Under the joint leadership of Music Directors Leslie Dala and Marisa Gaetanne, and management of Executive Director Gillian Hunter-Gibbs, the artistic and administrative team is made up of a seasoned group of acclaimed music professionals.
Artistic + Admin Team
Artistic Team
Leslie Dala
Music Director, Adult Choirs
Now in his fourteenth season as the Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir, Leslie is also the Associate Conductor and Chorus Director of Vancouver Opera, and the Music Director Emeritus of the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted in France, Italy, Ireland, the Czech Republic, China, Taiwan, and at Carnegie Hall. Leslie was Music Director of the Prince George Symphony for eight years and he has worked at the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Canadian Opera Company, the Santa Fe Opera, l’Opera National du Rhin, Edmonton Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria and Saskatoon Opera. He is also a frequent guest conductor with the UBC Opera Ensemble, the COSI Program in Sulmona Italy and Soundstreams Canada.
Highlights of his many seasons with the Vancouver Bach Choir include the Canadian premiere of John Adams’ El Nino, Bach’s B Minor Mass and St. Matthew’s Passion, Berlioz’ The Damnation of Faust, the world premiere of Brian Current’s The River of Light, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, and Verdi’s Requiem.
This season he has led Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Haydn’s Nelson Mass, and will lead Bach St John’s Passion with the VBC, The Nutcracker with GOH Ballet and Bizet’s Carmen with Vancouver Opera. Leslie’s recording of the complete piano etudes of Philip Glass was selected by CBC radio as one of the top 21 recordings of 2021.
Connect with Maestro Dala at www.lesliedala.com
Find him on Instagram
Marisa Gaetanne
Music Director, Children's Choirs
Having worked with the VBCC since 1988 under the mentorship of Bruce Pullan, Ms. Gaetanne took over as Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus family of choirs in 2009. With over 20 years of experience working with the younger levels, Ms. Gaetanne is committed to bringing the discipline, art and joy of singing and musicianship to the children she works with. Her “beautiful lyric coloratura voice” and vivacious personality have shaped her career to include an artistic blend of international solo appearances, chamber music and choral conducting. Winner of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions (Northwest) and prizewinner in the prestigious Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition, Ms Gaetanne has sung as a soloist in opera, oratorio and recital in Europe, Canada and the U.S.A. Her vocal studies have taken her to New York, London, and Florence where she also completed a Degree in Italian literature and history. She completed a M.Mus. in Voice from the UBC School of Music, where she has been a member of the Voice Faculty since 1989. Her students perform in opera houses and choirs around the globe. Ms Gaetanne studied Orff & Kodaly pedagogies and Early Childhood Music Ed at York University and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She was the youngest ever member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir. Ms. Gaetanne also runs the popular summer Music Theatre program, ChoralStage, annually in July. Choral singing and working with young children are close to her heart; she has a profound respect for their talent and diverse natures. ‘Ms. G’ loves to craft curriculum that furthers the musical and vocal development of these fine young singers. She also works to foster the personal and social growth of her students by creating a rehearsal atmosphere that promotes self-esteem, discipline, and a sense of accomplishment and pride. She is known throughout the community for her enlightened enthusiasm in her work with children and her love for both the music and the children is infectious. For Ms Gaetanne’s Full BIO and information on her professional development, please visit her website.
Cathrie Yuen
Associate Conductor of VBC and Conductor of Cantabile
Cathrie Yuen is a Vancouver based choral conductor who serves as the the Associate Conductor of Vancouver Bach Symphonic Choir, Conductor of Cantabile Choir, Sessional Instructor at the Trinity Western University music department, and the Artistic Director of the MGV Lyra men’s choir.
As both an artist and educator, Cathrie deeply believes in the importance of music education. She developed a workshop program and is co-founder of the annual Inspiro Choral Festival for high school students in the Greater Vancouver area. To further expand her passion towards choral music, Cathrie created the Chorum Podcast, where she connects with other active members of the choral community around the world, and engages in relevant topic-focused discussions as a forum. Shortly after, she co-founded the Inspiro choral consortium with Dr. Joel Tranquilla, a platform that comprises of a choral festival, a professional-level choir, and a choral education resources website that connects choral enthusiasts both nearby and abroad.
