Make Me A World is a concert addressing important social issues through a diverse array of musical selections. The human voice is the simplest and yet one of the most complex musical instruments. A choir is a micro representation of an ideal society, that is, many individuals with different and unique voices working together diligently to create harmony and unison of intent. Being both vulnerable and powerful, the human voice, especially in choral music, speaks directly to the soul and this is why choral singing is so important. This program is both a reflection on our society and a tribute to our world – a world where music allows us to find common ground and look towards a better and more inclusive future.
Make Me a World will include 2 world premiere commissions - I Forgive by Shireen Abu-Khader and Music is Vibration by Andrew Balfour - as well as the winning piece from Choral Canada's 2022 Competition for Choral Writing, Nicholas Kelly's Wind Rising In The Alleys.
Make Me a World will include 2 world premiere commissions - I Forgive by Shireen Abu-Khader and Music is Vibration by Andrew Balfour - as well as the winning piece from Choral Canada's 2022 Competition for Choral Writing, Nicholas Kelly's Wind Rising In The Alleys.
Conductor: Jean-Sébastien Vallée (2020 and 2022)
Jean-Sébastien Vallée
Canadian-American conductor Jean-Sébastien Vallée is an internationally recognized conductor, scholar, and pedagogue. Mæstro Vallée is Artistic Director of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Associate Professor of Music, Director of Choral Studies, and Coordinator of the Ensembles & Conducting Area at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University. Prior to his return to Canada, Jean-Sébastien served as Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Los Angeles and was on the choral faculty of the University of Redlands.
Dr. Vallée has conducted throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, and has been invited to present his research at several international conferences including the World Symposium on Choral Music (Barcelona 2018 and Auckland 2020) and the World Choral Expo 2022 in Lisbon.
Mæstro Vallée’s work has been broadcast internationally and can be heard on several recordings under the label ATMA Classique. Upcoming activities include performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, and concerts at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest.
Dr. Vallée has conducted throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, and has been invited to present his research at several international conferences including the World Symposium on Choral Music (Barcelona 2018 and Auckland 2020) and the World Choral Expo 2022 in Lisbon.
Mæstro Vallée’s work has been broadcast internationally and can be heard on several recordings under the label ATMA Classique. Upcoming activities include performances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, and concerts at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest.
Assistant Conductor: Thomas Burton
Thomas Burton
Raised in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Thomas Burton is quickly becoming established as a dynamic contributor to Canada’s choral community. He is active as a conductor and singer throughout Canada and the United States. Thomas serves as Artistic Director of RESOUND Choir (Durham), Director of Music at Munn’s United Church (Oakville), and is conductor of the Tenor/Bass Chorus at the University of Toronto. Additionally, Thomas works as Co-Conductor of the award winning ensembles Raise Her Voice (Oakville), and the Eastern Horizon Chamber Choir (Halifax).
An advocate for the community building power of music, Thomas enjoys conducting performers of all ages and abilities. He has had the privilege of working with such ensembles as the Pacific Chorale, the Toronto Amadeus Choir, Pro Coro Canada, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir. In 2020, Thomas was selected as Apprentice Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada and will tour with that ensemble in the spring of 2022.
Thomas is a recipient of the Iwan Edwards Award in Choral Conducting, the Ken Fleet Choral Conducting Scholarship, and the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Award. He holds a bachelor's degree in Trombone Performance from McGill University and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Michigan where he studied with Dr. Jerry Blackstone and Dr. Eugene Rogers.
An advocate for the community building power of music, Thomas enjoys conducting performers of all ages and abilities. He has had the privilege of working with such ensembles as the Pacific Chorale, the Toronto Amadeus Choir, Pro Coro Canada, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir. In 2020, Thomas was selected as Apprentice Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada and will tour with that ensemble in the spring of 2022.
Thomas is a recipient of the Iwan Edwards Award in Choral Conducting, the Ken Fleet Choral Conducting Scholarship, and the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation Award. He holds a bachelor's degree in Trombone Performance from McGill University and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Michigan where he studied with Dr. Jerry Blackstone and Dr. Eugene Rogers.
Collaborative Pianist: Dr. Irene Gregorio
Irene Gregorio
Choral Canada is pleased to welcome Irene Gregorio, DMA to the artistic staff of the NYCC 2022 as our collaborative pianist. Irene brings a wealth of experience to this role and we are thrilled to have her as an important part of the 2022 program.
