Sarnia-Lambton voices came together in easy harmony on May 2 at Imperial City Brew House for the second (re)Choir drop-in event, where busy adults sang everything from Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” to fresh arrangements without any weekly rehearsal commitment.
On May 2, Sarnia-Lambton singers of all ages and abilities filled Imperial City Brew House with voices raised in harmony at the second (re)Choir drop-in event. Co-organized by Tia Colborne of Great Lakes Dance Academy and Dan Sonier, a music teacher at St. Patrick’s High School, the evening proved that making music together doesn’t require weekly rehearsals or long-term commitments—just a willingness to show up and sing.
The idea for (re)Choir grew out of real lives pressed by time. “(Re)Choir is the invention of both Dan Sonier and Tia Colborne,” Colborne explained to The Sarnia Journal. “Dan had dabbled with the concept while pursuing his masters, but due to the pandemic wasn’t able to fully realize the idea. Since then I have been bugging Dan to make something of what he started.”
Both organizers juggle demanding schedules—Sonier with three young children and full-time teaching, Colborne running Great Lakes Dance Academy and Great Lakes Bicycle Co. while raising two teenagers. They wanted a space for adults who love to sing but can’t commit to traditional choirs or musicals. The name itself spells it out: “No commitment required.”
The first event, held in January 2026 at Great Lakes Dance Academy in Bright’s Grove, drew about 60 people. For the follow-up, the team chose Imperial City Brew House on Exmouth Street because it offered room to move, plenty of seating, and the easy social feel of a local brewery. Attendees could arrive early, grab a drink, chat with old friends or new ones, then settle in for two hours of singing.
Dan Sonier selects the songs and crafts original arrangements tailored to the group. This time the set included Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” Participants register online for $15, receive sheet music, and follow a relaxed process: vocal warm-up, learning the melody by section, then layering in low parts, high parts, and harmonies. “The process is casual,” Colborne described. “Dan always starts with a vocal warm-up that incorporates warming up your range and also singing parts. Singer can choose how they like to sing — low or high parts, melody or harmony. Dan offer direction and we allow the crowd to self assign. By the end of two hours we are able to sing through the piece a few times in full with making one 15 minute break. When it’s done – it’s done. We don’t revisit the next time, we start something fresh and new.”
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with string lights overhead, a piano at the ready, and people standing or seated in clusters as voices blended. Colborne said the brewery setting added something extra: “We wanted the events to be more than just singing and we were so glad to see attendees arrive early, and chat with friends old and new.”
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “We have had nothing but positive feedback,” Colborne wrote. “People love singing. They love coming together for a few hours to do something creative and positive.” Online comments and videos from the night often leave viewers with “chills or even tears,” she added—evidence of the simple power of shared song in a room full of neighbours.
(re)Choir plans to gather roughly four times a year. The next date will be announced six to eight weeks in advance on Instagram at @re.choir.sarnia. Organizers hope to keep growing the circle, collaborating with local businesses and musicians along the way.
In a region rich with musical talent but short on low-pressure ways to use it, (re)Choir is quietly building something that matters: a place where busy adults can reconnect with the joy of singing together, no strings attached. If you’ve ever missed the sound of your own voice lifted with others, the next event is worth watching for.
