Young Naperville Singers to host riverwalk concert with alumna vocalist

Posted June 25, 2025 11:05 pm

By Chris Dyslin, Young Naperville Singers

The Young Naperville Singers will be heading outdoors this summer for a special open-air performances along the Naperville Riverwalk on Tuesday, July 15. They will be joined by alumna and professional jazz vocalist Isabella Isherwood. Courtesy of Young Naperville Singers

Fresh off the success of its spring concert series “Open Hands,” Young Naperville Singers will transform the Naperville Riverwalk into an open-air concert hall on Tuesday, July 15.

Alumna and professional jazz vocalist Isabella Isherwood will perform from a boat gliding along the river, and Young Naperville Singers choirs will gather at dusk to join her in an evening of music.

Young Naperville Singers celebrated its 41st performance season with four “Open Hands” concerts — May 4 at Neuqua Valley High School auditorium and May 11 at Wentz Concert Hall — showcasing all 11 choirs and 493 singers from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Bella Cantare singers have the opportunity to tour both regionally and internationally. Courtesy of Young Naperville Singers

Since its founding in 1984 by conductor Helen Grubbs, Young Naperville Singers has grown into an 11-choir organization of nearly 500 young voices.

Under artistic director Angie Johnson, Young Naperville Singers pursues a mission to sing with excellence, share music with the community and the world, and chart new musical paths.

Beginning and intermediate ensembles build skills that prepare singers for the advanced touring choirs — Canto Vivo and Bella Cantare (international tours) and Bella Voce, Ragazzi, and Cantabile (domestic tours).

Canto Vivo, one of the Young Naperville Singers ensembles, features boys in seventh to 12th grade. The singers have the opportunity to tour both regionally and internationally. Courtesy of Young Naperville Singers

Looking ahead

Upcoming projects include a concert collaboration with Lyyra (the U.S. companion ensemble to the renowned VOCES8), the return of guest ensemble Radius for the Boys Power Sing, and the Sing & Celebrate festival for elementary voices at Wentz Hall in February 2026 after a one-year hiatus.

Five Young Naperville Singers choirs are also slated to tour in summer 2026, with destinations to be announced. For more information, visit ynschoirs.org or contact the YNS office at (630) 369-9679.

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