How appropriate that this year’s Olympic theme is “Inspire a Generation” and that Go Inspire Go is on the go at the Olympics with the youth choir VOENA, which will leave you on a high note.

Hello from Olympic Park! I’m literally blogging from inside the holding area right now as we wait for the group to put on their colorful costumes, primp and prep. The energy here is awe-inspiringly-invigorating!

WOW. I’m going to try my best to convey what I’m experiencing here in videos, blogs and pictures.

The thought that athletes from around the globe — the best of the best — have converged here to do what they love most while sharing their talents on this worldwide stage blows my mind!

But not everyone is competing for the gold — some are performing in another light.

I’m on the road with Benicia, Calif.-based children’s performing group/choir Voices of Eve ‘N Angels, a.k.a. VOENA. The group was one of at least two youth choirs invited by the Local London Olympic Committee to perform on opening day.

They’re a multicultural group that I like to consider a tribe of angels who sing, dance and lift your spirits. They literally sound like angels as they harmonize songs in more than 20 different languages.

The first time I listened to them sing, I got the chills and couldn’t help but smile. So when they invited me along for their Olympic adventure, I jumped on the plane, train and tube to capture these authentically awesome moments for you to see. Just take a listen to a clip of their performance at Olympic Park:

There’s lots to love about VOENA: their genuine joy while singing, colorful costumes, songs and the multicultural mix of kids (plus a few adults) whose ages range from 5-18. But what I love most is that founder Annabelle Marie inspires the group of more than 150 kids to discover their voice and use it for good. They’ve infused inspiration and happiness in the lives of the community, also singing at schools and charity events.

“We’re unique because of our no audition policy. Each of them has to earn their role in the choir. We call it the VOENA BIG 3: First, accept the challenge. Then be self-motivated. And embrace a hard work ethic.” said Marie.

It’s been a jam packed trip so far: lots of traveling, rehearsals, performances and a bit of sightseeing. As a part of the Olympic celebrations, VOENA was invited to sing at the passing of the torch at the London Canal Museum, Central Hall Westminster and with Mediaeval Baebes.

Adding to the mix of exciting entertainment, Mediaeval Baebes, UK’s top selling vocal ensemble, invited VOENA to sing at their concert at St. John at Hackney in London.

“We are so honored that VOENA has accepted our invitation to sing here in London,” said Mediaeval Baebes chanteuse, Clare Edmonsdson, excitedly. “They are so authentic and seem to be in the moment and fully enjoy singing.”

Edmonsdson said her manager saw VOENA on YouTube and extended the invitation to celebrate and collaborate in London.

“The kids are incredible!” Mediaeval Baebes member Sarah Kayte Foster told me backstage as her eyes welled up in tears. “They make me to want to go home and write more music.”

I’m constantly impressed by the maturity of the VOENA kids, their endurance and positive attitudes. Behind the scenes, the kids have to endure lots of traveling, long rehearsals and navigating a new environment — all executed with professionalism, finesse and angel-like voices.

No matter what language they’re singing in, I’ve witnessed VOENA voices resonating with every audience they touch, as concert goers clap, smile and wipe back tears. I guess love, joy and inspiration can be felt in all languages.

The musical journey doesn’t stop here in London. They’re also slated to sing in Dublin, Ireland, after their London trip at Artane School of Music and Beaumont Hospital.

Want more inspiration?

Follow us @GoInspireGo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to witness more musical moments on the go with VOENA!

Onward,
Toan Lam
“Chief Inspirator,” Go Inspire Go

The post VOENA Inspires Worldwide Audience in London 2012 Summer Olympics appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

As a successful artist manager and music consultant from England, Natalie Pryce has worked with many entertainment industry stars — Prince, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, Taio Cruz and newcomer Loick Essien — to name a few.

However, it’s not just these high notes in her professional career that enliven her. Her personal mission and passion to create a SAFE place for youth to create music and harmony in their lives, and community is her familiar tune.

Natalie shares how a chance meeting with a stranger, Father Andrew Stringfellow, on a train in the UK, inspired her life’s passion to be elevated and transformed into something quite remarkable. Watch and find out how Natalie uses her power, connections and love for music to orchestrate a unique SAFE place for youth from all backgrounds together.

