Ephemera Choir

The Ephemera Choir is a vibrant community choir that has been singing together since 2016. We are a diverse blend of old and young voices, all coming together to share something truly special. Our songs are entirely original and our lyrics speak to the universal themes of humanity, freedom, and connection. We hold no political stance; our only intention is to bring healing and unity through the power of music and community.

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5 Lands Walk Opening Ceremony

5 Lands Walk Opening Ceremony

Choir Testimonials

“Yantra de Vilder is a creative genius.” Jane Gillings

“Having been a part of the Ephemera Choir for the last 3 years has been such an honour. Singing together directed by Yantra of her original and beautiful music and words that have never been sung before has been both challenging and exhilarating. I look forward to the choir starting again for the 2020 event. Original unique, uniting community and Yantra is an extraordinary choir leader, director and composer. Thankyou Yantra.” Nina Angelo

“The Central Coast is statistically low in multicultural integration. Participating in the 5 Lands choir has allowed me to meet individuals with diverse ethnic backgrounds including Chinese. African, Canadian Inuit and Indigenous Australians providing an experience that has enriched my life and understanding of both difference and similarity. The presentation of this rich diversity within our performance also shares culture with the audience. Choral singing provides me with vitality, purpose and social connection benefiting my wellbeing.” Julie Henry

“Singing in a choir is like magic... It brings everything to life, you are producing sounds you might never hear again. It's a wonderful experience and I am so glad that I had this opportunity... Music brings people together no matter what is the colour of your skin or the language you speak... Music is universal. And singing together as a choir is just as I said magic. Thank you very much Yantra tohave given me this opportunity. Your choir is fantastic and so are you.” Lillian Drieberg

“What a unique experience to be an Ephemera – Yantra is so trusting that her choir will embrace the spirit and immerse in the connection that this wonderful choir has to the 5 Lands community – thankyou for such an opportunity as a singer to contribute to spirit and soul of the specialness of this event. Yantra shares her spirit through her music and to the choir – a true collaboration and connectedness – what a joy it is to vocalise her compositions.” Philip White

“I love singing and learning Yantra's music, I've met many like-minded creative people who collaborate to create happiness at the darkest time of the year as well as incorporating Indigenous knowledge and respect for one another along the way. It's very special.”  June Morin

“I was going through a rough time in my life both emotionally and physically. Singing with the Ephemera Choir gave me the opportunity to heal and remove a lot of what doesn't serve me anymore. Being part of the 5 lands rehearsals and performances is uplifting and gives my heart much joy. I look forward to next years rehearsals with enthusiasm.””  Bernadette Bee

“The Ephemera Choir has been a unique experience for me. I had participated in the 5 Lands Walkprior to being involved in the choir but singing with the Ephemera Choir has meant I feel more connected with the whole event. I have made new friends and have found a deeper experience. Yantra’s compositions are about feeling the music, being immersed in it. Having the privilege of participating in bringing Yantra’s music into a performance is such a buzz. Singing around her piano each week for two intense months is memorable and heart opening. Experiencing Yantra sharing her passion is a rare gift.” Amanda Jeffries

“My life has been enriched in ways I could not have imagined by been in the choir! I have not only made new friends and performed with amazing artist, but to be able to give back to the coastal community that has embraced me is truly a gift. When we all sing together as one voice we become a power of love ,connection,inclusion and joy. I believe we are also helping to sing up this beautiful land and help people connect on a deep level.”  Irene Trauki

“I love being part of the Ephemera Choir! Singing and performing with such amazing and talented people has been a wonderful experience. Thank you Yantra, for creating the opportunity to be involved in this fantastic community event.” Wendy Guthrie

“The Ephemera Choir for me truly represents the 5 Lands Walk mantra in "Connecting People to People and People to Place". Through Yantra's music (and many practice sessions), the comradery amongst the members of this unique choir is a wonderfully creative community-centred connection. This very special opportunity for us as amateur 'performers' to work with Yantra and other musicians and be able to share her music with the wider community during the 5 Lands Walk and other events, is an exciting experience we all cherish!” Cath McEwen

