Children's Chorus of Washington

What Children's Chorus of Washington does

Children's Chorus of Washington (CCW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth choral music education organization founded in 1995 by Joan Gregoryk in Washington, DC. The organization delivers a structured eight-level choral progression spanning grades K-12: open-entry Prep Class and Training Ensemble, followed by auditioned performing ensembles (Treble Chorus, Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Bel Canto), the flagship Concert Chorus for grades 8-12, and a dedicated Young Men's Ensemble for changed voices. Tuition ranges from $1,440 to $2,150 per season depending on ensemble level, supplemented by non-refundable enrollment fees of $50-$250, with over $50,000 in annual scholarship support distributed through the Joan Gregoryk Scholarship Fund and Don Cotton Legacy Fund to reduce financial barriers.

CCW operates two physical campuses: a Northwest DC location at St. Columba's Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW) and a Southwest DC location at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (222 M St SW) launched in April 2024 under the Expand Our Reach initiative. The organization reaches 310+ enrolled singers annually, drawing from all 8 DC Wards plus Maryland and Virginia. Programming is augmented by the DCPS All City Chorus partnership serving 20+ DC public elementary schools, commissioned choral works (including pieces by Bob Chilcott, Dominick DiOrio, and a 2024 Hirshhorn Museum 50th anniversary commission), and high-profile performance collaborations with the National Symphony Orchestra, Wolf Trap Opera, Kennedy Center, Cincinnati Ballet, and PostClassical Ensemble.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: program tuition and enrollment fees, institutional and individual donations/grants (Sirius XM, Philip L. Graham Fund, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, NPM Foundation, DC Arts, Paul M. Angell Foundation, The Genesis Inspiration Foundation, among others), and the annual Spring Soirée fundraising gala with sponsorship tiers ranging from $1,000 (Tulip) to $30,000 (Cherry Blossom). The organization is led by Executive Director Robbie Jacobs and Artistic Director Margaret Nomura Clark (in role since 2016), governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, and operates with 11-50 staff including dedicated ensemble directors, accompanists, and administrative personnel. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations are supported by a standard Squarespace website, email newsletter, and YouTube channel.

Name

Children's Chorus of Washington

Legal name

Children's Chorus of Washington

Website

https://childrenschorusdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Children's Chorus of Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that delivers progressive choral music education for grades K-12 across two Washington DC campuses, serving 310+ singers with eight ensembles and partnerships at the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Choral Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

Keywords

• Youth choral education
• Choral music training
• Children chorus programs
• Ensemble singing instruction
• Youth music performance

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Families pay tuition for participation in CCW's various ensembles, ranging from $1,440 to $2,150 per season depending on ensemble level. Additional non-refundable enrollment fees of $50-$250 apply.
2. Donations and Grants: CCW receives contributions from individual donors, institutional supporters including Sirius XM, Jack Randerson Foundation, NPM Foundation, Friends of SW DC, Events DC, DC Arts, Paul M. Angell Foundation, Hattie W. Carthan Charitable Trust, Philip L. Graham Fund, and Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation.
3. Spring Soirée Sponsorships and Tickets: Annual spring gala event with sponsorship tiers from $1,000 (Tulip) to $30,000 (Cherry Blossom), plus individual tickets at $250.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Children's Chorus of Washington provides progressive, multi-level choral music education for youth in Grades K-12 through eight distinct ensembles (Prep Class, Training Ensemble, Treble Chorus, Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced Bel Canto, Concert Chorus, and Young Men's Ensemble), with weekly or twice-weekly rehearsals at two DC campuses and performance opportunities at elite venues such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. The organization supplements ensemble instruction with the DCPS All City Chorus partnership, the Expand Our Reach initiative for geographic accessibility, scholarship funds, an annual Spring Soirée fundraiser, and external performance booking services.

