OUR TEAM

Carol Woodward Ratzlaff

Founding Artistic Director, VIVA Singers Toronto

Conductor of Chamber Singers and Every Voice Matters Chorus

As per Carol’s vision, at the heart of VIVA is exceptional programming for children and youth by "doing choir differently." VIVA choirs embrace choral music artistry through chorister creation, innovative vocal programming, inclusive practices, and the development of strong community connections. Carol’s commitment to innovation and excellence in community music-making has led to the development of unique foci for each of VIVA’s choirs, including those for adult singers at all levels of experience, and a leadership-based youth choir. An all-abilities, inclusive approach to choral music education and performance is central to the identity of the Every Voice Matters Chorus for teens and adults with disabilities, and to each of VIVA’s seven choirs. From its founding, all VIVA choirs have fostered the mentorship of young musicians and emerging educators through the Choral Mentoring & Leadership Program. VIVA, with its dynamic artistic and administrative staff, and dedicated choristers, continues to engage in the creation of innovative musical spaces where artistic excellence is inclusive.

Carol maintains an active career as a choral conductor, educator, singer, and private voice teacher, after her retirement from the Toronto District School Board. Having recently joined the Faculty at the Oscar Peterson School of Music, Royal Conservatory of Music, Carol has also continued to share her passion for vocal music education as a Sessional Instructor at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto; and with Vocal Music Teacher candidates at OISE, University of Toronto and the Faculty of Education, University of Windsor. Through Carol’s diverse teaching outlets, her former students can be found in university music faculties, as award-winning singer/songwriters, as music teachers across the GTA and beyond, and as lifelong advocates for the power of choral music.

Carol has performed across Canada and internationally as a member of the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Elora Festival Singers, the professional core of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Soundstreams’ Choir 21, and has been engaged as a guest artist with the Pax Christi Chorale, the Toronto Chamber Choir, and the Toronto Consort.

Carol continues to prepare singers for international and national choral competitions, festivals, and professional appearances, including with the Elmer Iseler Singers, the National Ballet of Canada, the Toronto Consort, Jumblies Theatre, Canada’s Walk of Fame, and L’Arche Toronto Sol Express. In 2021, Carol was the winner and recipient of the President’s Leadership Award by Choirs Ontario. In 2006, she was a candidate finalist for the Leslie Bell Prize in Choral Conducting.

Carol is committed to sharing VIVA’s unique approach to choral singing at international conferences such as those presented by the International Society for Music Education, the American Choral Directors Association, Podium (Choral Canada), and the Ontario Music Educators' Association. Carol is a PhD student in Music Education at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. Her research and pedagogy focus on the development of inclusive spaces in choral music education and performance. She holds a MMus in vocal performance from the University of British Columbia, with degrees in vocal performance and music education from Western University and the University of Toronto.

Dr. Laura Menard

Associate Artistic Director, Conductor of Community Choir, Co-Conductor of Chamber Youth Leadership Singers, Chamber Singers Soprano Section Lead

Dr Laura Menard, OCT, is the Co-Conductor of the Main Chorus and Chamber Youth Leadership Singers and the Soprano Lead of VIVA's Chamber Singers. She has held many roles during her twenty-five exciting years with VIVA, including her ongoing work as Chorus Coordinator for The Nutcracker with the National Ballet of Canada, developing and co-facilitating VIVA’s exciting and unique Creation Stream programming for youth and adults, and planning the annual Performing Arts Camp - a highlight of the VIVA year!

Laura is the Research Funding, Honours & Awards Officer at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto; a course instructor in the CTL program at OISE working with pre-service Intermediate and Senior music educators; and in research support roles with SoundLife Scarborough, an innovative and accessible community-engaged music research centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough, and Creative Communities Commons at the School of Cities. Laura has been a secondary school teacher with the Toronto District School Board since 2007. Laura received her PhD in Music Education from the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.

Laura’s research and pedagogy focus on intersections between student agency, space and sound; and equitable and inclusive music education practices. She is passionate about creating a safe learning environment for musicians of all ages and stages to take risks, develop skills, and expand their creative horizons. As a performer, Laura relishes music's power as a connective tool, and loves making music with dear friends in VIVA's Chamber Singers. Laura is thrilled to be celebrating VIVA's 25th anniversary, and to be part of a uniquely inclusive, innovative and collaborative team helping to live out the motto that EVERY VOICE MATTERS.

