The Second Chance Choir is a supportive community that unites individuals through music and camaraderie. This choir has showcased its talent during Christmas concerts in Perth’s central business district and various local events. New participants are encouraged to join, as the choir welcomes anyone interested in being part of this uplifting experience.
On a dreary Tuesday night, the soulful notes of “Amazing Grace” resonate from a modest venue situated between a sporting goods store and a government building in northern Perth. Inside, numerous individuals are casting aside their fears and embracing the joy of singing, momentarily setting aside past experiences of trauma, addiction, and violence.
This is the essence of the Second Chance Choir, a collective formed to foster support, community, and musical expression.
The idea for the choir was conceived by its founder, Jade Lewis, in 2009 while she was implementing a support program in a women’s correctional facility. “I noticed a group of women who had lost their voices, and I could relate to that, as I had also silenced my voice due to trauma and addiction,” she recounted.
Lewis initially hesitated to work with offenders but eventually found the courage to proceed. “Someone had extended help to me during my darkest times, so I felt it was my turn to assist them,” she reflected. She observed that many challenges arose for these individuals after their release, particularly in securing housing, employment, and reintegrating into society.
Although a significant number of choir members come from religious backgrounds and often sing the Christian hymn “Amazing Grace,” Lewis emphasized that the choir is inclusive and open to all. “Singing together in a supportive, non-invasive environment allows people to connect and share their journeys of overcoming adversity,” she explained. “Members not only rediscover their voices but also their unique songs.”
Ryan Brownhill, who battled drug addiction from the age of 15, found his way to the choir after achieving sobriety at 25. “I was in a very dark place, filled with anxiety and despair,” he shared. “Life felt hopeless, and I was lost.” Brownhill discovered the choir through his church and expressed gratitude for the second chance he has been given. “Singing ‘Amazing Grace’ is my way of offering hope to others; if I could turn my life around, so can they,” he stated.
Fellow choir member Valeria Mazza faced two decades of substance abuse stemming from a traumatic upbringing marked by familial violence. Having lost custody of her three children and serving multiple prison sentences, she reflected on her past. “I was an angry person when I entered prison, blaming everyone for my circumstances,” she admitted. Mazza’s encounter with Lewis while she was mentoring inmates proved pivotal after her final release in 2014. “The previous times I was released, there was no support, leading me back to my old ways of drugs and crime,” she recounted. “This time, I had a network of women available to support me around the clock.” Now, she has rebuilt her relationship with her children and works as a registered nurse.
Similarly, Jake Baker joined the choir following years of incarceration. He believes that the choir exemplifies a healthier model of masculinity. “When men step up and show vulnerability, it encourages other men, especially those coming out of jail, to do the same,” he remarked. “Instead of maintaining a tough exterior, we can let go and sing freely.”
Lewis aspires to see more initiatives like the Second Chance Choir established in Western Australia. “While many programs focus on behavior management, a choir offers a pathway for individuals to find hope, dignity, and community,” she noted. Mazza also shared a message of encouragement for those facing struggles: “Don’t lose hope; keep moving forward. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
