Border CrosSing’s Heritage Choir is an adult bilingual community ensemble where music, community, and heritage meet. Developed in 2019, we reimagine the rehearsal process by centering the personal stories and cultural identities of our members. While open to all, we serve as a vital home for the Latinx community and first-generation immigrants. Our unique project-based model invites singers of all levels to join without an audition. Each six-week cycle culminates in a Community Sing: a vibrant, bilingual celebration where the audience is invited to move from listener to participant. This session invites you to join in on a Community Sing, where you will raise your voice in song with Heritage Choir, hear directly from ensemble members about the music we perform for you, and experience a dynamic and welcoming community performance.
Heritage Choir: Bilingual Community Sing
Heritage Choir
Border CrosSing
Heritage Choir is an adult community choir that reimagines the rehearsal process, centering personal stories and a mutual exploration of cultural heritage and how music weaves throughout our lives. You don't need to know how to read music or audition to join Heritage Choir, you just have to love to sing and be open to connecting with others through music! It is a welcoming and joyful environment, perfect for those who value the members of the choir as much as the music. We rehearse in two sessions - four weeks in the winter, six weeks in the spring - both culminating in Community Sings, which are vibrant, bilingual celebrations where the audience is invited to be both a listener and participant.
Natalia Romero Arbelįez
Natalia Romero Arbelįez is a passionate performer, music educator, and community builder originally from Colombia. She brings energy and a deep love of inclusive music making to every group she leads. Arbelįez's strength lies in her ability to connect and engage learners across all settings, and she thrives in community music spaces that center personal stories and immigrant narratives. She firmly believes in the power of music as a tool for connection, change, and empowerment. She works as the Upper School choir director at The Blake School (Minneapolis) and serves as the Education & Community Engagement director for Border CrosSing, where she leads Heritage Choir. Arbelįez holds a BM from Saint Olaf College and an MME from the University of Saint Thomas.
