National Youth Choir of Canada Apprenticeship

Initiated in 1998, the NYCC/CNJC Conducting Apprenticeship Program offers a young conductor the opportunity to work with Canada’s finest youth choir. The successful applicant will spend two weeks with the NYCC/CNJC during rehearsals, performances and touring. Throughout the time period, the apprentice will have opportunities to study with one of Canada’s finest choral conductors, to observe rehearsals, to discuss choral techniques and to have some conducting opportunities in performance with the NYCC/CNJC. Please note that all NYCC/CNJC rehearsals will be conducted in English only; however, bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

Note: the National Youth Choir of Canada is administered by Choral Canada.

The NYCC/CNJC Conducting Apprenticeship includes a partnership to work with Pro Coro Canada in a season subscription program under the mentorship of the ensemble’s conductor Michael Zaugg.


Working with Pro Coro Canada, a choir that is both welcoming and musically excellent, is a joyful privilege for which I will always be grateful.

Thomas Burton, EAR 2022

Conductor Kitbielle directed Pro Coro Canada in June 2025 at the Furiouser & Spuriouser concert

Kitbielle Pasagui is a Filipino-Canadian vocalist, choral conductor, and vocal coach. Born and raised in the Philippines, she developed her passion for music at a young age. She was a member of the Mandaluyong Children's Choir, that represented the Philippines in the 2nd World Choir Olympics in Busan, South Korea (2002), World Children’s Choir Festival in China and Hongkong (2005), and the first Filipino choir to win in the prestigious International Choral Kathaumixw held in Powell River, British Columbia (2004). She majored in vocal performance at the University of the Philippines, College of Music and studied under Professor Ligaya Quinitio, Dr. Ramon Acoymo, Dr. Eudenice Palaruan, Dr. Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng, Mark Anthony Carpio, and Jonathan Velasco. 

Kitbielle is an alumna and soloist of the world renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers (2008-2012). She performed in goodwill concert tours with the group across Asia, Europe, USA, Canada, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. She was also part of the group when it was recognized by UNESCO as Artists for Peace in 2009, recipient of Guidoneum Award from Concorso Polifinico Guido d’ Arezzo Foundation in 2010, and The Brand Laureate Premier Award from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation. 

Kitbielle moved to Canada in 2012 and has performed with Korora (2012-2014), Alberta Youth Choir, Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (2013 & 2015), TIME Association's 'Nuf Sed (2012-2015), and Òran (2014-present). She was the assistant conductor for Ellison Canadian Honour Choir from 2013-2019. In 2021, she conducted the Ellison Canadian Honour Choir for MusicFest Canada. In 2024, she was the Apprentice Conductor for the National Youth Choir of Canada, and winner of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation prize.

She is currently the associate conductor of Edmonton’s Korora and a voice teacher at Purple Door Music Academy.

Past participants Kathleen Allan (NYCC 2016), Gabrielle Gaudreault (NYCC 2018) and Thomas Burton (2022) performed with Pro Coro Canada and its choir for emerging singers, #connect, in the Edmonton International Choral Festival, and also had the opportunity to meet international guests such as Paul Mealor, Maria Guinand and Lone Larsen.

NYC Apprentice Conductors

2024 - Kitbielle Pasagui
2022 - Thomas Burton
2018 - Gabrielle Gaudreault
2016 - Kathleen Allan
2014 – Irene Apanovitch
2012 – Dr. Joel Tranquilla
2010 – Heather Fraser
2008 – Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée
2006 – Dr. Caron Daley
2004 – Dr. Timothy Shantz
2002 – Kevin D. Skelton
2000 – Dr. L. Brett Scott
1998 – Dr. Julia Davids

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation (support via Choral Canada)