First Timers Club: Here's what happens when a non-singer joins a choir
For most of us, adult life is a relentless cycle of chasing deadlines, hitting targets, and navigating the daily grind. We carve out small pockets of time for sleep or weekend time alone, but we often leave our true passions on the sidelines. We tell ourselves we’ll get to them one day, while the routine slowly leads to burnout.
I’ve always been that person. I'm the one who knows every lyric to Hamilton and In the Heights, and who spent my childhood channeling Demi Lovato’s Mitchie whenever I sang This Is Me and Wouldn’t Change a Thing in the shower.
But there was one thing that never really crossed my mind: to join a choir.
Despite my deep love for musical theater, the idea of joining a choir or enrolling in formal training felt paralyzing. I was content being my own pop star in the bathroom because, in there, I couldn't hit a wrong note in front of anyone else.
But, I realized, we just need the right push to finally do them. And finally, I did, thanks to STUDIOM, a fairly new, intimate learning space in Rockwell, Makati.
Safe space for everyone
Founded by Matti de los Reyes, STUDIOM was born from a desire to create connection. Inspired by his brother, who has an autism spectrum disorder, Matti wanted to "build an experience center" that would prevent isolation and make a person's world larger rather than smaller.
“We started creating activities, community-building activities, which were recreational or learning experiences,” he said.
For me, that experience was the One Day Choir session—the first entry of PhilSTAR L!fe’s First Timers Club, a series where we dive headfirst into the new and the intimidating.
I was excited, but mostly nervous. Not only would it be my first time hosting a show, but I also felt intimidated, knowing that some attendees might be seasoned singers, while I… well, I was just a pop star in my own eyes, usually only performing in the bathroom. I don’t even know how to read a music sheet.
For our session, we sang One Day More from Les Misérables.
Content creator Buji Babiera—best known for the "Mahilig mag-Facebook" meme and now known for his spooky stories and cycling adventures—joined me for this experience. A self-proclaimed "sintunado," Buji also stepped into the session with a mix of excitement and nerves.
There were around 40 participants at the time, coming from all walks of life—a mom trying something new for herself, orgmates having a reunion, two people celebrating a birthday, and families bonding.
After a quick introduction, we did some physical and vocal warm-ups. Since it was the first time doing it, it felt awkward at first, but it really helped me fine-tune my vocals before the session.
During the first run-through, I struggled to follow the sheet music and adjust to the alto part. I also had trouble staying in tune, likely because my voice is more comfortable in the soprano range.
Trying something new, one day more
Despite these challenges, I was able to relax during the session—not only because our instructor, Ms. Phoebe, was patient, but also because the community that day felt so welcoming. My seatmate from the soprano group made small talk with me, and my seatmate in the Alto section even offered me one of her highlighters.
There’s something strangely comforting about singing with a room full of strangers who are all trying their best. Mistakes didn’t feel embarrassing; they felt like part of the experience. Laughter and encouragement were there, and the nervousness that I struggled with earlier slowly melted away.
"The crowd was very helpful, hindi nila kami pinabayaan mga newbies na mawala dun sa flow ng kanta, at as a sintunado, hindi ko na-feel na nakakahiya 'yung ginagawa ko," Buji said. "Naging encouraging pa nga sila sa amin."
By the end of the session, my voice felt a bit strained. My notes weren’t perfect and I still had trouble reading some of the sheet music, but I felt a genuine sense of accomplishment. I had shown up for myself, tried something new, and connected with people I might never have met otherwise.
It reminded me why it’s important to step outside of routines and make time for activities that make us feel alive, even if we feel like we're not good at them.
Watch the first episode of First Timer's Club below.