OUR MISSION
Horizon Voices develops the next generation of healthy, thoughtful, and creative citizens through choral singing. Designed for young people in grades K-12, Horizon Voices teaches vocal technique and musicianship, nurturing communication and public speaking skills while joyfully making music together.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Now hearing auditions for the 2026/27 Season!
Email us to schedule an audition - music@classicaluprising.org
ENSEMBLES
Circle: Grades K-1 | A group singing experience that teaches foundational music skills through movement and folk songs in multiple languages. The Circle experience is used to help young children use their head voices in singing, learn to focus and listen, and gain control over their own bodies.
Melodies: Grades 2-4 | An introductory choir that develops basic choral skills including music reading, vocal technique, and what makes a good performance. The Melodies experience hones the singer’s ability to match pitch and readies them for part-singing.
Trebles: Grades 5-8 | An intermediate choir that focuses on advancing vocal skills, ensemble work, and musicianship by singing more complex two- and three-part music. The singer must be able to match pitch and hold their part against another to be accepted in this group.
Concord: Grades 9-12 | A treble choir for advanced singers that teaches sophisticated choral repertoire and offers more frequent opportunities to perform. Excellent vocal technique, good musicianship, and cohesive ensemble work is stressed. European concert tours are planned for every other year.
“‘We create something much bigger than just individual voices’ - Horizon Voices youth choral director Maria Belva has been coaching kids for almost three decades.”
– Maine Sunday Telegram, September 17, 2023
Concord performing “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” and “Silent Night” - December 2020
MARIA BELVA, DIRECTOR
Maria Belva is a professional choral conductor and private voice teacher and serves as Director of the Horizon Voices youth choir program at Classical Uprising in Portland, Maine. She is the founder of the Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs in Peterborough, NH, and served as the organization’s director for 20 years. She is the former Music Director of the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, and has taught choral music in various private schools in New Hampshire. Belva has maintained a private voice studio for the past 25 years and is a Certified McClosky Voice Technician. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from State University of New York at Potsdam and a Master of Music from the University of Maine. mariabelva@gmail.com
EVAN CUDDY, assistant music DIRECTOR
Evan Cuddy (he/him/his) is thrilled to be making his 4th consecutive year with Horizon Voices, and 1st as assistant music director! He currently serves as organist/accompanist at the First Parish Church UCC in Yarmouth and as the general music and chorus teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in Portland. Evan has also served as musical director at Lyric Music Theatre, Portland Players, Deertrees Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, and is a frequent substitute violist with the Bangor Symphony. He can even be seen as a featured musician/extra in the movie Little Women. Evan holds degrees in music performance from Susquehanna University and the University of Southern Maine.
MATT LABERGE, TREBLE CHOIR LEADER
Matt LaBerge is a composer, conductor, performer, and educator whose work in the performing arts has seen him connect with hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. He currently serves as the Children’s Chorus Director and Main Stage Narrator at the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and as the Chorus Teacher at Scarborough Middle School. Matt holds a B.A. in Music and a B.M in Music Education from the University of Southern Maine. mattlaberge.com
