Artistic + Admin Team

Now in his tenth 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 recently at Carnegie Hall leading Mozart’s Sparrow Mass with a combined choir of Canadian and American singers and the New England Symphonic Ensemble. 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.

Recent highlights include the world premiere of The River of Light, by Brian Current with the Vancouver Bach Choir during the Vancouver Opera Festival as well as Rossini’s La Cenerentola for Vancouver Opera. In the fall of 2018 he made his debut at the Wexford Festival in Ireland where he conducted William Bolcom’s opera Dinner at Eight as well as Max Richter’s The Four Seasons Recomposed. Other recent highlights include the Verdi Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the Vancouver Bach Choir; the UBC Opera Ensemble’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice and Puccini’s Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicchi and the world premiere production of The Overcoat, an Opera by James Rolfe and Morris Panych co-produced by Vancouver Opera, Tapestry Opera and Canadian Stage Theatre.

Highlights of his ten seasons with the Vancouver Bach Choir include the Canadian premiere of John Adams’ El Nino, Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, Berlioz’ The Damnation of Faust, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, and Verdi’s Requiem. This season he will lead the Brahms Requiem, Arvo Pärt’s Berliner Messe, the Messiah and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the VBC, Amahl and the Night Visitors with Opera Kelowna with his son Andreas in the title role, The Tales of Hoffmann with the UBC Opera and Another Brick in the Wall based on Roger Waters’ The Wall as recomposed by Julien Bilodeau for Vancouver Opera.

Cathrie Yuen is currently the Associate Conductor of the Trinity Western University Choral Program, and the Artistic Director of the MGV Lyra Men’s choir in Vancouver. She is also one of the members of the Aurora Chamber Choir based in Coquitlam. 

Cathrie obtained her master degree in Choral Conducting at University of British Columbia, and her undergraduate degree as a percussionist at Trinity Western University.  After graduated from the master program, she became the director of the TWU Concert Choir and regularly conducts the TWU Chamber Choir. As an emerging musician in Vancouver, she  performed as a guest conductor for the Vancouver Chamber Choir. She is recently selected as one of the twelve finalists of the 2019 World Choral Conducting Competition. 

Being born and raised in Hong Kong, Cathrie began her music education at a young age as a percussionist and singer. She is an active conductor in Hong Kong, who frequently tours Asia with choirs, and holds workshops in the region. She is passionate about connecting the choral communities between Hong Kong and Vancouver.

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.

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.

Shane Raman is a baritone who sings with the juno-nominated vocal ensemble, musica intima, and Cor Flammae. Shane conducts the choirs, and teaches private voice at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. He regularly leads choral workshops with local choirs and other groups of singers and speakers.
After earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The University of British Columbia, Shane has gone on to perform with musica intima, Vancouver Cantata Singers, Cor Flammae, Vancouver Opera, Phoenix Chamber Choir, Vancouver Peace Choir and Vancouver Chamber Choir.

Shane is a composer/arranger/songwriter of choral, broadway and pop music. His pieces have been performed by Vancouver Cantata Singers, musica intima, Cor Flammae, Pro Coro Canada, Sarabande, Indiekör, McGill Choral Society Chamber Choir, and The University of New York at Oneonta Chamber Singers. Shane’s pieces appear on UBC’s University Singers recording A Vancouver Christmas and Vancouver Cantata Singers’ A Christmas Reprise: 10th Anniversary Album.

Catherine Campolin is looking forward to her fifth season as a conductor with the Vancouver Bach Children’s Chorus. Over the last few years she has been developing and conducting children’s choirs in public schools on Vancouver’s west side.  She has worked with students from Henry Hudson, Queen Elizabeth Annex, Trafalgar, L’École Bilingue, Lord Tennyson and Jules Quesnel.

Along with her busy teaching schedule, Ms Campolin is also an active performer.  She has performed with companies ranging from Toronto’s Opera in Concert, Vancouver Opera, Burnaby Lyric Opera, Pacifica Singers, Vancouver Voices and the Victoria Philharmonic Choir.  In particular, Ms Campolin debuted and recorded the role of The Woman in Modern Baroque Opera’s production of Powers of Two by local composer Barry Truax.  She is currently the resident soloist for the First Church of Christ Scientist in West Vancouver.

Like many musicians, Ms Campolin’s musical beginnings started in choirs, most notably, the highly respected Gallery Choir of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto. Other musical training includes 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.

