The Washington Youth Choir is an astounding year-round performance ensemble, which provides an educational experience geared toward talented and driven young vocalists in the DC Metropolitan area. Our focus is to fulfill the educational needs of DC-area youth by utilizing music as a vehicle to impart core values, promote higher education, and instill the belief that excellence can be achieved despite disadvantages.

The Washington Youth Choir is dedicated to nurturing and enriching youth through artistic development that builds character, boosts confidence, and that inspires them to lead purposeful lives.

In May 2005, the historic Eastern Choral Society, based at Eastern Senior High School, broadened its mission to fulfill the educational needs of DC, Maryland, and Virginia’s youth through the creation of the Washington Youth Choir (WYC). Rooted in the success of the Eastern High School Choir model, the Washington Youth Choir officially launched on January 9th, 2006. The choir’s primary mission is to enhance the educational experience of youth through rigorous study and practice of music to facilitate successful transitions out of high school. Our curriculum, refined by Artistic Director Gregory Watkins, aids in producing “Scholartists”; intelligent, focused and driven young people who are determined to be excellent in both the worlds of academia and the performing arts. Founded by Dr. Joyce Garrett, the choir continues to be “DC’s Chorus of Choice,” performing for each US President since Ronald Reagan. Performances with notable artists such as Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, Linda Eder, Janelle Monae, Anthony Anderson, India Arie, and privately at the request of President Joe Biden while he was serving as Vice President.

After 11 years serving WYC, Gregory Watkins passed the torch to John Kenniebrew, who has been the group’s Artistic Director since 2020.