Children's Choir
Sing! Learn! Belong!
The University of Northern Iowa Children’s Choir (UNICC) invites young singers in grades 3–9 to experience the joy of making music together on UNI’s campus. Through engaging rehearsals and inspiring performances, children grow as musicians, build confidence, and form lasting friendships—all in a supportive, inclusive environment.
The UNI Children's Choir provides a program of music education and choral performance that seeks to fulfill each child's potential, while striving to create a model of artistic excellence and diversity that represents, enriches, and gives back to the community. Singers receive training in healthy vocal technique and music literacy and have the opportunity to foster friendships while making music together with their peers.
The UNI Children's Choir is part of the UNI Community Music School and is led by experienced music educators who are passionate about helping each child discover their voice.
Members of the UNI Children's Choir rehearse weekly on Tuesday evenings during the academic year on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa and present performances throughout the year.
Collaborative highlights and featured performances for the choir include the Association of Teacher Education Tri-I Conference, the Heartland Millennium Festival, the North Central Choral Festival, the Iowa Choral Directors (ICDA) Convention, the Midwest Children's Choir Festival, the UNI Chamber Orchestra, UNI Varsity Glee Club, and the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra.
Get Started with the Choir! (1 child)
Get Started with the Choir! (family)
✔ High-quality music education
Singers develop healthy vocal technique, music literacy, and ensemble skills appropriate to their age and experience.
✔ Confidence & connection
Children gain confidence, teamwork skills, and friendships while working toward shared artistic goals.
✔ Perform with professionals
UNICC regularly collaborates with the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, UNI Chamber Orchestra, and UNI Varsity Glee Club.
✔ A welcoming community. We value diversity and strive to create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and encouraged.
Parents choose the UNI Children’s Choir because it combines high‑quality music education with a fun, supportive environment where children thrive.
Families value that their children:
✔ Feel welcomed and included, regardless of musical experience
✔ Build confidence through weekly music‑making and performances
✔ Form friendships and learn teamwork in a positive group setting
✔Learn to sing safely and expressively in an age‑appropriate way
✔ Experience the excitement and pride of performing on a professional stage
- $279 per academic year (includes a 10% full‑year registration discount)
- $155 per semester
- 10% family discount per child for families registering two or more children (academic year or semester). Families must register using the Family Registration Form to receive the discounted rate.
- Monthly payment plans available
- Semester registration requires payment in full or a payment plan established by the second week of rehearsal
*Students registering at the beginning of the academic year are expected to commit to participation for the entire year. The UNI Children’s Choir also welcomes new members at the beginning of the spring semester, as space allows.
Refund Policy
- Partial refund available if a student withdraws during the second week of the semester
- No refunds after the fourth week of the semester
Financial Assistance
Need-based financial assistance is available on a first-come basis. Families who wish to be considered must submit the Financial Aid Application by August 3 prior to registration. Applicants will be notified by email once their application has been reviewed.
✔ High-quality music education
Singers develop healthy vocal technique, music literacy, and ensemble skills appropriate to their age and experience.
✔ Confidence & connection
Children gain confidence, teamwork skills, and friendships while working toward shared artistic goals.
✔ Perform with professionals
UNICC regularly collaborates with the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, UNI Chamber Orchestra, and UNI Varsity Glee Club.
✔ A welcoming community. We value diversity and strive to create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and encouraged.
Parents choose the UNI Children’s Choir because it combines high‑quality music education with a fun, supportive environment where children thrive.
Families value that their children:
✔ Feel welcomed and included, regardless of musical experience
✔ Build confidence through weekly music‑making and performances
✔ Form friendships and learn teamwork in a positive group setting
✔Learn to sing safely and expressively in an age‑appropriate way
✔ Experience the excitement and pride of performing on a professional stage
- $279 per academic year (includes a 10% full‑year registration discount)
- $155 per semester
- 10% family discount per child for families registering two or more children (academic year or semester). Families must register using the Family Registration Form to receive the discounted rate.
