Maestra Paula DeWit has developed a reputation for excellence with her artistic music direction and leadership both of choirs and orchestras in the Fraser Valley and metro Vancouver region. She has founded several orchestras and choirs both professional and amateur status. She has proven exceptional leadership in the governance of orchestra, assisting the executive boards in strategic decisions, artistic development of musicians, vitality and viability of programs.

She has an authoritative knowledge in historically informed baroque orchestral performance, specializes in “a cappella” polyphonic work as well as directing full symphonic and concerto works working with soloists, groups of musicians, and full orchestras and choirs.

With a lifelong passion for her art, she brings energy and vitality to all she works with. Core to her belief is that learning is a two way street, and that musicians thrive by working collaboratively whatever their background is.

​After obtaining her conducting credentials at Capilano University, maestra DeWit continues her conducting studies at international workshops in Canada and the United States. With an enterprising drive she has worked tirelessly to create many new opportunities for musicians.

​Paula was nominated for the prestigious Canadian Heinz Unger Conductor Award as well as the Orchestras Canada Betty Webster Award. Paula is a proud Rotarian and is an Honorary Paul Harris fellow.

Lyric coloratura, Nancy Hasiuk-Lay, is a vibrant soprano who has worked with world-renowned voice teachers Janice Baird and Britta Wieland (Berlin) and Heidi Klassen, as well as internationally acclaimed repetiteurs Björn Huestege (former head coach of Opera Frankfurt), Simone di Felice (Opera Frankfurt), Borja Maniño (Madrid, Spain), and Margaret Singer (Karlsruhe, Germany) She is frequently hailed for her sparkling and crystalline vocal tone balancing her animated, yet sensitive performances. Nancy’s stage highlights include Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Tessa in The Gondoliers, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, and Josephine in HMS Pinafore. Solo recital and concert works include Hayden’s The Seven Last Words of Christ,, Mozart’s Requiem and Handel’s Messiah. Mrs. Hasiuk-Lay was also featured as the soprano soloist at the annual Peace Arch Hospital Gala where she sang Diva Dance from The Fifth Element and was the soprano soloist for Parvaz Homay – Live in Concert. Nancy has been a featured soloist with Opera Mariposa, North Shore Light Opera Society, Opera Opulenza, Heroic Opera and Fraser Valley Stage. She was also a soloist and choral singer with such prestigious ensembles as Elektra Women’s Choir and Vancouver Cantata Singers. Nancy is a passionate recitalist with repertoire ranging from opera and classical music to musical theatre and jazz. She is also an accomplished dancer, trained in both classical ballet and Ukrainian dance.

Erik Kallo received his Bachelors of Voice Performance at the UBC and a Master of Music at the Royal College of Music in London, England.

In Canada, Erik primarily sang for West Vancouver United Church as a professional soloist and musica intima; a Juno award-nominated self-directed vocal chamber ensemble.
During his time at the Royal College of Music in London, England, Erik performed in Opera Scenes and had done Masterclasses with notable musicians such as:
Ashley Solomon’s Baroque Ensemble Florilegium, Robin Blaze, and Michael Chance among many others.
He also sang the role of Armindo from Handel’s Partenope with Hampstead Garden Opera and was a semi-finalist in one of the most prestigious vocal competitions the Kathleen Ferrier Wigmore Hall competition.

Richard Williams has been heard with various choirs and orchestras throughout Western Canada, including the Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, West Coast Symphony, Vancouver SummerChor, Kamloops Symphony, Handel Society and various others in the region. He made his European debut in 1992, and for several years performed in many of the world’s great music centers, including Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Milan and Paris.