It’s about the music. And the rest of it, too.
With a rich legacy spanning over 80 years, the Palo Alto High School (Paly) Choir program stands as a pillar of musical excellence. Our multi-award-winning ensembles carry a prestigious reputation, having consistently performed at state festivals and nurtured generations of talented vocalists. Under the guidance of our dedicated faculty, students explore a diverse and challenging repertoire, learning interesting music from cultures around the world.
Joining Paly Choirs offers significant academic advantages alongside artistic growth. All choir courses are UC approved and College Prep certified, ensuring they meet rigorous university standards. Additionally, courses can be taken for CTE credit, and students have the option to choose Honors-level courses to challenge themselves further. Our alumni have gone on to pursue musical careers at Chapman, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, USC, UC Santa Cruz, UC Irvine, University of Santa Clara, Harvard, and Westminster Choir College and others.
Beyond the classroom and the stage, Paly Choirs is about being part of a vibrant, supportive community. It is a place where students build lifelong friendships and a sense of belonging while striving for artistic mastery. Discover your voice and become part of our storied tradition.
Discover what your voice can do, together with others.
Try something new. Find the courage to be heard.
Share the rehearsals, the laughter and the applause.
Meet new music, new places and new perspectives.
Be yourself. Be part of something bigger.
Guidance that helps every voice grow.
Michael Najar
Choir Director
Michael Najar joined the faculty at Palo Alto High School as teacher of Choral and Vocal music in 2003. At Palo Alto he conducts four ensembles, and created the Audio Music Production program. Choirs under his direction have toured internationally to Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico, Hungary, Italy, Austria, and Slovakia. The choral program has doubled in size during his tenure and the choir has received numerous awards and accolades. He has served on the faculty of Notre Dame da Namur University where he directed the Choral Chanteurs and taught Music Applications in Technology. In 2019 he was honored as the California Choral Director of the Year by the Bay Area CMEA.
Mr. Najar received his Bachelors of Music from University of California at Irvine where he studied voice with Mahlon Schanzenbach, composition with Dr. Bernard Gilmore and Christopher Dobrian and conducting with Joseph Huszti. Michael has post-graduate study in conducting at CSU Los Angeles with Donald Brinegar. In 2012, he received his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from Notre Dame da Namur University. As a singer he is comfortable in classical, Broadway, and pop music. As a composer Mr. Najar, completed his second musical, Venture, which premiered in 2018 and was a part of TheatreWorks New Works Festival.
Brittney Kerby
Choir Director
Love of music. Curiosity about what’s next
Brittney Kerby joined the faculty of Palo Alto High School in 2015. Ms. Kerby currently teaches choir and AP Music Theory as well as serving as the Instructional Leader for the Visual and Performing Arts Department. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music Education and her Teaching Credential in K-12 Music from the University of California, Los Angeles. While at UCLA, she performed in the university’s Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Opera.
In addition to music, Ms. Kerby is passionate about 21st century learning and the possibilities of technology in education. She completed the Krause Center for Innovation Merit Program as well we the Leading Edge Blended and Online Teacher Program. She has given presentations on the possibilities of technology in music education at local and state-wide conferences including the California All-State Music Education Conference. She has also a guest lectured at the University of California Los Angeles and California State University Northridge.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Kerby taught elementary and middle school music in Los Angeles Unified School District and El Segundo Unified School District. She is a member of ACDA, NAfME, and CMEA. In her pursuit for personal creativity, Ms. Kerby writes music in an electronic pop duo called “StrangeBird” with fellow choir teacher, Michael Najar.
More than an audience. Part of the music.
Friends of Paly Choirs (FOPC) brings parents, guardians, alumni and community members together to support choral music at Palo Alto High School. Established as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 1994, we are one of Paly’s longest-standing nonprofit organisations, united by a belief in the power of a good music education.
If your child is a student in Paly Choirs, you are already a member. Every parent and guardian is part of FOPC, with a three-member board nominated from within our current membership. We work closely with the choir directors to understand what the program needs each year and give our support where it can make a difference. Donations help fund student tours and travel, performance attire, guest artists and musicians, masterclasses, accompanists, music purchases, arrangements and commissions.
Your generosity helps support Paly’s award-winning, internationally recognised ensembles and the experiences that help our students grow. All donations to FOPC are tax deductible.
We meet once a month to stay connected with the choir’s activities and needs, and everyone is welcome to attend. It’s an opportunity to hear what’s happening, get involved and help support the year ahead.
Thank you for supporting Paly Choirs and believing in the power of a good music education.
The FOPC Board
Sangeeta Roy · President
Chris Stevenson · Treasurer
Christine Klenow · Secretary
Our story continues.
The journey of our voices.
Every ensemble is shaped by the people who sing in it. Paly’s choral tradition connects students, families, directors and alumni through a shared love of music.
Palo Alto High School establishes its choral music program.
The Madrigal Singers come together as a new ensemble at Paly.
Paly Choirs start tradition of international tours every 2 years
Paly Choirs resume international trips post Covid
New voices carry the program forward, one rehearsal and performance at a time.
Shared effort. Something to celebrate.
Every recognition begins with students learning, practicing and singing together. These honors celebrate their dedication, from individual honor choir selections to achievements shared by an entire ensemble.
Learning. Performing. Growing Together.
Paly ensembles have earned Unanimous Superior ratings at CMEA festivals.
The program’s history includes Napa Valley, Golden State and Chanticleer invitational events.
Guest artists, collaborations and tours create opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.
CCDA
CCDA
ACDA
WACDA
Honors Choirs
Every year many of our students are selected for prestigious honor choirs like CCDA Coastal Region Honor Choir, CCDA All-State Honor Choir, WACDA Honor Choir and ACDA National Honor Choir. Singers undergo a selective audition process and are chosen to participate in ensembles made with the best choir singers from around the region or nation.
Unanimous Superior Rating - CMEA
2005-2009, 2013-2026
2005-2009, 2013-2026
2007, 2009, 2013-2026
Honors and Awards at Invitationals
Paly Choirs has a continuous history of participating in invitationals and Festivals in an effort to engage with other choirs and their singers from around the state and country. The efforts and dedication of our student has been rewarded with highest honors at these invitationals on several occasions
Concert Choir: 2012, 2015
Madrigal Singers: 2012, 2015
Concert Choir:
Sweepstakes Award (highest honour): 2007, 2009, 2015
Spectrum Singers:
Gold Award (highest honour for women’s choirs): 2007, 2009, 2015
Concert Choir: 2010
Concert Choir: 2005, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2016