YPCC’s Commitment to Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
A message from our Executive Director, Cy Wood:
At YPCC, we believe in the power of voices joined in harmony—not just in song, but in purpose. We believe that music is more than just sound; it is a language that connects us across differences, a force that binds us together in shared experience, and a catalyst for change.
But harmony is not achieved without intention. It requires listening. It requires understanding. It requires a commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard, valued, and uplifted.
As an organization, we are steadfast in our commitment to Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These are not just words to us—they are promises. They are the guiding principles that shape our actions, our programming, and the way we build our community.
We commit to access, ensuring that anyone who wants to sing with us can do so, regardless of financial barriers or experience level. Your voice is welcome here.
We commit to diversity, recognizing that our strength comes from the many perspectives, identities, and backgrounds that make up our community. Your story is important here.
We commit to equity, working to create an environment where all singers have the support and opportunities they need to thrive. Your journey matters here.
We commit to inclusion, fostering a culture where every person feels a deep sense of belonging—not just as a singer, but as a vital part of something larger than themselves. You belong here.
Music has the power to break down walls, to heal, to inspire, and to transform. And when we sing together, we are not just creating art—we are building a space where people can come as they are, be seen for who they are, and be celebrated for what they bring.
If you are searching for a place to lift your voice, to share your talents, and to find connection through music, I encourage you to join us. Whether you are a seasoned performer or someone who simply loves to sing, there is a place for you in YPCC. There is space for your voice. There is space for your dreams.
Because when we sing together, we do more than make music—we create a community where everyone has a voice, and every voice matters.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & AFFIRMATIONS
In the United States, there are systems of power that grant privilege and access unequally such that inequity and injustice result, and that must be continuously addressed and changed.
Cultural equity is critical to the long-term viability of the arts sector.
We must all hold ourselves accountable, because acknowledging and challenging our inequities and working in partnership is how we will make change happen.
Everyone deserves equal access to a full, vibrant creative life, which is essential to a healthy and democratic society.
The prominent presence of artists challenges inequities and encourages alternatives.
Statement of Affirmation of the Gender Spectrum
The Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) is committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive space where singers who are transgender are seen and valued in their entirety.
YPCC will support chorus members who are transgender with respect for pronouns of all singers and gender-blind voice part categorization, allowing a singer to sing where they are most vocally and socially comfortable. YPCC does not require a gendered dress code at concerts and mindfully selects repertoire inclusive of a multitude of life experiences and perspectives.
YPCC does not tolerate nor condone anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiments, language, or actions, and will do everything in its power to create a safe, welcoming, affirming experience for singers who are transgender, intersex, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, genderfluid and cisgender.
If you have questions, please reach out directly to the ADEI committee at ADEI@ypccsing.org.
YPCC Administrative Policy on
Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Names and Pronouns
Policy Statement: The Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to individuals of all gender identities and gender expressions.
Purpose: This policy makes explicit YPCC's commitment to non-discriminatory programs and activities and promotes a respectful community free from discrimination based on gender identity or expression. This policy covers key provisions: names, gender identity and pronouns, privacy, data collection, and programs, activities and facilities.
Guiding Definitions:
Access. Providing equal and equitable opportunities for YPCC members to take full advantage of participating in singing together.
Choral Music. Music created by singing with others. We are intentionally defining choral music to be as inclusive and broad as possible and welcome projects that teach musical traditions with origins across the globe. The size, organizational structure, learning method (rote, reading), or repertoire performed can vary substantially within this definition, as well as cultural origin.
Diversity. Recognizing the value in all of our human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, gender, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and ability.
Equity. Identifying and addressing the needs of different people to support equal outcomes.
Gendered Personal References. Gendered personal references can include but are not limited to pronouns (e.g., he/his/him, she/hers/her, they/theirs/them), titles (e.g., Mrs., Ms., Mr., Mx.), and other terms denoting a person’s gender identity.
Gender Expression. Personal characteristics and behaviors that may convey something about an individual’s gender identity, or that others interpret as conveying something about an individual’s gender identity, including, but not limited to clothing, physical features (e.g., hair length), mannerisms, communication patterns, etc.