“Being part of the Ephemera Choir, led by Dr. Yantra de Vilder has been a life changing and life expanding experience. May it continue for many years to come. The past 3 years taking part in Yantra De Vilder’s stunning performances for the Five Lands Walk has been the highlight of each year for me.” Ruchira Spong

“The music Yantra creates is so energising and her enthusiasm and creativity draws in singers and instrumentalists alike to perform to their utmost ability. We as a community have been so fortunate that Yantra has chosen to live on the Coast and to share her spectacular talents with us. We can only hope that she continues to be fulfilled in this environment as I have no doubt she will be sought after elsewhere.” Wendy Bauve

“I have been privileged to be part of the Ephemera choir for the last three years. To me it is a very meaningful part of the the 5 Lands Walk. I have met many new people in the local community. The many practices gave us chance to meet each other. The performances at Avoca and Terrigal were great community events. The parades with drummers, dancers from other cultures and stilt walkers etc were VERY memorable events for some kids. They also allowed the “child" inside many an adult in the audience to forget the cares of the world and come together for an hour or two. All round it is just a very positive community event that deserves support to continue.”  Ken Metelerkamp

“Yantra’s choir helped support me as a musician by giving me a platform and the ability to perform with other talented musicians. Enriched my knowledge of culture, art, music, and community.” Bee Haslam

“For three years I have been happily a part of Yantra's beautiful Ephemera choir which gathers annually for a period of approx 3 months, preparing for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Five Lands Walk. I know I speak for us all when I say we all start getting toey with excitement as April approaches and rehearsals commence again. I know this for a fact because I start receiving emails asking when are we starting up again. It's a wonderful, concentrated three months of rehearsals and learning and singing Yantra's innovative music. She writes new material for the production every year, both lyrics and scores. So it's challenging in the most delightful way. The entire process is uplifting, rewarding, lots of warm fuzzies, just simply one of life's enriching experiences. I'm elderly and it fills me with joy to be a part of this beautiful community choir Yantra has so lovingly established. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for her fathomless generosity to the community.” Margaret McKean

“I first participated with the Ephemera Choir and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 5 Lands Walk in 2018. It was a very moving, inspirational and emotional journey for me.I felt honoured to be asked to join with the Ephemera Choir and be part of this ceremony. I am passionate about respecting and preserving the culture of the First People of the land I live in. I am an ECE and tell dreaming stories to my class as often as I can. Partaking in this ceremony was extremely meaningful to me.” Anne Unger

“Loved the opportunity to sing with such a great group of people. Looking forward to next year.” Jude

“Singing with the Ephemera Choir for the 5 Lands Walk was a sharing of pure joy and goodness bringing diverse people together.”  Jo Brown

“As both a Pyschologist and a singer in the lovely Ephemera Choir I have had the privilege of experiencing how wonderful and special Yantra's choir really is. As with all choirs they help people with connection and community however Yantra's choir is of such an exceptionally high level of warmth and inclusion and confidence building and self esteem that Yantra's choir is really unique. My biggest joy when singing in this choir is seeing the smiles and awe on the faces of the audience as we touch so many hearts with Yantra's beautifully crafted songs and music. I know the audience loves us when they touch my arm afterwards when we mingle with the audience and they say how beautiful we were!” Hope Rigby

“Being part of the Ephemera choir has brought joy to my life. Singing the beautiful and unusual music in the choir makes me feel alive and connects me to others, both the other choir members and the audience. Performing at the Five Lands Walk is such fun and we all get a real buzz out of it. I am already looking forward to next year’s event.”  Rebecca Harcourt

“The Ephemera Choir and 5 Lands is the most inclusive, fun and enriching choir experience you'll ever have. It is lead with a great passion for music and a desire for all to feel the joy of its shared experience. You really get a sense that you are a part of something special. I highly recommended you check it out!” Emma Austin

“What an amazing experience to sing with the Ephemera choir this year and last. The music is amazing and our participation with the other choirs and all the different cultures that came together for the start and finish of the 5 Lands Walk was wonderful. Thankyou Yantra.” Akaycia

