Roy Barber has taught performing arts and worked with high school, middle school and adult singers since 1979 in the DC area. He has music directed 70 musicals, created 10 musical plays with Leslie Jacobson and the Bokamoso Youth in South Africa, and was twice nominated (with Bari Biern) by the Helen Hayes awards for his original musical work. He is founder and president of the Bokamoso Youth Foundation which supports the education of youth at risk in Winterveldt, South Africa. He recently retired from 25 years of teaching at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and is a frequent teacher/guest artist at George Washington University. I taught special needs education in Fairfax County for 5 years and have a Masters in Humanities degree from Boston University, and a degree in Special Needs Education from Lesley College. He also attended Georgetown College, where he studied Psychology and Theater.
Roy greatly enjoys leading PFNCA’s Choir. “I love the warmth, humor and courage of the singers,” Roy said. “The fact that we create a playful, hard working family in class is very special.” “I enjoy the singers immensely,” he added.
Roy describes PFNCA Choir as follows: “We do a series of vocal warmups, and then sing together a variety of show tunes, folk songs, a few spirituals. and pop music. Certain members take leadership with accompanying singers and selecting songs. Members of the class also share poetry or prose that is important to them. The intent is to free up their voices, and encourage lots of vocal exercise in a supportive fun environment.”
PFNCA Choir has a dedicated following of members and no singing is required. The program is held in Washington,D.C. on Wednesdays from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.