WORKSHOPS
Before each spring and winter concert, the executive committee organizes a day-long workshop for the choir with a well-known guest conductor to polish and refine the concert repertoire. It is an opportunity for an intensive look at the music through the vantage point of the guest conductor. Workshops are always a wonderful morning and afternoon spent together, learning as a group, sharing coffee and lunch, and enjoying singing in a different venue.
Elise Naccarato
Elise Naccarato / November 18, 2024
Elise is a dynamic conductor dedicated to empowering women in the arts. Her journey began with the Hamilton Children's Choir and has grown into a distinguished career. As the founder and Artistic Director of Myriad Ensemble, she has expanded the choir to over 60 members, earning international acclaim for their performances. Elise’s innovative work has garnered a YWCA Women of Distinction nomination. She holds an Honours Bachelor's in Music from McMaster University, a Master's in Choral Conducting from the University of Toronto, and completed her MBA in Innovation Leadership in 2024. Beyond Myriad, she leads the Hamilton Estonian Choir, serves as Managing Director at Chorus Niagara, and sits on the Board of Choirs Ontario.
Dr. Mark Sirett
Dr. Mark Sirett / March 25, 2024
Conductor, composer, keyboardist and educator, Dr. Mark Sirett is Founding Artistic Director of the award-winning Cantabile Choirs of Kingston, a program consisting of seven choirs and almost 300 singers. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and is also an award-winning composer and arranger. In the last year, he has been guest clinician for the BC, Alberta and Nova Scotia Choral Federations. In 2022, he was appointed Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his work as a conductor, composer and community leader.
Dr. Charlene Pauls
Dr. Charlene Pauls / November 13, 2023
Conductor, Soprano, and Voice Technician Dr. Charlene Pauls is Artistic Director of the Guelph Chamber Choir, Associate Artistic Director of the Oakville Choir for Children and Youth, Music Director at an Anglican church, runs an active voice studio, and has appeared internationally as a Soprano soloist with conductors such as Robert Shaw and Bramwell Tovey. Her choirs have won Gold at the World Choir Games and first place in the national CBC Amateur Choral Competition. Dr. Pauls was thrilled to be awarded the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting from the Ontario Arts Council in 2018. She is looking forward to making music with the Monday Morning Singers this Fall.
Dr. Tracy Wong
Dr. Tracy Wong / April 10, 2023
Dr. Tracy Wong hails from Malaysia and is a choral conductor, music educator, composer, vocalist, and pianist. Dr Wong is passionate about helping choral educators to provide unique experiences for their students through collaborative commissions, customized workshops, festivals, and artist residencies. She does this through focusing on the balance of performance practice considerations, vocal and acoustic explorations, and choral artistry and heart.
Currently residing in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Wong is the Assistant Professor of Choral Studies at Western University, where she conducts Chorale and Les Choristes ensembles. She also serves as the Conductor of the Grand Philharmonic Youth Choir in Kitchener, Ontario. Dr. Wong holds a Doctor in Musical Arts and Master in Music Performance (Choral Conducting) degrees from the University of Toronto under the tureldge of Dr. Hilary Apfelsadt. She is also a proud recipient of the 2016 & 2017 Elmer Iseler National Graduate Fellowship in Choral Conducting, and the 2018-19 McMaster University Student Union Teaching Award.
Kathleen Allan
Kathleen Allan / November 21, 2022
Conductor, Composer, Soprano Kathleen Allan is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Amadeus Choir of Toronto, Artistic Director of Canzona, Winnipeg’s professional Baroque choir, and Visiting Professor of Choral Music at Western University, London, Ontario. Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Ms. Allan is in high demand as a conductor, composer and clinician.
Elaine Choi
Dr. Elaine Choi / November 4, 2019
Dr. Elaine Choi is the Director of Music at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, conductor of the University of Toronto Soprano/Alto Chorus and Past President of Choirs Ontario. Elaine recently founded Babεl, SATB chamber ensemble with a mission to connect culturally through choral music. Elaine is a returning guest clinician to the Monday Morning Singers, having led a workshop in November, 2017.
Mark Sirett
Dr. Mark Sirett / March 25, 2019
Mark Sirett is a returning guest conductor to the Monday Morning Singers, having led a workshop in November, 2016.
Mark Sirett is choral conductor and composer, and the Director of Cantabile Choirs of Kingston.
Kelly Galbraith
Kelly Galbraith / November 12, 2018
Kelly Galbraith is the Founder and Director of the women's choir, Cantores Celestes, in Toronto, and has conducted Kim André Arnesen’s Magnificat with her choir.
Hilary Apfelstatd
Hilary Apfelstatd / April 23, 2018
Hilary Apfelstatd is a recently retired Professor of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto and former Director of the Exultate Chamber Singers, Toronto.
Lori-Anne Dolloff
Lori-Anne Dolloff / April 11, 2016
Lori-Anne Dolloff is a composer and a Professor of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto.
Stephanie Martin
Stephanie Martin / November 16, 2015
Stephanie Martin is a composer, conductor, choir director, and Professor of Music at York University.
Mark Vuorinen
Mark Vuorinen / April 8, 2013
Mark Vuorinen is Artistic Director of both the Grand Philharmonic Choir and Elora Festival and Singers, and Assistant Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo.