Upcoming Events
Here, There, Everywhere: Young People's Concerts with The Minnesota Orchestra
Natalia is thrilled to be back as the host for the April Young People’s Concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra!
Witness: Leading with Love
Beloved vocal activist, soulful singer, and composer Melanie DeMore returns to Minnesota using her music as what she calls “a weapon of mass connection.” Featuring music by Damien Geter, Marques Garrett, Joel Thompson, and songs from the African diaspora, WITNESS: Leading with Love is the place to hear Melanie and VocalEssence share the world premiere performance of an extended work co-created through conversation and stick-pounding workshops with Twin Cities community members. This impassioned call for the revival of love, the rebirth of peace, and the emergence of a community where violence ceases will challenge us all to “put one foot in front of the other and lead with love.”
Natalia will be performing with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
The Addams Family Musical
Join the Blake Upper School cast of The Addams Family Musical for a spooky, wacky and unforgettable weekend of performances! The Addams Family is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice.
Natalia is serving as music director for this production.
Minnesota Music Educators Association: Midwinter Clinic Performance
Exciting news! The Blake Upper School A Cappella Choir and Chamber Orchestra have been selected to perform at the MMEA Midwinter Convention, the highest honor an ensemble can receive in the state of Minnesota. Natalia will be sharing the podium with Brian Lukkasson, instrumental director at Blake, and together they have curated a program exploring themes of growth, journey and transformation
El Mesias (The Messiah)
Join us for another performance of our cherished El Mesías concert, a Spanish-English setting of Handel’s Messiah combined with Navidad nuestra by Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez. Saturday night’s concert is at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in St. Paul
Natalia will be performing with Border CrosSing.
El Mesias (The Messiah)
Join us for another performance of our cherished El Mesías concert, a Spanish-English setting of Handel’s Messiah combined with Navidad nuestra by Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez. Friday night’s concert is at Church of the Ascension in Minneapolis.
Natalia will be performing with Border CrosSing.
The Poet Sings: Blake Upper School Winter Choir Concert
The Blake Upper School Choirs will be performing a winter concert exploring poetry and spoken word.
This concert features a special piece: Chante Waste Hoksila by Licinthum-Blackhorse, a Lakota lullaby that we have been exploring and learning about in partnership with Reuben Kitto Stately and Ms. Anna Reid.
VOCALESSENCE AND THE ST. OLAF CHOIR
Um! Yah! Yah! (Need we say more?!) VocalEssence is thrilled to join forces with one of the most prestigious choirs in the country, hailing from right in our backyard. VocalEssence singers will be joined by the St. Olaf Choir under the magnificent batons of Philip Brunelle, G. Phillip Shoultz, III, and Anton Armstrong. Music will include a performance of Requiem by José Maurícío Nuñes-García and the premiere of a new commission in memory of our beloved former Associate Conductor Sigrid Johnson, composed by Minnesota composer and St. Olaf alumna Jocelyn Hagen, whose music has been described as “dramatic and deeply moving” (Star Tribune).
Natalia will be performing with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
VocalEssence: Singing the World Awake
Awaken your spirit with the sounds and colors of performances by the VocalEssence Chorus, Ensemble Singers, and Singers Of This Age. Experience sounds from near and far, exploring music of Denmark, Haiti, Mexico, the United States, and more, featuring composer and guest artist, Moira Smiley, whose style has been described as genre bending “mixing Bartok with street-singing.” This inspiring music will leave you feeling the joy of singing together.
Natalia is singing with the Ensemble Singers.
Heritage Choir: Community Sing
Heritage Choir is back with our annual spring Community Sing, a chance to gather in community and sing together. This year, we're being joined by the middle school choir students of Achieve Language Academy!
Join us on Saturday, May 6th at the Sanctuary of University Baptist Church (1219 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) for an hour of music followed by delicious catering from our friends at Garcia Bakery & Cafe.
Come for the music, stay for the pan dulce. ¡Nos vemos!
Blake: Upper School Choir Concert
Join the Upper School Choirs of the Blake School for the Spring Upper School Choral Concert.
Much of the music is by living composers, and students are also collaborating with the US Orchestra on a multi-movement work titled "Five Hebrew Love Songs". Students have been hard at work and it will be a wonderful performance.
Blake Upper School Musical: Twelfth Night
Named one of the best theatrical productions of 2018 by Time, The Hollywood Reporter and The Washington Post, Twelfth Night is a rousing contemporary musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy about mistaken identity and self-discovery.
Twelfth Night tells the story of Viola, a young heroine who washes up on the shores of Illyria, disguises herself as a man, is sent to court a countess and falls hard for a Duke. As she navigates this strange and wonderful new land, she finds her true self and true love in the process.
