GAPA Chorus Retreat

GAPA Chorus Retreat Recap

by Ngoc Nguyen

GAPA Chorus Retreat 2025 went off smoothly, thanks to the participation of 28 members and the behind-the-scenes hard work of the organizers. This much-needed retreat helped strengthen bonds and reestablish structure within the organization, as the last retreat was in 2019. The weekend was filled with workshops, rehearsals, meetings, fun, and connection.

This year’s theme was nature and simplicity, as we glamped at the beautiful Redwood Glen Retreat Lodge in Loma Mar. Our two-night stay was spent in two sleeping quarters, each with 14 bunks, connected by a shared common space. The fresh, clean air and towering redwoods created a peaceful environment to focus on connection, rehearsals, and planning for the future.

The first day welcomed everyone to camp, where members naturally divided themselves into two sleeping groups: The Early Birds & The Night Owls. Some members were impressively prepared—and over-prepared—for what was meant to be a minimalist camping trip. The Early Birds enjoyed some wonderful amenities, thanks to Gerald and Adam. Both quarters had their share of snorers and sleepless campers.

We kicked off the retreat with a welcoming orientation, where we set our intentions for the weekend, followed by a communal dinner, our first rehearsal, a campfire, and our first workshop—Intro to Swedish Massage, led by Ngoc and assisted by Lewis. The night ended with the board game crew playing Dixit, where Lyman won (and there were no losers).

Saturday: A Full Day of Activities

At 7 AM, an early yoga workshop led by Adam set a refreshing tone for the day. After breakfast, members split into concurrent workshops:

Lewis led a Zumba/Dance Fitness session at the basketball court.
Danny Chung ran volleyball drills and games nearby.
Lyman shared insights from years of vocal training experience at the rock-climbing wall.
Adam held his second yoga session.

After lunch, we gathered for our chorus business meeting, covering key topics such as Hand in Hand Singapore, organizational structure, and succession planning. Breakout groups formed, and members generated exciting ideas for fundraising and an apprenticeship program to help sustain GAPA Chorus.

The afternoon featured a mafia-style game, where evil triumphed over good through deceit, disinformation, and manipulation—great job, Lih, Cameron, and Danny Chung!

But the most anticipated event of the day was the GAPA Salon, showcasing a variety of unforgettable performances:

Fans Only dance crew kicked things off with an electrifying performance to APT.
Lih delivered a mellow, acoustic rendition of Pink Pony Club.
Manny mesmerized with a sensual hula dance.
Cameron taught us the importance of failing—and doing it effectively.
Oliver and Randy had us in stitches with a hilarious lip-sync performance.
Chris gave Queen Latifah a run for her money with “When You’re Good to Mama”— even without heels, wigs, nor makeup!
Mike Vo and Connor edged us (pun intended) before blasting us away with their incredible vocals.
Danny Wan closed the night with his one (old) man stand-up lecture—I mean, comedy.

As we enjoyed the performances, we also indulged in fried chicken (thank you, Dustin!), pie (thank you, Lih!), grapefruit juice (thank you, Lewis!), and Various Costco snacks (thank you GAPAFUND).

Sunday: Wrapping Up with Reflection & Appreciation

Our final day included more rehearsals and reflections on the weekend. We expressed deep appreciation for the silent but crucial work that keeps GAPA Chorus running:

Randy and Desmond, for sustaining GAPA chorus through countless years of loving work
Dino and Oliver, for their organization and fundraising.
Lih and Cameron, for their strategic planning and facilitation
Lewis, Adam, Lyman, and Ngoc, for their wellness and social programs.

One thing we learned: our chorus thrives without rigid structure because, in the end, everyone steps up to share their skills and talents—whether it’s starting a fire (thanks, Connor!), organizing, leading, or simply showing up for one another. The weekend was jam-packed with to-dos, entertainment, snores, but most importantly, laughter and bonding. As we drove away, there was a bittersweet feeling—sad that the weekend had come and gone, yet deeply grateful for the time spent together. In just a few days, we laughed, learned, and strengthened the bonds that make this chorus more than just a group—it’s a family. We are optimistic about our future and on-going relationship with each other and a promise to never play football!