When did you first start singing/singing in choirs?

MG - I started when I was 6 years old and I haven’t stopped since!

LS - I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and have the embarrassing family home videos to prove it! But my first introduction to choral singing was at the age of 11 with the Cantaré Children's Choir.


What are your other passions/hobbies/interests? What inspires you? 

EP - My other interests include cooking, attending concerts, reading, and cuddling with my goofy mini schnauzer. Spending time with friends and family is also very important to me.

LS - Before I became a full-time student, I was an early childhood educator. The children I worked with lit a spark in me. They showed me that I loved advocating for the more vulnerable. I loved being a source of stability, comfort, and protection for the children who may not have found it elsewhere. Those little muffins have inspired me to be the best version of myself, and to be someone on which one can rely. I am also a huge advocate for mental health awareness and de-stigmatization.


How did you learn about NYCC and/or what made you decide to audition?

PW - I spent two summers as a part of the Ontario Youth Choir and learned about NYCC through Choirs Ontario. After the amazing experiences I had with OYC I knew NYCC was something I had to do in the future.

EP - I first heard about NYCC when I did the Ontario Youth Choir (OYC) and they were holding auditions during the program. I loved OYC, and this sounded like the 2.0 version, so I figured it had to be awesome.


What are you most excited about for NYCC 2022?

KU - I'm really looking forward to getting to make music in a group, in person, and share that with audiences after a long 2 years of being apart.

PW - I am most excited to get to know the choir and everyone involved! Working with a group of people who have the same passion for singing and choral music that I do is something really special and I cannot wait to collaborate with them on such incredible repertoire. I can't wait to see everyone in Ottawa!

As we get ready for this year’s program and tour, we thought it would be fun to learn more about some of the incredible young singers coming from across Canada to sing in this year's National Youth Choir of Canada.

Olivia Albert - Alberta
Mélanie Dupuis - New Brunswick
Isabel Friesen - Manitoba
Kara Friesen - Alberta
Natasha Gosling - British Columbia
​

When did you first start singing/singing in choirs?

MD - I first started voice lessons and began participating in children and community choirs when I was 8 years old.

IF - I grew up in a very musical family so I don't remember when I first started singing. Probably before I could talk. I first started singing in choirs when I was in grade 2 and have been in at least one choir per year ever since.


What are your other passions/hobbies/interests? What inspires you? 

KF - I enjoy backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing, and speed skating. Good adventures make for great stories!

NG - In my spare time I like to knit, write, watch movies, and spend time with the people I care about. As a teacher, what inspires me is seeing a student light up when they experience something new.


How did you learn about NYCC and/or what made you decide to audition?

MD - I decided to audition for NYCC two years ago, with the recommendation and support from my voice teacher, as I was beginning to look for new opportunities that would broaden my experience as a singer and help me gain useful and important skills as a young artist, chorister, and student. I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to participate in NYCC 2022 and finally work alongside so many amazing people!

KF - Ever since a musical mentor recommended NYCC to me several years ago, I've wanted to join it. I am so thankful for this opportunity!


What are you most excited about for NYCC 2022?

IF - I'm excited for a lot of things, I don't think I can pick just one. I'm excited for the challenging music, the amazing sound I know this choir will have, and the friendships I'll build through this experience.

NG - The thing I am most excited for in NYCC 2022 is the friendships I know are going to come out of it that will extend for years beyond the choir itself.

​Dr. Wilkinson holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice and the Certificate in Singing Health from The Ohio State University, a collaboration between the departments of music, speech and hearing science, and otolaryngology. At once a singing teacher, voice and speech coach, and voice scientist, he is one of Canada’s leading voice pedagogues with a singular ability to habilitate and rehabilitate both professional and aspiring professional voice users. In addition to his rare background in clinical voice therapy and laryngology, he is known as an expert in educational psychology, curriculum design, and the neuroscience of learning. He enjoys paying what he’s learned forward to individuals and groups from all walks of life, no matter the reason and no matter their level of experience. 

“Everybody should have access to understanding how the voice works, what it is, and how to take care of it.” – Dr. Mark Wilkinson

On March 5, the 2022 NYCC singers met virtually with Dr. Wilkinson. The premise of his workshop was to debunk the most common myths about the voice and the breath, all while giving the choristers the opportunity to learn the basics of how the voice truly works. We were delighted to share in this experience, and to learn from such a humble and inspiring teacher. We look forward to seeing Dr. Wilkinson again (in person) in Ottawa in May!

Next up for our choristers:
​
March 26, 2022
​The Creative Entrepreneur with Laura Adlers

May 13, 2022
Breathing and Balancing: Mental Wellness Tools for Musicians with Sara Brooks​

Learn more about the 2022 National Youth Choir of Canada, and stay tuned for more exciting content via email, and on Facebook and Instagram.

