Meet the 10 singers from 6 countries who will be performing with the Tabernacle Choir during general conference
The singers — from Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, Malaysia, Philippines and Taiwan — are part of the Tabernacle Choir’s pilot program
For the first time in its 175-year history, participants living outside the United States will join the Tabernacle Choir during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are, from left, Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil; Ronald Baa of Cagayan, Philippines; Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Elisha Rubo-Oreriba Joseph of Accra, Ghana; Alvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil; PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan; Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan, Philippines; Georgina Montemayor Wong of Monterrey, Mexico; Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico; and Thalita de Carvalho of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
For the first time in its 175-year history, participants living outside the United States will join the 360-voice Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the upcoming 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 1-2. They will sing with the choir in the Saturday morning session and both Sunday sessions of general conference.
The 10 singers from six countries will be joining the Tabernacle choir as part of a new pilot program, reported ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Georgina Montemayor Wong smiles during her vocal assessment at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 20, 2023. International participants from several countries will sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the April 2023 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Montemayor Wong lives in Monterrey, Mexico. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Georgia Montemayor Wong, of Monterrey, Mexico, described it as “a dream come true” to sing with the Tabernacle Choir.
“We know it’s impossible for those of us who do not live there. So it’s only a dream very, very far away, like you cannot even think about it,” Montemayor Wong said.
Álvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil; baritone; attorney and graduate of BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School.
Álvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil. Álvaro sings baritone. He is a practicing attorney and graduate of Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. The photograph was taken on March 20, 2023, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. He is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil; baritone; architect; stake music specialist.
Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil. Rodrigo sings baritone. He is an architect and has been singing since his youth. He currently volunteers as a stake music specialist for his local congregation. The photograph was taken during a vocal assessment on March 20, 2023. He is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Thalita de Carvalho of São Paulo, Brazil; second soprano; undergraduate degree in choral conducting; stake choir conductor.
Thalita de Carvalho of São Paulo, Brazil, sings during a Choir rehearsal on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. She is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elisha Rubo-Oreriba Joseph of Accra, Ghana; second tenor; marketing manager; organist and organ instructor.
Elisha Tubo-Oreriba Joseph of Ghana and Nigeria participates in a Choir rehearsal at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 19, 2023. He is one of several International participants invited to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; first tenor; has a bachelor’s degree in music; drum teacher.
Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who sings first tenor and is a drum teacher, is shown during his vocal assessment at the Tabernacle on Temple Square on March 20, 2023. He is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico; second soprano; three children; undergraduate degree in architecture; pursuing a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in opera.
Georgina Montemayor Wong of Monterrey, Mexico; second soprano; four daughters; English teacher; stake music director.
Ronald Baa of Cagayan, Philippines; tenor; university music professor.
Ronald Baa of Cagayan, Philippines, who sings tenor and is a university music professor, participates in Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearsal at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 19, 2023. He is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan, Philippines; first soprano; pursuing a master’s in education.
Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan, Philippines, and a choir member read music during the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearsal on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Indino is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan; first alto; degree in music performance and education; music teacher.
PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) from Taipei, Taiwan, joins the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a Choir rehearsal on March 19, 2023. Chung is one of several International participants who will sing with the Choir during the April 2023 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Expanding mission
In November 2022, choir leaders announced an expanded mission statement and three pilot programs.
The expanded mission statement now reads: “The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performs music that inspires people throughout the world to draw closer to the divine and feel God’s love for His children.”
One of the pilot programs is to invite Latter-day Saint singers from many areas around the world to audition to sing with choir during general conference.
“The entire Church celebrates Christ. We not only speak His words, but we sing His praises,” said Choir President Mike Leavitt.
“Our goal now is to reach throughout the world to bring peace and healing. More than half the membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lives outside the United States. This is a means by which we not only reflect that membership, but it’s also a way in which we can bring a sense of belonging to people who live all over the world.”
Choir members are required to live within 100 miles of Salt Lake City, due to the organization’s rehearsal and performance schedule and the current four-stage application process can take several months.
President Leavitt said the pilot program opens the door for others with exceptional musical abilities to also engage on a temporary basis.
Elorza Avalos, of Tijuana, Mexico, said: “I think it’s very, very good for all the talent in the world to [get a chance] to be part of [the choir] because … we sing with all our hearts in our stakes, in our wards, in our choirs.” She is also Montemayor Wong’s sister-in-law, and neither knew the other auditioned.
Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico, takes a selfie with a choir member following a Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearsal on March 19, 2023. Several International participants will sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Montemayor Wong said that the sisters-in-law were asked to keep their auditions confidential so neither knew about the other’s participation until they received the announcement of their selection.
