# One Voice Children's Choir
**One Voice Children's Choir** (OVCC) is a nonprofit children's choir based in the [Salt Lake City](https://www.edgepedia.org/salt-lake-city) area of Utah, United States, that brings together singers roughly ages 4 to 18 to record and perform pop, inspirational, and original music for audiences worldwide.[1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) The organization traces its origin to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, where composer Masa Fukuda gathered more than 1,600 children to record the song "It Just Takes Love"; after the Games, 25 of those children asked to keep singing together, forming the nucleus of the choir.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) It is the flagship ambassador program of One Voice Children, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) • [4](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510584439)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics; Masa Fukuda gathered over 1,600 children to record "It Just Takes Love," and 25 children continued afterward[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) |
| Status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2005; NTEE category Arts, Culture and Humanities / Singing, Choral[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) • [4](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510584439) |
| Leadership | Tanner Dewaal (CEO/Artistic Director) and Michelle Boothe (COO/Artistic Director, since 2021); Masa Fukuda is co-founder and choir director[1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) • [2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) |
| Size and membership | Approximately 180 singers with an average annual turnover of 13%; members ages 4–18[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) • [1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) |
| Breakthrough | Viral 2014 "Let It Go" cover with Alex Boyé; quarterfinalist on America's Got Talent Season 9[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) |
| Reach | Over 4.6 million YouTube subscribers and more than 1 billion total views[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) |
| Rehearsals | Weekly, 1.5–2 hours, in Bluffdale, Utah, from late August through early June[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) |
## History
**Olympic origins.** Masa Fukuda, a composer who had recently graduated from [Brigham Young University](https://www.edgepedia.org/brigham-young-university) in media music composition, was asked to direct a children's choir for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and organized the 2002 Winter Olympic Children's Choir, gathering over 1,600 children to record "It Just Takes Love."[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) • [5](https://www.wvcjournal.com/2017/07/28/150987/one-voice-children-s-choir-empowers-youth-sows-hope-throughout-world) When 25 children asked to continue after the Olympics, the group became the foundation of the choir.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/)
**Early growth.** Originally called Studio A Children's Choir, the group won the John Lennon International Music Award in 2003. In 2005 it officially became a nonprofit and adopted the name One Voice Children's Choir.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) Through the following decade it expanded performances across the United States and abroad, including festivals in Japan, with members from across Utah attending weekly rehearsals and appearing in music videos.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/)
**Viral fame.** In 2014 the choir's Africanized cover of "Let It Go," recorded with the artist Alex Boyé and featuring then 12-year-old Lexi Walker, went viral with millions of views.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) • [6](https://www.ksl.com/article/news/utah/one-voice-childrens-choir-aims-to-inspire-with-new-music-video/51542078) The exposure led to an audition for [America's Got Talent](https://www.edgepedia.org/americas-got-talent) that season; the choir competed on Season 9, performed live in Hollywood, and reached the quarterfinals at [Radio City Music Hall](https://www.edgepedia.org/radio-city-music-hall) among the top 48 contestants.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) • [5](https://www.wvcjournal.com/2017/07/28/150987/one-voice-children-s-choir-empowers-youth-sows-hope-throughout-world) In 2015 the choir marked its tenth anniversary as an official nonprofit.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/)
**Online expansion.** Between 2016 and 2020 the choir reached major YouTube milestones, earning Silver and Gold Play Buttons, and collaborated with artists including [David Archuleta](https://www.edgepedia.org/david-archuleta) and Alex Boyé.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) Michelle Boothe became COO and Artistic Director in 2021, and the choir has since released new albums, grown past 4.6 million YouTube subscribers, and surpassed 1 billion total views.[2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) Its original album *A Voice For Love*, created with the children, reached the Grammy ballot.[7](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/)
## Membership and auditions
The main choir is auditioned. Auditions are held annually in a three-round process; for the 2026 cycle, online materials were due by March 22, 2026, and singers had to be 7 years old by September 1, 2026, up to 16 years old.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) Most singers accepted have multiple years of prior music experience, such as private lessons, choir participation, theater, or workshops.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) Members attend weekly 1.5–2 hour rehearsals in Bluffdale, Utah, complete at-home practice, and pay an annual membership fee starting at $120 per month, with financial assistance available for qualifying families.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) The choir comprises approximately 180 singers, with an average annual turnover of 13 percent.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/)
Younger singers have a non-auditioned entry point: One Voice Junior Choir (OVJC) is a training choir for grades 1–9 that requires no audition and prepares children for the main choir experience.[1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) The organization also runs One Voice International, which lets children participate from anywhere in the world, and audition workshop sessions at its studio.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/)
