LABC Presents: Urban Voices Project

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION: The Urban Voices Project (UVP) Choir is composed of artists and performers from the Skid Row neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, currently or formerly disenfranchised by the condition of homelessness.

Rooted in Skid Row through music, community, and openhearted inclusion of the most marginalized members of society, Urban Voices Project amplifies artistic expression to improve well being, strengthen social networks, and inspire individuals to be their own best advocates.

Throughout the year, they share music and its healing power with many audiences inside and outside the neighborhood of Skid Row. Through UVP Choir’s outreach, the group shares the stories and the successes of integrating music and community singing into a holistic system for combating the homelessness crisis. UVP Choir is only the face of the program, as the heart of the work is in the form of several workshops offered weekly in Skid Row and around Los Angeles County by a talented and highly trained faculty in both music healing and education.

The UVP is also a recipient of a grant from the Los Angeles Breakfast Club Foundation for non-profits doing charitible work in the community.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Kate Richards Geller, Executive Director, is a music therapist and vocal improviser who is well-known for keen listening, creating safety in a group, facilitating freedom within structure, and supporting personal expression. Kate earned a master’s degree in Music Therapy from NYU in 1997 and then combined her singer/songwriter skills and 'joie de vivre’ with clinical improvisation to enhance “quality of life” in medical settings, community centers, and therapeutic preschools.

The core of her work engages people in interactive singing as a bridge to self-expression, communication, and community-building. Kate has been with UVP since 2015 and has worked in collaboration with founders Leeav Sofer and Christopher Mack over the last three years of the pandemic to keep UVP a functioning arts and community organization. During this time, Kate showed exceptional leadership and worked beyond the title of Music Wellness Director. In January of 2023, UVP’s Board of Directors voted to promote Kate to Executive Director.

Sarah Goodwin, Development Manager, was first connected to Urban Voices Project in 2019 while working on her Master's Thesis on the impact of choral singing on those experiencing homelessness and incarceration. She was thrilled to join the UVP team in 2021 as the organization’s first dedicated Development staff member. As a lifelong singer, Sarah knows first hand the healing properties of music. She currently lives in Long Beach and loves walks to the beach with her dog, Teddy.

ABOUT THE CLUB: Founded in 1925, the Los Angeles Breakfast Club still thrives with food, friendship, and fun. Our meetings are held in our clubhouse, Friendship Auditorium, located at 3201 Riverside Drive, near the corner of Los Feliz Boulevard, in Griffith Park. Best described as a variety show, attendees enjoy a catered breakfast, silly songs, club traditions, and an interesting presentation from a guest speaker.

TICKETS: Sales on labreakfastclub.com close 48 hours before breakfast. Non-members are $25 and Members receive a 25% discount when logged into their Membership Portal.

Please arrive between 6:45 - 7:00 AM sharp! Doors close at 7:15 AM. Your admission includes a buffet breakfast, enjoyment of our 98-year-old club traditions, plus a special presentation from our Speaker of the Week!

For our ticket refund and exchange policy, please click here.

Note: Membership discounts are a benefit for members current with their dues. If you would like to apply to become a member, click here for more information.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Surgical disposable face masks or medical-grade masks (i.e., KN95, KF94, N95) are strongly recommended when not eating or drinking, especially during the cold and flu season, and will be provided on request.