by Amanda Kwong
Published August 28, 2026
Youth Singers of Calgary: A Place to Find Your Voice
Just outside the downtown core of Calgary, in the Highfield Industrial Park, sits a colourful, renovated warehouse that has become a vibrant arts hub and a second home for many Calgary kids. Painted on two sides of the building are big, bright murals depicting music being made by people of all kinds, and that is exactly what you will find inside as well: rehearsal halls full of laughter and song.
The ATCO Performing Arts Centre is the home of the Youth Singers of Calgary, and it is here that young people from across the city come together to sing, dance, and act in a supportive, safe, and fun environment. This is a place where they can find their own voice and have it celebrated.
A Place to Grow
At Youth Singers, prior experience is not required. Young people are welcomed with enthusiasm for the performing arts and supported with the skills they need to be part of the show.
At Youth Singers, if you bring an enthusiasm for the performing arts, the staff will give you the skills to be part of the show. Prior experience is not necessary, which sets Youth Singers apart from other arts organizations. A healthy and positive experience for every singer is what this program is all about, with an emphasis on the process rather than the product.
That said, Youth Singers offers its core divisions, from Grade 4 through young adults, the opportunity to perform twice a year on the largest professional stage in Calgary: the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. This, in addition to many performances in Calgary and touring opportunities for Grade 7 and up, gives Youth Singers the chance to share what they have learned with audiences all over the world.
Youth Singers members are supported on this journey by an amazing staff of working arts professionals and instructors who believe in the power of the performing arts to inspire and build confidence in all young people.
Music education has long been understood to help children improve their skills in mathematics, languages, and general communication. When strong choral skills are paired with dance and movement, children are also participating in an aerobic physical activity that is healthy for both the body and mind.
Most significantly, the confidence that comes from being allowed to explore and express yourself through the arts is something children carry forward into adulthood. There is a saying that Youth Singers follows: kids make beautiful music, but music also makes beautiful kids.
More Than Performance
Youth Singers helps young people build confidence, communication skills, friendships, and a sense of belonging that can stay with them long after they leave the stage.
Youth Singers of Calgary recently celebrated its 40th anniversary season, and many of the alumni who returned for the festivities credit their years in the program as a reason they felt confident pursuing careers in a variety of fields. The confidence they gained learning to perform and present themselves to an audience translates directly to the boardroom or that all-important job interview.
Even more importantly, the community and friendships they found at Youth Singers have proven to be long-lasting, and that is what keeps performers coming back year after year.
If you, or a young person you know, has an interest in the performing arts, Youth Singers is a welcoming and wonderful place to start the journey to the stage. Youth Singers also offers adult programs, making it a space for performers of different ages to explore music, movement, and performance in a supportive community.
For program information, visit youthsingers.org or join Youth Singers for a free rehearsal during the month of September.
Stay Connected
Connect with Youth Singers of Calgary
Follow Youth Singers of Calgary online to learn more about their programs, performances, rehearsals, and upcoming opportunities for young performers and adults.
