Elizabeth MacIsaac

Biography

Elizabeth MacIsaac has directed choirs of all ages in Canada, France and the United States.

A profound believer in life-long learning and always honing her craft, Elizabeth seeks to generate creative musical engagement along the joyful path of collective singing.  In making music a cornerstone in education and a lifelong activity, Elizabeth has received grants for choral outreach to school music classes in the Greater Victoria area, to commission many Canadian choral works and to found a conducting training apprenticeship for aspiring young choral conductors.

Elizabeth maintains a dynamic double career as both singer and conductor. She lived in Europe for many years, performing and teaching. Upon her return to Canada, she founded Ensemble Laude, a nationally and internationally recognized women’s choir and the professional chamber ensemble Continuum Consort. Currently, Elizabeth conducts the Victoria Conservatory of Music Chorale, the Ensemble Laude, and the Jubilate Vocal Ensemble in Vancouver.  Among many distinctions for Elizabeth’s choral leadership and research are the Amy Ferguson Award (BCCF, 2017) for outstanding choral direction fostering superior vocal practice, the Herbert Drost Award (BCCF, 2011) for distinguished service, and the Quarter Note Honoree designation from Choral Canada. Her choral directing experience includes the University of Washington Chorale, the University of Victoria Chorus, and opera choir preparation for PacificMusicWorks and the UW Voice Department.  She taught high school choirs, orchestra, and strings for many years. A presenter and performer at choral and vocal conferences each year, active adjudicator, and clinician, Elizabeth is deeply inspired by and involved in the international singing community.