About UYS

Utah Youth Singers (UYS) is a community youth choir serving youth in the Salt Lake City and Davis County areas. UYS and its sister organization, the Bel Canto Women's Choir, are sponsored by Inspire Choral Arts, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing high-quality choral music education and performing opportunities by experienced music professionals, regardless of participants' financial status.
 

UYS is for singers ages 8-14 who have treble voices and natural voice production (no unintentional scooping or pop-style singing habits). Highly-motivated and focused 7-year-olds are accepted on a conditional basis.

UYS is taught by Dr. Melissa Mills and Barbara Gill. Dr. Mills is an experienced conductor with over 25 years teaching experience, and is an award-winning composer, music editor/publisher, and mother of three children. Mrs. Gill holds a masters degree in music performance, and is an accomplished pianist, popular Primary music workshop instructor, highly in-demand piano teacher, "Let's Play Music" teacher, and mother of four children.
 

 

UYS sings a wide variety of the highest-quality repertoire, from Beethoven to new music by local composers. We also perform music that is valued in one of our prominent local religious communities, colloquially called "Primary songs."

UYS teaches age-teaches age-appropriate, bel canto (classical-style) singing technique, laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy singing. Each class is essentially a group voice lesson. We teach a) music literacy through solfege and other music-reading tools, b) choral skills such as blending and intonation, c) performance skills such as facial expressions and posture, d) personal skills such as commitment and responsibility. We model respect, kindness, and hard work. We value optimism and having fun, too. Rehearsals are light-hearted and full of joy.
 

 

UYS rehearses Monday afternoons, 4:30-5:45 p.m., at the Bountiful Davis Art Center, 90 N. Main St., Bountiful, UT 84010. We have Spring and Fall Sessions.

UYS performs at venues across the state, including the Utah State Capitol Building, Libby Gardner Hall at the University of Utah, the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Sandy, the Layton City Amphitheater, and of course, our home venue, the Bountiful Davis Art Center.
 

 

UYS exists because when children sing good music, it creates a space and appreciation for beauty in their souls that stays with them their entire lives.  The purpose of UYS is to provide youth the opportunity to sing in a wonderful community choir, learn the foundational skills of choral singing, and experience the joy that music provides.