Featuring an original jazz-funk score by Shaina Taub, with a cast of 30 and running 90 minutes long, Twelfth Night is appropriate for all ages.
Natalia is music director for this production.
WITNESS: REAWAKENING LOVE
Minneapolis-based artist, author, educator, and speaker Joe Davis joins VocalEssence choirs along with The New Renaissance, a multi-media production company that cultivates immersive experiences, and chamber orchestra in a call for the revival of love, the rebirth of peace, and the emergence of a community where violence ceases. Experience a fusion of musical styles interwoven with stories of struggle, resilience, and celebration as we honor lives lost and renew our commitment to a freedom that is wide enough in which all can thrive.
Natalia is performing with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
Border CrosSing: El Mesias (The Messiah) with Minnesota Orchestra
RAMÍREZ Navidad Nuestra
HANDEL Messiah (Part I and Hallelujah chorus)
Border CrosSing, led by artistic director Ahmed Anzaldúa, joins the Minnesota Orchestra with El Mesías, a bilingual Spanish-English cross-cultural combination of the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and Navidad Nuestra, a Christmas cantata by Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez. Together with the vocal soloists and choir, the unique combination of Andean instruments and the Baroque orchestra blurs the line between Western classical and South American folk traditions.
Natalia will be performing with Border CrosSing.
Border CrosSing: El Mesias (The Messiah) with Minnesota Orchestra
RAMÍREZ Navidad Nuestra
HANDEL Messiah (Part I and Hallelujah chorus)
Border CrosSing, led by artistic director Ahmed Anzaldúa, joins the Minnesota Orchestra with El Mesías, a bilingual Spanish-English cross-cultural combination of the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and Navidad Nuestra, a Christmas cantata by Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez. Together with the vocal soloists and choir, the unique combination of Andean instruments and the Baroque orchestra blurs the line between Western classical and South American folk traditions.
Natalia will be performing with Border CrosSing.
Border CrosSing: El Mesias (The Messiah) with Minnesota Orchestra
RAMÍREZ Navidad Nuestra
HANDEL Messiah (Part I and Hallelujah chorus)
Border CrosSing, led by artistic director Ahmed Anzaldúa, joins the Minnesota Orchestra with El Mesías, a bilingual Spanish-English cross-cultural combination of the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah and Navidad Nuestra, a Christmas cantata by Argentine composer Ariel Ramírez. Together with the vocal soloists and choir, the unique combination of Andean instruments and the Baroque orchestra blurs the line between Western classical and South American folk traditions.
Natalia will be performing with Border CrosSing.
Border CrosSing: SPCO & Border CrosSing perform Bach and Zumaya
Minnesota-based choir Border CrosSing explores Baroque music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Latin American composers Manuel de Zumaya, Esteban Salas y Castro and Manuel Mesa y Carrizo. Bach’s Sanctus from Mass in B Minor, selections from Cantata No. 147 including “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and a double concerto for violin and oboe are paired with celebratory works for chorus and orchestra by Baroque composers from Mexico, Cuba and Bolivia.
Thursday, Nov 3, 2022 - 7:00pm | Humboldt High School Auditorium
Friday, Nov 4, 2022 - 8:00pm | Ordway Concert Hall
Saturday, Nov 5, 2022 - 8:00pm | Ordway Concert Hall
Sunday, Nov 6, 2022 - 2:00pm | Benson Great Hall
Natalia will be performing with the Puentes ensemble of Border CrosSing.
VocalEssence: The Mendelssohns
Musical talent often runs in families, and one of history’s most talented set of siblings were the Mendelssohns—Felix and Fanny. Connected by their extraordinary gifts and love for music, they developed a close relationship that endured throughout their lives. Join VocalEssence singers, soloists, and an honor choir comprised of area high school singers as they present Felix and Fanny’s marvelous musical creations.
Natalia will be performing with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
Singing Truth : An American Conversation
We’re thrilled to bring guest conductor Alexander Lloyd Blake to Minnesota, as he leads singers from the Minnesota Chorale and Border CrosSing to present “Singing Truth: An American Conversation.” Dr. Blake, the founding artistic director of the internationally acclaimed choral ensemble Tonality, will share music of composers Saunder Choi, Melissa Dunphy, Christian Larios, Joel Thompson and others in a pair of thought-provoking performances, presented Saturday night, Oct. 1 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, and Sunday afternoon, Oct. 2 at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul.
Free-will offering; advance registration requested. This program is supported in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Natalia is a featured soloist and speaker, and will be performing with an octet from Border CrosSing.
Justice Jam, featuring Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake
We’re thrilled to bring guest conductor Alexander Lloyd Blake to Minnesota, as he leads singers from the Minnesota Chorale and Border CrosSing to present “Singing Truth: An American Conversation.”
