Take a bow — San Benito-based educators Nayelli Quiroga and Brittany Wood (not shown) shared the stage at the renowned Lincoln Center in New York City during a memorable performance that included the Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley, of which they are members. (Courtesy photo/Nayelli Quiroga)
By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
The Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley (CRGV) made history on Sunday, November 23, 2025, with a moving performance at the Lincoln Center in New York City, joining singers from across the country for the 25th anniversary of Sing for the Cure, a national benefit supporting breast cancer research.
The event, held in David Geffen Hall before a sold-out audience, marked a milestone moment for the Valley chorus.
CRGV is a community-based ensemble made up of professionals, music educators, and retired professionals from across the Rio Grande Valley, united by a shared passion for choral music and community outreach.
For Nayelli Quiroga, a fourth-year music educator at San Benito CISD’s Angela G. Leal Elementary School and this year’s District Elementary Teacher of the Year, stepping onto such a prestigious stage felt overwhelming in the most meaningful way.
“Throughout rehearsals before the performance, I found myself crying several times because it felt so unreal,” she said. That emotion intensified during the final piece, when conductor Dr. Tim Seelig asked audience members affected by breast cancer to stand. “When I saw an entire hall of people rising to their feet as we sang ‘One Voice,’ I completely broke. It was overwhelming, emotional, and one of the most meaningful moments of my life.”
The invitation for CRGV to join the national performance started when Kim Wisdom, a member of the executive committee organizing the event, attended one of the chorus’s concerts last year.
She instantly recognized their artistry. “They are an excellent choral group, and I was hoping they would be a perfect fit. And they were,” Wisdom said, adding that seeing the Valley represented at Lincoln Center filled her with pride. “I felt like a proud mom or friend having them there representing us.”
For Brittany Wood, also from San Benito, performing at Lincoln Center was deeply personal. “Standing on that stage filled me with pride and gratitude,” she said. The music carried special meaning for her, especially after family and close friends faced cancer in recent years. “Every note felt like a prayer, a memory, and a way to honor the people I love who couldn’t be there.”
One of Brittany’s most unforgettable moments happened when survivors stood up during the final song. “It was a powerful mix of strength, vulnerability, and hope,” she said. “It was the kind of moment that reminds you why you sing in the first place.”
From rehearsals at the Basilica of San Juan del Valle to the spotlight at Lincoln Center, the Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley brought the heart and resilience of the Valley with them. Through their voices, stories, and shared purpose, they honored survivors, celebrated community, and demonstrated the talent emerging from South Texas.
Quiroga, a product of San Benito schools who’s participated in choir since an early age, said she never expected to perform at Lincoln Center but wanted to inspire her young students to believe anything is possible. She also dedicated her performance to her aunt, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has started treatment to combat it.
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