Dr. Irene Gregorio enjoys a diverse and active musical life as a pianist, educator, and music director. As a pianist and chamber musician, she has collaborated in recital with members of the LA Phil and San Francisco Symphonies. She has served as pianist for the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California Chamber Singers, among others. Her performances as a collaborative pianist have taken her throughout North America, Europe, Cuba, and the Philippines, and she has also appeared on PBS, CBC Radio 2, and on film soundtracks in the LA area. Dr. Gregorio has over 15 years of experience in the university setting, serving as a staff/faculty in collaborative piano at the campuses of the California State University, East Bay and Los Angeles. She earned her DMA at the University of Southern California and recently returned home to Canada, where she serves as the Director of Music Ministry at Dublin St. United Church, and Sessional Instructor of Piano at the University of Guelph.
Dr. Irene Gregorio enjoys a diverse and active musical life as a pianist, educator, and music director. As a pianist and chamber musician, she has collaborated in recital with members of the LA Phil and San Francisco Symphonies. She has served as pianist for the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California Chamber Singers, among others. Her performances as a collaborative pianist have taken her throughout North America, Europe, Cuba, and the Philippines, and she has also appeared on PBS, CBC Radio 2, and on film soundtracks in the LA area. Dr. Gregorio has over 15 years of experience in the university setting, serving as a staff/faculty in collaborative piano at the campuses of the California State University, East Bay and Los Angeles. She earned her DMA at the University of Southern California and recently returned home to Canada, where she serves as the Director of Music Ministry at Dublin St. United Church, and Sessional Instructor of Piano at the University of Guelph.
Prairie Voices Inc.
Artistic Director: Philip Lapatha
Artistic Director: Philip Lapatha
Philip Lapatha
Manitoba is abundantly rich in all things choral, and Philip is grateful for the many opportunities that have come his way. His parents, Noel and Rosina were among the first wave of Filipino immigrants to Manitoba, and treasured the values of education, community, and family. Philip has Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Education from Manitoba, and a Master's degree (piano and music theory) from Kentucky. Philip is one of two choir teachers at Maples Collegiate, whose choirs have earned awards at local and national music festivals, and invitations to perform with some of Winnipeg’s leading musical organizations. Active in the Manitoba choral community, Philip has appeared as a guest conductor for several Manitoba Youth Choirs and the Sr Provincial Honour Choir, and serves on the board for numerous choral organizations. An avid arranger, his choral arrangements have been performed by choirs such as Camerata Nova and the Vancouver Youth Choir.
Song Sharing - SPIRIT AND ENDURANCE OF CANADA’S PROUD INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Elder: Shannon Thunderbird
Elder: Shannon Thunderbird
Shannon Thunderbird
Shannon Thunderbird, Elder and artist from Coast Tsimshian First Nations, will introduce elements of Indigenous history, invite us to explore the majesty of water through song, and pay tribute to the bones of the residential school children that are lost and found.
Lost and Found MUSIC & TEXT, SHANNON THUNDERBIRD
Water Song, Wishita TUSCARORA
Lost and Found MUSIC & TEXT, SHANNON THUNDERBIRD
Water Song, Wishita TUSCARORA
Singing Out
Conductor: Jody Malone
Conductor: Jody Malone
Jody Malone
Jody Malone has been our longest standing Artistic Director at Singing OUT, having been with us since September 2008. Jody completed at McGill University a Bachelor of Music, with an Honours in Music Education, majoring in Piano. She earned her Teacher’s College degree in Music and French from the University of Toronto. Following this, she went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Education in Counselling Psychology at the University of Toronto. This degree particularly equips Jody to understand the depth and meaning of singing to people, as well as technique needs of the adult community choir learner.