Edmee Nataprawira

Main Chorus Conductor, Chamber Youth Leadership Singers Co-Conductor

Edmee Nataprawira is a music educator and multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto, Ontario. An advocate for music as a catalyst for community, creativity, and connection, Edmee enjoys collaborating with fellow artists in Toronto and Montreal. In addition to playing cello and piano, Edmee is an avid choral singer and taiko drumming enthusiast. She currently teaches music at St. Clement's School and VIVA Singers Toronto through song, movement, play, and composition.

Edmee is delighted to be conducting VIVA’s Main Chorus, co-facilitating VIVA's Chamber Youth Leadership Singers, singing in VIVA’s Chamber Choir, and supporting VIVA’s partnership with the National Ballet’s Nutcracker. Edmee is also an active member of VIVA’s Inclusion Team.

A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT, piano; Gr. 10, cello) and the University of Toronto (Hon. B.Mus. and B.Ed.), Edmee has been the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Lloyd Bradshaw Prize for choral conducting, the Gordon Cressy Leadership Award and a Klingenstein Summer Institute Fellowship at Columbia University for early-career teachers. She loves to explore how music can nurture relationships, create change, and speak to our sense of wonder.

Alison Roy

Junior Chorus Conductor

Alison Roy grew up in the Ottawa area but has made her home in Toronto for the past 30 years. She has worked as both a professional singer and music educator in the GTA. Alison studied English and French Literature at Western and Music at McGill University. Alison believes that singing in choirs is a great community activity and beyond learning music literacy skills, can help children with feelings of inclusion and sense of self.

Most recently, Alison has been studying First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and a way to include Indigenous Knowledge throughout the school curriculum and, in partnership with Indigenous musicians, in choral music.

Michael Colla

Preparatory Chorus Conductor

Michael is a vocalist and music educator based in Toronto, dedicated to fostering community through music. He graduated from St. Michael’s Choir School, York University (B.F.A. in Vocal Music), and Wilfrid Laurier University (B.Ed). Currently, Michael teaches music at the Toronto Catholic District School Board and conducts choirs for the Community Music Schools of Toronto. He has also served as an interim conductor for St. Paschal Baylon’s R.C. Church choir and Coro San Marco, and has been a guest conductor at the “Singing Together” multicultural choral festival. Michael’s deep passion for music education and community engagement drives his work as an educator, conductor, and lifelong learner.

Brad Ratzlaff

Accompanist of Community Choir and Chamber Singers

Known for creating innovative choral programming and outstanding choral performance with both amateur and professional singers, Brad recently retired from his position as Music Director and Organist at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church in Toronto, a post he held for 32 years. Brad was on the teaching faculty at the University of Toronto Faculty of Music and Artistic Director of the Hart House Chorus, University of Toronto. He has twice been the recipient of the Elmer Iseler Fellowship in choral conducting, and holds a M.Mus. in Performance (Conducting) at the University of Toronto, along with Associate Degrees from the Royal Conservatory of Music (piano) and the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Brad is a former member of the bass section of several professional choirs, including the Concertgebuow Choir of Amsterdam, the Elmer Iseler Singers, and the Elora Festival Singers. Brad studied piano with Ruth Watson Henderson, organ with John Tuttle, and conducting with Jon Washburn, Leonard Ratzlaff, Doreen Rao, Helmuth Rilling, and the late Dr. Elmer Iseler.

Julie Wildgoose

Inclusion Consultant

Julie is a retired teacher who taught for the TDSB for over 40 years. She has a BA (Hons) in French from the University of Toronto BEd., and specialist qualifications in Vocal music and Special Education. She taught for most of her career at SunnyView Public School, a congregated setting for students with disabilities.

Julie conducted the children’s choir at Rosedale United Church for over 40 years, and is a longstanding member of the church’s choir.

Julie is very happy to be the Inclusion Coordinator for Viva, and loves being a TA in the EVM chorus.

Tim Lee

Inclusion Consultant, Main Chorus Accompanist, and Chamber Singers Bass Section Lead

Tim is a music therapist and a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) based in Toronto, Ontario. He received his Master in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University, and holds an Associate Degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music (piano). Tim is thrilled to continue his work as a TA, accompanist, and inclusion coordinator for the many choirs and creation programming at VIVA, and as a singer with the VIVA’s Chamber Choir.

