Martin Benvenuto - 21V Founder and Artistic Director

21V is a new professional ensemble of sopraon and alto voices of all genders and gender identities, founded in the Bay Area during the Covid-19 pandemic. With its focus on 21st Century music of the Americas, 21V aims to serve as a beacon for a new generation of treble music lovers, and embraces an expansive view of inclusivity that inspires awareness and advocacy for underrepresented America Continent compositional voices and perspectives. ​

The best thing about returning to in-person rehearsal is bringing people together and enjoying how much singers appreciate each other, musically and socially. We needed that so much! The most difficult thing about this year was what I've dubbed "pivot from the pivot," i.e. having to adapt to the changes so frequently that we almost lost track of the original plan! For our first in-person concerts this past April, "Beyond Binary," 21V had the thrill of having bisexual rights activist Lani Ka'ahumanu as a special guest in the audience. We were performing two contrasting pieces that challenged gender stereotypes, so having the real life connection to Lani, whose work paved the way for increased acceptance of fluid sexual and gender identities, was an immeasurable enhancement to the music making an dthe audience experience. For more information, please visit WWW.21VCHOIR.ORG.