Lydia Adams

One of Canada’s most distinguished conductors, Lydia Adams is currently Conductor and Artistic Director of the Elmer Iseler Singers and the Amadeus Choir of Toronto. A native of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Lydia received her musical education at Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, Canada and at the Royal College of Music and the National Opera Studio, London, England.

While in England, she worked and performed with many leading conductors, composers and arrangers including Sir David Willcocks, Sir Neville Marriner, John Rutter and Bob Chilcott. In 1981, Ms. Adams became the pianist for the Elmer Iseler Singers and worked with Dr. Iseler in that capacity for 17 years before taking over the baton of this internationally renowned chamber choir upon his death. Under her direction, The Amadeus Choir of Toronto has also developed into one of the leading choral forces in Canada.

Ms. Adams has conducted many award winning compact discs with her Toronto choirs and has extensively toured and conducted throughout Canada and the United States. She has also conducted several Canadian Provincial Youth Choirs, the National Youth Choir of Canada and has served as a guest conductor with ACDA Honor Choirs in Michigan and Colorado.

The recipient of many awards, Dr. Adams has been honoured by the City of Scarborough, the Women’s International Network, the Ontario Choral Federation and Mount Allison University. In 2003, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Allison University for her service to music.

She very much looks forward to her visit to the Festival of Voices and to great music-making.