Who We Are
Meet the choir, its artistic leadership, and the people and work behind the Vancouver Cantata Singers, shaping its artistic voice and presence in the community.
The Choir
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.
Paula Kremer
Artistic Director
Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Academy of Music, Paula Kremer 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.
Our Awards
Vancouver Cantata Singers’ record of national recognition reflects its long-standing artistry and innovation. The ensemble’s repeated Healey Willan Grand Prize wins and first-place standings in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs celebrate its musical precision, expressive depth, and leadership in Canadian choral performance.
Healey Willan
Grand Prize
⸺ 2019 ⸺
Best Performance of a Canadian Work
First Place: Mixed-Voice Adult Choir
Healey Willan
Grand Prize
⸺ 2011 ⸺
First Place: Chamber Choir
National Competition
for Canadian Amateur Choirs
⸺ 2010 ⸺
First Place: Contemporary category
Healey Willan
Grand Prize
⸺ 2008 ⸺
First Place: Chamber Choir
Healey Willan
Grand Prize
⸺ 1984 ⸺
VCS in the Press
Staff & Directors
Trevor Mangion
General Manager
Jessie Li
Bookkeeper
Sarah McNair
President
Nina Horvath
Vice-President
Daniel Marshall
Secretary
Andrew Galbriath
Treasurer
Members At Large
Tabitha Brasso-Ernst
Hilary Carle
Jim Sanyshyn
Shauna Wilton
Melody Yiu
Singer’s Representative
Sarah McGrath
AURUM
Discover Our 2025/26 Season
Vancouver Cantata Singers’ 2025/26 season, AURUM, shines a light on humanity’s radiance and resilience through five luminous concerts. From In Paradisum to Brahms’s German Requiem, the choir explores gold in all its forms — light, spirit, and celebration.
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