Who We Are

Our Mission

Tonality is a vocal ensemble whose mission is to deliver authentic stories through voice and body to incite change, understanding, and dialogue

About Us

Alexander Lloyd Blake conducting

Established in 2016, Tonality is an award-winning ensemble known for “open hearted singing” (Lauri’s List). Tonality was recently recognized as a 2024 GRAMMY® winner in New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for Carla Patullo's "So She Howls" with the Scorchio Quartet.

Tonality is led by founder and Artistic Director Alexander Lloyd Blake. Blake imagined Tonality as an ensemble that represents the diverse cultures and ethnicities within the Los Angeles area. Within a year of its forming, Tonality’s mission evolved to use their collective voices to present concerts on themes of social justice in hopes to act as a catalyst toward empathy and community activism. The group premiered its first album in 2019 titled Sing About It.

Tonality choir in rehearsal at studio

Tonality is the recipient of the 2020 Chorus America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, a prize given for commitment to singing and commissioning new works.

Tonality has collaborated with choral composers and film composers to create the works presented in concert, striving for diverse voices and perspectives within the composer community. Collaborators include Joe Trapanese, Roman Gianarthur, Gaayatri Kaundinya, Reena Esmail, Shawn Kirchner, Zanaida Robles, Moira Smiley, Alex Wurman and composer Michael J. Giacchino. Tonality has performed with MacArthur Fellow Taylor Mac, Pete Townsend of The Who, pianist Lara Downes, internationally acclaimed performer Björk and most recently Dutch DJ Tiësto and Kelly Clarkson in support of her album Chemistry.

Tonality choir performing with female soloist

Tonality is best known for creating choral concerts that focus on issues rarely presented in choral music.

Concerts themes have included gun violence, homelessness, refugees, climate change, mental health, women’s rights, and exercising democratic rights.

See Concerts

Performance Highlights

Premieres & Commissions

  • 1232 Lyfe | Alexander Lloyd Blake
  • arr. A Change is Gonna Come | Tehillah Alphonso
  • Democracy | Jared Jenkins
  • Tulips | Shawn Kirchner
  • Treat a Stranger Right | Moira Smiley & Alexander Lloyd Blake

Our Music

See More
Alexander Lloyd Blake conducting

Leaders

Founder and Artistic Director Alexander Lloyd Blake created Tonality with the intention of connecting people with our shared humanity through song.

Our Team
Tonality choir singing with folders

Singers

Tonality features vocalists from the Greater Los Angeles Area who represent diverse cultures, ethnicities, and experiences.

Meet Us

Sign up for updates.

Subscribe to the Tonality newsletter and receive news about concerts, stories, and actions.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.