The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus
About Us
The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus (BNYC) provides outstanding choral education and performance opportunities for young singers from across Western New York. Serving singers ages 8–18, we place strong emphasis on healthy vocal technique, proper breathing, music literacy, and thoughtful interpretation— equipping singers with skills that serve them both musically and personally.
BNYC draws students from public schools, private schools, and homeschool communities throughout the region who share a love of music and a commitment to growth. The program includes three ensembles:
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Prelude Singers (Grades K-2)
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Bravo Singers (Grades 3-5)
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Encore Singers (Grades 6-12)
Together, these choirs offer age-appropriate, sequential musical training that supports both artistic excellence and personal development. The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus nurtures not only skilled singers, but confident, engaged young people who learn the value of teamwork, discipline, and artistic expression. Whether a singer continues into advanced choral study, joins our adult ensemble— Buffalo Master Chorale— or simply carries a lifelong love of music, Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus provides a strong and supportive foundation.
The Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus Continued
Our Goals
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Foster the personal and social growth of chorus members while promoting self-worth, confidence, accomplishment, and pride
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Expose children and youth to the values, traditions, and musical expressions of diverse cultures and societies
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Attain the highest levels of excellence in both public and recorded performances
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Maintain an inclusive membership open to children of all racial, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds
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Contribute meaningfully to the cultural life of Western New York, the nation, and the global community
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Enhance the quality of singing in area schools by offering a choral experience that extends beyond the typical school-based program
Enrollment
Registration for the Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus season typically opens in late July or early August, with an additional spring session beginning in January or early February. While enrollment is ongoing, singers may join throughout the year at the discretion of the director to ensure a positive and successful experience for each child and the ensemble as a whole.
To help families explore whether Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus is the right fit, open rehearsals are offered during the first four weeks of each session. Families are welcome to join us to observe and participate in rehearsals and see if their child would enjoy being part of one of our ensembles.
No auditions are required. We welcome any child who has a desire to sing and to learn in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Rehearsals:
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Prelude Singers (Grades K-2) - Wednesdays 4:45-5:30 -South Davis Elementary, Orchard Park
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Bravo Singers (Grades 3-5) - Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 - South Davis Elementary, Orchard Park
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Encore Singers (Grades 6-12) - Thursdays 5:30-6:30 - St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Orchard Park
Andrea Shurtliffe - Artistic Director
Andrea Shurtliffe received her Bachelor of Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University and continued her musical training at Duquesne University and The Eastman School of Music. Over the course of her 20+ year career, Mrs. Shurtliffe has worked with students of all ages. Much of her time was spent in the public schools of Pennsylvania where she taught K-12 general and choral music in addition to directing musical theater productions. In 2004 she was invited to present a reading session of new choral music at the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Division Conference in Boston, Massachusetts and in 2007 she served as a guest conductor for the Champlain Valley District III Honors Choir and the 2025 Vermont - ACDA Children’s Honor Choir, both in Burlington, Vermont.
Prior to her appointment as the Artistic Director of the Buffalo Niagara Youth Chorus, Mrs. Shurtliffe spent two years as the director of the BNYC Concert Choir. In addition, she served as the Artistic Director of the Cheektowaga Chorale from 2007 - 2022 and teaches music at the Orchard Park Cooperative Preschool, a program which she designed and implemented in 2017.
As a singer, Mrs. Shurtliffe has served as a soprano soloist and professional core member with the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, and the First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora. She lives in Colden, New York with her husband Brett, and 2 daughters, Madelyn and Ashlyn.