The Yugambeh Youth Choir was founded in 2014 by yarrabilginngunn (songwoman) Candace Kruger, with support from the Kombumerri Aboriginal Corporation for Culture. The choir aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth (age 5-25) in South East Queensland to engage with culture and language, and to find a place in the community we are building together.

Using a combination of traditional language, instruments, and sometimes dance, the Yugambeh Youth Choir weaves the culture and stories of the region together, performing both traditional and original compositions at a wide range of events, from modest local gatherings to major national and international events.

Members of the choir benefit from cultivating a sense of confidence, belonging and social cohesion as they develop their cultural identities and engage with community. Encouraged by the work they do with the choir, many of our members have been known to take on cultural leadership roles in the wider community. Through unique training and development, the choir fosters lifelong skills in the performing arts, and offers incredible performance opportunities, such as the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony in 2018. Most importantly, our members are supported and encouraged in pursuing their ongoing education.

Through great support from the community, the Yugambeh Youth Choir has made several wonderful achievements so far. We are particularly proud to have sung the Australian National Anthem in Yugambeh and English with the Australian Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium, to have performed for an international televised audience in the Closing Ceremony at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and to have released an original song, ‘Morning Star and Evening Star’, with AMEB Online Orchestra.