KIYOMI HORI (they/them): Artistic Director/Manager

Kiyomi Hori is a seasoned and versatile conductor and voice coach with a unique expertise in nurturing young voices and guiding individuals through the ever-changing phases of vocal development. With a lifelong commitment to the British Columbia choral community, Kiyomi’s vocal journey began in early childhood and has included enriching collaborations with esteemed ensembles such as Phoenix Chamber Choir, Pacifica Singers, and presently, internationally acclaimed groups like the Vancouver Chamber Choir and musica intima.

Beyond their dedication to Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir, Kiyomi maintains a bustling private voice and piano studio. Their unwavering passion lies in imparting the profound joy and therapeutic power of music to people of all ages and backgrounds. Kiyomi believes in the transformative magic of music, and it’s this belief that fuels their commitment to making the world a more harmonious place, one note at a time.

 

ERIC BISKUPSKI (he/him; they/them): Assistant Director

A lover of choral music and growing minds, Eric Biskupski has been committed to choral excellence and the teaching of children for many years.  As a member of such esteemed Vancouver choirs as Musica Intima, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, and Cor Flammae, Eric has grown up seeing what choirs can do for the heart and mind, and lives by the lessons he’s learned from them. Since graduating from Mount Allison University, Eric’s time as a teacher of classical and musical theatre to children and adults with such programs as Light’s Up, Songcology, Arts Umbrella, as well as privately, has proven the power and joy learning music has for all ages.

Michael Park (he/they): Pianist

Michael Park is a composer and pianist whose work bridges the gap between real-world and musical experience. His Ted Talk Experiencing Disease Through Music has been described as moving, haunting, and an amazing translation of the disease. His opera, Diagnosis: Diabetes has received awards and high praise for turning an otherwise invisible illness into something the audience gets to experience. Michael is an active pianist, within Vancouver’s dance and new-music communities. He is also a founder and co-director of Art Song Lab.

GERALD VAN WYCK (he/him): Founder / Mentor

Founder and mentor, Gerald Van Wyck, conducted the British Columbia Boys Choir for over 13 years and is a popular children’s choir clinician and adjudicator across Canada. He is Head of Choral Activities at Vancouver Community College, where he teaches choir, conducting, and music history. He is also Music Director at West Vancouver United Church, and founding conductor emeritus of the Pacific Spirit Choir, West Vancouver’s finest community choir where he served for 25 years. Gerald founded the Pacific Spirit Children’s Choir in 2009.  

 

 

 

Web Management: Kiyomi Hori and Sophia Angus