Just Voices
is a community-oriented activist choir in Ottawa, on unceded Algonquin territory.
We use our voices to inspire social change and contribute to movements for social and environmental justice,
racial and gender equality, and struggles against violence, war and poverty.
2025 MAY CONCERT
Saturday May 31 2025
7:00 to 9:00 PM
First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
30 Cleary Avenue
We're so excited to sing on Saturday May 31 2025 with Ottawa's Blues Lady, Maria Hawkins, our spring concert special guest. The concert takes place at 7 pm at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave,
Get a taste of her singing in this original song created for an Indigenous Reconciliation event in 2015: https://youtu.be/NroAPL2GjA4
Maria has deep roots in this community. She was born here and for the last 30 years has raised her own money to provide motivational music presentations and shows in schools and the community. She is an advocate for persons with disabilities and those who live in poverty.
She is co-creator of the Ottawa Blues Society and the Blues in the Schools Program along with her own programs: Blues 4 Kids and Stop the Bullying.
Maria’s name is on the wall at City Hall as a Community Builder with too many awards to mention here. She's a Woman of Distinction and a member of Leadership Ottawa. She has inspired and supported some incredible talent including the fabulous Rita Carter, one of Ottawa's Top 25 for 2016.
Maria was Royal Conservatory trained from age five and although she didn't become the 'singing nun' that her mother had envisioned, Maria took those valuable lessons and passed them on to a whole generation through hard work, self-sacrifice and force of will. Raising her own money from grants and concerts for 38 years, she has entertained and inspired a whole generation of Ottawa Valley youth to create a more honest dialogue around our shared history.
She can be heard every Monday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM on CKCU’s Monday Special Blend with Nathanael Newton doing interviews with local artists/activists/community builders and providing information on the arts, music events and much more!
While the choir varies in size between 15 and 25 people, we are always happy to receive new members.
There's no audition process, so just show up at one of our rehearsals and join in.
The main requirement is that you can carry a tune, and the ability to read music is helpful, but not essential.
Please have at look at our Welcome
if you are interested in joining us.
Bambelela
Trouble and Beauty
Living in One World
Senzenina
JustVoices' Facebook Page
The choir’s Facebook page is at https://m.facebook.com/JustVoices/.
Please share widely!
Choir History
(Above: the choir members 15 Dec 2014)
(Above: the choir at our Solstice Concert 17 Dec 2014)