Call for Applications:

2026 Apprentice Conductor

The National Youth Choir of Canada (NYCC) Conducting Apprenticeship is a biennial program, which affords an emerging conductor the opportunity to work with Canada’s celebrated National Youth Choir of Canada under the guidance of one of Canada’s preeminent choral conductors.

Choral Canada is seeking to fill the position of Apprentice Conductor for the 2026 National Youth Choir of Canada. The 2026 program will take place in British Columbia and will culminate with the NYCC concert presented during the Podium Conference and Festival in Victoria (May 14-17, 2026), as well as a short tour preceding this concert. The 2026 choir will be under the direction of Dr. Julia Davids, who was the NYCC's first-ever Apprentice Conductor.

APPLY NOW

Download PDF | TXT

Application deadline: June 2, 2025

If applying online is a barrier, please contact Choral Canada for alternative arrangements (written/oral applications) at (647) 606-2467 or [email protected]

RECOMMEND A CANDIDATE
Peers who wish to recommend a candidate may do so via our online APPRENTICE CONDUCTOR RECOMMENDATION FORM. All candidates will be evaluated based on their application. A recommendation does not carry any weight in the evaluation process, but it is a way for Choral Canada and the NYCC to learn about potential candidates who may not otherwise apply or who do not know about the opportunity. Recommended candidates will be contacted by a representative of the NYCC and asked to complete the application requirements if they wish to be considered for this apprentice opportunity.

What is the National Youth Choir of Canada?

The National Youth Choir of Canada (NYCC) is a project of Choral Canada, and is one of Canada’s finest youth choirs.  It is a one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity for some of Canada’s best emerging choral singers. Truly national in scope, the prestigious choir is made up of singers between the ages of 19 and 26 who are auditioned from across the country every two years. 

Initiated in 1984, the National Youth Choir has won critical acclaim across Canada since its inception. Conductors for the National Youth Choir have included many of Canada’s preeminent choral conductors. The National Youth Choir has performed at every Podium - the biennial national choral conference and festival - since 1984, and was also featured at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Vancouver in 1993 and Festival 500 in 1999.
​
The National Youth Choir traditionally meets in the same region of the country where Podium is held. After an intensive week-long rehearsal, the choir embarks on a regional tour. Performances take place in prominent concert venues in major urban centres, and in local community halls and churches in remote and rural areas, reaching a diverse number of Canadians and bringing high calibre choral music to communities that may not otherwise have access to such an experience. While on tour, the Choir engages with local communities in concerts and education/community events, including workshops with local elementary, high school and community choirs. In so doing, the National Youth Choir promotes not only the utmost excellence in the choral art, but also perpetuates Canadian values of community outreach and volunteerism. Furthermore, the National Youth Choir experience forms a lasting bond among participants, creating a national network among the future leaders of Canada’s choral communities.

Who Should Apply, Responsibilities, Compensation

ELIGIBILITY

1. Eligible to work in Canada.
2. Currently working or studying as a choral conductor or group leader.
3. The successful applicant must not be older than 35 years as of the concluding date of the program (May 17, 2026).

LANGUAGE:
​NYCC planning, meetings and rehearsals will be conducted in English.

APPRENTICE CONDUCTOR PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
The Apprentice Conductor of the 2026 National Youth Choir of Canada will:

• commit to participating in rehearsals with the choir in person from May 3-8, performing with the choir on tour in British Columbia from May 9-14, concluding at the Podium Festival in Victoria from May 14-17.
• Participate in all workshops and online meetings prior to the start of the program.
• All travel, food, and accommodations are provided for the duration of the NYCC rehearsal week and the tour. A complimentary Conference delegate pass and Festival pass to the PODIUM 2026 Choral Conference & Festival in Victoria, BC is included.

