The Harmony of Community: How Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir Uplifts Youth Through Music

Host Trae Holiday recently welcomed Crystal Hairston, the founding director of the Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir, to "The Day with Trae." Hairston shared the incredible journey of the choir, which has grown from just a handful of children in 2020 to over 65 families, all centered on creating a space of belonging and mutual respect.

Hairston’s passion for gospel music, which she described as her place of joy and healing, led her to establish the choir. After years of teaching in the Shoreline-Edmonds area while living in Rainier Beach, she felt like she was "robbing" her own community of the gifts she wanted to share. She dreamed of a new opportunity to share her passion for gospel music as a platform for creating community, and thus, Lifted! was born.

The timing, however, was challenging. Hairston and her team planned to open the community choir in 2020, but when the pandemic hit, they persevered against the odds. In practice, the team realized that Covid only increased the community’s need for connection, making Lifted! the much-needed outlet.

A core component of the choir's success is Hairston’s intentional choice to be a community choir, not a performance choir, to increase accessibility. “We use this platform of gospel music to prepare for performances and things, but really, it is where we build deep wells of connection and belonging,” she said. 

Reflecting on her earlier teaching experience, Hairston recounted a pivotal moment where a student interrupted her class to share a different way of learning. That moment changed her mind on what it means to be in mutual relationships where both parties can learn together.

“You have something to offer me and I have something to offer you. So let's do this exchange. Let's talk. Let's discover together,” she said.

The choir has since performed in numerous community spaces, including at the Seattle Opera, MLK Day events, the Highline Heritage Museum, and local churches. They hold an annual Christmas and spring concert to give the community “a little dose of joy."

This year's holiday concert, titled "Holy One," will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13 at John Knox Presbyterian Church. The mission is clear: "To bring hope and joy and life to the community,” Hairston said, passionately stating that being in a room with the choir is her favorite hour of the week. 

The Lifted! To stay connected with the Lifted Youth Gospel Choir, you can follow them on social media, or visit their website at www.liftedcommunity.org to sign up for their newsletter, volunteer, or donate. 

To stay connected with the Lifted Youth Gospel Choir, you can follow them on social media, or visit their website at www.liftedcommunity.org  to sign up for their newsletter, volunteer, or donate.

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