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Everyone wants to be able to sing, whether in a musical, a band or just in the shower. But who’s to say what really makes a singer? Does one have to have the trills of international star Beyonce? Or the soothing voice of John Legend?

The founders of the Jakarta International Choir Community think otherwise and offer a fun community for anyone who loves to sing.

“Part of my goal of having a community like JICC is to spread the word that no matter what age you are, it’s never too late to get involved in music” said music director and teacher Ivonne Atmojo. The choir practices weekly in the main dining room of the American Club in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

Every Monday at 7:30 p.m., more than 20 members of the JICC attend the club to sing their hearts out, for a fee of Rp 150,000 ($15) a month.

“Ivonne just takes in anyone, believing that everyone has talent and dedication, she never assumes that someone can’t sing,” said Serena Jacob, who has been a JICC member for two years.

The group pays close attention to Atmojo on arrival as she calms the rowdy room, as members arrive late from their offices. The session starts with vocal warm-ups that include the singers jumping up and down while going through vocal scales.

Hong Kong expatriate Dorothy Poon founded JICC in 2006 and offered San Francisco Conservatory of Music graduate Atmojo the conductor’s position, which she gladly accepted.

“I looked around Jakarta at the time and we didn’t have a community choir where you could just sing and where auditioning wasn’t an issue,” Atmojo said. “We just wanted to cater to everyone who enjoyed singing because it should be a fun thing, not something competitive.”

Bonnie Holmer, a member for three years, said the group had grown over the years and currently includes 15 men and 18 women.

“In the beginning it was hard, the group was much smaller then it is now, and it was difficult to get men to join,” she said.

The choir primarily sings numbers from Broadway musicals and Indonesian folk songs, but with a twist.

“Ivonne has this talent for putting her own touch to a song and making it a different rendition, to fit the choir’s style,” said Lena Julien, a member for two years.

JICC gives concerts twice yearly and has been asked to perform for the American Embassy Association, the Women’s International Club and at office parties.

The group also released its first album, titled “The Very 1st Album,” in 2007.

“I just talked with some members of the group recently and we’re planning to come out with a second CD at the end of the semester,” Atmojo said.

“Everyone who is here loves to sing, and people travel far to get here, so I think that the members thoroughly enjoy their time and it’s where they can unwind after work,” Holmer said.