VOCO is short for Vocal Coalition, and at first looks it looks like a hip-hop youth choir. But it’s a confidence-building, community-creating, life-changing journey that helps youth of all backgrounds learn to believe in the power of their voice.

Fusing vocal and musical training with intentional wellness and social-emotional learning, VOCO proudly offers Denver youth a one-of-a-kind experience that doesn’t exist anywhere else in our current educational or cultural landscape.

Founded in 2017 by Executive Director Travis Branam with a group of less than 20 students, VOCO currently serves over 150 4th through 12th grade youth annually across the Mile HIgh City.

Our programs meet mostly after school in classrooms or community centers. Some are open to the public, while others are invite or audition-only. Some programs are more geared toward music, while others are geared more toward mental health and social-emotional wellness.

Our Power Wellness programs take place on a weekly basis at schools and community centers across the Mile High City. Our Power Performance programs, VOCO Advanced and VOCO Elite, meet at St. Elizabeth's School, near Denver School of the Arts.

Travis Branam, Executive Director, runs most VOCO programs. He’s a master teacher and compassionate guide who help youth of all backgrounds learn believe in the power of their voice.

To read Travis’ full bio, click here.

VOCO has two program tracks: a Power Wellness track and a Power Performance track. Power Wellness programs at Denver Area elementary, middle, and high schools are free for participating students in specific communities. Power Performance programs require participate families to either pay a tuition fee or commit to what we call an Alternative Tuition Plan.

Power Performance Annual Program Fees (per student):

VOCO Advanced (5th-12th grade, invite/audition only): $795
VOCO Elite (6th-12th grade, invite/audition only): $1,025

VOCO Elite families also have additional costs for performance tours. Fundraising opportunities will be made available. 

Alternative Tuition Plans
At VOCO, we believe every student should have the opportunity to learn how to unleash the power of their voice regardless of their family’s financial situation. We also believe that families who find value in our Power Performance programs should also find it fair and reasonable that they be asked to contribute meaningfully toward keeping our programs possible and sustainable. 

We understand that many families face financial challenges that make it difficult for them to pay for expensive extracurricular activities. We approach this reality with care, sensitivity, and respect. We pledge to work in good faith with any family facing financial challenges that wants their child to participate in VOCO to help them find an Alternative Tuition Plan that feels fair and doable for their family while helping VOCO sustain its impact.

We currently have three Alternative Tuition Plan options:
Connector Plan (preferred): Commit to creating at least three successful connections between people in your network and our staff that result in new program partnerships, grantors, sponsorships, and/or individual donors for VOCO.

Promoter Plan. Commit to encouraging youth and families in your network to join VOCO programs, talking about VOCO in your network (word of mouth, social media, etc.), and to bringing dozens of friends and family to VOCO concerts and events. 

Volunteer Plan: Commit to helping VOCO staff behind the scenes with event planning, event production, administrative tasks, and more.

Email our Executive Assistant Emily Branam at contact@vocalcoalition.org about your interest and questions. We'll be happy to share the process!