Aaliyah Ross looks at her daily job for Regions Bank the same way she views her work as president of a choir gaining acclaim through the show “America’s Got Talent.”
“I’m the team lead at the branch in Fairfield, Alabama, and see my role as making life better for my customers by helping them solve problems and become more financially confident,” she said.
“At Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir, I’m making life better for the community by engaging youth and giving them a safe space to use and develop their talents. Both change lives.”
In its March audition, the choir earned the Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell and the right to return to Pasadena Sept. 1 for the chance to compete live for the $1 million top prize.
At Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir, I’m making life better for the community by engaging youth and giving them a safe space to use and develop their talents.Aaliyah Ross, Regions Banker
The choir’s involvement with the show came after one of the show’s producers saw a viral video from their ninth anniversary back-to-school concert.
They sang a mashup of the traditional hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” with the modern Pharrell Williams song “JOY (Unspeakable).” The performance brought Cowell and audience to their feet in a thunderous ovation. The episode aired July 8.
Watch the choir’s next performance Sept. 9 on America’s Got Talent.
Episodes air every Tuesday night at 8/7c on NBC.
“When we looked out from the stage, there wasn’t an empty seat,” Ross said. “It was a sight to see. When we finished singing, it was a great feeling to hear the screams from the crowd and feel like we just blitzed the world and brought so much hope and joy.”
Ambassadors in song
Comprised of members ranging in age from 8 to 29 years old, the Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir performs at more than 50 events each year across the city, state and beyond.
Ross joined the choir in 2016 and reconnected with director Ahkeem Lee after finishing studies at the University of Alabama. The two had sung in choir together at Ramsay High School in Birmingham.
In addition to lending her soprano vocals to the choir’s sound, Ross handles booking requests and responds to the growing interest in new singers as its president.
Ross with her mother at her Regions Bank branch
“Our mission is to develop musical talents to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ,” she said. “I know we’re doing that and changing the lives of the next generation.”
The mom behind the music
Ross credits her musical talents, and move to Regions, to her mom, Robin, a longtime Regions Bank customer. The music came from seeing her play the piano and singing each Sunday at McComb Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church.
The bank position, which Ross has held since January, came after her mom asked Fairfield Branch Manager Skylar Waters during a branch visit one day about an empty chair near him.
“I’m looking for a team lead,” Waters told Ross’ mom. “Do you know anyone who might be good for this position?”
Ross’ phone rang not long afterward, and the rest is history.
Already a winner
Whether or not we win, being on ‘America’s Got Talent’ has already expanded our choir and the opportunities for us to sing.Aaliyah Ross
Ross was on a previously scheduled cruise when the choir’s first performance aired on “America’s Got Talent.” She got so many messages that she fired off a quick ‘thank you’ post promising to reply when the trip ended.
Since then, she’s been overwhelmed by the love and support from work associates, family, friends and fans of the show.
“Whether or not we win,” Ross said, “being on ‘America’s Got Talent’ has already expanded our choir and the opportunities for us to sing.”
“I’ll never forget seeing so many of these kids make their first trips to California, and, most of all, the looks on their faces and the excitement in that Golden Buzzer moment with Simon,” she added.
“They realized the personal difference they’d just made through their music. That’s a memory I’ll take with me forever!”
Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC