About Winnipeg Upper Voices
Winnipeg Upper Voices is a response to the all-too-common problem of young adult sopranos and altos looking for a choir to call home.
This is an upper voices choir open to anyone who sings in the upper range – see What are Upper Voices? for what that means in this choir. Women, men, trans, and non-binary folks are all welcome.
We will sing repertoire from all eras, but with a focus on composers of diverse backgrounds and experiences who are exploring the full range of upper voices repertoire (i.e., not just “pretty” music!).
Creating a positive culture of community is essential to this choir, because good community means good music making.
Photo: Abby Falvo
Conductor
Katy Harmer (she/her/any) is a queer and genderqueer choral conductor, singer, and educator based in Winnipeg.
She is currently the Music Director at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, Artistic Director for Margaret's Choir, the founding Artistic Director of Winnipeg Upper Voices, and interim Artistic Director for Rainbow Harmony Project. She was a sessional conductor for the University of Manitoba Singers in 2024, and also regularly sings with Dead of Winter in Winnipeg.
She completed a Master of Music at the University of Manitoba, studying choral conducting with Dr. Elroy Friesen. In February 2020, Katy was a conductor at the Banff Centre’s Choral Art program with Michael Zaugg and Lone Larsen.
A lifelong choral musician originally from Toronto, Katy believes strongly in the power of choir to bring people together in community, and brings this philosophy to all her musical ventures and collaborations.