Spanish Language Choir
Sonidos Del Alma - Learn Spanish Through Song!
Spanish language choir Sonidos del Alma is under the direction of Colombian singer-songwriter Iaki Vallejo. The choir will specialise in songs from Latin America such as the Mexican bolero Besame mucho, the Colombian cumbia El pescador and the Chilean classic Todo cambia. The repertoire will also include arrangements of Iaki’s own songs with the purpose of creating opportunities to perform together in her shows.
Iaki will also teach skills like holding your own part in a harmony. Her pursuit of music has taken her all over the world with an international career in South America, Europe and Australia.
Sing together in a fun, relaxed and friendly environment as part of the exciting Spanish language choir Sonidos del Alma. No experience needed.
Enrolments for Sonidos Del Alma Term 1, 2025 is now open!
Sonidos Del Alma - Series 1 2025
Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm
Venue: St Brigid's Parish, 378 Nicholson Street (cnr York St), Fitzroy North
Dates: January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5 (8 weeks)
Hear from first term participants in the video above and sneak peek behind the scenes! Singing in a foreign language can significantly improve learning how to speak it.
Meet the Choir Director
About Iaki Vallejo
Colombian born and Melbourne based singer-songwriter, Iaki Vallejo, mixes Afro-Colombian traditions with jazz, soul, salsa, afro-beat, funk, neo-soul and reggae to bring a message of unity and peace through her music and lyrics. In 1992 she won the Best Song and Performance Award at the Colombian Festival del Pasillo in Aguadas. In 2009, her warm and powerful voice earned her “Best Voice of Melbourne”. Most recently she was nominated for “Best Intercultural Act '' in the 2019 Music Victoria Awards.
A singer from the age of 12, Iaki was an early performer in the festivals of Tuluá, her hometown in Colombia. She studied music at Instituto Popular de Cultura (College of the Performing Arts) in Cali after which she attended Universidad del Valle (Valle University). Now in Australia she regularly advances her skills by pursuing lessons with noted teachers such as Cosimo Ciccone, Sharny Russell and Michelle Nicolle.
Iaki’s pursuit of music has taken her all over the world. Her international career has developed in South America, Europe and Australia. In 2000 she moved to Rome. While there she collaborated with renowned Italian Jazz pianist Arturo Valiante. In 2008 Iaki relocated to Melbourne and formed the Iaki Vallejo Quintet. Iaki began recording her debut self-titled solo album in 2013. This was an ambitious international project with two tracks co-produced by Jazz drummer David Jones, sessions in Melbourne, Australia and Cali, Colombia and a sold-out launch at Bennett’s Lane in 2016. In mid-2019 Iaki launched a follow up EP “Yo Soy” (I Am). This EP was also recorded in both Australia and Colombia with a launch at Bird’s Basement.