Welcome to the Peninsula Community Chorus! We're a community-based vocal group that sings a wide variety of musical styles, from classical, folk, and jazz, to Broadway, pop, and contemporary.
PMAA is committed to bringing music to communities in San Mateo County. You may have caught one of our performances at Foster City's annual tree-lighting ceremony, Hillsdale Mall, or during one of our annual Winter or Spring concerts.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to sing, learn or improve your basic music theory and vocal techniques, and meet new people, we'd love to have you join our chorus. No audition required, but we do ask for a strong commitment and dedication to the group. Under the expert guidance of our director, Erin Moore, you’ll have a fun and rewarding musical experience in a friendly and supportive environment.
Cultural equity and inclusion are central to the Peninsula Musical Arts Association's commitment to supporting and inspiring social consciousness and diversity. We define culture in inclusive terms, considering race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, religion, class, and indigenous heritage.
We see diversity as an asset to our organization and strive to be reflective of the communities that we serve. Together, we build a culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our members and employees.
PMAA acknowledges that it is critical to weave practices that advance equity within our organization and communities throughout the fabric of the organization. One of the ways we do this is through purposeful selection of music from composers and eras that represent the diversity in which we live today.
We commit ourselves to promoting better understanding and appreciation of our human diversity and the importance of equity, a commitment which is best realized through our individual and collective efforts. PMAA believes that equity and inclusion are deeply rooted through our commonalities not our differences.
PMAA's mission is to bring our diverse community together in song through education in vocal techniques, appreciation of diverse musical genres, eras, and cultures, and performances at public, civic, and cultural events. We provide a supportive group environment that welcomes community members of all singing abilities to share the love of singing and performing choral music.
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Erin Moore moved to the Bay Area from Baltimore, Maryland in 2012 and since then has been involved with several local choral and theater groups as a conductor, vocal coach, musical director, and a private voice instructor. Her life-long passion for music began at an early age, and in middle school and high school she began formally studying voice and subsequently choral conducting.
Erin received her Bachelor of Music in classical vocal performance and Masters of Arts in teaching for choral conducting from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She subsequently spent 7 years as a high school music educator, musical director, and choral conductor in the greater DC and Baltimore areas. In addition to teaching, Erin also composed and arranged original works for her choral and advanced a cappella ensembles and served as pit conductor for many full stage musicals.In addition to proudly serving as Musical Director for the Peninsula Musical Arts Association since 2019, Erin is also a member of the Masterworks Chorale of San Mateo where she currently serves as the Assistant Conductor. Known for her energy and musicianship, she is committed to delivering high quality choral music experiences through a wide range of repertoire to the greater Bay Area Community while always bringing a sense of connection, education, and joy to both choral ensembles and audiences alike.
Anna Khaydarova received her Bachelor’s degree with honors from Tashkent State University, Uzbekistan, in 2002 and her Master’s degree from Notre Dame De Namur University in 2005. In 2001 she won second prize in the Bartok-Prokofiev-Kabalevsky International Piano Competition in Redford, Virginia, and in 2003 she won the NDNU Concerto Competition and performed Prokofiev First Piano Concerto with the Redwood Symphony. Ms. Khaydarova is Music Director at Island United Church and her private teaching studio is located in Foster City. Anna has been part of PMAA history since 2014.
The Peninsula Community chorus was born as the Foster City Community Chorus in October 1992, when Fred De Boer approached the Foster City Parks and Recreation Department with the concept of forming a community chorus. Under the co-sponsorship of Parks and Recreation, the newly-formed FCCC of approximately 30 voices prepared for their inaugural holiday concert in December, 1992.
The chorus flourished, and in 1994 a smaller audition-only group, the Foster City Chorale, now known as Heart & Soul, was formed. Under the direction of Mr. De Boer, the groups became known as some of the best amateur choral groups on the Peninsula. In recognition of exponential growth in such a short time, the chorale was invited to perform at the White House in December, 1995.
In June 1998, Mr. DeBoer lost his valiant battle with cancer. The Foster City Community Chorus and the Foster City Chorale were determined to carry on his vision. The 1998 Fall season began, and on November 23, 1998, the Peninsula Musical Arts Association was incorporated as a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. That very evening, the singers met and elected a Board of Directors. The following June, the Corporation received its state and federal tax-exempt status, enabling it to receive tax-deductible donations.
FCCC was renamed to the Peninsula Community Chorus in 2018 to better reflect the community that we have built through the years, though you will also hear members refer to it as PMAA. 2023 marks PMAA and the Peninsula Community Chorus’ 31-year anniversary of bringing music to the Peninsula community.
PMAA has maintained its close relationship with the Foster City Parks and Recreation Department, which provides rehearsal and concert space but no direct financial support. Participation fees, concert performance revenue, and public donations of cash, vehicles, and in-kind services cover the operating expenses.
Peninsula Musical Arts Association
969-G Edgewater Blvd. PMB 155 Foster City, California 94404
A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
Incorporated on November 23, 1998
Corporate Federal ID #94-3314306, California #2073542
Federal IRS tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) June 15, 1999
California tax exemption under Section 23701(d) July 7, 1999
Foster City Parks and Recreation Department Liaison: Kevin Miller