Product overview

Children's Chorus of Washington offers a multi-level choral music education program with eight distinct ensembles structured by age and skill level: Prep Class (K-1), Training Ensemble (2-3), Treble Chorus (3-5), Beginning Bel Canto (5-6), Intermediate Bel Canto (5-8), Advanced Bel Canto (6-9), Concert Chorus (8-12) as the flagship ensemble, and Young Men's Ensemble for changed voices. The organization also operates the DCPS All City Chorus partnership program, the Expand Our Reach Initiative for geographic accessibility, and provides scholarship funds (Joan Gregoryk and Don Cotton Legacy). Supplementary offerings include the annual Spring Soirée fundraising event and performance booking services for external events. All programs are unified by the mission to nurture artistic excellence and empower young singers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prep Class
• Training Ensemble Open-entry, non-auditioned choral ensemble for students in Grades 2-3, meeting once weekly for 1 hour 15 minutes, refining basic singing skills and developing ensemble rehearsal techniques. Tuition is $1,530 per season with a $50 non-refundable enrollment fee.
• Treble Chorus Preliminary performing ensemble for elementary singers in Grades 3-5, developing strong unison singing skills and beginning two- and three-part songs. Meets once weekly for 1 hour 15 minutes, with a $50 non-refundable enrollment fee.
• Beginning Bel Canto Performing ensemble for upper elementary singers in Grades 5-6, building on healthy vocal technique and studying more complex two- or three-part songs. Meets once weekly for 1.75 hours, with a $100 non-refundable enrollment fee.
• Intermediate Bel Canto Performing ensemble for middle school singers in Grades 5-8, marking the beginning of increased performance opportunities and more advanced music study. Meets once weekly for 2.25 hours, with a $100 non-refundable enrollment fee.
• Advanced Bel Canto Preliminary advanced ensemble meeting twice weekly for a total of 2.75 hours for students in Grades 6-9, featuring challenging repertoire, advanced sight-singing, and international touring opportunities. Tuition is $2,150 per season.
• Concert Chorus CCW's flagship performing ensemble meeting twice weekly for a total of 3 hours for singers in Grades 8-12, who have established good vocal technique, are excellent sight readers, and can sing independently in four or more parts. Includes international touring opportunities; $250 non-refundable enrollment fee.
• Young Men's Ensemble Ensemble for singers with changed voices meeting once weekly for 2 hours, performing approximately four times per season and collaborating with Concert Chorus on SATB pieces. Tuition is $1,950 per season. Launched in 2011 as CCW's first ensemble dedicated to changed-voice singers.
• DCPS All City Chorus Elementary-level choral program (formerly DC Honors Chorus) for unchanged voices from DC Public Schools. Students are nominated by their school music teachers, prepare at school, and participate in a day of collaborative rehearsal culminating in a live performance, reaching 20+ DC public elementary schools.
• Expand Our Reach Initiative Initiative launched in April 2024 to overcome geographic access barriers through citywide programming across multiple campuses, beginning with the Southwest DC campus at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, ensuring access to high-quality singing opportunities regardless of geography or socio-economic position.
• Joan Gregoryk Scholarship Fund Current-use scholarship fund launched in 2021 and named for CCW founder Joan Gregoryk, providing flexible multi-year need-based awards covering tuition, uniforms, transportation, or other costs that would otherwise inhibit participation. Over $50,000 is distributed annually through this and related scholarship support.
• Don Cotton Legacy Fund Scholarship fund honoring Don Cotton's 30 years of service, supporting scholarships for boys and young men in CCW programs and helping sustain the Young Men's Ensemble.
• Spring Soirée CCW's annual fundraising gala, held most recently in 2025, providing critical support for the organization's mission of providing exceptional and accessible music education. Sponsorship tiers range from $1,000 (Tulip) to $30,000 (Cherry Blossom), with individual tickets at $250.
• Performance Booking Services External performance hire service through which CCW offers its choirs for performances at events across the DC metropolitan area, including concerts, private events, and non-profit galas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $50,000 in annual scholarship support distributed to low-income families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Boston Children's ChoruscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCW collaborated on a two-week East Coast tour including joint performances, collaborative rehearsals, and cultural exchange activities. The tour included stops in Boston and New York City, culminating in a CCW-hosted potluck dinner for BCC singers in DC.
• Wolf Trap OperacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCW choristers joined Wolf Trap Opera in a fully staged production of Bizet's Carmen at the Filene Center on August 15, 2025, conducted by José Luis Gómez.
• PostClassical EnsemblesecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCW collaborated on 'The Pale Blue Dot' at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater on November 19, 2025, guest-curated by marine scientists Enric Sala and Kristin Rechberger.
• Cincinnati BalletsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCW singers appeared as the Snow Chorus in The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center from November 26-30, 2025.
• The Dance Institute of WashingtonsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CCW collaborated with DIW on 'Daydreamers,' the first song of the 'Dream a New World Trilogy' composed by Dominick DiOrio, with choreography by Ashanté Green.
• Amidon-Bowen Public Elementary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CCW partners with Amidon-Bowen to foster musical talent and inclusivity, providing a 'walking bus' pickup from school and conducting in-school auditions to reduce logistical barriers.
• Hirshhorn MuseumsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024World premiere of 'Agents of Deterioration' commissioned for the Hirshhorn's 50th anniversary, performed by CCW singers in the museum's galleries on October 5, 2024.
• DCPS (District of Columbia Public Schools) ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to present the DCPS All City Chorus, serving elementary students from schools across the District. Students are nominated by music teachers and participate in a day of collaborative rehearsal culminating in a live performance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Toronto Children's Chorus: A premier Canadian youth choral organization offering multi-level training and international touring. Operates the same ensemble-progression and touring model as CCW but is restricted to the Toronto/Canadian market and does not compete geographically in the DMV.

