Who We Are

Our Mission

Tonality sings to inspire, innovate, and spark social change
through the power of diversity.

About Us

Established in 2016, Tonality is an award-winning ensemble known for “open hearted singing” (Lauri’s List). Tonality was recently recognized as a 2024 GRAMMY® winner in New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for Carla Patullo's "So She Howls" with the Scorchio Quartet.

Tonality is led by founder and Artistic Director Alexander Lloyd Blake. Blake imagined Tonality as an ensemble that represents the diverse cultures and ethnicities within the Los Angeles area. Within a year of its forming, Tonality’s mission evolved to use their collective voices to present concerts on themes of social justice in hopes to act as a catalyst toward empathy and community activism. The group premiered its first album in 2019 titled Sing About It.

Tonality choir in rehearsal at studio

Tonality is the recipient of the 2020 Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, a prize given for commitment to singing and commissioning new works.

Tonality has collaborated with choral composers and film composers to create the works presented in concert, striving for diverse voices and perspectives within the composer community. Collaborators include Joe Trapanese, Roman Gianarthur, Gaayatri Kaundinya, Reena Esmail, Shawn Kirchner, Zanaida Robles, Moira Smiley, Alex Wurman and composer Michael J. Giacchino. Tonality has performed with MacArthur Fellow Taylor Mac, Pete Townsend of The Who, pianist Lara Downes, internationally acclaimed performer Björk and most recently Dutch DJ Tiësto and Kelly Clarkson in support of her album Chemistry. The latest project is the collaboration with Scott Hoying (Pentatonix) on his newest record titled "Rose Without the Thorns" co-arranged with Blake.

Tonality choir performing with female soloist

Tonality is best known for creating choral concerts that focus on issues rarely presented in choral music.

Concerts themes have included gun violence, homelessness, refugees, climate change, mental health, women’s rights, and exercising democratic rights.

See Concerts

Performance Highlights

Premieres & Commissions

  • 1232 Lyfe | Alexander Lloyd Blake
  • A Change is Gonna Come | Tehillah Alphonso
  • Democracy | Jared Jenkins
  • Tulips | Shawn Kirchner
  • Treat a Stranger Right | Moira Smiley & Alexander Lloyd Blake

Our Music

See More
Alexander Lloyd Blake conducting

Leaders

Founder and Artistic Director Alexander Lloyd Blake created Tonality with the intention of connecting people with our shared humanity through song.

Our Team
Tonality choir singing with folders

Singers

Tonality features vocalists from the Greater Los Angeles Area who represent diverse cultures, ethnicities, and experiences.

Meet Us

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