About the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Since its founding in 1978, the San Francisco Girls Chorus (SFGC) has redefined what a youth chorus can be: a powerhouse of artistry, education, and innovation that amplifies the unique and compelling sound of young voices. Guided by a mission to create transformative performances while shaping the future of the art form, SFGC has become an international leader in treble choral music and a vital cultural force in the Bay Area and beyond.

Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Valérie Sainte-Agathe, the Chorus has cultivated an incomparable sound—crystal-clear, dramatic, and deeply expressive. This vibrant artistry brings to life more than a millennium of music, from ancient plainchant to adventurous contemporary works written specifically for the ensemble. Each performance is not only meticulously crafted but also revelatory, offering audiences both intellectual engagement and emotional connection.

Every year, hundreds of singers ages 4–18 from across 45 Bay Area cities take part in SFGC’s programs, finding their voices through exceptional training while gaining confidence, creativity, and leadership skills that reach far beyond the concert hall. A recognized leader on the national and international stages, SFGC has produced award-winning concerts, recordings, and tours, setting the gold standard for both performance and education while empowering our members to excel in music and in life.

SFGC is also forward thinking. By commissioning new works from today’s most influential composers, collaborating with world-renowned guest artists, and partnering with leading institutions, the Chorus offers its young singers unparalleled opportunities to perform at the highest levels. Annual appearances with the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Symphony are complemented by landmark partnerships with the San Francisco Ballet, Kronos Quartet, Opera Parallèle, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, New Century Chamber Orchestra, TEDxSanFrancisco, DJ Spooky, and more. National highlights include performances at Lincoln Center for the NY Phil Biennial, at the Kennedy Center for SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras, and a sold-out Carnegie Hall collaboration with the Philip Glass Ensemble, broadcast worldwide by Medici TV.

SFGC’s artistry has been recognized with five GRAMMY Awards, four ASCAP/Chorus America Awards for Adventurous Programming, and Chorus America’s prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence—the first ever awarded to a youth chorus.

This tradition of excellence is built on a lineage of visionary leaders. Founded by Elizabeth Appling, who served as Artistic Director until 1992, SFGC’s artistic leadership has also included Sharon J. Paul (1992–2000), Magen Solomon (2000–2001, interim), Susan McMane (2001–2012), Brandon Brack (2012–2013, interim), and Lisa Bielawa (2013–2018), before Valérie Sainte-Agathe took the helm in 2018.

From its founding to its present, the San Francisco Girls Chorus has been more than a chorus—it has been a movement, one that champions artistic excellence, fosters community, and ensures that the voices of our singers continue to shape the future of music.

Our Home is The Kanbar Center. A Hub for the Arts and Community

Each year, more than two dozen arts, cultural, educational, and community organizations benefit from the Kanbar Center, making it a vital shared resource in San Francisco’s creative ecosystem. By offering space for both SFGC’s programs and for other non-profit organizations, the building fosters collaboration and artistic exchange across the Bay Area.