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Following a successful inaugural gathering in Boca Raton this past March, The Chant Stand will host its second annual Young Aspiring Chanters (YAC) Conference October 23–25, 2026 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas.
Open to all Orthodox Christians ages 18–35, regardless of jurisdiction or prior experience, YAC offers three days of instruction in Byzantine chant, worship and fellowship. Participants will study under Protopsaltes Samuel Herron, Joshua Boyd and Peter Elgohary.
On Saturday evening, The Chant Stand and the Holy Trinity Young Adult League will host a Glendi of dinner and dancing, open to participants and Orthodox young adults from the wider community.
The weekend will conclude Sunday, October 25, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine of Denver and chanted entirely by conference participants.
The inaugural conference, held at Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, drew more than 40 young men and women from across the country, many of whom had never chanted before. The conference was held under the spiritual guidance of Father Mark Leondis of Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church. Since then, several participants have returned to their home parishes inspired to take their place at the analogion and to continue growing in this tradition.
“Boca exceeded everything we hoped for,” said Sam Atalis, co-founder of The Chant Stand. “We’re finding that young Orthodox Christians want to take part in this tradition, and to do it alongside others who share that desire. YAC is meant to be that first step — but also a community to keep coming back to, whether you’re just beginning or continuing to grow in this art form.”
For those who wish to continue their education, YAC also serves as a gateway to more advanced study through programs including the Trisagion School of Byzantine Music, among others.
Registration for YAC is $200 and closes October 18. Glendi tickets are available as an add-on at registration. Register now at thechantstand.org/yac/register.
About The Chant Stand
The Chant Stand is an Orthodox Christian nonprofit co-founded by Sam Atalis and Andreas Stamatakis, members of Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, Florida. Dedicated to preserving the sacred art of Byzantine chant and passing it on to the next generation, The Chant Stand serves as an accessible entry point for young Orthodox Christians who feel called to this tradition. The Chant Stand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit thechantstand.org or email info@thechantstand.org.
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