Shifra Day is an active collaborative pianist, violist and teacher in Metro Vancouver. After graduate studies with André Laplante in Montreal, as well as completing her Masters (UOttawa, 2011) and Bachelors of Music (UVic, 2009) in piano performance with secondary studies in viola, she is happy to be working back on the West Coast. Currently, Shifra divides her time between teaching and performing. She teaches piano, viola and theory privately, through EVCMS and at the West Vancouver Community Centre. Freelance performance work includes work as a collaborative pianist, primarily for studios at VAM and UBC, and as a violist for orchestras and artists such as the Vancouver Island Symphony, Lions Gate Sinfonia, Tambura Rasa, Lights and Michael Bublé. Achievements include 2 of her live piano performances being heard on Quebec radio, third prize in Knigge national piano competition, and being published in the Canadian Music Educator.

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.

Starting piano at the age of five, Yihan has studied in China, Spain, US and Canada with world-renowned pianists Rena Sharon, Geoffrey Duce, Tuyan Tonnu and Sayá Sangidorj. Yihan recently graduated from University of British Columbia with an Artist Diploma in Collaborative Piano Studies. With full scholarships she received her Master’s degrees in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano from Illinois State University. She also was the recipient of the Hans & Alicia Fuchs Scholarship in 2014.

Yihan has participated in various international masterclasses and music festivals, including Vancouver International Song Institute, Music Theater Bavaria, and BEYOND MUSIC International Music Festival. There, she studied under such world-class musicians as Olga Kern, Graham Johnson, Jo Ann Kulesza, Amanda Johnston, Serouj Kradjianand, Laura Loewen, Isabel Bayrakdarian.

Striving for fineness and expressivity, Yihan’s playing has been described as exceptionally touching. She has performed throughout Asia, Europe and North America, winning prizes in both solo piano and collaborative piano. She was awarded 2nd place in Illinois’ 2013 MTNA Piano Competition, and 1st place for both solo piano and collaborative piano in The Yangtze River Cup National Piano Competition.

As an advocate of new music, Yihan is actively involved in contemporary repertoires. At RED NOTE New Music Festival 2014, she premiered famous Chinese composer Chen Yao’s Ad Libitum for Timpani and Piano in North America.

More frequently appearing on stage as a versatile, collaborative pianist, Yihan has performed with a diverse range of talented, local vocalists, instrumentalists, and chamber groups since she moved to Vancouver in 2015.

Nina Horvath is an active musician in the Vancouver scene whether it is on stage or behind the scenes. She is excited to continue to work with the Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs, now as Executive Director. Previously, she has sung with, played piano for and worked as Operations Coordinator for the organization.

Raised in Rossland, BC, Nina completed her Teacher’s ARCT before going on to further studies at the University of Victoria, University of Denver and University of British Columbia.

Nina’s greatest passion has always been collaborating with other artists, especially in the creation of new works. She has always been an active leader in the musical community working as a co-founder and director of three new vocal ensembles while in Victoria and as the creator of the First Tuesdays concert series in Denver.

As a performer, Nina has been fortunate to perform as a chorister and pianist on three different continents. She has collaborated with artists throughout Canada and the United States with a special focus on vocal and brass music. She is committed to bringing music to small communities like those in her home region of the West Kootenays, where she regularly returns to perform.

Nina recently returned to Vancouver after spending a year as a staff pianist and vocal coach at Dalhousie University in Halifax. In addition to her role with the VBC she sings with the Vancouver Cantata Singers, and plays for singers in the college program at the Vancouver Academy of Music as well as continuing to play as a freelance musician in the Vancouver area.

Christina Cichos is an active member of the Metro Vancouver choral community as a singer, conductor, and administrator. She is thrilled to be working as the Operations Coordinator for the Vancouver Bach Choir. Previously, she has worked as a Rehearsal Assistant with several of the organisation’s children’s choirs.

As a child growing up in Port Coquitlam, BC, she sang with Coastal Sound Music Academy for several years, and there began her love for choral music. She completed her Voice Performance degree at UBC, where she studied with Heather Thomson-Price, and sang in choirs conducted by Bruce Pullan and Graeme Langager, as well as joining UBC’s Early Music Ensemble, which fostered a new passion for Renaissance and Baroque music.

Upon graduation, she followed her first passion for choral music, and she has been a soprano with the Vancouver Chamber Choir since 2014, first under the direction of Jon Washburn, and then Dr. Kari Turunen. As a soloist, she specializes in sacred Baroque music, including works by Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel. Christina regularly performs with Players and Singers, under the direction of Kevin Zakresky. She is actively involved in the music program at Pacific Spirit United Church, directed by Bryn Nixon, having sung as a section lead in the Sunday choir for many years.  She joined acclaimed vocal ensemble musica intima in 2020.

Christina has worked as a private voice teacher with Resound School of Music, and has also done conducting work for the children’s choirs of the Vancouver Bach Choir, the Vancouver Academy of Music, and the Pneuma Voices out of Pacific Spirit United Church. She continues to work as a freelance musician in Vancouver, and is blessed to have collaborated with so many wonderful organisations.