Every great journey begins with a single idea.
For the Vocal Groove Collective, that idea was born from one simple belief:
Every audience deserves to experience the same explosive energy, excitement, electricity, and celebration found at the world’s greatest music festivals.
Founders Rodney and Chyrell Ronquillo believed that live music should do more than entertain. It should ignite the crowd, bring people together, and create unforgettable moments that audiences would remember long after the final song had ended. They envisioned bringing the party to every stage they stepped onto—a performance experience filled with powerful vocals, dynamic choreography, infectious energy, and an atmosphere that encouraged people to sing, dance, and celebrate together.
That vision became the foundation of the Vocal Groove Collective.
The Spark
The inspiration became even stronger following a performance at the 2022 Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival.
Watching families, friends, and complete strangers come together through music reinforced something Rodney and Chyrell had already begun to imagine: people weren’t simply looking for another musical performance. They were looking for an experience—one that filled the venue with excitement, energy, and connection.
That realization became the turning point.
Rather than creating another vocal group, they set out to build a performance collective where exceptional singers, engaging performers, and dynamic choreography would come together to create a live entertainment experience unlike anything they had seen within their community.
Why “Vocal Groove Collective”?
The name reflects the vision that inspired the organization.
Vocal represents the power, emotion, and artistry of live singing.
Groove represents rhythm, movement, dance, and the contagious energy that gets people on their feet.
Collective represents a community of talented artists, each bringing their own unique strengths while working together toward one shared creative vision.
Together, those three words define the heart of what VGC set out to become.
Building the Foundation
Like every meaningful journey, the beginning required patience, dedication, and countless hours of hard work.
Rodney and Chyrell began assembling a team of passionate singers and performers who shared their commitment to musical excellence, professionalism, teamwork, and creating memorable live entertainment.
Rehearsals became more than practice sessions. They became opportunities to build friendships, develop chemistry, refine performances, and shape the identity of the Collective.
As the vision began taking shape, each new rehearsal strengthened the belief that VGC could become something truly special. Every event, every audience, and every performance provided valuable experience that helped refine the Collective’s direction and build confidence in what it was becoming.
The Public Debut
In 2023, the Vocal Groove Collective officially made its public debut at the Mabuhay Philippines Festival in Toronto.
It was the first opportunity for audiences to experience the Collective’s vision brought to life—a high-energy performance that combined powerful vocals, engaging choreography, and an atmosphere designed to get people singing, dancing, and celebrating together.
The debut marked more than the launch of a new performance group. It marked the beginning of a journey that Rodney and Chyrell had envisioned since the very first spark of inspiration the year before.
An Unexpected Honour
That debut performance also produced one of the most unforgettable moments in the Collective’s history.
While VGC was performing, legendary Filipino recording artist Martin Nievera quietly joined the performance from backstage. Remaining hidden from the audience, he picked up a microphone and sang along with the group without anyone on stage realizing he was there.
It wasn’t until later, after watching audience videos and speaking with event staff, that Rodney and Chyrell discovered what had happened. They were told that Martin had enjoyed what he was hearing and spontaneously decided to lend his voice to the performance from behind the curtain.
Rodney and Chyrell never had the opportunity to meet or personally thank Martin that day, but the surprise remains one of the Collective’s most cherished memories. To have one of the Philippines’ most respected performers choose to become part of that moment—even anonymously—was an unexpected honour and a source of tremendous encouragement during VGC’s earliest days.
Opening for AEGIS
Later that same year, another significant milestone followed when the Vocal Groove Collective was invited to open for the legendary Filipino rock band AEGIS during their Toronto concert.
Performing before one of the Philippines’ most celebrated bands represented another important step forward for the Collective. It provided the opportunity to perform before a larger audience while continuing to demonstrate the energy, professionalism, and passion that had become the foundation of VGC.
Experiences like the Mabuhay Festival and the AEGIS concert reinforced Rodney and Chyrell’s belief that they were building something meaningful. Each performance strengthened the Collective’s confidence, expanded its reach, and brought the vision one step closer to reality.
More Than a Performance Group
From the very beginning, the goal was never simply to perform songs.
The vision was to create an atmosphere.
An atmosphere where audiences felt welcomed, energized, and completely immersed in the celebration unfolding around them.
Whether performing at community festivals, cultural celebrations, charity events, or concert stages, VGC sought to bring people together through music, positivity, and the shared joy of live performance.
Every rehearsal strengthened the performers.
Every performance strengthened the vision.
Every audience reinforced the belief that music has the power to unite people, create lasting memories, and transform an ordinary event into an unforgettable celebration.
The Journey Continues
The Vocal Groove Collective began with an idea, a dream, and two people who believed that live entertainment could be something bigger than a concert.
It could become an experience.
What started as a vision to bring the party—the excitement, energy, electricity, and celebration of the world’s greatest music festivals—to local audiences became the first chapter of a journey that continues to evolve.
While the Collective has grown in many ways since those early days, the heart of VGC remains unchanged.
To create unforgettable experiences.
To bring people together through music.
To leave every audience with smiles on their faces, energy in their hearts, and memories that last long after the final note has been sung.