Reimagining Choral Identity: Challenging the Gender Binary of a Women’s Choir

Dialogue surrounding gender and identity in choral ensembles is multi-faceted and complex.Although many gendered ensembles can serve as a safe space for singers, they can essentialize the experience of gender and ignore the intersectional nature of identity, thus marginalizing trans, gender-expansive, and BIPOC singers.In this paper, we introduce an intersectional feminist framework and use it to define, address, and problematize ideas surrounding empowerment, shared experiences, and gender essentialism.Themes and discussion points from this study were explored in a project that documented the experience of one women's choir as they examined their identity as an ensemble and the suitability of their gendered name in reflecting that perceived identity.Analysis of data from individual interviews, group discussions, and anonymous surveys revealed a desire to preserve women's empowerment and women's spaces while promoting gender inclusivity.Throughout, we consider implications for gendered ensembles and highlight the necessity for gender research to have an intersectional approach.