“She was like, ‘I didn’t know you were auditioning too!’… so she was crying, then I was crying,” said Montemayor Wong.
Choir members are also called to be ambassadors for the Church of Jesus Christ and to share their goodwill and faith through music.
“When they told me … that I’m going to be like a missionary for the choir, I [felt] so humble because I always wanted to serve a mission,” said Elorza Avalos. “Now it’s like two dreams in one — be part of the choir and serve like a missionary.”
PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan, participates in a rehearsal with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 19, 2023, following the weekly “Music & the Spoken Word” broadcast. She is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Arriving in Salt Lake City
During the selection process, the international participants had to demonstrate their vocal ability and proficiency in music theory and English. They were selected in December 2022 and had digital recordings and virtual practice sessions to prepare.
They arrived in Salt Lake City the weekend of March 18-20 and joined in choir rehearsals, attended choir school; toured Temple Square, Church’s Welfare Square and Bishop’s Central Storehouse; and visited several Church historical sites.
President Dallin H. Oaks,of the First Presidency and his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, spent time with the global participants of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. President and Sister Oaks are pictured with the group on Friday, March 25, in the Church Office Building. They are, from left, PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan; Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil; Thalita De Carvalho of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Alvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil; Georgina Montemayor Wong of Monterrey, Mexico; President Oaks; Sister Oaks; Elisha Rubo-Oreriba Joseph of Accra, Ghana; Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico; Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan, Philippines; and Ronald Baa of Cagayan, Philippines. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The group also met with President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor of the First Presidency, and his wife, Sister Kristen M. Oaks, and they sang two hymns for them on Friday, March 25, in the Church Office Building.
“It is a very important step forward,” President Oaks said to the new participants. “It’s something I hoped for many years could happen, but it’s very difficult. You make sacrifices — all of you — to be here.
“People all over the world are going to be proud that the Tabernacle Choir is not just a choir for Utah and Salt Lake City, but it’s a choir representing the whole world.”
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Elisha Tubo-Oreriba Joseph of Ghana and Nigeria participates in a Choir rehearsal at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 19, 2023. He is one of several International participants invited to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan participates in a rehearsal with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 19, 2023, following the weekly "Music & the Spoken Word" broadcast. She is is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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For the first time in its 175-year history, participants living outside the United States will join the Tabernacle Choir during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are, from left, Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil; Ronald Baa of Cagayan, Philippines; Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Elisha Rubo-Oreriba Joseph of Accra, Ghana; Alvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil; PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) of Taipei, Taiwan; Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan, Philippines; Georgina Montemayor Wong of Monterrey, Mexico; Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico; and Thalita De Carvalho of Sao Paulo, Brazil. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Rodrigo Domaredzky of Curitiba, Brazil. Rodrigo sings baritone. He is an architect and has been singing since his youth. He currently volunteers as a stake music specialist for his local congregation. The photograph was taken during a vocal assessment on March 20, 2023. He is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Georgina Montemayor Wong smiles during her vocal assessment at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 20, 2023. International participants from several countries will sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the April 2023 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Montemayor Wong lives in Monterrey, Mexico. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Alvaro Jorge Martins of Natal, Brazil. Alvaro sings baritone. He is a practicing attorney and graduate of Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. The photograph was taken on March 20, 2023 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
He is is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elisha Rubo-Oreriba Joseph of Accra, Ghana, sings during a vocal assessment on March 20, 2023. He is is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Jonathan How of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, who sings first tenor and is a drum teacher, is shown during his vocal assessment at the Tabernacle on Temple Square on March 20, 2023. He is is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Sundae Mae Indino of Cagayan, Philippines during her vocal assessment at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The photograph was taken on March 20, 2023. Indino is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Thalita de Carvalho of São Paulo, Brazil during a Choir rehearsal on Sunday, March 19, 2023, in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. She is is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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PeiShang Chung (Kylie Zhong) from Taipei, Taiwan joins the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for a Choir rehearsal on March 19, 2023. Chung is one of several International participants who will sing with the Choir during the April 2023 general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ronald Baa of Cagayan, Philippines, who sings tenor and is a university music professor, participates in Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearsal at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on March 19, 2023. He is is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Sundae Mae Indino of the Cagayan, Philippines and a choir member read music during the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearsal on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Indino is one of several international participants chosen to sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Denisse Elorza Avalos of Tijuana, Mexico, takes a selfie with a choir member following a Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square rehearsal on March 19, 2023. Several International participants will sing with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the 193rd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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