Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble was formed in 1999 by Jennifer Riley, who saw the need for a community group where high school and college aged students could work together to perform quality music. The ensemble was created to give eager young musicians in the Comox Valley an opportunity to start something unique and dynamic. Auditions for Cantiamo are open to all youth in the area. Under Riley’s direction, the singers study both classical and contemporary chamber music. Their repertoire includes everything from early madrigals to challenging contemporary works. The singers also learn about vocal production, the elements of choral singing, and music appreciation.

The group has grown exponentially for the past six years, and this year includes 30 members, ranging in age from 15 to 25. This performance-based group rehearses twice a week to accommodate their challenging repertoire and numerous performances. Three regular concerts (fall, Christmas, and spring) are held each year; many of these include other community groups, such as other choirs, a local brass quintet, and a local music theatre group. Cantiamo has performed a capella at local fundraisers, craft fairs, and folk festivals and is a vibrant and active part of the local arts community.

An integral part of Cantiamo’s function is participation in choral festivals and work with choral clinicians. Cantiamo has traveled all over to take part in such festivals as Chorfest (Edmonton, Alta.), the Rocky Mountain Music Festival (Banff), Kathaumixw (Powell River) and Festival 500 (St. John's, Nfld). Cantiamo has also worked with several renowned North American choral directors including Richard Nace, Dr. Geoffrey Boers, Brainerd Blyden-Taylor, and Bruce Pullin.

Cantiamo has released 3 CD’s: New Day (2000); a Christmas album, The Gift (2001); and, most recently, Journey, which was recorded in July of 2003.

Jennifer Riley – Artistic Director

Since 1998 Jennifer Riley has been the choral director at GP Vanier Secondary School in the Comox Valley. She currently teaches Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Vocal Jazz, musical theatre and modern music at Vanier.

In September of 1999, Riley created Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble to meet the needs of choral students who were graduating from high school and wished to continue to pursue their love of choral music. Riley works to instill good vocal technique, love of singing, and an appreciation and understanding of a variety of choral literature in her ensemble.

Riley has directed a number of community and church choirs over the past ten years, including the Campbell River Singers, Celebration Singers and the Trinity Church Choir. She has been a clinician for local choral festivals and workshops and has taught private voice lessons for nine years. Riley has musically directed several productions with Rainbow Youth Theatre, a local summer theatre program. She has been the vocal coach and musical director for shows like Annie, West Side Story and Little Shop of Horrors.

Riley graduated from Brandon University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Music, specializing in choral music, and a Bachelor of Education.

Lynn Robinson – Accompanist

Lynn graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Music degree and 5th year Education Teaching Certificate. She then moved to the Comox Valley in 1975 and taught elementary school for three and a half years, then became an at-home Mom, teaching private piano lessons and raising four children.

Throughout the past thirty years, Lynn also kept busy accompanying, from playing with individual singers and instrumentalists (including her own husband and children), to playing for various musical groups. She accompanies the Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble, Bel Canto singers, CoVal Choristers, Rainbow Youth Theatre, and many individual performers in festivals, exams, and recitals.

Lynn’s love of music is evident in both her teaching and accompanying. She receives much joy in sharing music with others.

Soprano Dinah Ayre Devon Buss Elsie Hampshire Meaghan Miller Julia Phillips Mataya Windle	Alto Corrine Brosz CJ Colville Kelsey Hanley Kathryn Sieber Emily Swan Nicola Swan Paige Whitehead Mary Rickinson
Tenor Kris Benoit Doug Nelson Ryan Keim Peter Zuk	Bass Matt Allen James Bainbridge Matt Foster Rob Nelson Shane McIver Nathan Shapiro Pat Schorno