## Performances and tours
The choir performs throughout the year, from local concerts to international tours, and hosts annual Christmas and summer shows.[1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) • [7](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/) In June 2017, at the request of the US Department of Defense, 102 children and parent volunteers traveled to France for the D-Day Commemoration ceremonies and filmed a music video of "When You Believe" on [Omaha Beach](https://www.edgepedia.org/omaha-beach).[5](https://www.wvcjournal.com/2017/07/28/150987/one-voice-children-s-choir-empowers-youth-sows-hope-throughout-world)
**China tours.** The choir first performed in Shenzhen in late 2024 as the opening stop of a China tour, and has since made annual [New Year](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-year) tours to China combining stage performances with community outreach, including hospital visits.[8](https://www.eyeshenzhen.com/content/2026-01/09/content_31900976.htm) • [9](https://studychina.chinaservicesinfo.com/s/202601/12/WS69649052498e368550339d05/us-childrens-choir-brings-message-of-hope-and-unity.html) On its third consecutive New Year tour, the choir performed at [Peking Union Medical College Hospital](https://www.edgepedia.org/peking-union-medical-college-hospital) in Beijing on December 31 and closed the tour with a New Year's concert at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in [Guangzhou](https://www.edgepedia.org/guangzhou) on January 11, presenting pop songs such as "Counting Stars" and "See You Again" alongside Chinese songs including "Wish."[9](https://studychina.chinaservicesinfo.com/s/202601/12/WS69649052498e368550339d05/us-childrens-choir-brings-message-of-hope-and-unity.html) • [10](https://www.lw.gov.cn/ywb/zx/content/post_10651803.html) The original song "We Are Together," with mixed Chinese and English lyrics, served as an encore, and a music video of the same name was submitted to the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival.[9](https://studychina.chinaservicesinfo.com/s/202601/12/WS69649052498e368550339d05/us-childrens-choir-brings-message-of-hope-and-unity.html) • [11](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/songs-across-the-pacific-how-shanghai-became-a-second-home-for-an-american-childrens-choir-302773606.html) The choir's video "Golden Hour" was nominated for Best Music Video at the 29th Asian Television Awards.[11](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/songs-across-the-pacific-how-shanghai-became-a-second-home-for-an-american-childrens-choir-302773606.html)
## Organization and funding
One Voice Children's Choir is directed by Tanner Dewaal, the CEO and Artistic Director, and Michelle Boothe, the COO and Artistic Director, who work with a staff-and-volunteer team supporting rehearsals, recordings, and performances; Masa Fukuda remains listed as co-founder and choir director.[1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) • [2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) As a 501(c)(3) organization, it relies on donations, sponsors, foundations, and grants, which subsidize participation; the organization states that donations support operations, music production, education programs, and international projects, and that financial assistance keeps children from being turned away due to family circumstances.[3](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/) • [1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/) • [2](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/) The choir is available for select private events by booking inquiry, and rehearsals are closed to the public, with behind-the-scenes content shared on social media and YouTube instead.[1](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/)
## Repertoire and style
The choir sings original compositions and cover arrangements tailored to children's voices, directed and arranged largely within the organization.[12](https://theorg.com/org/one-voice-children) Its released catalog includes covers such as "Something Just Like This," "When You Believe," "Roar," and "All I Want for Christmas Is You," alongside originals like "We Are Together" and the album *A Voice For Love*.[13](https://en.kidsmusic.info/artists/one-voice-childrens-choir) • [7](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/)
## References
1. [FAQ – One Voice Children's Choir](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/faq/)
2. [About Us – One Voice Children's Choir](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-one-voice-childrens-choir/)
3. [Auditions – One Voice Children's Choir](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/childrens-choir-auditions-ovcc/)
4. [One Voice Childrens Choir – Nonprofit Explorer, ProPublica](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510584439)
5. [One Voice Children's Choir empowers youth, sows hope throughout world – West Valley Journal](https://www.wvcjournal.com/2017/07/28/150987/one-voice-children-s-choir-empowers-youth-sows-hope-throughout-world)
6. [One Voice Children's Choir Aims To Inspire With New Music Video – KSL.com](https://www.ksl.com/article/news/utah/one-voice-childrens-choir-aims-to-inspire-with-new-music-video/51542078)
7. [Home – One Voice Children's Choir](https://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/)
8. [US children's choir returns to city for musical exchange – EYESHENZHEN](https://www.eyeshenzhen.com/content/2026-01/09/content_31900976.htm)
9. [US children's choir brings message of hope and unity – China Daily](https://studychina.chinaservicesinfo.com/s/202601/12/WS69649052498e368550339d05/us-childrens-choir-brings-message-of-hope-and-unity.html)
10. [One Voice Children's Choir sings China-U.S. friendship in Guangzhou – Liwan District People's Government](https://www.lw.gov.cn/ywb/zx/content/post_10651803.html)
11. [Songs Across the Pacific: How Shanghai Became a "Second Home" for an American Children's Choir – PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/songs-across-the-pacific-how-shanghai-became-a-second-home-for-an-american-childrens-choir-302773606.html)
12. [One Voice Children – The Org](https://theorg.com/org/one-voice-children)
13. [One Voice Children's Choir – kids'music](https://en.kidsmusic.info/artists/one-voice-childrens-choir)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Ensembles and groups › Choirs and vocal groups › Classical, church, and cathedral choirs › Children's and youth choirs*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license