Tim is currently practicing at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Music Therapy Centre in downtown Toronto. He is passionate about music and how it can be a catalyst for change and personal growth.

Adam Mason

Orff Co-ordinator, Inclusion Team Co-Chair, Chamber Singers Tenor Section Lead

Adam is pleased to have been a part of the VIVA community for over 15 years! In that time, he has been a Teaching Assistant, an Assistant Conductor, a Nutcracker Conductor, a co-chair of the Inclusion Team and now happily works as the Orff Coordinator, facilitating creative movement and music activities with VIVA's youngest choirs. Passionate about helping children explore music and dance as both performers and creators, Adam is grateful for the many, and varied, opportunities VIVA has given him to grow as both a musician and music leader.

Outside of VIVA, Adam is an elementary arts educator in the Toronto District School Board where he has been teaching for over 15 years. He holds a Music Specialist with a focus on the Orff Approach to Music Education and has completed his Dance - Part One Additional Qualification course. Adam also sings in the Trinity-St. Paul's Church Choir. When he's not teaching or singing, Adam enjoys songwriting, gardening, seeing musicals and lots of walks and visits to coffee shops.

Michael Denomme

EVM Chorus Assistant Conductor

Michael is a Conductor, Music Educator, and pianist, originally from North Bay, Ontario, but is now based in Toronto. Michael has a BMus in Music Education, as well as an MMus in choral conducting from the U of T, where he studied with Dr. Jamie Hillman, Dr. Zimfira Poloz. While at U of T, Michael worked as the assistant Conductor of the MacMillian Singers, and the Tenor-Bass Choir. He was the recipient of the Elmer Iseler National Graduate Fellowship in Choral Conducting in 2022/23 and 2023/24, and also received the Faculty of Music’s Teaching Assistant of the Year Award in 2023.

Outside of the University setting, Michael is extremely passionate about children's choir and
community choir, and is ardent about building community through choral singing. He conducts several youth choirs around the GTA, and has also contributed significantly to the organization of multiple provincial treble choir festivals, most recently acting as the project manager for the 2024 Ontario Youth Treble Festival.

Michael has also had the pleasure to participate and conduct in choral conducting workshops
across North America, including the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s conducting symposium, the
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music’s international conductors training program, and most recently
the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Conducting Symposium. Michael also has a deep passion for orchestral conducting, having performed with orchestras across Ontario over the past few years.

Alessia Signorella

Main Chorus Assistant Conductor, Every Voice Matters Chorus Teaching Assistant

Alessia is a classically trained vocalist and pianist with a versatile repertoire spanning Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Pop. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Toronto, where she discovered her love for opera and vocal instruction, and a Master of Arts with Distinction from University College London’s Institute of Education, researching vocal pedagogy under Graham F. Welch.

Her diverse performance experience as both a soloist and ensemble member creates a holistic teaching style that blends techniques from multiple genres to support each student’s unique voice and artistry. Currently, Alessia teaches private voice lessons and music in Montessori school settings, and works with Viva Singers Toronto as assistant conductor for the Main Chorus and as a teaching assistant in the Every Voice Matters Chorus.

Dr. Darryl Edwards

Vocal Coach and Consultant

With magnetizing insight, Darryl Edwards animates pathways new and old in his work with young vocal artists in choirs for concert performances and solo vocal artists for the operatic stage. Toward storytelling and discovery, he melds his vibrant international experiences to gather and empower singers to their fullest realizations in radiating the world’s interactive dramas.

Dr. Edwards is Professor of Voice Studies at the University of Toronto where he has taught for over two decades. He has been recognized as an innovator in teaching, learning, and performance training. With a doctorate in musical arts (Michigan), degrees in music and education (Western), and performing and teaching experiences in the USA, China, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Syria, Brazil, New Zealand, the UK and Norway, he flourishes in the creation and nurturing of artistry with singers as they discover access to their own resources.

Darryl Edwards is a former board member of Viva Singers Toronto. He is delighted to renew his commitment to “access, accuracy, artistry, and advocacy,” through Founding Artistic Director Carol Ratzlaff’s inspired and inspiring work with the organization.

SUPPORTING STAFF

Administrative

Victoria Shalygin

General Manager

Kathryn Laceby

Bookkeeper

Artistic

Jo O'Leary-Ponzo

Accompanist, Junior Chorus and CYLS

Tyler Versluis

Theory Coordinator

Alessia Signorella

Assistant Conductor, Main Chorus

Section Leads