Since 1987, Jody has been a music teacher and choral conductor with the Peel District School Board of Toronto. She is currently teaching at Cawthra Park Secondary School for the Performing Arts. When Jody is not working, she is travelling with her family or friends. When she is at home in Parkdale, she enjoys reading for Book Club, listening to new repertoire, cycling, walking, or practicing yoga. She loves to attend plays, musicals, the Toronto Symphony with her sister, and the monthly documentary series ‘Doc Soup’, with her partner. Jody was inspired by this quote in her formative years. “I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” -Stephen Leacock
Since 1987, Jody has been a music teacher and choral conductor with the Peel District School Board of Toronto. She is currently teaching at Cawthra Park Secondary School for the Performing Arts. When Jody is not working, she is travelling with her family or friends. When she is at home in Parkdale, she enjoys reading for Book Club, listening to new repertoire, cycling, walking, or practicing yoga. She loves to attend plays, musicals, the Toronto Symphony with her sister, and the monthly documentary series ‘Doc Soup’, with her partner. Jody was inspired by this quote in her formative years. “I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” -Stephen Leacock
Conductor: Karen Burke
Karen Burke
Karen Burke developed an interest in choral conducting while studying music at McMaster University, completing her Honours Bachelor of Music Degree in 1983. Since then, Burke has also received the A. R. C. T. Diploma in Piano Teaching from the Royal Conservatory of Music and a Masters of Education degree from York University. In 1988, Burke co-founded the Toronto Mass Choir, a gospel choir comprised of a diversified group of singers and musicians, and continues to serve as its principal director. After fifteen years teaching at the high school level, Burke was hired as a music professor at York University in 2005, developing the first post-secondary gospel music curricular courses in Canada, including the 100-voice York University Gospel Choir. Her busy music career continues as a guest speaker and conductor, songwriter, classical piano teacher, adjudicator, and clinician offering gospel music workshops internationally.
Artistic Director: Jason Max Ferdinand
Jason Max Ferdinand
Jason Max Ferdinand is founding artistic director of The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers and director of choral activities at Oakwood University where he directs the Aeolians. As evidenced by noteworthy awards, he has distinguished himself on the national and international stage. He is a published author and composer with GIA/Walton publications, featuring Teaching with Heart and The Jason Max Ferdinand Choral Series. Ferdinand holds degrees from Oakwood University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland.
Artistic Director and Composer: Andrew Balfour
Andrew Balfour
Andrew Balfour is an innovative, self-taught composer/conductor/singer/sound designer with a large body of choral, instrumental, electro-acoustic and orchestral work. Andrew specializes in creating ‘concept concerts’, many influenced by his love of baroque and early music and infused with Indigenous subject matter and collaborators. The Globe and Mail contributor, Carol Toller, says, “there are things you expect to hear from a classical-music composer like Andrew Balfour: that he grew up singing in a church choir. That he began playing an instrument at an early age – in his case, trumpet. That while other kids were grinding out guitar licks, miming Bruce Springsteen or David Bowie (he grew up in the 1970s), Balfour was air-conducting Beethoven.” All have contributed to what he has become today: a highly sought-after composer who fuses classical-music tradition with Indigenous texts and themes to create works that range from shimmering soundscapes to unsettling sociopolitical commentary.
Shallaway Youth Choir
Conductor: Kellie Walsh
Conductor: Kellie Walsh
Kellie Walsh
With proud roots from Newfoundland and Labrador, Kellie Walsh is the Artistic Director of Shallaway Youth Choir, Founder and Artistic Director of Lady Cove Choir, and the Co-Founder of Ullugiagâtsuk Youth Choir of Nunatsiavut, Labrador. Kellie has worked across Canada, the United States, South America, Europe and Asia advocating choral music as a medium to unite people and cultures.
Song Sharing - SINGING FOR OUR STOLEN SISTERS
Featuring: Deantha Edmunds
Featuring: Deantha Edmunds
Deantha Edmunds
Deantha Edmunds is Canada’s first Inuk classical singer. A multi nominated and award winning performer, she is much in demand nationally and internationally as a singer, actor, and collaborator in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous projects. An urban Inuk, creator and mentor, Edmunds aims to empower Indigenous people and share their stories.
PDF Download - MMIWG2S Fact Sheet and Legacy Score
PDF Download - MMIWG2S Fact Sheet and Legacy Score
Winnipeg Boys' Choir
Conductor: Carolyn Boyes
Conductor: Carolyn Boyes
Carolyn Boyes
Artistic Director/Conductor Carolyn Boyes has been active in Manitoba’s choral community since childhood. As a public school Music specialist, she has taught in English and French at the elementary, middle and senior levels, and served as the Winnipeg School Division's Performing Arts Consultant. She currently teaches high school Choral Music in Winnipeg.
During her tenure with the WBC, the choir has performed regularly with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Collaborations with Winnipeg’s finest choirs include St. Matthew Passion (Canzona), and world premiers of Andrew Balfour’s Notinikew (Camerata Nova) and John Grier’s A Song of Joys (Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir).
Ms. Boyes prepares children's choruses for Manitoba Opera and is an instructor with the University of Manitoba's Orff Certification Program. Ms. Boyes earned a Master of Music from the University of Manitoba and was recently honoured by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for her contributions to music education.