“Dear Yantra, I would like to say thank you for your contributions to the 5 Lands Walk, the music which you composed for the opening and closing ceremony was beautiful, thoughtful and inspiring. Thank you so much for opening up your home to myself and all of the choir members who were complete strangers to you. Your generosity and level of trust on the night of the final rehearsal was surprising to me, and reflected what 5 Lands represents.... Being open to everyone and connecting with people from all walks of life. Being a full time mother I have experienced feelings of isolation, loneliness and a sense of disconnection from society. This experience allowed me an opportunity to connect and feel united with people in my local community, to share my love of music with like minded people and to gain more knowledge and a greater understanding of the Central Coast's indigenous history and the importance of keeping it alive. When I agreed to participate in the Ephemera choir, I had no idea that I was going to participate in one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I have lived on the Central Coast all my life yet had no idea of this meaningful annual event. If it weren't for the opportunity to perform your music at this event I would still be oblivious to its existence. Prior to joining the choir my husband and I were having active discussions with our children regarding Australia's indigenous people, and the importance of gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for our indigenous history. Through these discussions however I realised that my own level of knowledge is limited, and that it's imperative that I learn more in order to educate my children about this important subject. I was completely unaware of the Central Coast's rich indigenous history before meeting Sandy. When we had our first discussion about what the 5 Lands Walk represented, she shared with me her knowledge and deep passion for the Central Coast's indigenous history. This discussion inspired my family to begin exploring the Central Coasts historical Aboriginal sites and amazing national parks. Exploring our local area as a family has been a wonderful bonding experience. We are more appreciative of our environment, we feel more connected to our land and we gain a sense of inner peace and calm when we immerse ourselves in our natural environment. Participating in the 5 Lands ceremonies with the Ephemera choir has had a profound and positive impact on myself and my family, on many levels. We will continue on our path of discovery and exploration of our beautiful surrounds, and I will continue to share with others the joyful and life changing experience I had with the Ephemera choir. I very much look forward to participating in the 5 Lands Walk ceremonies in 2020.” Melissa Pharo

Lugar Brae  Ephemera Community Choir

Lugar Brae Ephemera Community Choir Testimonials

“We wish to add our voices in supporting the community choir that Dr Yantra de Vilder has been conducting on Wednesday evenings at 5.30pm each week. The current goal being a performance on 6th September in the Luger Brae Uniting Church.  A previous performance which was sold out resonated with so many attendees who were all appreciative of the beautiful space in which this performance was held. The acoustics were sonically amazing and the beauty of the church aesthetically pleasing particularly the stained glass windows. It is incredibly inspiring to rehearse and perform in such a space. This is a very important community service that Dr Yantra  de Vilder provides. It brings people of all ages and denominations together to sing in one uplifting voice that benefits all in these current times of uncertainty and fear. It is an event which everyone is welcomed without prejudice, economic status, religion or age.  We rely on this weekly choir community to provide us with cohesion and an uplifting of mood with the songs that Dr Yantra De Vilder has composed. They are songs of love, peace, happiness and community. Love not war. We all walk away after choir imbued with a sense of hope and our souls nourished.  Dr Yantra de Vilder is an accomplished musicologist and composer. She is performing a very important role in the Bronte local community.  We are united in song to bring about peace within and outside of ourselves.  This important project facilitated and composed  by Dr de Vilder is essential to the community. Thank you.”  Dorothy Chan  and Maurice Henler

“I am writing as both a creative partner and lead vocalist on the CREDO project, to share my personal experience of this choir and the extraordinary leadership of Dr Yantra de Vilder. Over the past year, I have come to see the Lugar Brae Community Choir not only as a creative ensemble but as a living expression of community, inclusion, and shared purpose — qualities I understand to be central to the mission of the Uniting Church. Under Yantra’s compassionate and visionary direction, this group has evolved into a fellowship where artists, singers, and community members of all backgrounds feel safe, valued, and inspired. The work we present — CREDO — is not simply a musical offering. It is a deeply moving act of worship. While it may not use conventional liturgical language, it reverberates with the same yearning for justice, peace, and love that underpins the Christian message. In the truest sense of the word, this is worship: a heartfelt outpouring of our lived human experiences, our grief and joy, and our collective hope for a better, more compassionate world. As a transgender man, I have never before found a place within a spiritual space where I felt so wholly seen and welcome. The Uniting Church’s public stance in support of LGBTQIA+ inclusion was one reason I felt safe to step forward in this role. But it is Yantra’s unwavering commitment to authenticity, spiritual depth, and creative excellence that has kept me engaged. Through this work, I have found family. I have witnessed lives change. I have seen the spirit move. To remove this choir from sacred space would be to misunderstand the profound reverence and purpose with which we gather and sing. The nave of Lugar Brae has never felt more alive, nor more aligned with the Church’s calling to love beyond boundaries. I ask that you see this work for what it truly is: worship in action, art as ministry, and community as church.” Axel Starviking Lead Vocalist & Creative Partner on CREDO

