Meet the Team

  • Isabel Bernaus

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    Isabel was born in Catalunya, Spain, and trained as a musician in Europe and North America. She obtained her Diploma in Willems Music Education in France, followed by the completion of her master’s degree in Music Education from Laval University in Quebec. Isabel studied conducting with Manel Cabero in Catalunya, Dr. James Jordan of Westminster College, Rider University, and with Noel Edison and the Elora Festival Singers. Her education and experience have established her as an accomplished and highly regarded conductor and music educator.

    In Toronto, Isabel has conducted three other choirs (Common Thread Community Chorus of Toronto, Settlement Community Choir, and the University of Toronto Spirit Singers) in addition to the Jubilate Singers. She has also taught music at Sheridan College and in the Haliburton School of the Arts of Fleming College. She has participated as a guest conductor in choral events and workshops, often sharing her love of world music. She was awarded an honourable mention in the 2006 Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting, granted by the Ontario Arts Council.

  • Sherry Squires

    ACCOMPANIST

    Sherry has been the Jubilate Singers’ accompanist since 1987. She is currently coordinator of the music school at West Neighborhood House (formerly known as St. Christopher House), a social service agency serving the west end of downtown Toronto. She conducts the Toronto Song Lovers, a non-auditioned community choir at West Neighborhood House, and organizes many fundraising events and public concerts for the school including the annual Scoff ’n Scuff, an event that celebrates her Newfoundland roots. She is also a founding member and music director of Daughters of the Rock, an a cappella trio of women with connections to Newfoundland.

  • Ivan Estey Jovanovic

    ACCOMPANIST

    Ivan’s music education began in Serbia at the Belgrade Faculty of Music, where he completed his B.Mus. and M.Mus. in piano performance. In 2004, he joined the Belgrade Opera Orchestra as a répétiteur and concert pianist. In 2013, he came to Toronto to complete his M.Mus. in collaborative piano from the University of Toronto under Prof. Steven Philcox. The same year, he won the prestigious Gwendolyn Williams Koldofsky Prize in Accompanying. Presently, he is a regular vocal coach and harpsichordist in U of T’s Early Music Department. Since 2014, Ivan has been the accompanist for Toronto City Opera, and in 2017 he extended his role to Music Director.

FAQs

How do you pronounce Jubilate?

In a Canadian accent, think YOU-be-LA-tay. The name reflects our attitude and devotion to international music.

Where and when do you meet?

We rehearse Tuesday evenings at Asbury & West United Church, 3180 Bathurst St. (map), a few blocks north of Lawrence Avenue West.

What are the expectations?

Singers are expected to practise the music AND pronunciation of many languages — on their own time. (Rehearsals are for polishing.) But don’t be intimidated. Jubilate provides recorded pronunciation and vocal performances. For woodshedding, there’s also a sectional rehearsal per term. Sectional? SATBs separate and go over the term’s songs at the home of a member.

Finally, for community and growth, there’s at least one Saturday retreat. We dive into a given style of music, with a guest clinician. The intense focus of the day is broken up by sectional rehearsals and a fabulous potluck lunch. We complete the day with a fun workshop. Even the most experienced singers leave having learned lots.

How many concerts do you present?

We normally do three unique concerts a year, with additional community appearances at long-term care homes, community centres, and the like.

How much does it cost to join?

The annual dues are $400, waived for university students. NB: Toronto’s expensive. If you’re a keen and talented singer, a sliding scale is available upon request.

Can I join?

Yes! We recommend that you sit in on a rehearsal to see if it’s a good fit. Experienced singers may then book a friendly audition with our music director.

Those who are not ready to audition are invited to join the early rehearsals at 7:00PM to receive extra support in learning some of the less-challenging pieces. They are welcome to sit in on the rest of the rehearsal, participate fully in the social aspects of the choir, and perform in a portion of each concert.

Join Us

Make a donation

Support our mission by contributing today.

The Jubilate Singers are all volunteer members and, along with non-singing supporters, put in as many as 3,200 volunteer hours per year. The choir also donates free tickets to community organizations, settlement houses, and other groups serving populations who would not otherwise be able to attend live choral concerts. Your support helps make that possible!

Reg. Charitable No. 871658712 RR0001

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