Innovative OTR chorus to host national directors, singers:  The Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC), the innovative local choir that is led by KellyAnn Nelson, plans to  bring together more than 150 young professionals and choir directors from across the country for a weekend of song and exploring the “City that Sings.”

The event, Oct. 21-22, will share the innovative choral collective model with national choral leaders.

What makes this choir so special? The group appeals to 20-to-40-somethings who love to sing and socialize — sometimes simultaneously.  They rehearse, perform concerts and — yes, party too — in bars, breweries and other alternative venues in the OTR area. The chorus is diverse, with as many men as women. They perform demanding literature, and do it well. Since Nelson founded it in 2012, membership has swelled to more than 900.

The conference – dubbed “Visiting Voices” — includes two days of rehearsals and social events. Highlights will include a rehearsal in the new Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Otto M. Budig Theater, a lunch & learn about YPCC’s history for choral directors at Arnold’s Bar & Grill and other social events designed to showcase the businesses and artistic gems in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The weekend culminates in a public concert at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, October 22, in the newly renovated Memorial Hall. Doors (and bars) open at 1:30 p.m. After the concert, stay for a drink or Eli’s Barbecue, available for purchase.

Nelson says that as the chorus has grown, it has become clear that it is unique in the country.

“Young pros and choral directors outside of Cincinnati are interested in learning how we do what we do. We are hopeful that through this experience, attendees can create and nurture other groups like ours across the country,” she says.

Tickets for the concert are $25 and are available via the Memorial Hall website. For more information about the Visiting Voices conference and to register or purchase tickets to the October 22 concert, visit www.ypccsing.org/#visitingvoices.

Taft Museum’s Duncanson artist-in the community: Dancer/choreographer Stafford C. Berry, Jr., the 2017 Duncanson Artist-in-Residence, recently met with students from grades 10 and 11 at Withrow University High School as part of his outreach efforts in the community.

It was an opportunity for students to meet a living artist and learn more about the discipline of dance. He inspired them by sharing information about African heritage and dance, and the students participated in interactive movement as well as drumming.

During his three-week residency (which concludes October 27), Stafford will engage with more than 1,000 youth at area schools. For information about his upcoming public performances, visit taftmuseum.org/stafford-berry.