Muso's passion adds fuel to the choir

Elana Stone bubbles in conversation, a pure delight, and resides locally, a talented star of the Australian music industry. It is clear she has an understanding of her own future, but she also understands the needs of others within the northern Illawarra community.

Elana moved to the northern Illawarra in 2017 from her Sydney base and decided she wanted to place her roots deep, meet others and combine her joy through music with others in the community. One way was to create the pop-up choir in Thirroul, with Luke Moseley, called Earth, Wind and Choir.

“I am still working a full-time music career as a band member for Missy Higgins and others, such as Josh Pyke, as well other jobs within the industry, (and being a mother of two young children) but the choir in Thirroul has become another avenue that enriches my life through music,” she said.

“I can see it works for many others within the choir, too. It does not seem to matter how our day has gone – the choir manages to lift us all higher. It is a remarkable feeling for us all.” 

Held at the Thirroul Community Centre, choir meetings led by Elana provide the energy and a complete joy of music to enrich allcomers, no matter their experience or ambitions.

“This is a choir that many have been looking for because people of all generations just keep coming back. It is a way of coming together in joyous harmony, but it has also become a friendship group twice a year.”

Elana explains that the choir still must fit, not only within her touring schedule and family life, but everyone else needs a break. “So far the ‘pop-up’ schedule is working very well.”

The group began in the Thirroul Railway Institute Hall, but later moved to the community centre for the larger space, a piano in tune and facilities that assisted the choir.

“So many people love music but not all do it forever,” Elana says. “Work, family, childhood lessons discontinued, adult regrets – all feature. So, many jump at the chance to sing together, make connections and the opportunity to be vulnerable together.  

“This does involve some risks because our noises are not always perfect, but as people engage in risks, there is also safety together. Some call it ‘exposure therapy’. We are not all trained musicians, but there is a joy that is created through music and singing together that is binding.”

Elana is traditionally trained through ANU (Australian National University) in the jazz school and credits her high school, Newtown High School of Performing Arts, with igniting that joy through music and performance. Piano, accordion, guitar and ukulele all feature in Elana’s musical expertise but her voice also features on stage and in choir. 

“In Earth, Wind and Choir, we do such interesting music together, often ranging around themes. One time it was The White Lotus theme, another time it was Bluey, or Hound Dog (written for Big Mama Thornton and later further popularised by Elvis) and the Baja Men’s feminist anthem Who Let The dogs out?, or even the Tuneyards Water Fountain.

“Sometimes the songs are obscure because it is for a set purpose, or scene. The dog themes were specific for a dog show, and it was just for fun, but other times very popular songs are chosen such as Everyone Wants to Rule the World. It is a collaborative choice and provides conversation within the group as well.

“Occasionally, there is an environmental flavour. We all love nature and it seems a natural fit to envelop and blanket ourselves with our love of nature through song.”

It is hard not to feel the passion Elana exerts through her current choir creation. The joy is palpable and probably a reason for her longevity in a very competitive and changeable business where only about 1% succeed.

“Earth, Wind and Choir members encompass local singers but also attract those from as far as Penrith and Unanderra and all suburbs in between. We generally attract 30-50 people a week,” Elana says.

“We design music for one session so it does not matter if members have other commitments and through performance is important, it is not the ultimate goal. It does however help many of us to focus. Often after a performance, many of us hang out as friendships grow.

“We may not be a perfect choir, a bit ‘warts and all’ sometimes but I am always fascinated by individual voices. We do not hold auditions – just bring a water bottle and be prepared to do a few warm-ups and breathing exercises. The basics of learning to sing are all there, but singing together in joy of music is our main feature.”

Earth, Wind and Choir is open to all generations and encompasses an age range of 10 years old to 80 years young. The $20 fee covers hire of the hall, public liability and administration and a small fee to the organisers and arrangers.

“I am looking forward to term 2 of 2026 for our next hourly sessions of 8-10 weeks – Tuesday night, 7:30,“ Elana said.