Choral Fest 2026

Conductor: Kellie Walsh
Place: Saint John, New Brunswick
Date: October 23-25, 2026
We are so thrilled to announce that the wonderful Kellie Walsh will be our Choral Fest conductor at Choral Fest 2026 in Saint John. Kellie is the founder and Artistic Director of the award-winning Lady Cove Women's Choir and the Artistic Director of the internationally celebrated Shallaway Youth Choir. Under her leadership, the Shallaway family has grown to over 400 choristers in nine ensembles, alongside a team of over 15 music educators. She has most recently co-founded the Inuit Youth Choir Ullûgiagatsuk from Nunatsiavut, Labrador, and is the immediate Past President of Canada’s national choral organization, Choral Canada.

From deep and proud roots in Newfoundland and Labrador, she’s gained renown internationally for embracing the medium of choral singing as an opportunity to explore empathy building, sociocultural identity, and civic engagement. Walsh has worked across Canada, the United States, South America, Europe and Asia advocating choral music as a medium to unite people and cultures, transcend geography and societal, political and economic circumstances. Walsh believes the arts can play a transformative role in shaping communities' futures.

Watch for details, and save the date!