During her tenure with the WBC, the choir has performed regularly with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Collaborations with Winnipeg’s finest choirs include St. Matthew Passion (Canzona), and world premiers of Andrew Balfour’s Notinikew (Camerata Nova) and John Grier’s A Song of Joys (Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir).
Ms. Boyes prepares children's choruses for Manitoba Opera and is an instructor with the University of Manitoba's Orff Certification Program. Ms. Boyes earned a Master of Music from the University of Manitoba and was recently honoured by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for her contributions to music education.
Conductor: Spencer Duncanson
Spencer Duncanson
Spencer Duncanson holds a Masters of Education in Curriculum/Arts Education from the University of Manitoba. He earned his BA in Psychology and Music Education from Brooklyn College in New York and studied vocal performance at the University of Nevada-Reno.
As an educator and performer with a special interest in opera, Mr. Duncanson has experience in film and stage as a narrator, actor, and soloist. He was Visual and Performing Arts Department Head at Sisler High School, and has also served as a sessional arts instructor at the University of Manitoba, and taught voice at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts.
Mr. Duncanson is the founder of The Little Opera Company, which is dedicated to the production of operatic entertainment of high quality and broad accessibility, while providing a venue where local artists can profile and promote their talents.
As an educator and performer with a special interest in opera, Mr. Duncanson has experience in film and stage as a narrator, actor, and soloist. He was Visual and Performing Arts Department Head at Sisler High School, and has also served as a sessional arts instructor at the University of Manitoba, and taught voice at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts.
Mr. Duncanson is the founder of The Little Opera Company, which is dedicated to the production of operatic entertainment of high quality and broad accessibility, while providing a venue where local artists can profile and promote their talents.
Artistic Director: Arianne Abela
Arianne Abela
Arianne Abela is Director of the Choral Program at Amherst College. Abela recently served on conducting faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, and is founder and director of the Detroit Women's Chorus and Detroit Justice Choir, ensembles dedicated to social-justice and community empowerment. She directed Detroit's historic Fort Street Chorale, conducted choirs at University of Michigan, and the UMS Choral Union. Focusing her efforts on community building through song, Abela founded The House of Clouds and has worked closely with Musicians Take a Stand to organize over a dozen benefit concerts for charities and various causes across the country.
Exultate Chamber Singers
Conductor: Mark Ramsay
Conductor: Mark Ramsay
Mark Ramsay
Mark Ramsay is Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Choral Activities at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University. In addition to his teaching duties at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, he is the conductor of Western University Singers. He frequently appears as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. Prior to his appointment at Western University, Dr. Ramsay was Adjunct Professor and conductor of the Tenor/Bass Choir at University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from U of T where he was a student of Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt. His doctoral thesis focused on Canadian choral repertoire written specifically for tenor/bass voices. In addition, he holds a Master of Music from U of T and a Bachelor of Music Education from University of Prince Edward Island.
Song Sharing - WOLF THUNDER: BIG DRUMS & VOICES ARE CALLING!
Featuring: Shannon Thunderbird and Sandy Horne
Featuring: Shannon Thunderbird and Sandy Horne
Shannon Thunderbird is a Coast Tsimshian Indigenous Elder, educator, and singer. Shannon, alongside musician Sandy Horne from the band Spoons, will share indigenous knowledge and culture through interactive song, and powwow drums. The audience will learn about the pow wow drums and join in singing with Shannon and Sandy. Some members of the audience will be invited to the stage to participate in playing the big drums.
Shannon Thunderbird
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Sandy Horne
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Canadian Men's Chorus
Conductor: Greg Rainville
Conductor: Greg Rainville
Greg Rainville
A major advocate of the creation of new and unique Canadian music, Greg Rainville has secured a place in the next generation of Canadian conductors. He has emerged as a dynamic leader, vocal coach and educator with an extensive traditional and contemporary repertoire, and is a sought after guest conductor and leader of master classes and workshops. Greg is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Canadian Men’s Chorus. As Assistant Conductor of the Orpheus Choir of Toronto from 2008 to 2015, he made his Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto) debut in 2011. In the summer of 2016, Greg was privileged to conduct the Canadian Ambassador Choir during their Australia tour as part of the United Nations Choral Festival “Rhythms of One World”. In November 2015, he directed the NYSSMA Area All-State Music Festival Senior High Chorus in New York. Greg is a graduate of the Crane School of Music and the University of Toronto.
