With Fresno’s energetic rock ‘n’ roll choir, these hearts (and lungs) are on fire and ready to dance
By Hailey Milasich
Ihe lights dim, the music kicks in, and before long, the audience is on its feet.
Fresno’s Hearts On Fire Rock ‘n’ Roll Choir is set to bring that energy to the stage with “Let’s Dance,” an upbeat concert designed to get the crowd moving and singing along. The performance will take place Saturday, April 11 at the Tower Theatre and features a lineup of recognizable hits from artists like David Bowie, ABBA, Van Halen and The Trammps.
With more than 40 members, the community choir has built a reputation for turning traditional choral performances into interactive experiences. Rather than staying seated, audiences are encouraged to clap, dance and fully engage with the music.
Founded in 2013, Hearts On Fire was created as an inclusive space for singers of all experience levels, removing the pressure of auditions and focusing instead on connection, confidence and fun. The group meets weekly, blending harmonies while celebrating classic songs that resonate across generations.
The choir is led by Debi Ruud, a Central Valley musician and founder of the Fresno Music Academy & Arts, who created the group to bring people together through music and provide more opportunities for community performance.
“We’re a non-audition community choir, so that right there tells you something about the folks who show up,” Ruud said. “I have people with a lot of singing experience and people with very little, but everyone is enthusiastic. Everyone who shows up just loves to sing.”
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That openness is intentional. Ruud said the choir creates a space for people who may feel isolated or lack a sense of belonging elsewhere.
“There are a lot of people in our community that don’t have community,” she said. “People who have lost spouses, or just don’t have a group to be part of. This gives them a place to come together, make music and connect. Singing is one of those things that’s healthy it brings people together.”
Unlike traditional choirs, Hearts On Fire focuses on familiar, high-energy music designed to engage both singers and audiences.
“It’s rock, not Bach,” Ruud said. “We do pop and rock music songs people know and love. Most of the audience recognizes the music, and that makes it even more fun.”
That energy carries into “Let’s Dance,” a show built around movement and rhythm.
“Every song either has ‘dance’ in the title or is tied to a dance,” Ruud said. “For example, ‘The Locomotion’ — that was an actual dance. It’s all music that gets people moving.”
For many members, Hearts On Fire is more than just a choir. It’s a space for connection and personal expression.
“I’ve wanted to be a singer my entire life, and I saw Hearts On Fire do a Beatles show years ago and thought, ‘I can do this,’” said Wendy Berry, a choir member. “When I found out it was a non-audition choir, I was like, ‘I’m there.’ And now I even take lessons from her.”
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For others, it’s the sense of joy and shared experience that keeps them coming back.
“What draws me back is the community, the fun, and doing something that brings me joy and something that just makes me happy,” said Lynn Kent, a choir member. “A golden moment is seeing the audience respond to the song.”
In addition to entertaining audiences, the choir often uses its performances to support music education, helping raise funds for scholarships for local students. That impact reaches beyond the stage, opening doors for young people who may not otherwise have access to music.
For members and audiences alike, Hearts On Fire is about more than performance. It’s about connection, expression and finding a place to belong.
“Let’s Dance” continues that mission while offering a night centered on nostalgia, connection and the joy of live performance. As the music builds and the audience joins in, the experience becomes less about watching and more about being part of something shared.
Tickets are on sale now.
