See you on March 11 for Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil

February 28, 2023

Da Camera Singers’ Artistic Director Laura Hawley

Canadian composer, conductor, pianist, and educator, Laura Hawley is renowned for her innovative musical programming, involvement in the community, unique compositional style, and unwavering support of the country's choral arts. Since her childhood, Laura has been immersed in choral art, and her writing shows a continual interest in composing for all artists.

Numerous outstanding choirs have commissioned, performed, and recorded her works, including The Canadian Chamber Choir, Pro Coro Canada, Elektra Women's Choir, Vancouver Youth Choir, Cantiamo Choirs, and Toronto Children's Chorus. In July 2019, Laura was appointed as the artistic director of Da Camera Singers. Her works are published by Oxford University Press, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Rhythmic Trident Music Publishing, Cypress Choral music, and Silent Dawn Music Publishing. To see Laura's works and learn more about her, visit laurahawley.ca.

Watch Laura and Da Camera Singers perform Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil with Pro Coro Canada on March 11 at 7:30pm at All Saints' Anglican Cathedral.

Buy tickets for All-Night Vigil

Meet Pro Coro Canada Singers

Kimberley Denis is known for her energy and enthusiasm both on stage and off. She is sought after as a soloist, vocal coach, choral clinician, and adjudicator for voice and choir across Western Canada. Upon completion of both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Music degree at Mount Allison University, she returned to Alberta to complete Master's degrees in both choral conducting and vocal performance.

She is an alto in Pro Coro Canada and has toured extensively as a singer with the world percussion group Jamani Duo. In addition to her stage work, she has a flourishing voice studio at her own music school – the Purple Door Music Academy, and is also the voice instructor at The King’s University in Edmonton.

She has conducted a wide variety of ensembles across the country and presently directs Shumayela (a choir for treble and changing voices for singers between the ages of 11 and 16) with the Kokopelli Choir Association and the Lynne Singers (a non-auditioned adult community ensemble) and is the vocal coach for the Citadel Young Musical Theatre Company.

What is your major musical influence?

That’s a tough one! So many people have influenced my musical journey and helped me find my musical path but I think I can sum them all up as “educators.” Muriel Nowochin was my first piano teacher who kept me interested in learning about music when I was little; Rosalea Ernst was my music teacher in elementary school who saw potential and found ways to give me Wolfgang Kuraitis, my junior high band teacher, and Trish Achtymichuk, my high school band teacher, both gave me a place to experiment and learn.

Ken Mallett and Keith Mann helped me recognize my true passion for music in university; Dr. Brian Ellard and Dr. Debra Cairns guided my journey in choral conducting and a host of other teachers and educators have helped me hone my craft. Without music education opportunities and the support of these people, I wouldn’t be the musician I am today.

Which performance should people come and hear, and why?

It depends on what they like! Pro Coro has a concert for nearly everyone! If they’re interested in traditional choral pieces, they should check out the Missae series. If they would like to hear experimental sounds and different approaches to singing, they should check out the Moonshot series. If they just want to spend an afternoon or evening listening to great live music, they should come to the next concert!

You’ll be able to see Kim in a documentary about Pro Coro Canada, which will be released soon. You can also watch our previous concerts on ProCoroTV.

Watch ProCoroTV

During this three-day intensive workshop, participants will have the unique chance to work with Pro Coro Canada’s Managing & Artistic Director Michael Zaugg, and The Festival Chorus’ long-time artistic director and conductor Mel Kirby.

If you are an amateur singer with experience participating in ensembles, a choral or classical music enthusiast, and live in Calgary or the surrounding area, we are inviting you to attend this special public workshop!

Learn More about Let The People Sing!

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