ROSELINE BLAIN
Guest Conductor (2024)
Choral conductor Roseline Blain is very active on the Québec and Canadian choral scene. She directs the Musica Orbium ensemble, le Chœur du Plateau, l’Ensemble Phœbus, l’Ensemble Gaïa and the Chœur du Musée d’art de Joliette. She is now the Artistic Director of the Festival de chant choral de Montréal. Until recently, she was the General and Artistic Director of Les Petites Voix du Plateau, a choral organization of 125 young people that she founded in 2012.
During the 2022-2023 season, she was interim head of Université de Sherbrooke's Master's program in choral conducting and the École d’été de chant choral during Robert Ingari's sabbatical. She was also guest conductor at the Domaine Forget choral workshop in the summer of 2023 and has been invited back for 2024, and is a regular guest at CAMMAC and Père Lindsay's music camp.
With nearly twenty-five years of experience, Roseline is known for her dynamic and expressive qualities, her inspired interpretations and her leadership that combines energy and finesse. Her desire to deepen her knowledge of high-level choral singing has led her to found her own ensembles of passionate and seasoned musicians. The numerous awards received by the Chœur du Plateau, the Ensemble Phœbus and the Ensemble Gaïa in recent years attest to the artistic quality of their concerts and performances. The Chœur du Plateau has been named Chœur fleuron ambassadeur, the highest distinction awarded by the Alliance chorale du Québec.
Originally trained as a pianist, Roseline Blain holds a master's degree in performance from the University of Ottawa, where she worked under the direction of Stéphane Lemelin and completed numerous international internships. She has performed as a solo pianist in many recitals. Her love for vocal art and choral singing led her to complete a master's degree in choral conducting.
Several ensembles and organizations have called upon her conducting skills, including the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, with whom she has conducted a dozen concerts in Europe, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Orchestre de l'Agora, the McGill Chamber Orchestra, the Montreal Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de la Francophonie, and the Montreal Musicians Philharmonic Orchestra. A true jack-of-all-trades, Roseline Blain enthusiastically explores different artistic disciplines in order to create projects that reflect her personality. She has performed in the young audience show Féérique! Ma mère l'Oye, which she also co-wrote and which was presented at Salle André-Mathieu in collaboration with the Orchestre symphonique de Laval.
Her talents as a communicator have led her to speak about music on Radio-Canada, CIBL and Radio Ville-Marie, where she has worked as a columnist, host, producer and researcher. She has also given pre-concert talks for the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra and written the program notes for several of their seasons. A passionate educator, she regularly coaches pianists and emerging conductors.
www.roselineblain.ca
During the 2022-2023 season, she was interim head of Université de Sherbrooke's Master's program in choral conducting and the École d’été de chant choral during Robert Ingari's sabbatical. She was also guest conductor at the Domaine Forget choral workshop in the summer of 2023 and has been invited back for 2024, and is a regular guest at CAMMAC and Père Lindsay's music camp.
With nearly twenty-five years of experience, Roseline is known for her dynamic and expressive qualities, her inspired interpretations and her leadership that combines energy and finesse. Her desire to deepen her knowledge of high-level choral singing has led her to found her own ensembles of passionate and seasoned musicians. The numerous awards received by the Chœur du Plateau, the Ensemble Phœbus and the Ensemble Gaïa in recent years attest to the artistic quality of their concerts and performances. The Chœur du Plateau has been named Chœur fleuron ambassadeur, the highest distinction awarded by the Alliance chorale du Québec.
Originally trained as a pianist, Roseline Blain holds a master's degree in performance from the University of Ottawa, where she worked under the direction of Stéphane Lemelin and completed numerous international internships. She has performed as a solo pianist in many recitals. Her love for vocal art and choral singing led her to complete a master's degree in choral conducting.
Several ensembles and organizations have called upon her conducting skills, including the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, with whom she has conducted a dozen concerts in Europe, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Orchestre de l'Agora, the McGill Chamber Orchestra, the Montreal Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de la Francophonie, and the Montreal Musicians Philharmonic Orchestra. A true jack-of-all-trades, Roseline Blain enthusiastically explores different artistic disciplines in order to create projects that reflect her personality. She has performed in the young audience show Féérique! Ma mère l'Oye, which she also co-wrote and which was presented at Salle André-Mathieu in collaboration with the Orchestre symphonique de Laval.
