Our Story
Young Voices Toronto is a vibrant and inclusive musical community that fosters leadership, confidence and humanity in our choristers. We believe that every young person has an unique and valuable voice. Through our commitment to artistic excellence and exceptional performance opportunities, we strive to help young people understand the power of their own voice and the power of music, in order to help shape a better world.
We Believe:
- That all young people, regardless of age, race or musical ability, need to understand and appreciate the power of their voice and that they can change the world.
- In musical excellence – that our choristers are exceptional young humans and we expect their best at each and every rehearsal
- That we are stronger together – we are a team and when we combine our talents, thoughts and dreams, anything is possible.
- That a choir is more than just it’s choristers, it’s a community and support system for families, friends and our local neighbourhoods.
Our Location
YVT is located is the west end of Toronto, in the Bloor West Village. Our rehearsal space and office are located in Runnymede Presbyterian Church at 680 Annette Street. We also have additional rehearsal space at Humberside United Church, 16 Baby Point Rd.
Our History
Founded in 1986 by Ann Cooper Gay, Young Voices Toronto began as High Park Girls’ Choir. The High Park Choirs of Toronto became co-ed in the early 1990s, and continued its high-profile activities in music education, performance and touring.
In 2004, Zimfira Poloz became the Artistic Director and the programme expanded to include international tours, feature performances in major venues, workshops, community performances and local competitions.
In 2011, High Park Choirs became Young Voices Toronto to reflect its growing stature in the international choral community. Maria Conkey joined YVT in September 2017 as Artistic Director and led the choir on a European Tour and together with Collaborative Pianist and Composer In Residence, Sheldon Rose, produced an innovative, pandemic, full-length studio album, Conversations.
In 2022 Carole Anderson became Young Voices Toronto’s 4th Artistic Director. Carole brings with her a wealth of choral experience and continues the exceptional musical legacy created by her predecessors.
Our Experience
- In April 2023, YVT’s Encore ensemble had its Carnegie Hall debut in New York CIty as part of the ‘Canada at Carnegie’ concert, under the direction of Dr. Jamie Hillman and Carrie Tennant.
- In March 2022, Canadian Tire’s 100th anniversary commercial aired, featuring choristers from Cantabile, Camerata and Encore on the soundtrack. YVT was chosen to record a choral arrangement of the Tragically Hip’s Ahead by a Century representing Canadian youth of the next 100 years.
- In October 2021, YVT releases full-length studio album, Conversations to critical acclaim. The album explores pandemic themes and was recorded by choristers in diy home studios. In addition to choral works, the choristers recorded spoken word passages with Ontario’s Poet Laureate, Randell Adjei.
- YVT international tour 2019 -Germany & Austria, including performances at the Thomaskirche, Leipzig and St. Michael’s, Munich
- In November 2018-Opera in Concert with Voicebox, Werther opera by Jules Massenet
- YVT specially invited as a laboratory choir, showcased at the World Choir Games Symposium, in Riga, Latvia 2014
- In April 2013 performs with the TSO at Roy Thomson Hall as part of the Young People’s Concerts series
- YVT performs a curated Choral Theatre piece Faces of Light at the Glenn Gould Theatre, June 1, 2012
- May 2012 performs at the ACCC National Convention (Podium) in Ottawa
- Kaleidoscope, a CD collection of Canadiana Choral Gems released in 2011
- Invited as the only non-German performers to celebrate the 1125th anniversary of Bodersweier, Germany, included performances in Kehl, Germany and Strasbourg, France, July 2009
- World Première of Michael Kositsky’a Requiem for Cecilia together with the Toronto Philharmonia and CCOC, November 8, 2007
- In 2005 appointed the Children’s Choir-in-Residence for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music; workshops and annual performances with various choirs and ensembles
- July 1999, participated in Festival 500 – Sharing the Voices, in St. John’s Newfoundland
- Featured on the Classical Kids recordings Tchaikovsky Discovers America, Hallelujah Handel! and on the 2001 Juno Award-winning recording, A Classical Kids Christmas
- HPC makes its symphonic debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) in 1994, and in 1997 performed with both the TSO and Strings Across the Sky, a group of young fiddlers from the across the western Arctic region