Upper Canada Chorus: Canada’s preeminent choral experience for youth

An extraordinary experience for elite singers, UCC has cultivated some of the finest musicians in our city for over 25 years.

Our flagship choral program

As we return to in-person rehearsals for the first time since the Covid shut down, we will be accepting only a limited number of 20 students to each of 3 rehearsal groups – Grades 1-4, Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12. Students in Grades 1-4 may register below without an audition. Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12 are by audition only. Grades 9-12 please follow the menu above for ‘Choir One’. Our next audition date is Wednesday August 17.

For questions or to set up an audition time, contact us today admin@uppercanadachorus.com

Watch the video below to get a glimpse of the UCC program.

Upper Canada Chorus

Registering now for our 26th season!

Come sing with an extraordinary group
of young musicians.

Watch Our Video

What We Do, And How…

We believe in the extraordinary capacity of each individual to adapt and learn, and to approach the world with an almost magical sense of wonder and discovery. It is this innate human spirit that launches young people on a quest to acquire language, to fascinate over the simple movements of nature, and to explore the natural sounds and rhythms all around us.

At OPUS, we use the most compelling attributes of live arts to create inspiration for young people and their audiences. We do it by focusing on 3 core educative principals. They are:

  • The Atmosphere of Environment

    A positive, nurturing environment certainly includes the aesthetic surroundings, but also refers to the strong sense of community we believe is necessary for young artists to grow.

  • The Discipline of Habit

    Blending both knowledge and action perfectly, experience in the arts prepares students for success in life. We encourage and cultivate the habitual behaviours of confidence and leadership.

  • The presentation of LIVING IDEAS

    We believe arts education should be presented in such a way that it causes students to engage with the world and people around them.

Rehearsal Location & Time

All rehearsals and lessons are held at our at our historic Heintzman House facility in Thornhill – 135 Bay Thorn Drive, Thornhill – off Yonge St., just south of Hwy 407.

Grades 1-4: Mondays 6:00PM-7:10PM

Grades 5-8: Wednesdays 6:00PM-7:30PM

Grades 9-12: Wednesdays 7:00PM-8:30PM

Upper Canada Chorus Faculty

Brian Rawlins
Brian Rawlins
Brian Rawlins is a professional Toy Inventor and Brander with international clients including Hasbro, Disney and Sesame Street. He received formal music education at the Royal Conservatory and the University of Toronto. Brian currently serves as the Artistic Director at Opus Alive, and is a co-founder of the Upper Canada Chorus.
Michelle Rawlins
Michelle Rawlins
Michelle is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. She studied Piano Pedagogy with the world-renown Merina Geringas, who remained a close mentor until Merina’s passing last year. Michelle is a co-founder of the Upper Canada Chorus, and is currently Director of Curriculum at Opus Alive.
Mark Camilleri
Mark Camilleri
Mark’s entire professional life embraces music. As a Music Director, Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Accompanist, Engineer, Producer, Conductor, and Recording Studio Owner. He has worked with artists including Audra McDonald, Il Divo, Celine Dion, The Tenors, Andrea Bocelli and many more, and is sought after around the world for his extraordinary abilities.
Katelyn Bird
Katelyn Bird
Currently studying Vocal Performance at the prestigious Glenn Gould School in Toronto, Katelyn has been heralded a “voice to watch” by the Toronto Star. Katelyn is a former Head Chorister at the Upper Canada Chorus (2014), and continues to support UCC as a Conductor in Residence.
Tina Desrochers
Tina Desrochers
Tina, originally from Montreal, Canada, is a passionate and versatile dancer. She has trained in many dance schools from Los Angeles to Montreal, France, Vancouver and New York. Tina is proficient at ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and lyrical dance forms, and excels at choreography.
Joaquin Hidalgo-Nunez
Joaquin Hidalgo-Nunez
Joaquin Nuñez Hidalgo was born and raised in Cuba. His early inspiration was his musically gifted father Porfirio Nuñez, a former singer/guitarist with one of the oldest Cuban orchestras “Brisas de Nipe”.