“I live in the Bronte /Bondi area and have been coming to the choir on Wednesday evenings since October 2024 .This choir has been and is such a wonderful way of meeting people .There is so much fun and  joy amongst all the singers and we are so  lucky to have Dr Yantra de Vilder as our very accomplished choir master  & pianist. Her songs are great to sing and we all love the messages of peace and faith in humanity ,that they offer. I hope you can reach a good decision about having ongoing rehearsals in the church which is such a beautiful place.” Dr Sarah Cooper

“I am a senior who has been participating in the choir with Yantra de Vilder as our Choir Director. The joy and camaraderie that the choir and Yantra with her exceptional talent has given me is beyond words.  I hope you will find it in your hearts to give us  and Yantra our Choir Master this wonderful opportunity to perform in your church.” Marcia Bassin

“Dr Yantra has opened up a wonderful opportunity to sing together and also make friendships & connections. It is open to whomever wants to come along. I attend regularly on Wednesdays and look forward to it very much, as it is a healing & joyful experience. I sincerely hope it will be supported here & together under the leadership of Dr Yantra it can surely be an asset to the Uniting Church.” Diane Lenham.

“I have been singing in choirs for over 20 yrs and this is the most creative heartfelt choir that I have had the privilege to be part of, thanks to our amazing passionate choir leader Yantra de Vilder. It is such a joy to sing her original compositions and under her instruction be part of a wider celebration and sharing of song through our performances. I believe that being part of a community is extremely important, especially at this time, and being able to rehearse and perform at Lugar Brae , is such a gift for our community- long may it continue. I am a dedicated member of the Sydney Ephemera Choir and look forward to singing alongside these wonderful people for many years to come. A heart felt thank you to all.”  Belinda Haag

“I am a local resident and feel connected to the wider Bronte community through involvement in the choir. The choir is very inclusive & encouraging to all, including people like me who lack confidence. Our choir leader, Dr Yantra de Vilder is an accomplished musicologist & pianist, writing original songs about peace, humanity & caring for our environment. I attend regularly on Wednesdays, but to date have not felt confident to sing at the concerts. However, I’ve committed to joining the next concert at Lugae Brae in September. This choir, under Yantra’s leadership, is a credit to your church. I sincerely hope it will be supported to keep rehearsing & singing here. Thank you.” Robyn Edwards

“I am writing in support of the Ephemera choir, led by Yantra continuing at Lugar Brae Church. I find the Lugar Brae church to have a special community feel. Yantra’s songs of peace, love and unity are uplifting and bring the community together. I work in domestic and family violence, and I greatly appreciate the creative outlet provided by Yantra, in the beautiful, spiritual environment that is Lugar Brae Church. I would be deeply saddened if we had to find a new home.” Fran Bowick.

“I have been living in Bronte & the surrounding areas for many decades, it has been wonderful to sing every Wednesday at Lugar Brae Church, & to connect into this creative local community. Yantra’s original compositions are heartfelt, uplifting & inspirational. She is extremely dedicated and inspires that same dedication in the choir members. As a single parent of an autistic son, I have experienced isolation & I am grateful for the opportunity to belong to this choir to perform this joyous music. Rehearsing at Lugar Brae has become an integral & essential part of the process, I pray that it may continue, & I’m looking forward to rehearsing/performing there again in the near future.” Freya

