Our founder

Dr. Whitney Covalle, PhD

Whitney is a singer, researcher, and choral music educator. Her research focuses on urban music education, the aural-oral tradition, and the intersection of race and teaching choral music. She is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Montclair State University (NJ) where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education. Dr. Covalle is the Founder and Artistic Director of “Voices of Philly” - a free youth choir in Philadelphia. As an active clinician, Dr. Covalle leads participatory community singing events throughout the region, most notably “Love City Sings,” a day of singing that gathers over 200 Philadelphia youth to learn songs in the aural-oral tradition from community experts. Her research on teaching and learning Black gospel music in the aural-oral tradition is published in the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education (2022). Previously she was a choir director in public schools & community settings for 17 years, primarily in Chicago at Jones College Prep High School (Chicago Public Schools) and Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir.) She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children

Our Village

VOP Collaborative Pianist

Julian Nguyen is an eclectic multi-genre pianist and vocalist. His formal training inclassical and jazz piano - in combination with a wide range of experience in R&B, soul, pop, gospel, and musical theatre - has made him a versatile performer and an in-demand collaborator in the greater Philadelphia area and beyond. As an active performing solo artist, Julian has performed on a wide range of stages and venues. Beginning February 2026, he became a Vocal Pianist for Disney Cruise Line, traveling internationally to perform for thousands of guests as part of their world-renowned entertainment offerings. As a collaborator, he can be found in various educational and performance spaces, working with organizations like Opera Philadelphia, Singing City Choir, and Elevate Vocal Arts as a collaborative pianist, vocalist, facilitator, and educator.

Ms. Pat Covington

VOP choir GG (Grandmother!)

Ms. Pat welcomes singers at the door each week with a friendly smile and warm presence. She checks in with them, collects paperwork, and makes sure they get their septa passes! As an experienced choral singer in multiple Philadelphia choirs, including Arch Street Presbyterian Church Choir, she will sing tenor as vocal support in rehearsal when support is needed!

Darnell (aka "Dad-erone") Johnson
TEAM JOHNSON

Darnell is part of our weekly setup crew - making sure our rehearsal room is setup, street signs our out, and everyone is ready to sing! He also acts as one of our chaperones, or as he calls it, "Dad-erone!"

Alisha (aka "Mrs. A") Johnson

TEAM JOHNSON

"Mrs. A" is always on site and ready to be put to work for whatever VOP needs! From setting up (or bringing food), selling t-shirts and just being our street team for the choir - she is always there to help! She shares four children, all in VOP, with Darnell, acting as their own street team to spread the news of VOP!

Our host

We are fortunate to rehearse every week in the historic Arch Street Presbyterian Church. Located in the heart of Center City at 18th and Arch, our students get to experience the majesty of this space! We could not do it without the generous support of their minister of music, Dr. J. Donald Dumpson.

Dr. J. Donald Dumpson
Minister of Music, Arch Street Presbyterian Church

Founder & Artistic Director, Philadelphia Heritage Choral

Ms. Daria DiCicco

Director of Operations
Arch Street Presbyterian Church