Furthermore, She participated as a guest speaker at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, and the Canadian Chamber Choir. She was selected as a Conducting Fellow for the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s Conducting Symposium and was also among the finalists at the 2019 World Choral Conducting Competition. She is also an active adjudicator and clinician for choirs in North America.
Cathrie holds a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of British Columbia and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Trinity Western University. She has prepared major choral works such as Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, Bach’s St. John Passion and Orff’s Carmina Burana for renowned conductors, including Maestro Bramwell Tovey, Graeme Langager, and Maestro Leslie Dala.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Cathrie began her music education at a young age as a percussionist and singer. She remains active in Hong Kong, touring frequently to Asia with various choirs and giving workshops in the region.
Catherine Campolin
Conductor, Piccolo and Partita Choirs
Ms. Catherine Campolin joined the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus’ artistic team in 2011. Like many musicians, her musical beginnings started in choirs in elementary and high school. She went on to sing with the Gallery Choir of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto. Other musical training includes the BCCF’s conducting workshop Da Capo, Vancouver Opera’s Young Artist Coaching Intensive, Opera NUOVA, the St. Andrew’s Arts Council Opera Workshop in New Brunswick, the Summer Vocal Academy of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and Toronto Opera Repertoire. Ms Campolin holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the Vancouver Academy of Music
Trained as an operatic soprano, she is passionate about sharing the art of singing with young people. For more than a decade, she has conducted children’s choirs in public schools across the city. In the fall of 2022, she became the Choral Program Director for the Vancouver District PAC Extracurricular Choral Music Program. The goal is to bring live music making, the love of singing and choir into public schools.
Along with her busy teaching schedule, Ms. Campolin is also an active performer. She has performed with opera companies and choirs in Toronto, Edmonton, Victoria and Vancouver. In particular, she debuted and recorded the role of The Woman in Modern Baroque Opera’s production of Powers of Two by local composer Barry Truax. She currently sings with the Phoenix Chamber Choir and is the resident soloist for the First Church of Christ Scientist in West Vancouver.
Shane Raman
Conductor, ChorusCor and Sarabande
Shane Raman is a Leo Award winning baritone, choral conductor, composer and music educator in Vancouver, British Columbia. Most recently, he wrote the score for the dramatic musical short film, Looking Back which premiered at the 2021 Vancouver Short Film Festival and garnered a Leo Award for his musical composition.
Through Shane’s work as a Voice Teacher and Choral Conductor at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, Studio 58 at Langara College and the Vancouver Bach Youth Chorus and Sarabande, Shane is enjoying new opportunities to speak about diversity and inclusion, focusing on classical choral music culture. He is excited to participate in ongoing discussions around diversity and inclusion in choral practice, and overall vocal culture.
After earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The University of British Columbia, Shane was a member of the Juno- nominated professional vocal ensemble, musica intima, for ten seasons. He has also sung with Cor Flammae, Vancouver Cantata Singers, Vancouver Opera, and the Vancouver Peace Choir.
Writing and creating music is a growing artery of Shane’s career. His arrangements and original compositions have been performed by Galakoor (Amsterdam), Central Bucks High School – West Choir (Pennsylvania), McGill Choral Society Chamber Choir(Montreal), Pro Coro Canada (Edmonton), Vancouver Cantata Singers, musica intima, Cor Flammae, Vancouver Bach Youth Chorus and Sarabande, Indiekör, Sarah McLachlan and the Sarah McLachlan School of Music Choirs, and The Vancouver Pride Society.
Video recordings of Shane’s pieces can be found in this YouTube playlist. Shane’s pieces appear on the following recordings:
UBC’s University Singers recording A Vancouver Christmas (2003)
Vancouver Cantata Singers’ A Christmas Reprise: 10th Anniversary Album (2012) musica intima’s EP, song for a winter’s night (2018).