Your day will end on a high note as you watch Father Andrew, local police and the community band together to give youth alternatives and structure to achieve their dreams.

Their goal is to raise £20,000 ($31,692 U.S. dollars) to create a music studio, take the group on tour and ultimately to spread the word on how communities orchestrate with the power of music and create safe havens for many Children around the world.

My Dad said, “We all have music inside of us, don’t die with it inside of you — share it.” Figuratively he meant that we are all put in this world to share our music, our message and that we have a finite time to harmonize our soul and create an impact on humanity.

Natalie, Father Andrew and their community embodies that melody. I hope it resonates with you and inspires you to be an “instrument” of action.

What can you do to share your music with the world?
What can YOU do?!

Immerse Yourself:
1. SAFE NEEDS TEACHERS, STUDIO EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS
2. SAFE NEEDS TO RAISE £20,000 TO BUILD A RECORDING STUDIO
3. IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUPPORT OR CONTRIBUTE EMAIL: andrewjstringfellow@yahoo.co.uk

* If you or someone you know wants to be considered for an interview, contact us.

Follow us @GoInspireGo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube

The post Tea with Toan: Using Music to Unify Youth, Spark Inspiration and Harmony appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Watch how they inspired hope in the UK and beyond with their new found mantra, “Make tea, not war!”

I’m back in the United States after spending over a week in England, where order seems to have been restored on the London streets.

Most people here in America seemed to be unaffected by the mayhem and aftermath of the damage — broken glass, burned down cars and buildings and the harrowing stories of those caught in the thick of the senseless rioting in the United Kingdom.

My hope was to incorporate a Go Inspire Go (GIG) story during my travels in the UK. I went to England to witness a magical wedding of my friends Cathy and Julian. Their wedding was enchanting, with special elements and inspiring new friendships. The backdrop: Durham Cathedral, also familiar to many in “Harry Potter,” as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Like the magic of Hollywood, this new GIG story also unraveled in a fairy tale fashion, starting with meeting new friends at a Lumley Castle reception.

Fiona Pattison, with happy4pr, was inspired by GIG and is now helping us launch in the UK. We immediately connected. With warmth, she asked, “Are you going to do a story on the riots?” Right when we met, we were on the same wavelength — it was amazing. She introduced me to Oli Cohen, who founded Resonate Productions.

We immediately joined forces to produce a GIG video. Fiona had the perfect GIG story in mind and quickly connected me to her friend, Jonathan Walker and his lovely wife Philippa Morgan Walker who are now well known for their kind act amidst the chaos that erupted from the rioting.

Like many Americans, the Walkers felt distant from the rioting — despite their close proximity to the brimming violence and looting that happened just neighborhoods away. “We didn’t think it would happen here,” admitted Jonathan.

They did not expect that soon their lives would be in danger, taking a couple of turns along the way. After desperately trying to get back home to safety amidst the riots, they wanted to do something nice for the officer who eventually offered to escort them home.

They asked a simple question, “Would you fancy a cup of tea?”

It’s amazing how this simple act of kindness inspired the country, the community and the Prime Minister. The London riots are literally won over by a nation of tea lovers!

No matter where you’re living, you’re a part of humanity — so in effect this does affect you. “It’s empowering to know that you actually have a lot of impact on your surrounding. Just please please, please, please, always do something. Just the tiny bit of light ceases darkness to exist,” emphasized Philipa.

“Life is full of moments, good and bad. And in those moments they can change the world’s consciousness, make people aware of the world they are living in. A community has a voice and can make a difference, even if it is to help clean up what others have tried to destroy. The riots have simply made people stronger and helped to restore faith in human kindness,” Fiona believed.

This is what I found remarkable: That out of chaos came togetherness. The riots simply showed people’s sense of community and many small acts of kindness — from kind acts with cupcakes, volunteer community cleanup crews and others chipping in to help the victims — added up to create a lot of change that helped to restore faith in human kindness in a time of great fear and loss.

While many people blame the rioters — I ask you to hold your judgment — my question is where do we go wrong as human beings? Where were the family members and role models in their lives? What if someone said or did something small, something kind that could’ve thwarted their actions?

What can YOU do?

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