across cultures,” Lee said.
Founded in 1956 and formerly known as the Chicago Children’s Choir, Uniting Voices Chicago is a nonprofit organization that provides music education to children and teenagers across Chicago through school-based and community programs.
The India tour forms part of the ensemble’s long-running international travel program. Over the past five decades, singers from the group have toured more than 25 countries and performed for figures including former U.S. President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela.
The ensemble has also performed with artists including Beyoncé, Chance the Rapper, Yo-Yo Ma, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, and Bobby McFerrin. More recently, the group has appeared at Lollapalooza, on Saturday Night Live, and on Chance the Rapper’s albums Coloring Book and The Big Day.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login