Conducting Workshop is a personal growth experience for conductors at all levels.

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Join us for the 2026 Phoenix Summer Choral Conducting Workshop, a personal growth experience for conductors at all levels. Over four days you will have the opportunity to work with master teachers, enjoy podium time and participate in learning sessions.

Participants will act as a lab choir for the 10 conductors, providing a unique opportunity to learn from and support each other. Auditors will be present in all sessions and may request optional podium time during the Tuesday evening choral session, featuring members of the Phoenix Chamber Choir.

The Conducting Workshop features expert faculty, including Nicholle Andrews (Body Mapping), Frances Roberts (Warm-ups and Rehearsal Techniques), and Geordie Roberts (Vocal Technique).  

Conductor participants will receive 60 minutes of podium time and engage in interactive lab choir rehearsals and daily activities.

Auditors will also have programmed sessions and an opportunity for learning with option for podium time if requested.

New this 2026 season: 

  • Increased podium time for each conductor

  • Learning sessions tailored for auditor participants

  • Student-auditor pricing to allow students to participate in the workshop experience. 

  • Masterwork highlight: all conductors will be assigned a section of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem as part of the learning experience in addition to a separate selected piece

“I’ve had the privilege of singing in more than 40 different choirs and participating in countless workshops and masterclasses across various countries, both in conducting and singing.

But these past four days have been something truly exceptional. The depth, brilliance, and richness of what I’ve experienced—so many insights from different perspectives, angles, and lenses—have been nothing short of inspiring.  Thank you, thank you so very much for this unforgettable and transformative learning experience.”

  —--- Phoenix Choral Conducting Workshop Participant, Summer 2025

The Conducting Workshop will take place at Lynn Valley United Church, located at 3201 Mountain Highway in North Vancouver. The venue offers free underground and street parking, and is conveniently accessible by public transit via bus route #210.

Registration

Dates: July 12–15, 2026

Location: Lynn Valley United Church
3201 Mountain Highway
North Vancouver

 

Participation Levels:

  • Conducting Positions: Limited to 10 conductors. Price CAD$500.

  • Auditors: Price CAD$350.

  • Student auditors: CAD$150. (You must be currently enrolled in an education program as a student)

For questions, email admin@phoenixchoir.com.

Applications for conductor positions will be open until March 16, 2026 with successful applicants notified by March 30, 2026.  Auditor and Student-Auditor positions will remain open to any who wish to participate.

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Schedule

  • Meet & Greet, Review Repertoire, Sectionals, Welcome Social

  • Body Mapping, Podium Sessions, Vocal Techniques

  • Body Mapping, Vocal Technique, Podium Sessions, Phoenix Choir Rehearsal

  • Body Mapping, Final Podium Sessions, Wrap-Up

Faculty

Dr. Nicholle Andrews

Originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Nicholle Andrews is the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Redlands in California and the Artistic Director of the Phoenix Chamber Choir in Vancouver. A sought-after conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across North America, she has worked with renowned composers such as William Bolcom, Joan Tower, and R. Murray Schafer, and conducted alongside legends like Bramwell Tovey and Bobby McFerrin.

Dr. Andrews’ choirs have performed at prestigious events, including Canada’s national choral conference, Podium on the Edge, and alongside artists such as The WHO, Sarah Brightman, and Josh Groban. She specializes in choral conducting, body mapping, and ear training and is a licensed body mapping educator with research interests in performance anxiety and pitch perception.

With a doctorate in choral conducting from McGill University and dual bachelor’s degrees in oboe performance and music education from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Dr. Andrews is recognized for her outstanding teaching and contributions to music education. She also founded the University of Redlands Youth Choir, now a thriving program for young singers aged 5–16.

Frances Roberts

Frances has recently retired from 34 years of teaching secondary choral music. Thirty-two of those years at Argyle Secondary in North Vancouver where she directed multiple concert/ chamber choirs, vocal jazz ensembles, some concert band and chamber strings ensembles. Her school choirs toured extensively across North America, Europe, China, the Baltics and the UK. While at home they performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and Vancouver Chamber Choir and had the good fortune to workshop with renowned vocal groups like RAJATON, The Idea of North and the Swingle Singers.

Currently, Frances is working with community choirs in Vancouver, CHORISMA Jazz Choir in Kerrisdale and VOX PANACEA (physicians’ choir in the PHOENIX Choral community). She is also on faculty at the West Coast Amateur Musicians Family summer camp. Frances is in high demand as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. She has led workshops for BCMEA, BCCF, ACCC and other organizations. She directed the BC Youth Choir at Chorfest 2013 and received the BC Music Educators Outstanding Professional Music Educator Award in 2020. A graduate of the UBC School of Music and Masters in Choral Conducting, she is excited to give back, share and work with all types of choral conductors in this holistic workshop.

Geordie Roberts

Geordie is a graduate of the School of Music UBC and the Vancouver Academy of Music. As a long-time member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, he was a frequent soloist in concert and on recordings. He is a faculty member at Capilano University Music Department, and the Co-ordinator of Music at Highlands United Church, both in North Vancouver He is highly regarded for his ease of vocal production and expressive singing. In addition to keeping busy singing, teaching and conducting, George is also a gifted accompanist and coach. A published composer and arranger,  George’s choral music is available on the Cypress label. Geordie makes his home in North Vancouver with his wife, Frances, and they enjoy the company of three very musical sons: Aidan, Garreth and Liam.