Children's Chorus of Rio Rancho
Building Confidence, Courage & Character One Note at a Time
Tickets for Our Spring Concert Now On Sale!
Join us for an afternoon filled with beautiful choral music.
Both the Children's Chorus and the Youth Chorus will be performing. There will be a bake sale at each performance to help raise funds for our next season!
All seating is general admission. Doors open at 2:30 pm. ASL interpretation is available for both performances.
About Us
We are located in Rio Rancho, but you don't have to be! The Children's Chorus of Rio Rancho welcomes elementary school aged (second-fifth grade) singers of all backgrounds, styles, cultures, orientations, abilities, identities.
No previous chorus experience is required – you just need to love to sing!
We accept new members twice a year in January/February and again in August/September.
Everyone is welcome!
Tuition is $150 per season, which includes 10-15 sessions of two-hours of instruction and rehearsal and t-shirt. Full and partial scholarships are available.
Our Purpose
The Children's Chorus of Rio Rancho offers musical instruction in a welcoming, open, and fun environment. Singers are encouraged to use their voice to create music together with children in a healthy and pleasing manner. They will learn proper breath control, tone production, pitch and rhythmic accuracy, and elementary musicianship. Through the group’s musical instruction and performance experience, CCRR hopes to instill confidence and self-esteem, skills that will serve our members for life. CCRR unites children of diverse backgrounds by bringing them together with the common thread of music. CCRR also advances the role of children making community art by offering a public performance at the end of each season.
Registration for our Spring Season is closed. We will open for new members in July 2026.
Our Rehearsals
The CCRR rehearses every Saturday 12:30pm-1:45pm, September through early December, and January through early May. We rehearse at Star Heights, 800 Polaris Blvd, Rio Rancho.
CCRR rehearsals begin with vocal warmups to physically prepare the chorus members’ voices for singing, and to teach vocal technique. After warm-ups, the chorus will work on repertoire for the season’s concerts, through which the director will help the singers to learn to read music and performance practice. Singers are encouraged to arrive 5 minutes early and to make sure they have their music with them and in their seats, ready to learn and participate. Some of the songs might have a movement component, so singers are encouraged to wear clothing appropriate for that activity. Parents are always invited to sit in on rehearsals as observers.
At the end of each season, members' efforts will culminate in a performance for the community.
Our Members
We know that there are many children in the community that are curious and enthusiastic about singing and performing, but as education budgets shrink, so do opportunities for these creative kids to participate and engage in musical activities. The CCRR welcomes prospective singers with all levels of talent and experience, whether it be to try something new or to further develop the skills and abilities of a singer with experience. We are proud that although our singers come from a variety of background and experience, they are able to come together as a group to create beautiful arts, lasting friendships, and community enrichment.
Leadership
Michelle Zetterholm
Children's Chorus of Rio Rancho, Artistic Director
Michelle Zetterholm is an Albuquerque native who was raised in the musical world. Beginning with children’s chorus at a young age, through currently singing as a member of the Opera Southwest chorus, she has always had a love for singing and making music when any opportunity arises. She received her BME from the University of Northern Colorado where she performed several well-known choral works, as well as sang in opera choruses in France and Germany. After graduating she returned home to pass that love and passion for performance to a new generation of musicians. She is currently the music teacher at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, where she teaches children ranging in age from pre-K through 8th grade. In addition to singing, she’s a trained violist who teaches a small studio of violin and viola students at home. When she’s not teaching or performing, she’s a mom to two of her own children who are beginning their own journeys as musicians.
Elvira Guillen
Children's Chorus of Rio Rancho, Rehearsal Accompanist
Elvira Guillen has been teaching piano in Rio Rancho for many years under the business name of Elvira Guillen Piano Studio for over 30 years. She has also accompanied orchestra and band students for their solo performances for as long as she has been teaching piano. She has accompanied vocalists for weddings and other church events and is currently teaching students to accompany vocalists for the Vocal Artistry Festival event in Albuquerque, NM.
She is an active member of Albuquerque Music Teachers Association and of New Mexico Federation Music Club Encore in Albuquerque, NM.
"I am excited to bring my love of music to RRCC and to encourage every child’s music creativity journey."
Our Rehearsal Space
Star Heights Recreation Center
Located at 800 Polaris Blvd, Rio Rancho
A special thanks to Rio Rancho Parks & Rec for graciously allowing us to use their space for rehearsals.
Watch the Children's Chorus Perform!
Showbiz Snowman
Be Part of the Creative Community
Join our programs, performances, and events designed to inspire creativity in people of all ages. Discover art, music, and theatre that bring our community together.
