About a year ago, Stephanie Houde set out to find a community arts organization in Lake Nona. With her background as a professional musician and her past involvement in different arts organizations that were shut down due to the 2020 pandemic, Houde was eager to reconnect with an artistic community, specifically, a choir. However, there was a problem: Lake Nona didn’t have any community arts organizations or choirs. Although Lake Nona High School offers robust and impressive arts programs, there was nothing available for adults. Plus, while neighboring areas like Downtown Orlando have great organizations, the thought of commuting 45 minutes downtown and back for rehearsal on a weeknight while also raising three school-aged kids wasn’t practical. So, Houde suggested to her husband: Why not leverage her experience running choirs to create a community arts organization right here in Lake Nona? It was then that Lake Nona Arts was born.
Houde began brainstorming, reaching out to her musically inclined brother-in-law and friend, to plan the inception of this community arts organization. The organization started with the name Lake Nona Arts because even though a choir was likely the most accessible avenue for engagement – after all, people sing all the time – they wanted to remain open to the possibility of collaborating with instrumentalists, dancers and other visual artists.
Their aim was to launch the choir by late May and carry it through the end of the holiday season. Another challenge was the lack of public spaces in Lake Nona for community organizations that do not have the funds to pay fees. Houde approached Spring of Life to see if they might be willing to provide a space for a group of Lake Nona residents who just wanted to sing. Fortunately, they agreed.
Lake Nona Arts’ success would be measured by the rehearsal attendance of at least 35 people. If interest dwindled throughout the season, it would signal that maybe Lake Nona just didn’t need a choir or community arts group. To their amazement, 90 people expressed interest in joining the choir. While not all 90 registrants attended rehearsal, the turnout exceeded all expectations. Lake Nona Arts performed four times in the fall.
While their fall lineup consisted primarily of outdoor performances, Lake Nona Arts is now gearing up for something indoors, what they fondly refer to as their “first inside concert.” For this upcoming concert on April 27, they plan to serenade the audience with music from the ’60s to today, including tunes from movies and Broadway, accompanied by a six-piece band. Additionally, local artists will have the opportunity to display their fine art at the venue.
The concert’s objective is to fill up seats at Spring of Life, their venue, and to share their love of music and arts with the community. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or simply someone who enjoys watching live music, everyone is welcome to attend.
Their motivation to perform stems from the joy of making music and forging connections with music lovers of diverse age ranges and abilities. Music has a profound ability to transcend barriers. Houde vividly recalls when Lake Nona Arts performed at Somerby, the local senior living community. During the performance around Valentine’s Day, a resident who, 20 years prior, had been part of a choir directed by Jonathan, Lake Nona Arts’ co-director, was moved to tears by the music. Despite being in memory care now, the music helped her remember Jonathan and other fond times.
For Lake Nona residents interested in joining or following along with Lake Nona Arts, it is an adult organization that understands the demands of life. While they hope members can attend rehearsals regularly, they recognize it may not always be possible. However, commitment to practicing independently with provided tracks is encouraged. The only non-negotiable rehearsals are the dress rehearsals, as the group aims to deliver a polished performance. The choir is open to all, with no auditions required and no prior musical knowledge necessary. The band, while self-selected, requires instrumentalists who can play along with the selected songs.
Anyone interested in joining or supporting Lake Nona Arts at their upcoming event can find them on Facebook or online at https://lakenonachoir.com/. Choir rehearsals take place on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 PM at Spring of Life Methodist Church. The choir welcomes participants 18 and older. While the first rehearsal is free, they kindly request that members contribute dues of $40 a semester to cover expenses such as sheet music, space rental and insurance.
For those keen on supporting Lake Nona Arts’ April event, keep an eye out for their reservation system. While the concert will be free, they may suggest a canned food donation for Second Harvest or a donation to Lake Nona Arts if possible. For additional inquiries, please contact Lake Nona Arts president Stephanie Houde via email at lakenonachoir@gmail.com.
