Artistic Director Nadine Bozeman discusses Olympia Youth Chorus 

Rachel Benton

Growing up, I was always curious about the Olympia Youth Chorus, but my busy schedule never let me take the opportunity to join the beloved community institution with choirs for every student age group.

Finding the right balance between the many extracurricular opportunities available both within and outside the school system can be challenging.  

Naturally, every student's schedule looks a little different depending on what they and their families prioritize, but what I love about our area is how we consistently prioritize creating opportunities for everyone to experience the arts, whether on stage or in the audience. See the JOLT events calendar for upcoming concert information.  

 OYC has so many exciting things in store for the 2026–27 season, and it's a privilege to share some insights with you, gathered from my conversation with OYC Artistic Director Nadine Bozeman. 

 Olympia Youth Chorus 

Each year, the OYC team gathers for a retreat to select the themes for its upcoming concerts. This year's themes include “Come in from the Cold” (Dec. 7), “Tell Me a Story” (March 20), and “For the Beauty of the Earth” (May 22). What makes each concert particularly exciting is seeing how the teaching conductors interpret themes and find songs that best suit their groups. 

Alongside her role as artistic director, Bozeman also directs Cantabile, OYC's choir for students in grades 9–12. She shared some insight into the musical choices she's making for her group. 

“Looking at the idea of coming in from the cold weather, we are choosing to embrace the idea of (finding warmth from) coming to community and building community,” Bozeman shared.

One of the songs featured in their program will be inspired by Robert Frost's “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” 

Hearing this immediately made me happy because I remember singing that very song in school! Robert Frost was — and still is — my favorite poet. I loved the imagery woven throughout the song and the symbolism behind its message. I still sing it to myself sometimes! Take a moment to read the original poem here, then hear the OYC bring it to life at their upcoming concert! 

Another piece featured in the program will be “The Parting Glass,” a beautiful and deeply moving selection that will serve as a tribute to Bill Peden, an OYC board member who unexpectedly passed away this summer. 

“He was such a cheerleader for the choir being accessible to all and was such a generous donor. His kids sang with us, and he was involved with OYC for years, and his passing was such a shock to us all,” Bozeman shared. 

Beyond the music itself, OYC emphasizes the emotional nourishment of its singers as students are encouraged to spend time discussing song lyrics, and reflecting on the personal connections and emotions they evoke. That spirit of connection also extends beyond the rehearsal room through community outreach performances throughout the year at places like assisted living and retirement communities. 

“We find that the spring is the best time for these performances because folks in these facilities get frequent visitors during the holidays, but less during the spring,” Bozeman explained. 

The intentionality woven into everything OYC does affects not only the lives of students today, but also who they become in the future. This is also spread to the audience through their performance experiences.

To me, this is the beauty of prioritizing the arts in a community: the many benefits they offer — mentally, emotionally, and physically — aren't limited to those on stage. We can all experience, nurture, and share them. 

 “I see this personal confidence, identity, and independence develop in our students. They see how their voice is a part of them and learn how they can use it to make our world a better place. They learn what it means to steward that as they learn the responsibility of (being in a collective group making music together)," Bozeman shared.

 OYC understands the financial pressures families are facing and is committed to meeting them where they are. The organization continues to honor founder Cynthia Dinsmore's vision of encouraging and nurturing a love of singing in young people by making participation as accessible as possible. Accessibility was central to Dinsmore's vision for OYC, and that commitment lives today through the organization's scholarship programs. 

 When donating, you can even choose where you'd like your contribution to go, whether that's toward student participation fees, additional expenses, such as uniforms, or other organizational needs that help OYC carry out its mission. To learn more or support their work, visit OYC's website. 

Whether you are young or young at heart, OYC is sure to bring warmth and joy through their concerts. Attend a show and if you have a young singer in your life, encourage them to audition this January.  

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.