FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2023 | Toronto, Ontario – Choirs Ontario is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff as conductor of the 2023 Ontario Youth Choir. The core artistic program for Choirs Ontario, the Ontario Youth Choir, is one of Ontario’s most prestigious youth choirs and choral training programs.
“We are honoured to have Rachel conduct the 2023 Ontario Youth Choir. Her leadership, energy and expertise within the Ontario choral community is extraordinary. This year’s choristers will have a remarkable opportunity to work with Dr. Rensink-Hoff and learn from her innovative and inspiring pedagogy” stated Andrew Walker, Choirs Ontario President.
Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff is Associate Professor of Music at the Brock University Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine & Performing Arts, Conductor of the Brock University Choir and Sora Singers, and Artistic Director of the Avanti Chamber Singers.
Rachel is known for her excellence and creative energy with a distinguished career in Ontario and throughout Canada. She is an inspiring and innovative conductor, clinician and pedagogue on Canada’s choral scene, recently serving as guest conductor of the 2022/2023 Alberta Youth Choir and in 2019, the Nova Scotia Youth Choir.
Rachel is the 2014 winner of the prestigious Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting of the Ontario Arts Council and in 2022 was awarded the Arts in Education Award by the City of St. Catharines. Her choirs have also been well recognized, including first prize in the 2015 National Choral Competition for Amateur Choirs (McMaster Women’s Choir). In 2019, her Avanti Chamber Singers was named “Most Promising New Adult Ensemble”.
Upon learning of her appointment, Rachel remarked: “I am honoured to be conducting the 2023 Ontario Youth Choir and look forward to meeting and working with talented young singers from across the province”.
Rachel is the founder of the Brock University Summer Choral Workshop for teachers and conductors and her ongoing research focuses on conductor mentorship and training, singing and wellbeing, and the creative process of rehearsal planning and concert programming.
The Ontario Youth Choir will run from August 11 to August 20, 2023 at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music. Choirs Ontario is tremendously excited to welcome Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff and honoured to have her lead the artistic team of the 52nd Ontario Youth Choir.