Julia Davids, Artistic Director

Message from Julia

I’ve been reminiscing a lot about the first ten years of the Canadian Chamber Choir as I work with our amazing recording engineer Dan Donahue to put the finishing touches on the CCC’s debut CD.  In Good Company is aptly named (thank you Chris Bowman!) – the members of the CCC have enjoyed the company of kind people across our country.  Many have welcomed us into their homes as we provide workshops and concerts in their communities.  Many have joined us in creating beautiful music together in church and school choir workshops, in conducting master classes and in concert.  Of course there is the company of the Canadian composers we have forged bonds with.  The diversity of Canadian choral music continues to amaze and delight us and we take great pride in elevating the profile of composers who might not otherwise have a venue for the performance of their music.  In Good Company features all Canadian composers – some well-known, some soon-to-be!  And of course, we continue to enjoy the company of each other – the many singers that make up the CCC come from all over the country and are as diverse in their interests as can be.  They all share a passion for singing and for sharing that passion with others.  As the CCC prepares to perform at Podium, the National convention of the Association of Canadian Choral Communities, we are excited by what the future holds for the CCC and choral music in Canada.  We look forward to visiting you in your community soon!

Julia Davids Biography

Dr. Julia Davids enjoys a thriving career as a versatile musician.  She holds degrees in Education, Conducting and Voice Performance from the University of Western Ontario (London, ON), the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) and Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). 

As a soprano soloist, Julia is an avid performer and recitalist having appeared with Opera Atelier, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, the Toronto Chamber Choir, the Toronto Consort, the Guelph Chamber Choir, the Aradia Ensemble, Publick Musick, Ars Musica and others.  Recent engagements include a Dame Myra Hess program at the Chicago Cultural Center with the Callipygian Players and Messiah with the Saint Cecilia Singers.  Julia has served as voice adjudicator and conducted workshops on vocal pedagogy and conducting with many groups.  She is on faculty at Loyola University, Chicago, IL where she teaches voice and conducting and directs the Loyola Chorus.  She is currently completing work on a book ‘Vocal Technique for Choral Conductors and Singers.’

Julia is a proud founding member of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canada’s national choral ensemble providing a professional-level choral environment for Canadian singers, conductors and composers.   Artistic Director of the CCC since 2004, she has led the ensemble on concert and workshop tours of Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan and directed their debut recording, “In Good Company.”  Julia was recently named the Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society.  She is currently Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette and served as guest chorus director with Music of the Baroque in October 2009.   A native of London, ON, she now resides outside of Chicago with her husband, baroque violinist Martin Davids and their two children, Judith and Solomon.