“I sincerely hope our Community Choir can keep singing together at Lugar Brae Church. I have been a member for over two years. I joined just after I was made redundant from my full time job, as I live alone it became the one thing I had to look forward to on a regular basis. The comradery and joyful atmosphere really nourishes the soul. Yantra is such a gifted and generous musician and composer, we all appreciate her sharing her time and talents. I’m sure she doesn’t know the extent the resulting ripple affect can have. The members are not all over 50, but I find there are so few opportunities for that age group to find social activities in this area. I was a member of the Waverley Lugar Brae Players for 15 years until that group unfortunately folded as many musical societies in the Eastern Suburbs did at that time.” Amanda McGreal

“I’ve been a Bronte resident for more than 3 decades. And have often been so grateful for the way Lugar Brae United Church has enriched our family’s lives. The church’s stated mission is to engage with community and we have so fortunate to have benefited from this wonderful purpose - from yoga courses to writing courses (resulting in 2 published novels) to the precious opportunity to join a community choir that welcomes simply everyone. The sacred atmosphere of Lugar Brae Uniting Church imparts a special flavour to our rehearsals which all the choir members feel and respect. The choir leader and composer Yantra de Vilder creates a uniquely inclusive joyful ambience that reflects the wishes of the Church to & bring life & vibrancy, healing & wholeness, connection & joy to local communities. Her concerts there bring a wide variety of local residents to discover the Church for the first time. All in all I feel the presence of a community choir at Lugar Brae can only benefit the Church and draw more of the community to it.” Jane Lyttleton

“Singing in Yantra’s choir has been the most joyful and welcoming experience. All her original compositions speak of love, peace and spirituality. She is a brilliant musician and pianist and to lose access to Lugar Brae Church would be so sad.” Jennie

“Credo reflects the world’s current state in thoughtful and beautiful words and song.” Rebecca Harcourt

“I have been singing in community choirs for over 30 years. However there is something truly special about being in the Sydney Ephemera choir with Yantra de Vilder because she is a deeply committed, engaging choir director who composes her own original music which is deeply spiritual and she brings the community together around the choir that meets regularly at Lugar Brae Church in Bronte. We all agree it’s a joy and a privilege to sing her original songs of peace together.” Melissa Halliday

“Singing in Yantra’s choir has been the most joyful and welcoming experience. All her original compositions speak of love, peace and spirituality. She is a brilliant musician and pianist and to lose access to Lugar Brae would be so sad.” Jennie

“Yantra’s work deeply reflects the Uniting Church’s worship themes—faith, creativity, inclusion, First Nations justice, and stewardship.”  Alan

“I love being in Yantra’s choir and singing her music which is all about equality & bringing people together. She includes aboriginal themes and there is a very spiritual element in her compositions.” Wendy Bauve

“Yantra’s music is inspirational. She creates in spirit and this is felt when one experiences it. Her connection to our First Nations people, her compassion and her deep spiritual commitment are all expressed and experienced through her music.” Amanda Jeffries

“I feel blessed and inspired by singing with Yantra and the Credo choir. It gives me of feeling of belonging to a community of open hearted people serving the best interests of humanity and all people of our wonderful planet.” Merlin Baker

“As a member of Yantra de Vilder’s choir for the past 8 years, I can say with absolute integrity, that her work reflects the values that Christians hold dear - peace, justice, care of the environment, equality for all, promoting love not fear and creativity in all its forms.” Ruchira Spong

“Rehearsing and performing Credo with Yantra de Vilder has been a potent and empowering experience on many levels. The music and the words are powerful and inspiring and have a profound impact on me as a singer and also on our audiences. Watching the audience response and how they are uplifted and motivated by the performance is a very positive experience. I feel that the message presented is a really important one in our challenging times. I see how I am galvanised into positive action by being part of the performance and also how others are similarly drawn in to support and take part. Credo is not just another artistic endeavour, it is a clarion call to consider and act upon what freedom means to each one of us.” Laura Doe

“Yantra’s music and creative vision are what the world needs right now. As a person of faith I have witnessed our choir’s unique way of reaching the lost in our world. Community singing around a piano is inclusive and speaks of humanity and love.” Sandra Powell

CONTACT: yantra@yantra.com.au

(+61) 400 840 974