Young People’s Chorus of New York City Announces Season 1 of Out of the Vox, a YPC Short Film Series

Pilot Episode Featuring Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo Available Now

NEW YORK (October 29, 2024) – The Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC), a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb virtuosity, brilliant showmanship and innovative model of diversity, announces the debut season of Out of the Vox, a YPC Short Film Series hosted by YPC Founder & Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez. The insightful series takes viewers off the stage with Núñez as he journeys into casual settings and engages in meaningful conversation with some of the world’s most accomplished artists.

The pilot episode, featuring Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, is available now.

“Out of the Vox gives audiences the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at the amazing people behind world-class performances,” says Núñez. “By sharing their journeys and what drives and inspires them, these artists are providing audiences with a deeper insight into their artistry. The conversations offer an intimate look into each artist’s lived experiences, which they bring onto the stage and into the studio every time they perform. Being able to share this with the public is an incredible honor.”

New episodes of the four-part series will be released monthly and can be viewed via the YPC Films website. Season 1 episodes include:

Episode 1 (available now): Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo discusses vocal technique and tone, with Costanzo sharing his journey in discovering and refining his distinctive voice. Costanzo began his professional career at just 11-years-old and has since made a remarkable mark in opera, concert, and Broadway. In June 2024, he took on the role of General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia, further expanding his influence in the arts. He has graced the stages of prestigious opera houses worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera, and has collaborated with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic.

Episode 2 (premiers Nov. 5, 2024): Francisco and YPC Creative Director Elizabeth Núñez chat with renowned artist Meredith Monk about her influential work and performances. Monk is a pioneering composer, singer, and director/choreographer celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to new opera and interdisciplinary performance. Renowned for her innovative use of “extended vocal technique,” Monk creates works that blend music, movement, and visual art, exploring the voice as a powerful instrument of expression. Over her six-decade career, she has received numerous accolades, including the 2019 induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the National Medal of Arts from President Obama.

Episode 3 (premiers Dec. 3, 2024): American opera singer Joyce DiDonato speaks with Francisco about her artistic journey and the impact of her projects. She reflects on her personal experiences and the power of music as a form of authentic expression, especially her interactions with young people. Multi-Grammy Award winner and 2018 Olivier Award winner for Outstanding Achievement in Opera, Kansas-born DiDonato entrances audiences across the globe, and has been proclaimed “perhaps the most potent female singer of her generation” by The New Yorker. Joyce has towered at the top of the industry both as a performer, a producer, and a fierce advocate for the arts.

Episode 4 (premiers Jan. 14, 2025): Francisco and Baritone Lester Lynch discuss the importance of empathy in artistic collaboration over a homemade brunch. Lynch shares insights on finding inspiration in unexpected places and his experiences mastering the world of opera. Lynch has become recognized for his charismatic portrayals and commanding voice as he tackles some of Verdi’s most important characters, amidst rave reviews, from Macbeth to Rigoletto and Simon Boccanegra. But his repertoire extends far beyond the great Verdi roles. He is also an expert in contemporary opera. His performances of Dallapiccola’s, Il Prigioniero, Busoni’s, Doktor Faust and Nico Muley’s, The Glitch have garnered many accolades.

­For more information on the series and to view the current episode, visit ypcfilms.org. Season 1 cast bios can be found at https://ypcfilms.org/out-of-the-vox-season-1-cast/.

For more information about YPC, please visit www.ypc.org.

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About Young People’s Chorus of New York City

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City (YPC) is a multicultural youth chorus internationally renowned for its superb virtuosity, brilliant showmanship, and innovative model of diversity. Founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, a MacArthur Fellow and Musical America’s 2018 Educator of the Year, YPC’s mission and values are deeply rooted in providing children of all cultural and economic backgrounds with a unique program of music education and choral performance. YPC is committed to uplifting our youth and providing pathways to success through the arts so that each child, no matter what race, gender, socioeconomic background, or religion can reach their full potential. Among YPC’s many awards is America’s highest honor for youth programs, a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, which was presented to members of YPC at the White House.  Under the direction of YPC’s Creative Director, Elizabeth Núñez, YPC also earned the distinction of “Choir of the World” in July 2018 at the International Choral Kathaumixw (Powell River, British Columbia), marking the first time a North American chorus has ever won this title in the 34-year history of Kathaumixw. In 2023, YPC won five gold medals – three as world champions – at the prestigious 12th World Choir Games, the world’s largest international choir competition. YPC reclaimed the title in 2024, becoming 2-time World Choir Games World Champions, and brought home 5 gold medals in the gospel, spiritual, youth choirs, children’s choirs, and pop choreography categories. www.ypc.org.

Media Contacts: Glodow Nead Communications, 415-394-6500 or YPCPR@glodownead.com