By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Founded in 2017 with a debut performance alongside the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, the Myriad Ensemble has grown into a defining force in Halton’s choral community. What began as a small summer project has since evolved into a registered non-profit charitable organization, incorporated in 2020, with a clear purpose: to offer an inclusive, artistically ambitious home for adult singers in the soprano–alto range who identify as female or non-binary.
For Artistic Director Elise Naccarato, the inspiration was deeply personal.
“It began simply: a small summer ensemble singing local gigs, earning just enough to buy the next score,” she says. Her formative years in the Hamilton Children’s Choir showed her that musical excellence and genuine human connection could coexist, but she noticed a gap for adult upper-voice singers in Halton. “Conversations with friends revealed a shared longing, and that collective feeling became the spark behind Myriad.”
Since then, Myriad has helped redefine what an upper-voice choir can be. Once considered limited or niche, repertoire for adult soprano–alto ensembles has expanded thanks to trailblazing groups across Canada.
“An upper-voice choral ensemble is uniquely powerful and necessary, within today’s music landscape,” Naccarato explains. “Today, upper-voice choirs offer a distinctive sonic palette that is particularly well-suited to contemporary repertoire, new commissions, and resonant storytelling.”
That sense of relevance is central to how Myriad connects with audiences. The ensemble’s programming is guided by cultural resonance, pairing traditional choral works with contemporary and commercially influenced pieces to ensure both accessibility and depth.
“I am drawn to music that reflects something alive in the world around us,” Naccarato says. “The guiding principle is connection, between the music, the singers, and the wider community.”
Community, however, extends far beyond the stage. Singing, Naccarato believes, is an act of vulnerability, and the trust built within Myriad directly shapes its performances. “When singers feel held by the ensemble, they sing with greater freedom, confidence, and authenticity. Audiences feel that connection in every performance.”
Some of the ensemble’s most powerful moments have come from that shared sense of purpose. A 2024 invitation to perform at PODIUM, the Canadian National Choral Conference in Montréal, stands out not only for the performance itself but for the experience surrounding it.
“By the time we reached our final performance, the sense of connection within the ensemble was so deep that many of us were in tears,” Naccarato recalls. Another milestone was the ensemble’s fifth-season finale, an 80-minute, uninterrupted performance of Tuvayhun: Beatitudes for a Wounded World. “From the very first note, the hall felt completely still, as though everyone was breathing together.”
Looking ahead, Myriad’s momentum continues. In 2026, the ensemble will welcome new singers, present its annual Choral POPS fundraiser on March 7, and close the season with Spellbound on May 30 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, an immersive concert blending music with visual storytelling. Perhaps most notably, Myriad has been invited to compete in the World Choir Games in Sweden, marking its first appearance on the international stage.
“At its heart, Myriad remains committed to raising the bar for vocal excellence while remaining a creative home,” Naccarato says. “It’s a place where people who love to sing can find their voices, their courage, and their community woven together.”
To learn more about the Myriad Ensemble and find out where and when they are performing next, visit their website at https://www.myriadensemble.com/.