​
The Conducting Apprenticeship also includes a partnership to work with Pro Coro Canada in a season subscription program under the mentorship of the ensemble’s conductor, Michael Zaugg.  The Apprentice is hosted by Pro Coro for an 8-10 day period in Edmonton, Alberta and will work with the professional choir in preparation to conduct a selection in a concert. The Apprentice will also meet with choral leaders in Edmonton, observe a variety of other choral ensembles, and create professional connections.

AWARD
​​$4000 CAD award, paid upon completion of the program. This program is generously funded by the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation.

How to Apply

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

Download PDF | TXT

1. Complete the online application form.
2. Send all supporting materials via email to [email protected] before June 2, 2025.

REQUIRED SUPPORTING MATERIALS
​
1. A detailed résumé/CV outlining your choral conducting education and experience. Save PDF document with title “[Your Last Name] – Résumé”.

2. A list of repertoire that is representative of works you have studied, rehearsed and led in performance over your career. Categorize it by works studied, works rehearsed, and works conducted in performance. Repertoire that has been performed as an ensemble member may also be included but categorized separately as such. Save PDF document with title “[Your Last Name] – Works Conducted”. 

3. ONE written letter of recommendation from someone who knows you and your work as a conductor/group leader. (PDF format)

4. The link(s) to your unlisted YouTube video(s) that includes video footage of your conducting, including the following:

• 10-15 minute rehearsal showing your conducting and rehearsal technique.
• 5-10 minute performance (can be different repertoire from that on the rehearsal recording).

PLEASE NOTE: The total length of the video recording(s) should not exceed 25 minutes. 

5. Details of works conducted in the provided YouTube videos. In a separate PDF document, include the following information and save with title “[Your Last Name] – Video Information”:

• Track numbers with timing of each track, if applicable.
• The title and composer of each piece rehearsed and/or performed.
• The date(s) on which the rehearsal and performance were originally recorded.
• The name of the ensemble(s) and the recording venue(s). 

​Helpful information on how to create and share unlisted YouTube videos can be found here:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/157177?hl=en​

Selection

Choral Canada will establish a Selection Committee that includes the current NYCC Guest Conductor, a member of the NYCC Committee, a member of the Choral Canada Board of Directors, an external member of Choral Canada, and senior staff from Choral Canada. The Selection Committee will review all applications. Following review, the Selection Committee will select individuals for interview. The Selection Committee will then present its final selection to the NYCC Committee to be ratified by the Choral Canada Board of Directors. Selection will be based upon the individual’s application and the qualifications outlined above.

All individuals who apply will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of the process.

The successful applicant will be announced on or before June 30, 2025.

Choral Canada is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in all its work, and to being fair and equitable in practice. It strives to build diversity and inclusivity into its teams, committees, programs, and services, thereby fostering an organizational environment in which all people wishing to participate may flourish.

Previous Apprentice Conductors

​2024 – Kitbielle Pasagui
2020, 2022 - Thomas Burton 
2018 – Gabrielle Gaudreault
2016 – Kathleen Allan
2014 – Irene Apanovitch
2012 – Dr. Joel Tranquilla
2010 – Heather Fraser
2008 – Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée
2006 – Dr. Caron Daley
2004 – Dr. Timothy Shantz
2002 – Kevin D. Skelton
2000 – Dr. L. Brett Scott
1998 – Dr. Julia Davids

Kitbielle Pasagui, 2024 NYCC Apprentice Conductor:

"There is no other opportunity in the country as intensive and hands-on that gives young conductors the chance to work on all aspects of their conducting and rehearsal techniques. This program promotes an immersive, collaborative and supportive space that makes it an ideal learning environment for any conductor planning to work in community, youth and/or professional ensembles. Having the opportunity to conduct for the NYCC concert at PODIUM 2024 definitely gave me the chance to connect with a professional community of conductors  and choirs from across the country. I’ll be forever grateful for all the things I’ve gained and learned from this experience and will continue to share and live this everywhere I go."

This program is made possible through the generous support of:​

Banner: Kitbielle Pasagui, 2024 NYCC Apprentice Conductor leading the choir at PODIUM 2024 in Montreal.