Her talents as a communicator have led her to speak about music on Radio-Canada, CIBL and Radio Ville-Marie, where she has worked as a columnist, host, producer and researcher. She has also given pre-concert talks for the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra and written the program notes for several of their seasons. A passionate educator, she regularly coaches pianists and emerging conductors.
www.roselineblain.ca
KITBIELLE PASAGUI
Apprentice Conductor (2024)
Kitbielle Pasagui is a Filipino-Canadian choral conductor, vocal coach, vocalist and novice composer and arranger. Born and raised in the Philippines, she developed her passion for music at a young age. She was a member of the Mandaluyong Children's Choir, that represented the Philippines in the 2nd World Choir Olympics in Busan, South Korea, World Children’s Choir Festival in China and Hong Kong, and the first Filipino choir to win in the prestigious International Choral Kathaumixw held in Powell River, British Columbia. She majored in vocal performance at the University of the Philippines, College of Music and studied under Professor Ligaya Quinitio, Dr. Ramon Acoymo, Dr. Eudenice Palaruan, Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng, and Mark Anthony Carpio.
Kitbielle is an alumna and soloist of the world renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers (2008-2012). She performed in goodwill concert tours with the group across Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. She was also part of the group when it was recognized by UNESCO as Artists for Peace in 2009, became the recipient of Guidoneum Award from Concorso Polifonico Guido d’Arezzo Foundation in 2010, and the Brand Laureate Premier Award from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation.
Kitbielle moved to Canada in 2012 and has performed with the Korora Youth Choir (formerly known Kokopelli Youth Choir), Alberta Youth Choir, Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (2013 & 2015), TIME Association's 'Nuf Sed (2012-2015), and Òran (2014-Present). She was the assistant conductor for the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir from 2013-2019. In 2021, she was the conductor for the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir for MusicFest Canada and was a co-conductor in 2023.
Kitbielle is currently the associate conductor of Edmonton, Alberta's Korora Youth Choir and a voice teacher at Purple Door Music Academy. In May 2022, she became a Canadian citizen.
Kitbielle is an alumna and soloist of the world renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers (2008-2012). She performed in goodwill concert tours with the group across Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. She was also part of the group when it was recognized by UNESCO as Artists for Peace in 2009, became the recipient of Guidoneum Award from Concorso Polifonico Guido d’Arezzo Foundation in 2010, and the Brand Laureate Premier Award from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation.
Kitbielle moved to Canada in 2012 and has performed with the Korora Youth Choir (formerly known Kokopelli Youth Choir), Alberta Youth Choir, Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (2013 & 2015), TIME Association's 'Nuf Sed (2012-2015), and Òran (2014-Present). She was the assistant conductor for the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir from 2013-2019. In 2021, she was the conductor for the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir for MusicFest Canada and was a co-conductor in 2023.
Kitbielle is currently the associate conductor of Edmonton, Alberta's Korora Youth Choir and a voice teacher at Purple Door Music Academy. In May 2022, she became a Canadian citizen.
"The NYCC Conducting Apprentice opportunity came right at a crucial time in my career. I had completed masters studies but didn't yet have an ensemble of my own with which to hone my conducting skills. Master Conductor Iwan Edwards and the choir pushed me to new artistic insights and achievements in a supportive and inspiring environment. The Apprenticeship also provided the incredible podium opportunity of conducting in front of Canada's conductors at the National Choral Conference, Podium. As a direct result of the NYCC Apprenticeship, I earned my first full-time teaching position and met some of the people who would later work with me to form the Canadian Chamber Choir (and become some of my best friends!). In turn, the Canadian Chamber Choir is now supporting the building of community through choral singing in all sizes of communities all over the country. I cannot overstate how important this opportunity was for me and continues to be for the next generations of choral leaders in Canada." -- Julia Davids, former Apprentice Conductor
PIERRE MCLEAN
Collaborative Pianist (2024)
Pierre McLean obtained a Master's degree in piano performance from the Université de Montréal, then went on to study in France (Royaumont), Italy (Siena) and Germany (Bremen, Düsseldorff). After participating in programs at the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Tanglewood Music Centre in the United States, he worked as an intern vocal coach in the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal training program, before becoming a vocal coach in the music faculties of Université de Montréal and McGill University's Schulich School of Music. He also sang for several years with the Tudor Vocal Ensemble and the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal choir.
Highly regarded by singers and choral conductors alike, Pierre has performed extensively in Quebec and abroad. He works regularly as a coach for the choirs of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and the Opéra de Montréal, as well as for numerous Quebec vocal ensembles, including the Chœur Polyphonique de Montréal and the Musica Orbium ensemble, directed by Roseline Blain.
Highly regarded by singers and choral conductors alike, Pierre has performed extensively in Quebec and abroad. He works regularly as a coach for the choirs of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and the Opéra de Montréal, as well as for numerous Quebec vocal ensembles, including the Chœur Polyphonique de Montréal and the Musica Orbium ensemble, directed by Roseline Blain.
Previous Artistic Teams
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Conductors
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
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
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 |
