About the Vancouver Cantata Singers

The Vancouver Cantata Singers (VCS) is one of Canada’s preeminent, award-winning choral ensembles. Known for its exceptional artistry, technical virtuosity and exquisite tonal blend, the choir maintains the highest standards of performance in repertoire encompassing 500 years. VCS have been awarded the Canada Council’s top prize in choral singing, the Healey Willan Grand Prize, more than any other choir in the country. Led by Paula Kremer since 2013, VCS also commissions new works from critically acclaimed composers which have led to extremely successful and innovative collaborations with regional and international artists and ensembles.

The Vancouver Cantata Singers (VCS) is one of Canada’s preeminent, award-winning choral ensembles. Known for its exceptional artistry, technical virtuosity and exquisite tonal blend, the choir maintains the highest standards of performance in repertoire encompassing 500 years. VCS have been awarded the Canada Council’s top prize in choral singing, the Healey Willan Grand Prize, more than any other choir in the country. Led by Paula Kremer since 2013, VCS also commissions new works from critically acclaimed composers which have led to extremely successful and innovative collaborations with regional and international artists and ensembles.

Artistic Director Paula Kremer

Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Academy of Music, Paula Kremer has studied choral conducting at Eton College, Westminster Choir College, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan. An…

Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Academy of Music, Paula Kremer has studied choral conducting at Eton College, Westminster Choir College, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan. An accomplished vocalist and pianist, Paula studied voice with Phyllis Mailing, Bruce Pullan, Marisa Gaetanne and Laura Pudwell, and piano from Margot Ehling. A permanent faculty member of the School of Music at Vancouver Community College, Paula teaches choral techniques, voice and solfege. She was previously the director of Vancouver Bach Choir ensembles for young adults, the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir and Sarabande Chamber Choir. Paula joined the alto section of our choir in 1994, and has been the Vancouver Cantata Singers’ Artistic Director since 2013.

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Awards

Four time winner of the Canada Council Healey-Willan Grand Prize for Canadian Amateur Choirs

2019

Healey-Willan Grand Prize

Best Performance of a Canadian Work; First Place: Mixed-Voice Adult Choir

2011

Healey-Willan Grand Prize

First Place: Chamber Choir

2010

National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs

First Place: Contemporary category

2008

Healey-Willan Grand Prize

First Place: Chamber Choir

1984

Healey-Willan Grand Prize

Photos

Staff and Directors

General Manager: Trevor Mangion

Bookkeeper: Jessie Li

President: Sarah McNair
Vice-President: Nina Horvath
Treasurer: Christina Cho, C.A.
Secretary: Sarah McGrath

Members at Large:
Hilary Carle
Daniel Marshall
Jim Sanyshyn
Shauna Wilton
Melody Yiu

Singers' Representative:
Sarah McGrath