Rachel Suzanne
VBCC Trainee Conductor, Rehearsal Assistant, Director of Piccolini Choir
Rachel Suzanne is a born Vancouverite. She obtained her Master of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia, where she studied with Marisa Gaetanne. She holds a Diploma of Music and Conducting Certificate from Capilano University; a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University, graduating with distinction under tutelage of Canadian soprano Sally Dibblee; and was an inaugural student of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music (VSOSoM) Performance Preparatory Programme, studying with Diane King.
Rachel’s career as a music educator began in 2015. She is a multidisciplinary teacher with an aptitude for early years music education. Her roles within the VBC organisation include VBCC Trainee Conductor, Rehearsal Assistant, and director of the VBC’s youngest choir, the Piccolinis. Rachel teaches in her own private studio, as well as through the VSOSoM. Believing that music is a life skill with the power to spark confidence, creativity, and community in students of all ages, Rachel fuels her student’s passion for music while teaching the skills and techniques required to achieve their individual goals.
In addition to her busy teaching profession, Rachel is an accomplished performer in concert, recital, and on the opera stage. Celebrated for her coloratura, Rachel has been a featured soloist for many symphonic works, including Orff’s Carmina Burana, Bach’s Weihnachtsoratorium, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, and Handel’s Messiah. Operatic performances include Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park, Gianetta in The Gondoliers, The Brothel Keeper in Shadow Catch, and Frau Fluth in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor. Rachel sings with local independent opera companies, and has performed alongside the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for multiple of their Traditional Christmas Concerts.
Stephen Smith
Pianist: Symphonic Choir
Stephen Smith grew up in rural Nova Scotia, where he sang and played the piano from an early age. After initial studies in his home province in both piano and organ, he attended the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. While there he participated in national and international competitions, and won numerous awards and distinctions. Since 1990, Stephen has lived in Vancouver, obtaining his doctoral degree in piano performance from the University of British Columbia as a student of Jane Coop, and contributing to the musical life of the city as a performer, teacher, lecturer, adjudicator, conductor, and composer. Stephen was Assistant Conductor of the Bach Choir from 2000 until June 2010. Currently, in addition to his work as rehearsal pianist of the Vancouver Bach Choir, Stephen accompanies Elektra Women’s Choir and the Vancouver Men’s Chorus, and directs the male-voice ensemble Synergy.
Shifra Day
Pianist: Sarabande
Shifra Day is an active collaborative pianist, violist and teacher in metro Vancouver. Freelance performance work includes: chamber music (Khimera Trio, Cello-Piano duo, Beledrone Ensemble), orchestral violist (Vancouver Island Symphony, Lions Gate Sinfonia, Kamloops Symphony, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra), collaborative piano (string and vocal studios at VAM, BCCM, UBC, and private studios around the lower mainland) and choral (Jubilate Vocal Ensemble, Frontline Voices). She has also been seen on TV as a violist at the JUNO Awards for Lights’ performance of “Giants” (2018), and in the orchestra for the Michael Bublé Christmas Special (2013). Shifra is thrilled to continue to be the collaborative pianist for the Vancouver Bach Choir’s Sarabande.
As a member of BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association, and with over 15 years of teaching experience, Shifra enjoys teaching motivated students of all levels. A positive, organized, goal-oriented, and encouraging teacher, she believes in developing strong technical freedom as well as a musical and theoretical understanding and appreciation. Her students have performed well and received high marks in RCM exams and at music festivals. Shifra has also worked as an adjudicator at the BC Conservatory of Music Festival.
Before returning to her west coast roots, Shifra took graduate studies with André Laplante in Montreal (2011-2013), and completed her Masters (UOttawa, 2011) and Bachelor of Music (UVic, 2009) in piano performance with secondary studies in viola. During her Masters at the University of Ottawa, she taught the Piano Proficiency course there, and was also on staff as an accompanist for the woodwind department. Other achievements include live performances on Quebec radio, third prize in the Knigge national piano competition, and being published in the Canadian Music Educator.
