The South Bay Children’s Choir, based at El Camino College in Los Angeles County, is celebrated for its beautiful tone, expressive artistry, and inspiring performances. Our singers come from more than 25 surrounding communities—including Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, the Palos Verdes peninsula, Hawthorne, San Pedro, Gardena, Carson, Long Beach, and beyond—creating a vibrant and diverse musical family.
Founded by the late Diane Simons and Dr. Jane Hardester, SBCC continues to honor their vision: providing exceptional music education and fostering a love of choral artistry in a warm, supportive environment.
The choir features five progressive ensembles, ranging from beginning to pre-professional levels, led by a dedicated team of directors—Julie Corallo, Jake Asaro, Judith Chan, Kristie Toomath, Eloise Porter, and Bri Zucker —who are committed to helping young singers grow, thrive, and discover the joy of making music together.
Sharing our music around the globe
International Children’s Choir Festival
Singing under the baton of Henry Leck and David Flood at the Canterbury Cathedral
Crescent City Choral Festival
Experiencing the food, culture and music of New Orleans
Sing a Mile High Festival
One of our many experiences with the amazing Dr. Rollo Dilworth!
Performance Highlights
Ensembles
The South Bay Children’s Choir is a comprehensive choral training program with six sequential levels of learning facilitated by an experienced and highly-qualified staff of choir directors. The singers (ages 6-18) meet every Saturday morning at El Camino College in Torrance from late August until early June coinciding with the school year. Each member is expected to stay actively committed to the program for the entire season.
Singers will study vocal technique, music theory and sight-reading as they learn to sing a varied repertoire from classical to folk song literature. Included in rehearsal times are musicianship classes and one-on-one vocal coaching. Emphasis is on excellence while learning to work as a team in a nurturing environment.
Classes are relatively small, allowing for much individual instruction as well as a close-knit family atmosphere among the singers. There is much importance given to behaving with mutual respect, poise and dignity. In addition to becoming better musicians, we hope to help our members become better people. The skills they learn of self-discipline, communication, attention to detail and teamwork will become the building blocks for the rest of their lives.
Tuition is divided into six payments (three for fall and three for spring). A 15% discount is available if payment is paid in full at the beginning of the fall semester. A 10% discount is available if the semester is paid in full at the beginning of each semester. A $40 sibling discount is available.
Songbirds
Saturdays 9:00-9:45 AM
$179 per 10-week session
The Songbirds is our joyful introductory program for children ages 6–7—a perfect first step into the world of music and singing. In this fun, movement-filled class, young learners explore music fundamentals through playful activities inspired by John Feierabend’s research-based curriculum.
We guide children in becoming tuneful, beatful, and artful—three essential elements that support lifelong musical confidence. “Tuneful” means not only learning to sing, but also developing the ability to hear music in their minds and experiment with creating their own ideas. “Beatful” helps children feel a steady beat in their bodies and understand how rhythms fit and flow together. “Artful” encourages them to express themselves, make creative choices, and communicate feelings through both voice and movement.
Every concept is taught through singing games, imaginative play, and supportive group activities that nurture each child’s growth. The Songbirds program builds confidence, sparks creativity, and creates a warm sense of community—right at the age when children are most excited to learn and explore.
Music Makers
Saturdays 9:00-11:00 AM
Six payments of $125 (Three payments if starting in January)
Music Makers is designed for children ages 8–9 who are ready to take the next exciting step in their musical journey. In this nurturing, confidence-building class, singers deepen their understanding of musical fundamentals while discovering the joy of performing as part of a team.
Children receive focused instruction in healthy vocal technique, solfège (do–re–mi) to strengthen pitch accuracy, and introductory score reading that helps them feel comfortable navigating real choral music. Through partner work, small-group activities, and full-ensemble singing, they learn how to listen, blend, and communicate with others—skills that extend far beyond music.
Our directors create a warm, encouraging environment where young singers feel safe to explore, take risks, and celebrate their progress. Music Makers helps children build strong musical habits, develop confidence on stage, and experience the joy of making beautiful music together.
Lyric Voices
Saturdays 9:00-11:15 AM
Six payments of $140 (Three payments if starting in January)
Lyric Voices is designed for children ages 10–12 who are ready to grow as confident, expressive young musicians. In this dynamic ensemble, singers strengthen their vocal technique, sharpen their solfège and music-reading skills, and develop the teamwork needed for polished ensemble singing.
At this level, students are introduced to the excitement of harmony, exploring more advanced choral literature that challenges and inspires them. They learn how their individual voice fits into a larger musical tapestry—an experience that builds both skill and self-assurance.
With supportive guidance from our directors, the Lyrics Voices gain musicianship, discipline, and a deeper love for singing, all while being part of a fun and encouraging community.
Encore Chorale
Saturdays 9:00 -11:30 AM
Six payments of $155 (Three payments if starting in January)
Encore Chorale is our advanced ensemble for dedicated singers ages 13–18—a place where talented young musicians truly flourish. In this exciting upper-level choir, singers dive into rich and challenging repertoire that spans classical masterworks, vibrant folk traditions, and sophisticated music from around the world.
As students grow musically, they continue to refine their solfège, strengthen their sight-reading, and develop the vocal artistry needed for polished, expressive performances. Encore Chorale members often enjoy more performance opportunities than our younger groups, giving them the chance to shine on stage, build confidence, and share their hard work with the community.