- Monthly payment plans available
- Semester registration requires payment in full or a payment plan established by the second week of rehearsal
*Students registering at the beginning of the academic year are expected to commit to participation for the entire year. The UNI Children’s Choir also welcomes new members at the beginning of the spring semester, as space allows.
Refund Policy
- Partial refund available if a student withdraws during the second week of the semester
- No refunds after the fourth week of the semester
Financial Assistance
Need-based financial assistance is available on a first-come basis. Families who wish to be considered must submit the Financial Aid Application by August 3 prior to registration. Applicants will be notified by email once their application has been reviewed.
Let's Get Started with the Children's Choir at UNI!
2026 - 2027 Rehearsal & Performance Schedule
Fall Semester
Fall rehearsals start August 25
- Rehearsals will meet weekly, on Tuesdays at Jebe Hall in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
- Allegro (grades 3-5) will rehearse from 6:00 - 7:15pm.
- Vivace (grades 6-9) will rehearse from 7:15-8:30pm.
- Mandatory Parent/Guardian meeting at the beginning of the third rehearsal.
- There will be no rehearsal on November 24
- Dress Rehearsal: TBA
- Fall Concert: December 15 at 7:30pm (Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center)
Spring Semester
Spring rehearsals start January 19
- Rehearsals will meet weekly, on Tuesdays at Jebe Hall in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.
- Allegro (grades 3-5) will rehearse from 6:00-7:15pm.
- Vivace (grades 6-9) will rehearse from 7:15-8:30pm.
- Mandatory Parent/Guardian meeting at the beginning of the third rehearsal.
- There will be no rehearsal on March 16
- Dress Rehearsal: TBA
- Spring Concert: May 11 at 7:30pm (Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center)
*Dates/Times of rehearsals are subject to change with advanced notice.
Meet the Artistic Director
Ryan Occeña is the Artistic Director of both the UNI Children’s Choir and the Metropolitan Chorale, and serves as the secondary chorus instructor for the Cedar Valley Catholic Schools in Waterloo, IA. In his first decade as a music educator and choral conductor, he taught and directed students in preK through college at public, private, and parochial programs in Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, and Iowa. Some highlights of his early career include conducting the Roslyn High School Choir at Carnegie Hall and directing the Webb Family Singers at the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in Glen Cove, NY.
Concert Attire
Concert attire for Children's Choir members includes the Children's Choir tshirt and black on the bottom (black pants, long skirt, and socks). New members will receive a free tshirt. If returning members would like to purchase a new or additional tshirt, you can do so at registration.
Rehearsals
- Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Jebe Hall
- Students in grades 3-5 attend rehearsal from 6:15-7:15pm
- Students in grades 4-9 attend rehearsal from 7:15-8:15
- All members are expected to attend weekly rehearsals and participate in performances.
- Parking is available in the visitor's lot adjacent to the Gallagher Bluedorn. Parking may be limited on days where events are scheduled for the Gallagher Bluedorn or UNI School of Music.
- Rehearsal absences should be reported to childrenschoir@uni.edu.
Collaborative Pianist
Mariko Morita is an adjunct instructor at UNI, where she teaches Music Appreciation and serves as a collaborative pianist. She began organ studies at the age of five and grew up performing on the stage. Earning BM and MM degrees in Organ Performance from Seton Hill and Emory Universities, she was honored to be the first Japanese to receive a Doctor of Music degree in Organ Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Her teachers include Tokuko Yoshida, Edgar Highberger, Timothy Albrecht, Larry Smith, Marilyn Keiser and Christopher Young.
Choir Assistants
At every rehearsal, you will find UNI students working with the Children's Choir. Assistants are generally music education majors at UNI.
This semester's assistant(s) are:
UNI Children's Choir Performs at Midwest Children's Choir Festival!
