Proud to Shine: Yohei Sakai
Founder of St. John’s Gay Men’s Chorus lifts voices in LBGTQ+ community
He was studying music and didn't know what he wanted to do after graduating; he felt lost, unsure. Then, a professor pulled him aside and told him he had a knack for conducting that he should foster. Sakai took the advice and ran with it.
He decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Choral Conducting at MUN. Not long after, he took the plunge and formed his own choir: the St. John's Gay Men's Chorus.
"I thought, 'Okay, if I'm staying a few more years, why don't I start something I like,'" he says. "And that was the beginning of the idea of starting a gay men's chorus here in town."
Sakai admits that, when he began the chorus in 2017, he still didn't know much about choral conducting – he was learning as he went, and was mostly just excited that even eight people had turned up for the first rehearsal.
But in the years since, he's built something impressive.
In 2018, they attended the Unison Festival hosted in Calgary, making them the first choir from Newfoundland to participate in the national 2SLGBTQ+ choral event. It wasn't easy – Sakai had to fundraise for travel costs and organize the trip himself – but he knew he wanted to be there.
"When we were rehearsing before the performance in the rehearsal room, I started crying while I was directing," he laughs. "I said, 'Sorry guys, I'm so emotional.' It was a really great memory."
The road that led Sakai to Newfoundland – and to his love of choral conducting – was long.
He grew up in and around Nagasaki, in Japan's Southwest. He had a closeted upbringing; he realized he was gay at 17 and didn't tell anyone until he was 23, when he came out to a best friend.
Not long after, he left the country, first moving to Toronto for a year, then Mexico City for four.
"Japan is not a violent country in terms of the LGBTQ community, but acceptance is not there," he says. "I think that's why it's so important for me to keep engaging in activities in the community, because I kind of feel like I'm living my youth now."
Sakai's ability to adapt to wherever he's landed is one of the most impressive things about him.
I know that Pride started as a protest, and I believe that we shouldn't lose that. But I want to go out and I want to celebrate, and show that I can be myself.- Yohei Sakai, artistic director St. John's Gay Men's Chorus
Newfoundland is the smallest place he's lived by far, but he's still managed to foster a meaningful community there, both through his chorus and the musical scene at large. As one of few queer BIPOC in St.John's, connecting with other members of the queer community has been especially important to him.
This past year has been quiet for the St. John's Gay Men's Chorus, as choral singing has been deeply impacted by Covid restrictions.
In celebration of Pride 2021, they hosted a pop-up choir in Bannerman Park, where all community members were welcome to join in and sing The Wellerman, this year's favourite sea shanty.
"I know that Pride started as a protest, and I believe that we shouldn't lose that," Sakai says. "But I want to go out and I want to celebrate, and show that I can be myself."
Sakai is leaving Newfoundland at the end of August to begin a new job as the artistic director of the Calgary Men's Chorus. Still, the impact he's had on his community is undeniable, and the St. John's Gay Men's Chorus will continue to run under a new conductor.
Ritche Perez is a photographer based in St. John's, Newfoundland. His work is influenced by street photographers and he is passionate about capturing the street culture. You can find him on Instagram at @ritche.perez.
ABOUT PROUD TO SHINE
Proud to Shine highlights 2SLGBTQ+ folks who are making a difference in their communities, industries and everyday life. Throughout the summer, we will be sharing some of their stories. Check back here for updates, and you can also find the stories shared on the CBC East Coast Instagram channel.
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