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The Healey Willan Singers was founded in 2005 as a tribute to the dean of Canadian composers, the late Dr. Healey Willan, on
the 125th anniversary of his birth. Initially a mixed chamber choir of young singers, it has now evolved into an all women’s ensemble open to all singers. However, the choir maintains the goal of preparing young singers for a musical career, with opportunities for solos and conducting being made available to the choristers. The combination of more experienced singers with younger singers will also provide a mentoring environment that is invaluable for aspiring musicians.
In addition to the choir's two concerts each season, we have also begun the Young Artist in Recital Series, which will feature musicians on the verge of their professional career. The recital will provide an opportunity to fine tune their skills and
be a forum for solo performance experience. The music selection for the choir will be challenging, with both the standard choral repertoire as well as some lesser known compositions. Also, the choir will perform in a variety of styles, from medieval to modern music. Of course, the music of Healey Willan and other great Canadian composers will be included.
The Healey Willan Singers rehearses and performs at the Church of St. Martin in-the-fields, located at 151 Glenlake Avenue, just north of Bloor Street West, and east of Keele Street (Keele Subway Station). Rehearsals are held on Saturday morning from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. If you are interested in auditioning for this new and exciting venture as a singer, or would like to contribute or volunteer to the organization, please contact us.
Mailing Address:
Healey Willan Singers
18-93 The Queensway
Toronto, Ontario
M6S 5A7
Website: www.healeywillansingers.com
email: rkmcheung@yahoo.ca
Telephone: 416-519-0528
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Artistic Director/Founder: Ron Ka Ming Cheung
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Mr. Cheung graduated from The University of Toronto with a Masters degree in Choral Conducting and
holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from McMaster University. An experienced choral singer he has performed with the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, the Bach- Elgar Choir, the McMaster University Choir, the 1990 National Youth Choir, and from 1991-1996, he was also a member of the world renowned Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Ron has also served as the tenor section leader with Westdale United Church Choir in Hamilton, as well as with the Choir of Grace Church on-the-Hill in Toronto.
In 1996 and 2002 Ron attended master classes with the Vancouver Chamber Choir under the direction of Maestro Jon Washburn, at the Annual National Conductor's Symposium. In 1998, Mr. Cheung was selected as a participant in the conducting master class at the Oregon Bach Festival, under the tutelage of Maestro Helmuth Rilling. In 2001, Mr. Cheung attended master classes with the great English choral conductor, Sir David Willcocks, and once again with Bach specialist, Maestro Helmuth Rilling.
In addition to the Healey Willan Singers, Mr. Cheung is also the artistic director and founder of
Voices, a mixed voice community choir in downtown Toronto, and the conductor of
Xiao Ping Chorus from 2006-2011, a Chinese community choir in Markham. In December 2008, Mr. Cheung was appointed as the artistic director for the
Yip’s Children’s Senior Choir (Canada), and Yip’s Vocalis Chamber Choir in March 2009. From 2001-2005, Mr. Cheung was also the conductor of the
Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir. Mr. Cheung continues to provide choral workshops with school choirs and community choirs in the GTA and surrounding areas, as well as teaching music theory.
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The Singers 2011 - 2012 Season
Sopranos
Thalia Kadiata
Tiffany Jay
Elizabeth Chandler
Robynne McKinlay
Amber Olsen
Marlene Marwah
Natalie Nanninga
Altos
Sabine Atkins
Patricia Heath
Iris Jacobs
Gillian Nichol
Molly McCarron
Ann Perry
Cheryl Litwack
Gayle McNeish
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