Sing! Sing! Sing! at GVJCI

Time is passing, I grow older, things are happening fast 

All I have to hold onto is a simple song at last

Let me hear you say

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

— From “Sing a Simple Song” by Sly and the Family Stone

The Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute is excited to announce a new workshop: The Kansha Choir (“kansha” means gratitude).

Lisa Joe

Now’s your chance to sing, stretch your vocal chords, and exercise your lungs, while getting to know kindred spirits. The Kansha Choir will begin on May 6 and run for six weeks, meeting Friday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. until June 10. The workshop will culminate with singing at the GVJCI’s Mixed Plate Jams on Saturday, June 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Nisei Veterans Memorial Hall.

The repertoire will range from folk songs to Motown. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to opera singers.

The Kansha Choir will be led by Lisa Joe, accomplished performer and teacher, and long-time Gardena resident. She has worked with the Grateful Crane Ensemble, East West Players, Brentwood Theater Company, Los Angeles Children’s Museum, and the Happy Hour Chorale, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

So now’s your chance to cross out “sing in a choir” from your bucket list.

The workshop needs a minimum of 10 people, adults only (18 and older).

GVJCI is located at 1964 W. 162nd St. in Gardena. Workshop fee is $60, or $55 for Tomo No Kai members. Register with Michelle Yamashiro at myamashiro@jci-gardena.org or call (310) 324-6611.