Kin Ming Wong
Pianist: Toccata, Chorale, Chorus and Cantabile
Pianist Kin Ming Wong is one of Vancouver’s most sought after musicians and educators. Born and raised in Vancouver, he is equally passionate and dedicated to piano teaching, performing, adjudicating and the art of collaborative piano. He has over twenty years teaching piano privately, ranging from beginner to diploma level while his collaborative work with instrumentalists spans the orchestral spectrum. Mr. Wong enjoys adjudicating festivals and sharing musical ideas with young musicians. He is a pianist of diverse musical interests, particularly in the vocal repertoire having worked with many singers over the years. He has been a pianist for the UBC Opera Ensemble, BC Youth Choir and University Singers. Mr. Wong also plays for BCCF’s summer music program, Choral Stage, led by Marisa Gaetanne.
Mr. Wong completed his initial musical studies with Rebecca Kelly and David Vandereyk. Later he studied with a number of celebrated musicians including Jane Coop, Alexander Korsantia, Edward Parker, Dr. Jamie Syer and Bruce Vogt.
Kin holds a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s in Piano Performance from the University of Victoria. Additionally, he holds LLCM and FLCM performance diplomas from the London College of Music, Thames University, England, and both ARCT Piano Performer and ARCT Piano Teacher (Royal Conservatory of Music) diplomas.
Mr. Wong is a piano faculty member at the Vancouver Academy of Music and also runs a very busy private teaching practice in Vancouver.
Aslan Aslanov
Pianist: West Side Piccolo and TTBB Choir
Aslan Aslanov is an energetic performer, who is forever seeking to grow, evolve, and expand his vibrant creativity across his personal and professional life. Born into a snowy Siberian village, Aslan Aslanov, whose Azeri parents moved to Russia in 1991, discovered a keen passion for music when he took his first piano lesson at the age of 6. Three years after this musical origination, Aslan became the 3rd prize winner in a provincial competition in Tyumen. When his parents decided to return to Azerbaijan, Aslan, determined to further develop his artistic talent, was accepted into the “Special Music School” for talented kids in Baku under the instruction of Dilara Mirzakuliyeva. Baku provided Aslan a wealth of musical opportunities, whether that be making his orchestral debut in 2009 with the Academic Symphonic Orchestra of Azerbaijan, winning 2nd prize for the national music competition of Azerbaijan in 2010, or successfully performing in festivals all over the country. In 2011, Aslan began his undergraduate studies in Baku, expanding his competitive education internationally in music festivals across Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Finland, Greece, and Russia. Being infected with a passion to learn and grow as a musician, Aslan was accepted with a scholarship into the Vancouver Academy of Music, successfully completing the Artist Diploma Program under the direction of Amanda Chan. In 2019, aside from winning provincial and local competitions, where he was granted the honour to represent BC in the Canadian National Music Competition, winning 2nd place respectively, Aslan made his debut in Carnegie Hall where he performed with the winners of the “Pacific Rim” International Pianists competition. Aslan continues to study with Amanda Chan as he completes his master’s degree at the UBC school of Music under a scholarship. With the ultimate artistic objective to connect others, whether that be through live performance or teaching, to the transcendent power of music, Aslan continues to seek creative spaces to explore his artistry and share his craft professionally.
Kristine Choi
Pianist: East Van Piccolo
Jeon Mok
Pianist: Partita
Renowned for his expertise in choral accompaniment, Jeon brings a unique blend of precision, sensitivity and artistry to his performances. His versatile repertoire and musicality has earned him a reputation as a sought-after accompanist in the choral community. Jeon holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of British Columbia.
Rehearsal Assistants
Maria Golas, Tim Ford, Sara Hajduk, Shea Wilson
Kelly Dore
Theory Lead
Conductor Laureates
Bruce Pullan, Simon Streatfeild
Administrative Team
Gillian Hunter-Gibbs
Executive Director
Following her education, Gillian worked for many years as an Arts Development Manager with local government in and around Cambridge, England, to develop arts infrastructure, and support and direct a variety of arts programs across South Cambridgeshire. From 2010-2017, Gillian served as the Education Manager for the City of London Sinfonia (CLS), a professional chamber orchestra renowned for its outstanding and innovative educational outreach projects. Under her leadership at CLS, the education program grew exponentially and now holds a strong international reputation for its high quality work with children and communities. Gillian then returned to her native Vancouver in 2017 to work at the VSO School of Music, first as Director of Early Learning, and more recently as Director of the School. During this time, Gillian worked closely with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, presenting children’s concerts and designing collaborative projects.
