DR. JULIA DAVIDS
Guest Conductor (2026)
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Dr. Julia Davids is passionate about the difference music makes for individuals and communities. A native of London, Ontario, Julia grew up singing in the Amabile Youth Singers, the Ontario Youth Choir, and the National Youth Choir of Canada, for whom she was the first Apprentice Conductor.
Julia is the Artistic Director of the JUNO-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir (CCC), Canada’s only professional choir with national representation. Now in its 25th season, the CCC creates, celebrates and communicates Canadian identity through choral performance and education, and is dedicated to building community through choral singing. A founding member of the CCC, Julia has led the ensemble since 2004, providing concerts, workshops, masterclasses, and mentoring for choirs and conductors throughout Canada. The CCC’s 2024 album, Where Waters Meet, is a collaboration with Cree-Dene singer and composer, Sherryl Sewepagaham. Julia is the Stephen J. Hendrickson Director of Choral Activities and Music Department Chair at North Park University, Chicago. She conducts the University Choir and Chamber Singers and teaches Vocal Pedagogy and Choral Conducting. Julia is co-author with Stephen LaTour of the award-winning book Vocal Technique – A Guide to Classical and Contemporary Styles for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers published by Waveland Press, now in a second edition. |
She is a frequent workshop and master class leader and has presented at numerous conferences for organizations including Choral Canada, the American Choral Director’s Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Julia is the Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society and Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church. Julia has earned degrees at Western University, the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University. She lives in Chicago with her husband, baroque violinist Martin Davids, and their two astounding children. In her spare time, Julia is an avid runner and curler.
Julia is the Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society and Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church. Julia has earned degrees at Western University, the University of Michigan, and Northwestern University. She lives in Chicago with her husband, baroque violinist Martin Davids, and their two astounding children. In her spare time, Julia is an avid runner and curler.
MATTHEW BOUTDA
Apprentice Conductor (2026)
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Laotian-Canadian conductor Matthew Boutda, named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” (2024), is an emerging leader in Canada’s choral community.
He is currently completing his Doctor of Music (D.Mus.) in Choral Conducting at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music under Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée, where he has directed the University Chorus and Concert Choir, as Course Lecturer and Principal Conductor, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Schulich Singers. His experience includes leading choirs in professional, university, youth, community, and faith-based settings nationwide, with collaborations including the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and TMSingers, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Ontario Youth Choir, Modern Sound Collective, Western University Singers, and Pax Christi Chorale. Based in Toronto, Matthew also serves as the Director of Music at Leaside United Church. His recent awards include the Hnatyshyn Foundation Christa and Franz-Paul Decker Fellowship in Conducting, Clifford Evens Graduate Conducting Award, Graduate Excellence Fellowship, and the Wayne Riddell Choral Award. |
He holds a Master of Music (M.Mus.) in Choral Conducting from the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Sacred Music (MSM) in Organ Performance as well as a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in History and Theory from the University of Toronto, and an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Matthew is excited and looks forward to working alongside Dr. Julia Davids, the National Youth Choir of Canada, and the rest of the artistic team.
Matthew is excited and looks forward to working alongside Dr. Julia Davids, the National Youth Choir of Canada, and the rest of the artistic team.
ALEX CHEN
Collaborative Pianist (2026)
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During the Canadian premiere of Walter Braunfels’ opera The Birds, Alex Chen’s passions for classical music and zoology came together.
Alex is a collaborative pianist, baritone, and vocal coach. Yet he began his professional life studying zoology and working with birds – entertaining crows, flying kestrels, and trading glances with owls on his gloved hand. Alex grew up in Cambridge, ON beginning piano lessons at 9 and voice at 12. While studying science at the University of Guelph he pursued a minor in music. Unable to resist the allure of a juicy melody, a rich story, or a misty musical passage, he pursued the Master’s in Collaborative Piano program at Western University. Alex moved West to study with Baroque soprano Nancy Argenta. Now, he is a key member of the Victoria musical community, frequently performing as an art song collaborator, solo singer, and opera chorus member. His projects with Gay4Nature Collective (co-founder), BC Culture Days, and Ocean Wise provide outlets for Alex to share the crossover between human music and the natural world. |
Website: https://www.alexchenpiano.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexchenpiano/
Instagram: @alexicalgap
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexchenpiano/
Instagram: @alexicalgap
ADAM SKINNER
Tour Manager (2026)
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Adam is a proud Nova Scotia native whose love for music was shaped through years of singing with the Pictou District Honour Choir and the Nova Scotia Youth Choir. During his undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University, he sang with the Halifax Camerata Singers, and later with the Nonsuch Singers in London, UK, while completing his Master of Science. A two-time alumnus of the National Youth Choir of Canada (2012, 2014), Adam has seen firsthand the power of choral music—especially NYCC—to connect and inspire singers from across the country.
After living abroad and across Canada, he now calls Vancouver, BC home. An avid cyclist, baker, and traveller, he’s always eager to scratch a new country off the list but equally enjoys summers in Cape Breton with family. Adam is thrilled to return to his choral roots and bring his passion and perspective to the 2026 NYCC team. |
Previous Artistic Teams
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Conductors
2024 - Roseline Blain 2022 - Jean-Sébastien Vallée 2020 - Jean-Sébastien Vallée 2018 - Jeff Joudrey 2017 - Timothy Shantz 2016 - Michael Zaugg 2014 - Hilary Apfelstadt 2012 - Ivars Taurins 2010 - Victoria Meredith 2008 - Julian Wachner 2006 - Richard Sparks 2004 - Kathryn Laurin 2002 - Lydia Adams 2000 - Leonard Ratzlaff 1998 - Iwan Edwards 1996 - Robert Cooper 1994 - Diane Loomer 1992 - Elmer Iseler 1990 - James Fankhauser 1988 - Wayne Riddell 1986 - Jon Washburn 1984 - John Standing |
Apprentice Conductors
2024 - Kitbielle Pasagui 2022 - Thomas Burton 2020 - Thomas Burton 2018 - Gabrielle Gaudreault 2016 - Kathleen Allan 2014 – Irene Apanovitch 2012 – Joel Tranquilla 2010 – Heather Fraser 2008 – Jean-Sébastien Vallée 2006 – Caron Daley 2004 – Timothy Shantz 2002 – Kevin D. Skelton 2000 – L. Brett Scott 1998 – Julia Davids |
Collaborative Pianists
2024 - Pierre McLean 2022 - Irene Gregorio 2020 - Christopher Gaudreault 2018 - Phil Roberts 2014 - Lynette Wahlstrom 2012 - James Calkin 2010 - Madeline Hildebrand 2008 - Lynn Erskine 2006 - Kevin Wong 2004 - Kara Dixon 2002 - Eleanor Daley 2000 - Jeremy Spurgeon 1998 - Danielle Batstone 1996 - Doreen Uren Simmons 1994 - Bonnie Nicholson 1992 - Lydia Adams 1990 - Jamie Syer 1988 - Paul Helmer |