They always came back to NS with so much new music, friends, and experiences that sounded like the provincial program but even larger and longer. Choir for me was my safe space, and when I could spend a whole weekend touring Nova Scotia with friends singing, what better time could be had. So, 2 weeks sounded like one of the best experiences I could possibly imagine. When I finally turned of age, I jumped at the opportunity. I still remember auditioning for Heather Fraser and Christina Murray at St Georges in Halifax. To this day it is an experience I will always remember.

What were you doing at that point in life? 
When I was in National Youth Choir I had just moved home to Halifax, started working as a Music Director at a church in downtown. I had started singing with Halifax Camerata Singers and working part time at the Gap. I was just kind of getting my bearings and living at home, had just done a tour with the Canadian Chamber Choir (CCC) and was starting off my life in Halifax. 

What are you doing now? 
Currently I am a Store Manager Trainer with Starbucks in St. John’s Newfoundland. I manage a busy drive thru location and train new managers when they start with the company here in Newfoundland. 

How is choir still a part of your life? 
I still sing as much as I can. I play piano for a good friend’s women’s choir in Conception Bay South, I sing Tenor with Projekt Chamber Voices and when COVID isn’t rearing their horns, I sing Tenor with the CCC and tour with them. COVID seems to prevent some of these activities some of the time, but when possible, you will find me out there singing. 

What is your favourite memory of NYCC? 
My favourite memory is hard to pinpoint. There were so many highlights from singing at Podium in Saskatoon, rehearsing with Dr Meredith at the University of Saskatchewan, and working with her which is still a highlight of my life until this day. Her technique of changing seating order based on blend was mind blowing, and her trust in the choir to fix mistakes. But I have to say the memory that I still picture was singing Danny Boy of all things in Marysburg, Saskatchewan. I can remember Dr Meredith explaining the reason behind the song, it was not because it was challenging, or the next new choral hit, instead it was so that when we toured rural areas of the province, they would be left with a song they knew, and we were going to knock their socks off with how well we would sing it. And Marysburg is this town that comes out of nowhere like Brigadoon, (I have since been back touring with the Canadian Chamber Choir and it’s as if nothing had changed) and this town has this beautiful cathedral in the middle, with gorgeous acoustics, and the friendliest people you will ever meet. I can remember how Danny Boy sounded in there and it was simply divine. She started off the piece with 45 singers from across the country singing as softly as we could and bloomed into the beauty of the space and music. When we arrived at our billets house, we would inevitibely talk about the concert, provincial politics, music, you name it. Well, our billets could not say enough about Danny Boy, and that’s when I realized exactly the impact a piece like that can have. Did they enjoy the Childs, Whitacre, and Rossini? Of course, but what really impacted them was that one song. I don’t know why that still sticks with me until this day, but it reminds me of impact to audiences and knowing who you’re singing for. 

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Are you an NYCC alumna/us or know someone who is? Connect with the Alumni Committee here, or email [email protected] for more information.

These 40 singers will be meeting in Ottawa May 8-20th to rehearse at the University of Ottawa School of Music facility. ​This intensive training week also includes time for cultural learning in Ottawa, as well as workshops and community engagement in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
 
Prior to the training week in Ottawa, singers will participate in 3 professional development workshops and have access to NYCC Mentorship Pilot Project, launching in early 2022. These opportunities will offer the singers learning and connections with professionals in the choral arts sector.
 
The 2022 tour will kick off on May 14th, and includes the following performances, with more to come:
 
Box Office and Ticket Information
 
Saturday May 14, 2022 | 7:00 PM
​Presented by:
OTTAWA CHAMBERFEST
 
Thursday May 19, 2022 | 8:00 PM
​Presented by:
PODIUM 2022
 
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COVID-19 has kept us all working diligently to secure accommodations, facilities, and performances for the 2022 NYCC and we’re thankful for the faculty and staff at the University of Ottawa School of Music and their enthusiastic support of this program. We would also like to thank our program sponsors the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation and the Azrieli Foundation, as well as our many private donors. Your support is vital to the success and continuation of this program. Donations can be made by visiting our DONATE page.

Every 2 years, some of Canada's best young singers gather together for 2 weeks of intensive training, professional development, rehearsals and an exciting tour that culminates with a feature performance at PODIUM. 

Auditions are now open for the next edition of the National Youth Choir of Canada, and we encourage singers aged 19-26 from across Canada to consider applying before the October 15th deadline. The NYCC is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. We strive to create an environment in which all people participating may flourish. We welcome auditions from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or economic status. More information and details about the program as well as the application process can be found on our auditions page. 

We recently spoke with Dr. Jamie Hillman, an NYCC 2022 alumnus who shared about some of his experiences, and he ended with this advice to anyone thinking of auditioning: 

Choral Canada is pleased to welcome Irene Gregorio, DMA to the artistic staff of the NYCC 2022 as the collaborative pianist for the rehearsal week and tour. 

Dr. 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.