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In a world where connections are often fleeting, finding a space where voices come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts is a rare gift.
One Saturday afternoon at a random studio in Metro Manila, voices began to rise — not from a concert hall or recording studio, but from a room full of strangers who’ve come together for one reason: to sing.
Some were shy, barely above a whisper. Others came in strong, sure of their place. But by the end of the day, all of them—students, office workers, moms, titas, even total beginners—blended into a single harmony. No auditions. No need to be a “singer.” No long-term commitments. Just one day to sing together, or even dance while at it.
This is the world Hannah Dela Rosa has created through her one-day vocal and sound classes—pop-up choir sessions where people, regardless of skill, gather to sing Broadway hits, OPM ballads, or whatever the season inspires.
A 28-year-old voice coach, whose eyes light up as she guides each voice with warmth and clarity, is not just leading a choir, but also creating a safe space, one note at a time.
“So parang, with the vocal and sound classes, I really found that it’s a nice opportunity to reach more people and to accommodate more people, and encourage them to sing. It brings good vibes lang. After a long, hard week at school, work, or whatever—let’s sing together,” Hannah said.
“At saka walang extra pressure, kasi walang main event… like ito na yun. This is the main event.”
Finding her voice
In a sit-down interview with GMA News Online, Hannah recalled her long but humble musical journey—back when she was a teenager scribbling lyrics in a notebook and dreaming of becoming the next Taylor Swift.
“That was really my thing—writing songs, telling stories,” she laughed. “Kaya, I studied music production. Gusto ko mag-produce ng sariling kanta.”
She joined the choir in college—mostly because it came with a scholarship—but soon discovered it was more than a means to an end. It was a place of growth. Discipline. Connection. Her experience deepened with international competitions, endless rehearsals, and shared triumphs.
After graduation, reality hit hard.
“I really thought I had to choose,” Hannah shared, thinking back to the tug-of-war that shaped her twenties. “Was I going to be an artist? Or a teacher?”
The answer, it turns out, wasn’t a choice. It was both.
The birth of the one-day choir
Hannah recalled asking herself once: When was I happiest as a teacher?
The answer was clear. The choir. Not the formal classrooms, not the rowdy kids from Kinder to Grade 3. It was that first college choir she led, when music didn’t feel like work, and students felt more like barkada.
And so the idea came: What if she built a choir that only existed for one day?
So then it began as a small experiment in a studio in Quezon City.
It was a “High School Musical” night. While she expected about 30 participants, only 12 signed up—but that didn’t deter her.
“I just wanted to start, to make it happen. It didn’t matter if we were only 12 people. The important thing was that we were there, together, singing. And it worked,” she recalled with a smile.
From that first session, the One-Day Choir grew rapidly, with slots filling up quickly for each monthly event as she then started posting online. A few people signed up. And then more. And then the videos of their one-day performances started going viral. Now, she holds sessions monthly, sometimes more. People from all walks of life show up, and somehow, every time, the voices click into place.
And sing they do. Young kids, teenagers, parents, professionals, seniors—all kinds of people show up. One session even welcomed a family who sang Seasons of Love together. Seven-year-olds have belted out tunes beside adults reliving their choir days. The age range is as diverse as the song list.
“Parang ako rin kasi, with 10 years of choir experience, I know that for you to sing regularly, you usually have to enroll in voice lessons or commit to a choir. But not everyone has the time for that,” she explained.
“So I really wanted the class to be that safe space. One-time thing lang. Kanta tayo.”
It’s not about perfect pitch or blending flawlessly—it’s about joy. About reclaiming a part of yourself you might have tucked away after being told you were off-key or not “good enough.”
And that joy is catching fire. Some of her sessions have gone viral online—videos of "Defying Gravity" or "Seasons of Love" sung by a room of amateurs belting their hearts out. The internet didn’t just clap—it cheered. Loudly.
“I didn’t expect it,” Hannah admitted. “But narealize ko na ang daming uhaw. Ang daming gustong kumanta. And this reminds me why I do what I do. Hindi siya for the viral video. I want it to be a transformational experience. A life-changing experience for everybody.”
'Anyone can sing'
When people say they’re not singers, Hannah meets them where they are.
She listens. She adjusts the arrangements on the spot. She encourages humming when notes feel unreachable.
And she reminds them: “As long as they’re willing to try, then we’ll be okay. Because I believe anyone can sing. Singing is not only for the talented and the skilled; it’s something everyone can participate in and enjoy.”
Whether you’ve always dreamed of singing or are just looking for a creative outlet, this choir is open to all. It’s an inclusive, uplifting environment where people can sing their hearts out without fear of judgment.
Plus, Hannah takes great care in adjusting her lesson plans, tailoring the experience to the group’s needs.
“I try to keep the arrangements as simple as possible. If I notice that they’re struggling, I adjust it. I’m really grateful for my friends who help me listen and adjust during the sessions,” she added with a laugh.
Hannah’s approach is a reflection of her own journey—one of embracing imperfections and discovering a balance between teaching and artistry. Despite the hurdles of a career in the arts, particularly the uncertainty and financial challenges, Hannah has found a way to make her dual passions work harmoniously.
“Teaching and being an artist don’t have to be separate,” she said. “I get to help people discover their own voices while continuing to nurture my own as an artist. That’s what makes this so fulfilling.”
As she continues to navigate her path as both a vocal coach and a budding artist, Hannah plans to release original music soon, with hopes of finding a wider audience.
To her surprise, people resonated with it.
“It wasn’t about being perfect,” she said. “It was about showing the messy parts of learning. That’s how I connected with my students.”
What’s next for this vocal class?
Despite the pressure of the growing number of her students and demand for sessions, Hannah isn’t stopping there.
She’s currently planning a more intimate eight-week group program. Unlike the drop-in nature of her choir sessions, this will involve weekly meetings, structured vocal technique lessons, and one-on-one consultations.
“For this program, mas magiging intimate yung experience,” she said.
"May accountability, may assessment. I’m not doing this alone—I’ll have co-teachers and friends mentoring with me. It’s really exciting.”
She aims to launch the program by late April or May, taking advantage of the summer season. She’s also planning a batch specifically for kids, and looking to expand geographically, with hopes of hosting sessions in the southern part of Metro Manila and even in Visayas or Mindanao.
Ultimately, Hannah dreams of establishing her own singing school—a permanent space that offers regular group classes and private coaching, with a team of dedicated teachers.
"Ayoko rin kasi i-attach siya na sakin lang yung class,” she said. “It’s not about me. The singing is the experience.”
“Music is for everyone. No matter where you’re from or what your background is, if you can sing, then you can be part of something beautiful,” she added.
With everything on her plate, Hannah always reminds herself to be grateful to God for the gift of music and to be an instrument for others.
“And I'm so grateful that I get to hold a space for them. Get to create a space for them to be able to be a part of their lives. I'm happy na sinundan ko yung passion ko and you know, nandito, nakikita ko na bubunag-bubunga siya. I'm really grateful and happy where I am.” —JCB, GMA Integrated News
