About us

HARMONIES GIRLS CHOIR has been recognized as an “elite” treble choir since its first appearance, in November 2002, for the dedication of St. Thomas Church , where they sang works by Mozart and Michael Praetorius. Since that year, they perform every year at the St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral with great acclaim at its annual classical Christmas concert. They were soon invited to perform at the Our Lady of Los Angeles Cathedral , where now they are booked frequently for many events and in many other churches in L.A. and outside, including the Mission of St Ynes , in Solvang, CA

In July 2004, HARMONIES traveled to GERMANY to its first international tour since the group was selected to participate as a performing choir at the PUERICANTORES CHOIR FESTIVAL 2004. The girls sang at the Karmelitenkirche and Brendlorenzen in Bad Neustadt; Bad Königshofen kirke ; the Würzburger Dome in Würzburg; Bad Kögahofen Kirke in Kaarst; the Folk im (Dom) Forum and the Great Cathedral of the Magi , in Cologne. The tour was a success, and Mr. Espinal and the choir were widely acclaimed by a warm German audience. Harmonies received reviews on the German newspapers “Bad Neustadt” and “Rhön-u Saalepost”.

Back in Los Angeles , the choir was recognized for its achievements and was invited to open the 11th Annual Celebration of L.A. Music Week at the Bradley Towers , at the Top of the Los Angeles City Hall . Council Member Jack Weiss honored Mr. Espinal at the Chamber of council members for his work with the youth in Los Angeles with an honorary Certificate of Recognition by the City of Los Angeles . 8 months after, council member of the 1 st . district Ed Reyes honored the whole choir for its achievements .with another Certificate of appreciation.

On September 2005 Harmonies was selected as the only group to perform the U.S.A. National Anthem for the celebration of Mexico 's Independence Day, where Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was presiding the event, at the L.A. City Hall . This event was broadcasted nationally and seen by millions.

In December 2004 and again in 2005 Harmonies has been selected to perform at the 45 th and 46 th L.A. COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, nationally broadcast on KCET.

HARMONIES GIRLS CHOIR has been interviewed and invited to perform at channels 27, 28, UNIVISION (“Noticias UNIVISION”) and FOX 11 (“ Good Day La”) . The group has also received interviews in local newspapers (Impulso, La Opinion and Vida Nueva)

HARMONIES GIRLS CHOIR is a member of the American Federation Pueri Cantores and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Mr. Espinal envisions that the girls have a broad frame of experiences, to improve their lives in many ways. Mr. Espinal makes the choir to sing in many kinds of events beyond the church or the concert hall. Many organizations have booked Harmonies for their private events, among them: United Way Million Dollar Annual Fundraising event, at a private house of a XX Century Art Collector ; El Día del Salvadoreño celebration at the Exposition Park; the Posadas Celebrations at the Placita Olvera, in the historic Olvera Street; the Cesar Chavez “Educating the heart” Fundraising dinner event where they sang for Yolanda King (daughter of Dr. Martin Luther king) who was moved to tears when she heard them singing.

Mr. Espinal has been praised for his eclectic repertoire, which includes many unpublished works, including his own arrangements or compositions. They have first performed songs by virtuoso organ player/composer Dr. Christopher Bull (Organ faculty at UCLA) at a memorable concert at the Our Lady of Los Angeles Cathedral, and a special commission by the LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC for a collaborative concert with a chamber Ensemble and HARMONIES. The work was “SANCTUS” by American composer Joseph Julian Gonzalez, conducted by Mr. Espinal. This concert was part of the “Neighborhood Chamber Music Concerts” , part of the Target around town concert series. This is the second year Mr. Espinal harmonies participate with the LA PHIL.

The choir has just released the first CD, “FESTEJO DE NAVIDAD”, an all-Latin-American Christmas Carols CD, and homage that Maestro Espinal wanted to do for Latin America , singing only in Spanish and Portuguese. The CD was released with many concerts in live in Churches including the Solvang's Mission, the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles , the Mc Arthur park, Olvera Street, TV channels, and the official release of the CD, at the Zipper Hall Auditorium , inside the Colburn School of Performing Arts.

HARMONIES GIRLS CHOIR will be traveling this summer 2006 to its second world tour. It will start in MEXICO CITY , where they are honor guests (they will be the only foreign choir invited) for the “1 st International Romano Picutti Choral Festival”. They will also be aired at the TV program “Conversing with Cristina Pacheco”, channel 11, (a 1 hour program dedicated only to Mr. Espinal and the choir, on June 23, at 8:00 pm). This is one of the top TV programs watched by millions in Mexico , Latin America parts of USA . Then, they will embark to Vienna, Salzburg and Prague, for the 250 anniversary of Mozart, on a 12 days tour.

See publications about Harmonies in German Newspapers (sorry the articles are not translated) during our visit to that country in 2004.

• Bad Neustadt Newspaper (pdf)
• Rhön-u Saalepost Newspaper (pdf)