Who We Are
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 ⸺
In the Press
Revisiting Mrs. Beach’s Mass – An absolutely delicious writing for orchestra with instrumentation and dialogue between parts.
The New Westminster Record — November 2019
Top choral picks for Christmas in New West
The Vancouver Sun — November 2019
Remembrance Day concerts offer up music to remember
The Georgia Straight — May 2019
Vancouver Cantata Singers discover Scandinavian Treasures
The Vancouver Sun — May 2019
Songs from the North
The Vancouver Sun — May 2018
Vancouver Cantata Singers celebrate 60 years
The Georgia Straight — August 2017
Performers bring light to dark Passion at Vancouver Bach Festival
The Vancouver Sun — November 2016
Sixties psalms: Leonard Bernstein’s hit gets Vancouver treatment
The Vancouver Sun — September 2016
Choirs give back at ReSounding Ryerson Benefit
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