Direct peers

• Boston Children's Chorus: A 501(c)(3) youth choral organization founded in 2005 serving singers in Greater Boston through multi-level ensembles and public performances. CCW cited BCC as a direct collaboration partner on a 2025 East Coast tour, confirming tight operational comparability.
• Chicago Children's Choir: A 501(c)(3) youth choral organization providing multi-level choral education and performance opportunities for Chicago-area youth. Delivers the same core service (multi-ensemble K-12 training, school partnerships, prestigious performances) as CCW, in a comparable tier-one metro market.
• Portland Symphonic Girlchoir: A Pacific Northwest children's choral organization co-commissioning choral works with comparable ensembles (including a 2005 co-commission with CCW). Operates a graded-ensemble model and international touring cadence similar to CCW.
• Atlanta Young Singers: A 501(c)(3) youth choral organization serving metro Atlanta with tiered ensemble training, school partnerships, and annual concert seasons. Closely comparable in mission, structure, and after-school programming to CCW.
• Young People's Chorus of New York City: A model youth choral organization founded in 1988 offering multi-level training, touring, and high-profile performances. Operates a comparable after-school ensemble pipeline culminating in a flagship touring chorus and international engagements.
• Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus: An Illinois-based youth choral organization founded in 1982 offering progressive ensemble training, including the 2005 Nightingale co-commission with CCW. Operates with the same multi-level progression and touring model as CCW.
• Los Angeles Children's Chorus: A flagship Southern California youth choral organization offering multi-level ensemble training for children with multiple performance and touring opportunities. Directly comparable to CCW on graded ensemble ladder, partnership concerts, and elite-venue performances.
• San Francisco Girls Chorus: A youth choral training program serving treble voices across multiple ensemble levels and producing concerts at prominent Bay Area venues. Comparable curriculum structure (graded ensembles culminating in a touring group) to CCW's, with a focus on treble voices including changed-voice programming.
• National Children's Chorus: A multi-city youth choral program offering progressive ensemble training for talented young singers across U.S. regions. Overlapping with CCW on the K-12 progressive ensemble model and elite venue partnerships, though run on a multi-city satellite basis rather than a single HQ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ChildrensChorusofWashington
• Facebookfacebook.com/childrenschorusdc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childrenschorusdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Children's Chorus of Washington