Awards & Recognition

Opera Hall of Fame

Linda Feasby

Congratulations to Linda Feasby for being inducted into the Manitoba Opera Hall of Fame. As a opera chorister, she has performed 54 operas as of February 2023.

Paulina Gonzales

Winnipeg Women’s Musical Club Scholarship

Paulina Gonzales

Esprit de Choeur is delighted that Paulina Gonzales, Soprano with Esprit de Choeur was awarded a scholarship December 2022.

Paulina completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Sonora in Mexico and her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance under the tutelage of Tracy Dahl at the University of Manitoba.

Award of Distinction for Artistic Excellence

Valdine Anderson

Esprit de Choeur is thrilled to celebrate the recognition for Valdine Anderson.  Valdine is recipient of the Manitoba Choral Association 2022 Award of Distinction for Artistic Excellence.

“Valdine strives to make concert events unique and meaningful, with artistic collaborations from past singers in the program, to utilizing upcoming professional musicians from the university in concert accompaniment roles, to highlighting intra-program collaborations between choirs in the organization.”

Valdine Anderson
Heather Kozak and Olivia Maxfield

Heather Kozak and Olivia Maxfield Score 98!

Heather Kozak and Olivia Maxfield

Esprit de Choeur is excited to share that two of our choristers, Heather Kozak and Olivia Maxfield recently earned a score of 98 on the Winnipeg Music Festival. Brava!

Helga Anderson Trophy

2013

Esprit de Choeur was thrilled to be awarded the Helga Anderson Trophy, at the Winnipeg Music Festival Competition for the top community choir performance in 2013, just months after Esprit de Choeur’s inception.

Esprit Singers 2013
Esprit Singers 2013

National Music Festival

Edmonton, 2013

Esprit de Choeur received second place nationally, at the National Music Festival in Edmonton, Alberta.

What Others Are Saying…

Tannis Richardson

Esprit de Choeur is a gem in Winnipeg’s musical crown. Under the leadership of Valdine Anderson, the choir performs a challenging variety of choral music. The clarity of their blended voices is pure pleasure.”

Tannis Richardson, O. C. C.M., LL.D
Tracy Dahl

I have been thrilled to hear this exciting new ensemble. It is heart warming to see several generations contributing to this unique female choir. The aural pleasure is fantastic but so is the pure joy with which they all sing.”

Tracy Dahl, O. C. International Opera Performer
Henry Engbrecht

The tuning was remarkable – clear and transparent, and the unisons… breath taking! They sang with such superior sensitivity within the ensemble… choir’s strong communication. Wow! Whether it was in the soft harmonies or unisons; or their travel to great dynamic climaxes; or the sustained legato lines; or the intensely rhythmic movements… it was always exciting.”

Henry Engbrecht, University of Manitoba Professor, Voice
Morgunbladid Newspaper

The program was diverse and an abundance of musical works presented were highly imaginative. New works including a world premiere by a Canadian contemporary composer….The music was very entertaining, full of exciting yet subtle shades and ingenious development that ended in a thrilling finish.”

Morgunbladid Newspaper, Iceland

For full review in the Reykjavik paper, check out
Fire and Ice, The Iceland Tour under Past Concerts Gallery;