Gender Identity. An individual’s own understanding of themselves in terms of gendered categories that may include female, male, transgender, genderqueer, genderfluid, gender nonconforming, Two Spirit, intersex, non-binary, agender, genderless, and many others. Gender identity cannot be reliably determined by looking at an individual. An individual’s gender identity may be consistent over their lifetime or may shift over time. Gender identity differs from sexual orientation, which refers to an individual’s patterns of romantic and/or sexual attraction.
Gender-Inclusive Facility. A facility, including but not limited to, restrooms, showers, locker rooms and changing rooms, that is usable by persons of all gender identities and expressions and that is not gender-specific. A facility that provides privacy and security for the individual user, and includes spaces and fixtures equivalent to gender-specific facilities.
Inclusion. The active, intentional, and ongoing engagement of an organization and its culture to create equal access, outcomes, well-being, and a sense of belonging for everyone.
LGBTQIA+. A large group of people who represent and express a diverse range of gender identities and sexual identities that exist outside of the male-female binary. They can define themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual.
Legal Sex. The designation of sex on current legal documents. An individual’s legal sex might differ from their sex assigned at birth (if, for example, legal steps have been taken to change the individual’s legal sex) and/or from their gender identity.
Sex Assigned at Birth. The sex that was recorded on an individual’s birth certificate at the time of their birth. An individual’s sex assigned at birth might differ from their legal sex (e.g., if the individual changed the sex referred to on their birth certificate or other legal documents) and/or from their gender identity.
Specified Name. The name a person chooses to use, which may differ from the name maintained in YPCC records that are kept for administrative purposes.
YPCC Members. Singers, Board of Directors, staff members, partners, volunteers, stakeholders, or contractors.
Name, Gender Identity and Pronouns: YPCC members may, without being required to provide documentation: use a specified name that differs from the name listed on their legal documents, use a gender identity that differs from their legal sex and/or sex assigned at birth, and/or specify the pronouns and other gendered personal references used to refer to them.
YPCC members are expected to use the names, gender identities, and pronouns as specified by the individual, except as legally required. YPCC members are also expected to use other gendered personal references, if any, that are consistent with the gender identities and pronouns specified by YPCC members.Privacy: YPCC will take reasonable steps to maintain the privacy of the pronouns, gender identities, and legal sexes of YPCC members that are maintained in YPCC records. Only individuals with a legitimate intention and/or whose work assignments reasonably require access to the pronouns, gender identity and legal sex of an individual maintained in YPCC records should access, or be provided access to, this information. In addition, where a YPCC member has indicated a specified name, YPCC will maintain the privacy of the YPCC member’s legal name whenever possible.
Data Collection: Where possible, YPCC members collecting information about YPCC members’ legal sexes, sexes assigned at birth, and/or gender identities should explain at the time of collection the reason for collecting the information and how the information will be used. YPCC members do not have to respond to requests to disclose their legal sex, sex assigned at birth, or gender identity, except when legally required or when there is a legitimate YPCC-related reason for the request.
Programs, Activities and Facilities: When possible, YPCC will make their best efforts to provide gender neutral spaces. YPCC members may utilize facilities that correspond with their gender identities and may participate in YPCC activities and programs consistent with their gender identities including, but not limited to, restrooms, rehearsals, and social activities.
Potential Conflicts and Non-compliance: YPCC members are encouraged to consult with the Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) Committee if there is a concern that complying with this policy would result in a failure to comply with a law, rule, and/or requirement that the YPCC is required to or has committed to follow (e.g., building codes, contractual requirements, rules of membership organizations, and grant requirements). The ADEI Committee will advise the YPCC member as to whether, under the specific circumstances, there is a conflict necessitating an exception to this policy. YPCC members are also encouraged to approach the ADEI Committee if there is a concern over a violation of this policy. YPCC leadership will develop an appropriate plan of action if such violation is determined to have occurred.
For questions regarding policy development process at YPCC or to report a problem or accessibility issue, please e‑mail: boardchair@ypccsing.org.
Notice of Non-Affiliation and Disclaimer
The Young Professionals Choral Collective (YPCC) supports connection and communication via the YPCC-monitored social media outlets such as the YPCC Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook groups such as YPCC: Young Professionals Choral Collective, YPCC Singers Only Page, YPCC Singers Social Page, and YPCC Caroling.
YPCC is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any other social media platforms. Any discussion held on such platforms do not reflect the views of YPCC.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to ADEI@ypccsing.org.