Who We Are
Singing Today for a Choral Tomorrow
We believe music plays an essential part in our lives and contributes to making the world a more peaceful place. To this end, Viva Brooklyn Fest wants to ensure that aspiring and professional musicians have opportunities to develop their skills and nurture their passion for classical works that contribute to unifying people through the common language of the Arts.Viva Brooklyn Fest is a groundbreaking movement to transcend traditional musical boundaries across five states in the USA to activate our mission to celebrate the richness of classical and contemporary music. Organized by our local chapters in Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston, Viva Brooklyn Fest supports local educational programs, presents large-scale choral concerts, and stages immersive regional festivals that blend local cultures while contributing to a unified national narrative.Whether you are an aspiring or seasoned musician looking to expand your repertoire, Viva Brooklyn Fest is your key to world-class music experiences.
Team
The Board
Donald Dea · Chair
With over 35 years of experience in the commercial, association, non-profit, government, and higher education sectors, Dea is a focused, passionate, and visionary leader who helps organizations advance their missions, solve hard problems, and achieve goals. As the Board Chair Emeritus by Proclamation of Excelsior University, he provided strategic guidance and oversight to one of the largest and most innovative online universities in the nation.
Nathalie Coupet · Vice Chair
An opera singer born in Haïti, Coupet has a strong commitment to classical music and the vocal arts in particular. This led her to found VBF to promote the next generation of artists, while bringing world-class performances to the public.
Local Chapters
Brooklyn
Jason Wirth · Executive Director
Miami
Nathalie Coupet · Executive Director
Coming Soon:
Boston
Houston
Los Angeles
2024 – 25 Season Preview
Join Us in Miami for Our Inaugural Season!
The Miami Chapter of Viva Brooklyn Fest launches its first season with two concerts in Miami, Florida, conducted by Matias Cuevas. Our Holiday concert will feature Beethoven’s Mass in C major. Our Winter concert will feature Mozart’s Requiem.
The Miami Chapter of Viva Brooklyn Fest launches its first season with two concerts in Miami, Florida, conducted by Matias Cuevas. Our Holiday concert will feature Beethoven’s Mass in C major. Our Winter concert will feature Mozart’s Requiem.
Don’t forget your tickets...
Programs
Viva Brooklyn Fest
Viva Brooklyn Fest (VBF) is more than just a festival—it’s a groundbreaking movement transcending traditional musical boundaries and locations. Unique festivals across five states in the USA activate VBF’s mission to celebrate the richness of classical and contemporary music. Taking place in Brooklyn, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston, each festival creates a distinct immersive experience blending local cultures while contributing to a unified national narrative.
A Unique Concept: Classical Music ReimaginedDrawing inspiration from the success of events like Coachella, VBF has been dubbed “The Coachella of Classical Music,” offering audiences an innovative approach to experiencing classical and contemporary music. The festival’s unique structure, spanning five states, allows VBF to serve as a bridge for emerging and established artists, providing year-round performance opportunities that avoid the typical summer-only concentration of events. By carefully designing our performance schedule, we ensure that artists are not double-booked, giving them a chance to build sustainable careers in the performing arts.
The Docu-Opera: A Thematic Exploration of Art and TechnologyOne of VBF's most exciting innovations is the introduction of the “docu-opera,” a new form of multimedia performance that combines classical and modern repertoires with cutting-edge audiovisual and digital technologies. Each docu-opera is built around a thematic concept such as the planets, water, mountains, cultural diversity, or flowers. This thematic focus allows us to tell compelling stories that engage audiences of all ages, inviting them to explore the beauty of nature, people, and places through the lens of music and visual art.
With the use of virtual reality, visual animation, and documentary storytelling techniques, our performances captivate younger audiences, making classical music accessible and relevant in today's technologically-driven world. This fresh approach not only rejuvenates interest in classical music but also offers a space for educational discovery, where music enthusiasts can deepen their understanding of diverse subjects while enjoying world-class performances.Diverse Programming: Celebrating a Broad Range of Composers and Genres VBF's programming is a vibrant tapestry that celebrates diversity in both composers and repertoire. By adopting a theme-oriented programming model, we are able to showcase works by composers who have traditionally been overlooked. Alongside well-known pieces by Mendelssohn and Holst, our repertoire includes musical theater selections and contemporary songs from Latin America and other regions across the globe. This diverse programming ensures that each festival offers something new and refreshing, spotlighting underrepresented voices and providing a stage for music that reflects the global nature of the communities we serve.
Unique Venues: Creating Accessible, Welcoming Spaces for AllAt VBF, we believe that music should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we choose non-traditional, open-air venues that provide easy access and a welcoming atmosphere for all. Whether it’s a park, a historic landmark, or a waterfront stage, our festival locations are designed to offer an experience that blends culture and nature, creating unforgettable memories for our attendees.
All our venues are ADA-compliant, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of their background or physical abilities, can enjoy the music and feel a sense of belonging.Local Chapters: Rooted in Community and Collaboration To maintain a strong connection with each of our festival cities, VBF has established local chapters: Viva Voce Miami, Viva Voce Brooklyn, Viva Voce Houston, Viva Voce LA, and Viva Voce Boston. Each chapter organizes local concerts throughout the year and serves as the primary point of contact for its respective festival. These chapters play a vital role in cultivating local talent, building partnerships with community organizations, and ensuring that each festival reflects the unique character and culture of its host city.
