(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton Children’s Chorus (TCC) has inspired the creativity and artistry of young people throughout Mercer County since 1989. For over 30 years, the joy of children’s voices has illuminated the halls of local, state, and national venues, whose leaders have ranged from church pastors to internationally-acclaimed musicians, to even President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.
For many alumni of the program – including parents – TCC has not only served as a conduit for premiere performance opportunities. The trademark care and attention that the artistic and administrative staff offer to each child becomes an essential part of their growth into young adults. The legacy often comes full circle, with TCC alumni and parents serving as mentors, board members, staff, volunteers, and Learning Coaches through the TCC Learning Academy.
Two such members of the TCC community that have returned to serve the organization include Dawana Richardson, Board Member (former TCC parent, affiliate since 2009) and Willy Rivas, inaugural TCC Alumni Coordinator (TCC alumnus, affiliate since 1995). Richardson, a well-known singer and musical leader of Trenton (together with her saxophonist husband, Roy Richardson, Jr.), enrolled her twins in TCC’s program in 2009. Rivas, currently an affiliate of Rutgers University, joined TCC as a chorister along with his sister, Marilu, in the late 1990’s.
During a time when choral music continues to be challenged by the ongoing pandemic, these two community leaders rejoined TCC in their official roles in January 2021. Familiar with the unparalleled experiences ensemble singing afford children, Richardson and Rivas offer their perspectives on the role of TCC in the Trenton community, their favorite moments, and why programs like TCC are important, especially now in the current restless climate.
How long have you been affiliated with TCC?
Dawana: Since about 2009, when my twins Tobias and Tabia became choristers.
Willy: I started my involvement with TCC in 1995. At the time, TCC did not have a high school program so my time as a chorister came to a close in 1998. During my time in high school, however, I remained a volunteer with TCC helping chaperone some of the younger ones and helping out during retreats and concerts.
What brought you back to serve TCC?
Dawana: I want to give back to TCC because someone was there to give when my children were involved. I'm just coming "full circle".
Willy Up until recently, I really did not know how to give back to TCC. Encapsulating all of my prior experiences afforded me the opportunity to now serve TCC in a better capacity as Alumni Coordinator; which can possibly lead to the growth of the organization.
What is your favorite TCC memory?
Dawana: When our twins performed at the White House for the Obamas under the direction of Patty Thel; and when they auditioned and became members of the national Peace Train in 2016.
Willy One of my favorite TCC memories are the rehearsals at Bethany Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Page would always have a rubber band handy to remind us the shape in which our mouth would have to be when singing. It's the little moments like these that have I have the fondest memories of.
Why is TCC important for Trenton, especially now?
Dawana: Children in our city are lacking a music program with a rich and diverse experience. They should be able to broaden their horizons and learn more about the world around them and music is certainly that gateway!
Willy TCC is an important organization for the city of Trenton. It fulfills several needs that the city, parents and students need. Music programs, and arts programs overall, have proven to be beneficial to students. TCC provides further resources to students to learn and fine tune their musical skills in ways that may not be offered to them at their schools. The parents get a safe place for their children to attend while getting a great musical enrichment program. These programs are essential for the city of Trenton because it creates options for parents for their children to participate in extracurricular programs that are affordable. As the prices of other sports and activities increase, having programs like TCC be available and affordable allows parents to put their children in a worthwhile program without putting too much financial hardship on the family.
What is your dream for TCC's role in Trenton?
Dawana: TCC has always been Trenton's "Best kept secret"! It is my desire for Trenton Children's Chorus to be that BEACON that we all know it should and could be. They will be the BOAST of the Capital City!!
Willy My dream for TCC is to become synonymous with the city of Trenton. My dream is for TCC is become nationally recognized as a top tier organization that serves the youth in a manner that positively impacts their lives - making them better students, better musicians, but overall, greater citizens of Trenton.
Trenton Children’s Chorus is an after-school program that traditionally provides exceptional choral music education and performance opportunities for over 100 young people in grades K-12 from Trenton and the surrounding communities, as well as academic support, SAT prep, assistance with college application, and summer camp scholarships. TCC’s transformative experiences have included performances at the White House, United Nations, the National Cathedral, the Library of Congress, the inauguration of Governor Chris Christie, Princeton University, in concert with Bobby McFerrin, Dave Brubeck and Stanley Jordan and for local corporate, community, church, and private events.
Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
