Toy Choir is the happiest choir on earth! Girls aged 10-16 learn to play the ukulele, write songs, and perform in a fun, inclusive community on Saturday mornings!
Participants quickly learn and develop their rhythm, pitch and understanding of chords, which lays a solid foundation for their own music writing journeys. Through the development of these skills, participants grow in confidence and find their creative spark! apply here.
"Toy Choir matches the
sweet perfection of young
voices with the joyous sounds
of pop harmonies and infectious ukulele strumming. The original songs overflow with lyrics and images from the imaginations
of the young songwriters"
Toy Choir is run by Not-For-Profit organisation The House that Dan Built. It is important to us that money not be a barrier to participation, and need-based scholarships are available, please apply here.
“One of my most memorable
experiences at The House is when I
wrote my first song in Vietnamese. Living
on a visa as a temporary resident in an English-dominated, white-centric country, my experiences with The House and Toy Choir allowed me to challenge not only the audience stereotypes, but my own
perception that music required English
to be your first language.”
- participant
Based in UTS Haymarket at the heart of Sydney we are within walking distance of Central Station. We are supported by Create NSW and City of Sydney Council to provide opportunities for girls.
Toy Choir has the opportunity to perform at both significant public events, as well as concerts for family and friends. Past appearances have included, TED Sydney, Sydney Festival, The Australian Museum, The Venice Biennale in Angelica Mesiti’s “Assembly”, Sydney Mardi Gras with Paul Capsis, and the Sydney Chamber Opera.
“The House is an
anomaly for myself and
many others- it is a diverse
community of people that help
you to love social interactions that
would otherwise seem impossible
and overwhelming. It is a strange but exciting feeling to contribute to the wealth of knowledge and to feel
that, as a young person, my voice
will always be heard and
immensely valued.”
- participant
about us
our history
2014 - 2015
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TOY CHOIR is founded by Danielle O'Keefe, with weekly workshops.
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TOY CHOIR does flash mob performances around Sydney.
2016
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TOY CHOIR opens the 2016 Sydney Mardi Gras with Paul Capsis.
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Toy Choir begins weekly workshops.
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Toy Choir conducts its first concert.
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Holiday workshops in collaboration with Starlight at the Sydney Children's Hospital.
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Performances at the TOY FESTIVAL.
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First AKIN trip with Toy Choir girls to DENILIQUIN and Deni Uke Muster.
2017
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The Toy Choir performs "Let's Dance" at the 2017 Sydney Festival.
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Toy Choir moves from the Rex Centre to the Yellow Umbrella.
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2017 AKIN tour to DENILIQUIN, and performances at the DENI UKE MUSTER.
2018
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Launch of the first TOY CHOIR songwriting book, USB Album and Songwriting dice.
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The Toy Choir performs in concert at the Bondi Pavilion.
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Performance in recognition of Honourable Justice Virginia Bell at the Women's Club.
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Toy Choir members work with Sydney Chamber Opera in 'The Howling Girls'
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Toy Choir members work with Angelica Mesiti in 'ASSEMBLY' for Venice Biennale d'Art.
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AKIN tours to BROKEN HILL.
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The Toy Choir performs at the Better Business Awards.
2019
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AKIN tour to
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The Toy Choir records their 2nd album.
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The Toy Choir performs in their end of year concert.
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End of year performances in Nursing Homes and Flashmobs.
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Day of the Girl 2019
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The Toy Choir celebrates International Day of the Girl by performing across Sydney and conducting corporate workshops. ​
2020
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AKIN tour to GUNNEDAH completed.
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First Online Toy Choir Concert performed to over 460 online audience members.
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Toy Choir TV development begins.
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The Toy Choir Pack is launched, delivered across AUSTRALIA to enable accessible singing and songwriting resources from home.
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TOY CHOIR weekly classes move to the National Art School.
2021
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Weekly Saturday classes commence at the National Art School
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two AKIN tours completed
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​2nd AKIN tour to GUNNEDAH
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2nd AKIN tour BROKEN HILL
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worked with 268 girls across NSW.​​
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TOY CHOIR moves to 107 Projects
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Second E-Book Release
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249 creative kids songwriting packs delivered across NSW.
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Development of 2nd TOY CHOIR pack.
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Development of TOY CHOIR BOOK.
2022
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Weekly Saturday Classes began and the Registrar General’s Building
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The start of Toy Choir TV filming
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One AKIN tour completed
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3rd AKIN tour to GUNNEDAH
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Hurstville Tutoring College Holiday Ukulele Workshop
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City of Sydney Carols Performance
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TedX Performance
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Barangaroo International Tower Performance
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Toy Choir Performances at the Whispers and Roars Festival
2023
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Weekly Saturday Classes Commenced in Haymarket creative in UTS
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Toy Choir was part of the 100 Women 100 Voices Choir
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3rd AKIN tours to GUNNEDAH and BROKEN HILL
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Australian Museum Toy Choir Tour
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Bronte Public School Ukulele Workshop
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Christmas performances across Sydney
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