For teens who love to sing and want to push themselves to new heights, our Encore Chorale offers an inspiring, supportive environment where their passion and talent can soar.
Troubadours
No additional fees required
Troubadours is a unique and supportive class designed especially for boys ages 12–18 who also sing in Encore Chorale or Bel Canto. This ensemble gives young men a space of their own to explore repertoire written for tenor and baritone voices, while still enjoying music that includes soprano and alto lines when appropriate.
Because the voice change can be an exciting—but sometimes confusing—time, our directors provide expert guidance in healthy vocal technique tailored to developing voices. Singers learn how to navigate new low notes, maintain access to their higher register, and safely manage the areas of their range that may be temporarily unreliable.
Troubadours offers a comfortable, confidence-building environment where boys can grow as musicians, support one another, and celebrate the amazing changes happening in their voices—all at no extra cost.
Bel Canto
Saturdays 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM; must also be enrolled in Encore
Six payments of $190 (Three payments if starting in January)
Bel Canto is our premier ensemble for dedicated singers ages 13–18—students who have demonstrated the commitment, focus, and teamwork needed to perform at an advanced level. These singers consistently show up prepared, fully engaged in rehearsals, eager to practice independently, and ready to support one another as a cohesive musical team.
In Bel Canto, members explore a rich and varied repertoire, including classical masterworks, vibrant folk music in many languages, and expressive jazz selections. The ensemble challenges students to grow artistically while offering rewarding performance opportunities that showcase their skill, discipline, and passion for music.
Bel Canto is where talented young singers come together to create something truly exceptional.
Tuition
The annual tuition is divided into payments (cash, check or credit card). New members do not need to pay until after they have attended their first class. Tuition support is available.
Artistic Team
Julie Corallo
Jake Asaro
Kristie Toomath
Eloise Porter
Judith Chan
Bri Zucker
carolyn Correnti
Patty Breitag
Testimonials
“The South Bay Children’s Choir and Artistic Director Diane Simons represent the highest level of artistic achievement. I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Simons and her fantastic singers on a number of occasions. In every instance, I have been astonished with their beautiful sound, musicality, musicianship and attention to artistic nuance. Ms. Simons is a superb musician and educator, and her singers reflect her amazing teaching in the marvelous passion of their performing. The South Bay Children’s Choir is one of our community’s most valuable treasures!”
– Dr. Robert Istad
Artistic Director of Pacific Chorale
Director of Choral Studies, California State University, Fullerton
“SBCC has established itself as a premier children’s choir with national & international recognition. Dr. Jane Hardester’s legendary choral magic of beauty & excellence was the vision & mission upon which this organization was formed. Over the past two decades, this legacy was impeccably & repeatedly accomplished under the gifted & visionary leadership of conductor and co-founder Diane Simons. Our El Camino College choral department & the Fine Arts Division is privileged to keep this musical tradition alive & well in our midst. We hope that the South Bay community will continue to support SBCC’s cultural efforts in creating exhilarating concerts & educating our future generations in the choral art for another 20 years.”
– Dr. Joanna Medawar Nachef
“I am so grateful to have received such high quality musical training from the teachers at SBCC. All the things I learned from SBCC –music theory, leadership and teaching skills, and performance experience — propelled me to go on to become a professional musician. I am especially thankful to Ms. Simons who has been my role model ever since I studied with her. She is truly a profoundly influential educator and all the teaching skills and methods I learned from her are just priceless.”
– Dr. Beth Nam
Professional pianist and former SBCC member
“SBCC is more than just a choir. It’s a musical family. I made friends in SBCC that are still my friends today. I will always be grateful to Diane and Dr. Jane for creating a group that enriched my life so much both musically and personally. I have sung with many choirs as a professional singer and have rarely worked with conductors as gifted as those at SBCC, and I have never found a choir that was a family in the same way. What SBCC offers to young singers is truly special.”
– Jessie Tisdale
Professional singer and former SBCC member
“Sophia learned so much from you about singing, collaboration, discipline, teamwork and being brave. There were many moments that I was literally brought to tears to see how you transformed and empowered your students to sing to the best of their respective abilities in unison.”
– Christine Prakash, SBCC parent
“Your program has been an amazing journey, not only for our daughter but for us as well. We are so grateful for all that you have done in helping to shape her life. You have not only given her an appreciation for music, but you have instilled valuable lessons about life itself and how to conduct herself as a responsible and caring individual. We cannot thank you enough.”
– Aaron and Bridget Gerson, SBCC parents
“The South Bay Children’s Choir brings talented singers, dedicated educators and artistic performances to the forefront of music education. SBCC will nurture your child’s love of singing in a joyful atmosphere equally matched with quality musical instruction.”
– Ruth E. Dwyer
Internationally recognized clinician and guest conductor
Teacher at Butler University
Conductor of Indianapolis Children’s Choir
“What impresses me is how healthily and expressively your students sing. It is totally age appropriate and reflects their knowledge and understanding of the beautiful texts you choose.”
– Cheryl Anderson
Former President of ACDA Western Division
“The four hours I spend at choir every Saturday morning are the best of my week!”
– Zoe Petersen, SBCC member for 9 years
“SBCC has been a really amazing way for me to learn how to sing to the best of my abilities and to make friends with other people who like the same things I do.”
– Zoe Ezzes, SBCC member for 9 years