Like strangers, they eye each other cautiously at first -- perhaps even with a trace of suspicion. But the music begins, and instantly the room is transformed into a hall housing a choir of angels. A thunderous applause ensues, some tears fall -- and finally the smiles materialize.

This was the experience of 27-year-old Mei Kondo and the 11-strong amateur choir to which she belongs during a visit to the Seijo Care Center in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward in early December to sing for the elderly.

It was a rewarding experience for both the performers and the audience.

"They are probably people we would never have met, and yet we were able to spend the same moment together, singing the same songs," Kondo said.

Kondo and eight other Voice Club members performed, backed by their Filipino mentor and teacher Charito as well as some keyboard accompaniment. Voice Club kicked off its activities last year with visits to various community centers -- mainly nursing homes.

All members are students at Charito's Voice Workshop, a voice training school for amateurs and professionals in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.

As the girls opened the show with their renditions of Japanese and English songs -- including the jazz standard "Take the A Train" and the popular Japanese tune "Ue O Muite Aruko" ("Sukiyaki Song") -- members of the audience, most of whom were in wheelchairs, watched and listened intently.

"Music gives them so much energy," said Tomoko Tanaka, who has been a senior welfare counselor at the center for 10 years. She added that the center's elderly visitors, who are aged 82 on average, invariably love music.

That became evident by the time the Christmas medley was being performed -- members of the audience abandoned their usual reserve and were joining in, clapping their hands and singing.

"It feels so great to be able to connect what I have learned with this volunteer work," said 33-year-old Yoshiko Hirai.

An elderly man in a wheelchair, who had earlier complained of shoulder pains, showed his agreement as he happily shook hands with the young performers and congratulated them on their "wonderful rendition."

Emiko Maruyama, 25, meanwhile expressed her gratitude to Charito for having been given such an opportunity.

In an interview, Charito said, "I wanted to make these girls aware that they can do charity work through their music." She said she wanted her pupils to use their talents for the service of others, as well as to benefit from the exposure of performing live.

The veteran jazz singer, who founded her voice school in 1994, says she's delighted to be teaching some 25 to 30 young women in their 20s. "I have a passion for it. I love what I am doing," she said.

The second issue of the club newsletter spells out her motivation. "Since Voice Club took shape, my first priority has been to bring people together through music and to share it with those who may need it most."

The Tokyo-based singer noted that doing community volunteer work may not have come as naturally to the Japanese girls as it did to herself -- she had been long acquainted with charity work back in Manila.

She commended, however, the "enthusiasm and motivation" of her pupils, saying these qualities have helped her overcome the daunting task of creating a successful, harmonious choir from so many different voices.

Rehearsals are held just hours before a performance, which lasts about 30 minutes.

"Through music, all of us become one and are able to share fun together," Junna Matsumoto, 25, said, adding that there is a "special bond" shared by the audience and the performers.

Charito echoes this sentiment.

"Almost like a miracle, music has the power to reach our innermost feelings, to move our soul, to rekindle our spirit," she said.

When they are swamped with gratitude from care workers, Kondo responds by saying it is the singers themselves who are touched by the warmth and energy of performer-audience interaction. "It's like we both help and support each other," she said. "I believe that is a very special thing."

A letter from the center said the elderly audience members "left the center in high spirits," reminiscing about their younger days. "It was a performance that was filled with such youthful power and volume -- a great New Year's gift for all of us here," it said.

It may not be music therapy in the strict sense, but these girls have learned to connect with the elderly through doing what they love most.

Member Ai Amano, 27, says she does it for the "love of singing, for me, and for everybody."