Throughout her career in arts administration, Gillian has remained a keen performer, as a singer and violist in a variety of groups across the UK and Canada. Gillian has two young children, 7-year-old Ellie and 5-year-old Myles, both budding young artists!
Anna Bigland-Pritchard
Marketing Manager
Anna has interests at the intersection of climate justice, decolonization, community-building, feminism, queerness, and the performing arts. She is passionate about using whatever medium possible to empower creative, inspiring, resonant communities.
Anna grew up in Bristol, England, and the Canadian Prairies. She currently works remotely from Lekwungen territory (Victoria BC), where she also studies singing with Nancy Argenta. You can catch Anna at Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs concerts, taking photos and connecting in person!
Anna has a BMus from Canadian Mennonite University, a Post-baccalaureate Diploma in Performance from the University of Manitoba, and a certificate in social media management.
Prior to their work at VBC, Anna worked in arts administration, and then ran their own social media management business, specializing in digital marketing support for musicians, music therapists, and environmental organizations.
When she’s not switching between her various hats, Anna can be found making friends with neighbourhood cats, going to visit the ocean, and listening to comedy podcasts.
Find Anna’s work, and connect with Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs’ marketing through:
Sabrielle McCurdy-Foreman
Operations Coordinator
Sabrielle is a singer/songwriter who performs regularly at venues across BC both as a solo artist and with ensembles. She has curated performances and showcases for cultural hubs such as Evergreen Cultural Centre and the Burnaby Village Museum, leads an all-women vocal trio called “Dia”, and recently toured the lower mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Fraser Valley as the lead singer for “Winter Harp”.
Sabrielle has always been interested in arts as a means of community building, the intersection of arts and social justice, and art as a catalyst for change.
After completing her education, Sabrielle was the Producer for Urban Ink Productions, where she facilitated a provincial tour of the critically acclaimed Children of God, a musical about an Oji-Cree family whose children were taken away to a residential school in Northern Ontario. During her time with Urban Ink, she also facilitated a series of workshops working with women living in the Downtown Eastside, culminating in an interactive exhibit and original presentation about their lived experiences, presented as part of the Heart of the City Festival. Sabrielle is also a certified Music Together instructor, spent several years as the co-director of North Shore Music Together, and, until recently, sang with and was a manager for Universal Gospel Choir, the longest running gospel choir in Vancouver.
Sabrielle gives her heart and soul to everything she does and is so excited to contribute her talents to the VBC Family.
Carol Chan
Office and Systems Administrator
As an Office and Systems Administrator at the Vancouver Bach Choir, Carol (she/her) leverages her 11-year administrative expertise gained in the governmental setting of Hong Kong, alongside a profound passion for choral music honed over almost two decades of diverse experience.
From humble beginnings in the vibrant streets of Hong Kong, Carol’s musical journey began in her formative years, where she discovered the profound impact of choral singing. From her earliest school days, she embraced the transformative power of music, from winning accolades in inter-school choir competitions, to captivating the audience as the Narrator in a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
During her university years at Hong Kong Baptist University, Carol found her calling within the university’s Christian Choir. Serving as the Performance Coordinator, she seamlessly blended her musical talents with her professional background in Social Work, orchestrating a harmonious fusion of music and service. Under her leadership, the choir embarked on exchange trips, concerts, and performances across Asia and Hong Kong, while also spearheading initiatives to bring choral music to groups and communities such as elderly homes, schools, and social enterprises.
Carol’s unwavering dedication to her craft and her commitment to using music as a tool for connection and healing have left an indelible mark on every community she has touched. Now, as she transitions to her role with the Vancouver Bach Choir, she envisions a future where her administrative prowess and passion for choral music converge to elevate the organization to new heights.
It has been the utmost privilege to study voice with you this year. You are such a remarkable woman! Your grace and charm have been my singing inspiration for many years. From my early years in the Bach Choir I have loved learning from you. I still remember hearing you sing at my audition when I was six years old. You will always be very special to me.