Introducing: Off the Record, a new series by San Diego Magazine and SDM Studios where we invite musicians and artists to join in us in our office to jam out. We’re kicking it off with San Diego’s own Voices of Our City choir.
Local musician Steph Johnson founded Voices of Our City choir in 2016, when she saw how many unhoused San Diegans were artists and musicians. Johnson and late choir director Nina Deering brought a whole bunch of those voices together, and in the years since, the nonprofit has impacted the lives of over 275 San Diegans affected by homelessness, offering them a safe space to foster creativity, community, and dignity.
In 2020, the rest of the nation heard their voices, too–the choir earned the Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent. For episode one of Off the Record, a dozen choir members hauled their instruments (including a full drum set) to the SDM office to perform a few original songs. We could tell you that the joy and camaraderie was palpable, or that we got goosebumps at least twice… but we thought we’d show you instead.
Check out the full performance here.