Community Engagement: Supporting Local Economies and Artistic Communities VBF’s commitment to community engagement goes beyond our stages. Each festival provides numerous economic opportunities for local vendors, who are invited to sell their merchandise and services during our events. From food trucks to artisanal crafts, local businesses have the chance to connect with festival-goers and expand their reach.
Our festivals also provide a platform for local choirs, dance troupes, and musicians to showcase their talents. These performances celebrate the rich cultural fabric of each region and create a space where community members can take pride in their heritage. By incorporating local artists and performers, we ensure that our festivals resonate deeply with the communities we serve, creating a shared sense of celebration and belonging.A Year-Round Festival Experience: Connecting Audiences Across the Nation What sets VBF apart is our ability to offer a year-round festival experience. Our carefully timed festivals across five states allow artists to maintain consistent employment while exposing audiences to a wide array of musical styles and genres. By eliminating the seasonality often associated with classical music festivals, we enable a continuous cycle of performance and engagement that keeps the excitement alive throughout the year.
Our multi-state approach also makes it possible for audiences to participate in multiple festivals, experiencing how each location brings its own unique twist to our overarching themes. This interconnectedness strengthens our national identity while celebrating the regional diversity that makes each festival distinct.Looking Ahead: Innovating for the Future of MusicAs we look to the future, VBF remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what a classical music festival can be. We continue to explore new technologies, new genres, and new ways to engage with our audiences. Our partnerships with educational institutions, technology companies, and arts organizations enable us to remain at the forefront of artistic innovation.
Whether you are a lifelong classical music fan or a newcomer curious about experiencing something different, VBF offers an experience that will inspire, educate, and entertain. Join us at one of our upcoming festivals and become a part of this exciting journey as we redefine what it means to celebrate music in the 21st century.
2024 – 25 Season
Ticket Alert
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Viva Brooklyn Fest
Auditions are Open!
Viva Brooklyn Fest is accepting virtual auditions for choristers, solo vocalists, and solo instrumentalists for our inaugural 2024 – 25 season in Miami, Florida, conducted by Matias Cuevas. Our Holiday ’24 concert will feature Beethoven’s Mass in C major. Our Easter ’25 concert will feature Mozart’s Requiem. To audition, fill out our virtual audition form.
Program | Location | Date | Auditions Open for | Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mozart: Requiem | Miami, FL | December 2024 | choristers, orchestra, solo vocalists, solo instrumentalists, | 15 Nov 11:59 pm |
Beethoven: Mass in C | Miami, FL | Easter 2025 | choristers, orchestra, solo vocalists, solo instrumentalists, | TBD |
Start Your Audition Here...
Viva Brooklyn Fest
Frequently Asked Questions
Viva Brooklyn Fest is a choral-focused non-profit performance organization that offers concerts and other music-related programming. Viva Brooklyn Fest also produces an annual festival celebrating the rich cultural diversity and artistic talent of Brooklyn, NY. It features music, dance, art, food, and crafts from various cultures, emphasizing the unique blend of traditions found in Brooklyn.
Viva Brooklyn Fest is incorporated in 5 States: NY, FL, TX, CA, and MA. Each of these States will host its own festival; for example, in Miami, the Viva Voce Miami Festival will feature domestic and international artists. Viva Voce Houston, Viva Voce L.A., Viva Voce Boston will be next. Check the official festival website www.vivabrooklynfest.org or social media pages for current information on other festival venues and dates.
The festival typically takes place in the spring or summer. The exact dates and location can vary each year, so it's best to check the official festival website www.vivabrooklynfest.org or social media pages for current information.
Viva Brooklyn Fest may have free and ticketed events. While many activities and performances are free to the public, some special events or concerts within the festival might require a ticket purchase.
Attendees can enjoy live music performances, dance shows, art exhibitions, craft markets, and a variety of food stalls offering cuisines from around the world. Workshops and interactive activities for all ages are also a staple of the festival.
Yes, the festival is family-friendly and includes numerous activities for children, such as face painting, games, and educational workshops.
Yes, volunteers are often welcome. If you sing in a local choir, you would like to offer your time as an organizer on the days leading to the event, or as information agents during the event, you can find information about volunteering opportunities on our official website or by contacting the organizers directly.
Pet policies may vary by venue and event. It's best to check the festival guidelines for specific events, or contact the organizers for information regarding pets.
For outdoor events, essentials include comfortable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, water, and cash for vendors who might not accept cards. Also, consider bringing a portable chair or blanket for seating. For autumn/winter festivals, please bring warm clothing and an umbrella.
The festival's official website, social media channels, and email newsletters are great resources for the latest updates and schedules. To subscribe to our e-newsletter, please sign-up here.
The festival aims to be inclusive and accessible. We will display accessibility information for each concert or event venue on our ticketing page. You can also check with the festival organizers for specific accessibility information at regarding specific venues, including wheelchair access and accommodations for other disabilities.
Yes, the festival often welcomes applications from vendors and performers. Interested parties should contact the organizers through the festival’s website for more information on application processes and deadlines. For performer auditions visit our audition page. For other inquiries, please use our contact page
Viva Brooklyn Fest typically has security personnel and safety measures in place. Attendees are advised to follow any security guidelines provided by the organizers and to report any concerns to festival staff or security.
For any additional questions or specific inquiries, please contact Viva Brooklyn Fest organizers directly through our contact page.