Dr. Blake, the founding artistic director of the internationally acclaimed choral ensemble Tonality, will be leading a FREE Justice Jam Community Sing on September 28th at Unity Church-Unitarian!
Join Dr. Blake, Kathy Romey - the Artistic Director of the Minnesota Chorale, and Natalia Romero Arbeláez - the director of Heritage Choir, as they lead us in song!
Heritage Choir: Community Sing
Join us for a community sing, Saturday. August 27th where we’ll share music in Spanish and English and invite you to sing with us for a few pieces of music. Cathy 'n Abel will share in the music with the Community sing! Stick around after for a short reception featuring mouth watering treats from Garcia Bakery and Cafe—all on ESFL’s beautiful front lawn
International Day of Music
A free, 12-hour music celebration featuring music, dance and activities for all ages.
To mark the opening of our summer season, we're offering free performances by 20 different artists on four stages in and around Orchestra Hall, including an outdoor evening concert by the full Minnesota Orchestra on Peavey Plaza that will culminate in a spectacular pealing of church bells across downtown Minneapolis.
Natalia will be performing with Border CrosSing.
Heritage Choir: Community Sing
Join us for Heritage Choir's first performance and the last community sing of our 22-23 season, together with the guitar students of the Powderhorn Guitar Music Project. We'll sing together and celebrate with music and community after!
Natalia is the founder and director of Heritage Choir, Border CrosSing’s new community choir!
Un Milagro de Fe: Album Release Concert & Reception
Join us for our Album Release Concert as we celebrate the release of our first CD and our fifth season!
Border CrosSing will be performing the pieces on our first album "Un Milagro de Fe/A Miracle of Faith" followed by a reception with food from Tamales La Loma and desserts from local bakeries.
Join us for the concert at 7:00pm and stay for the reception after. (When else can you said you've experienced choral music and tamales in one event?)
Border CrosSing & Sphinx Virtuosi: Tracing Visions
With this program, the orchestra sets out to challenge the canon by illuminating a new pathway for listening, sharing, and fostering artistic expression with works by Alberto Ginastera, Xavier Foley, Jessie Montgomery, and more. Minnesota-based choral ensemble Border CrosSing will perform a solo piece by Leo Brouwer and join Sphinx Virtuosi for a Carlos Guastavino selection.
https://schubert.org/event/sphinx-virtuosi-tracing-visions/
Natalia is performing with Border CrosSing.
VocalEssence Tour: The Times They Are A Changin'
Bob Dylan’s timeless music has been covered by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to the Kronos Quartet. Now it’s time to add a choir to the list. Join VocalEssence as they reimagine Dylan in The Times They Are A-Changin’: The Words and Music of Bob Dylan, commissioned in honor of his 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature and arranged by Steve Hackman. Kick back and hear Dylan’s music like it’s the first time all over again. Each concert will open with a performance by a local choir.
Natalia is part of a featured septet in the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
Border CrosSing: Camino y Cielo
We will premiere two new multi-movement choral works we were part of commissioning as a response to the still ongoing humanitarian disaster at the US-Mexico border, the widespread media sensationalization of a “migrant caravan” for political gain, and the illegal denial of asylum status to refugees:
“To Know the Path”
Music by Linda Kachelmeier
Text by Athena Kildegaard
“We Are of a Tribe”
Music by Nico Gutiérrez
Text by Alberto Rios
Audience members will be required to wear a mask at all times and to show proof of COVID-19 immunization at the door. Ticket price is "pay-as-you-can".
Natalia is a soloist on this program.
VocalEssence: Welcome Christmas
Experience the mystery of the season through a mother’s eyes featuring the VocalEssence Chorus, Singers Of This Age, and members of the Ensemble Singers. Samuel Coelridge-Taylor’s exquisite setting of the Magnificat (Song of Mary) and selections by B.E. Boykin, César Alexandro Carrillo, Julio Morales, and Zanaida Robles shine alongside stories from modern day mothers and familiar carols transporting us to a place of deep love, exuberant joy, everlasting hope, and abiding peace felt on that first Christmas morning.
Natalia is part of an octet comprised of members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers.
Three Performances:
Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 4 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
1919 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 4 PM
Roseville Lutheran Church, Roseville
1215 Roselawn Avenue W, Roseville, MN
Bridges: Black Voices Amplified
Black Voices Amplified, will be led by acclaimed music educator Adrian Davis, director of the choral program at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School and conductor of the University of Minnesota Gospel Ensemble. Selections include works by Rosephanye Powell, William Dawson, Roderick Williams, Sydney Guillaume, and Arnold Sevier.
This concert is the first of a series of concerts designed to reimagine the canon of choral music: guest conductors of color will lead singers from the Minnesota Chorale and Border CrosSing in works by composers whose music has historically been underrepresented on the concert stage.
Natalia will be performing with an octet from Border CrosSing.