Current Events/News
JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars is returning as our magnanimous host with more tasty concoctions and tempting food pairings! Our 2nd annual Cocktails for a Cause event promises a beautiful time for fun and frivolity ;). Join us Saturday, April 30th. Make sure to pre-order your box of booze ;-) As always, this event will be viewed live for all those who can’t join us in person. Click here for more information.
Donor Appreciation Celebration! We are back! Join us for our long-awaited in-person Breathe Bravely Backyard Bash, an evening celebrating YOU and the support you've shown Breathe Bravely. We can't wait to spend the evening enjoying live music, eating incredible local food, and raising a glass as we say THANK YOU for making the work of Breathe Bravely possible! Thursday, Sept. 1 from 5:30-7:40 LEARN MORE HERE and RSVP HERE
We are so excited to host our 3rd annual, “SING IT FOR CF: A MARATHON OF SONG”! Join us as we shed light on our sINgSPIRE singers, their stories, and the life-giving power of song in the life of Cystic Fibrosis. Join us LIVE on our Facebook page FROM 8 A.M. (CT) TO 8 P.M. (CT) ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2022! Click HERE!
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving has become known as Giving Tuesday- a national day of giving and generosity. On November 29, 2022, we encourage all to consider giving in any way they can. If you would like to donate to Breathe Bravely, click here for more information. Spread love and joy this holiday season!
Grammy-Winning Composer Eric Whitacre Performs Live With Hybrid Choir In JackTrip Labs Virtual Studio At NAMM
“Through the cutting edge technology of the Virtual Studio, Eric connects members of Breathe Bravely, an organization that links individuals with cystic fibrosis to professional voice training, and singers from CSU Long Beach in a rendition of "Sing Gently," a piece Eric originally debuted in 2020 by stitching together pre-recorded videos. Now, thanks to JackTrip, virtually present singers and physically present accompanists on piano and string quartet will perform in true synchrony, creating an unprecedented hybrid experience for the live NAMM audience and for those listening virtually via JackTrip Radio.”
News About Breathe Bravely
2019 - 2020
Argus Leader - sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir feature
“Ballou-Bonnema’s struggle with CF eventually led to the founding of the Breathe Bravely organization in 2015 and its sINgSPIRE virtual choir. Ballou-Bonnema, founder and executive director, teaches people with CF to sing and find their own voice.
"I think singing was a means of always proving to myself that I was still alive, that I was still breathing and that I could be stronger than CF.”
Sioux Falls Business Journal 2019 “Movers and Shakers”
“Congratulations to our latest Movers & Shakers, from Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls, Augustana University, Avera Research Institute, CO-OP Architecture, Breathe Bravely and more!”
Breathe Bravely named 2019 Community Spirit Award Recipient
“Working toward our mission to help improve the quality of life for individuals and families in our area, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation regularly awards grants to local nonprofits who are doing important work to serve others in need.
The Community Spirit Award recognizes one nonprofit who has used its grant to drive change, engage in dialogue and spark new ideas, making an extraordinary impact in the lives of those it serves and in the community we call home.”
Cystic Fibrosis patients find strength through online choir
A meaningful news interview from WSB-TV in Atlanta, GA with sINgSPIRE student Elena Goodrow.
“…I didn’t know quite how to use my lungs to where I could actually sing confidently… These lessons are more than just art. They’re therapy.”
Ashley Ballou-Bonnema, founder, cover feature in Sioux Falls Woman magazine - Holiday 2019
“It really does give voice”: Whitby, Ontario woman performs in virtual choir - Global News
“It literally is stealing our breath as we get older,” said Mattson, 48, describing the illness’s effects. But Mattson has found that the art of singing actually helps her combat the effects of CF. “It really does give you a voice,” said Mattson.
And she’s been able to find that voice with some help from a program called sINgSPIRE, organized by Breathe Bravely.
“In the Moment” - SDPB Radio Interview
Ashley Ballou-Bonnema is the executive director and founder of Breathe Bravely, and Maren Engel is Breathe Bravely's director of operations. They are here to tell us more about the sINgSPIRE program and the sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir.
“Someone You Should Know” with Ashley Ballou-Bonnema - KDLT Interview
“…just because you have cystic fibrosis doesn’t mean you can’t be a singer or that you can’t be whatever you want to be. It’s how you do it and the passion you put behind it…”
KELOLAND Living - Interview about “Until It’s Done”
Ashley stopped by the KELOLAND studio to chat with host Brittani Kaye about the debut of the sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir and “Until It’s Done”.
KELOLAND Living - “Life with cystic fibrosis and how you can help”
Ashley stopped by the KELOLAND living studio to talk with host Ashley Thompson about life with CF and how your support and participation in events that benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are giving the gift of life and hope.
“We Give Voice” Media release about participant, Sky
Candice Kalenga, sINgSPIRE singer, gives voice to cystic fibrosis
Candice shares her experience as an adult living with cystic fibrosis and how singing impacts her life in a positive way.
Sanford Health News - “Woman fights against cystic fibrosis with voice, passion”
Founder, Ashley Ballou-Bonnema sits down and talks with Sanford Health News about finding her voice and living with cystic fibrosis amidst the pandemic.
Leading to Save Your Life with Ashley Ballou-Bonnema
Ashley Ballou-Bonnema’s path toward leadership is unique. In episode five, hear how Ashley transformed her blog about living with CF into a non-profit, Breathe Bravely, that gives a voice to those across the world with CF. Ashley shares how she overcomes challenges and how she leads with an individualized approach to bring out each person’s unique talents.
To celebrate his new Virtual Choir 6, Eric Whitacre picks 6 favorite virtual choir performances
sINgSPIRE Virtual Choir’s performance of “We Give Voice” was chosen as one of critically acclaimed composer, Eric Whitacre’s favorite virtual choir performances.
Broadway World - 17,572 Singers From 129 Countries Joined Together To Perform In The Largest Ever Virtual Choir
Ashley along with many other individuals from the CF community had the great honor of being a part of this project. Ashley is mentioned in this article for her contribution to the project in the form of an informative workshop about singing with less than perfect lungs.
Forbes - Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 6 : Sing Gently project
“…Whitacre told the story of Ashley Ballou-Bonnema, a professional vocalist living with the lung-related condition of cystic fibrosis, who “moved heaven and earth and made a video showing people who have limited breath support how to sing through these [musical] phrases.”
Singing In The Dark Times: Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir Takes On New Meaning
“…Singing a choral piece alone is not just weird for middle schoolers, it's challenging for everybody. Ashley Ballou-Bonnema, a professional singer from Sioux Falls, S.D., who has Cystic fibrosis, created her own virtual choir for people with the disease.
"It's so vulnerable," she says. "And everybody hates listening to their own voice. When you're in a choir, you realize that, OK, I'm not alone in this. I'm melding myself a part of something."
CBS Sunday Morning - “Creating a virtual choir with 17,572 singers”
Ashley had the great privilege to be one of the participants of Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 6 : Sing Gently project to be interviewed by David Pogue.
