Anne Grimm, Soprano

 A versatile performer, Dutch soprano Anne Grimm has been recognized for her singing through Europe and North America.

She has performed at numerous European festivals with Bach specialist Ton Koopman, Frans Bruggen and the orchestra of the 18th century,the Netherlands Bach vereninging and Christophe Rousset.Most recently Anne was featured with Aventa touring to New York, Montreal, Winnipeg and Calgary in new works by Saariaho, Gonneville and Simon Steen-Andersen. Other recent performances have included working with Continuum New Music of Toronto as well as Purcell with Toronto Masque Theater. She has performed with Pacific Opera under Timothy Vernon, Pacific Music Works of Seattle under Stephen Stubbs, Bach and Haydn with the Victoria Symphony, Toronto Tafelmusik, NAC Ottawa and at the Bach festival in Bethlehem US.

 Anne Grimm received her early training in violin and voice at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. Upon graduation she became a member of the Netherlands Opera Center touring to the USA, later receiving funding from the Fonds voor de Podiumkunsten to further her voice studies in London. She was also in residence at the Stean's Institute of Vocal Arts at the Ravinia Festival in the USA where her teachers included Sir Thomas Allen, Margot Garret, Roger Vignoles and Noelle Barker.

She has recorded for Erato, Channel Classics, Harmonia Mundi, NM Classics, Vanguard Classics, Troubadisc and Sony and is presently on faculty in the School of Music at the University of Victoria.

Mark De Silva, Tenor 

Mark De Silva received his early musical training in violin and voice in Malaysia and England.

In Canada, he has appeared as a tenor soloist with ensembles including the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, the Vancouver Bach Choir, the Richmond Chorus, the Handel Society of Music, Egret Choir, Amicus Duo, the Borealis String Quartet, the Turning Point Ensemble, the CBC Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

He has performed as a soloist at Festival Vancouver, the BC Choral Federation Chorfest, and on national CBC radio broadcasts with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Laudate Singers and the Vancouver Cantata Singers.

He has toured Canada and internationally with various ensembles, performing in North America, Europe and Asia.

Mark enjoys repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary music. In recital, he has performed Lieder and Art Songs of the Romantic period and the 20th century. His solo appearances in oratorio include Bach's St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, Mass in B minor, and Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers with VancouverVoices; Handel's Messiah and Mozart's Requiem with the Handel Society Choir; and Stravinsky's Cantata with the Turning Point Ensemble. He was the tenor soloist in the premiere of Canadian composer Jennifer Butler's Aftermath, presented at The Opera Project, established by playwright Tom Cone and Karen Matthews in 2011. His recent engagements include Charpentier's Te Deum and Messe de Minuit with Laudate Singers.

Mark is delighted to be joining the Victoria Philharmonic Choir in their performance of Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610.

Mark Donnelly, Countertenor

Mark Donnelly began his singing career as a chorister at St. Matthew’s Church in Ottawa, his home city. In late 2012 he moved to Victoria to study at the Victoria Conservatory of Music where he studies with Nancy Argenta, Ingrid Attrot, and Robert Holliston. Mark's recent performances include Nerone in l'Incoronazione di Poppea, Oberon in Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the alto solos in Bach’s St. John Passion, Purcell’s Ode to St. Cecilia, Purcell’s Welcome to all the Pleasures, and Arvo Part’s Passio. Donnelly’s upcoming performances include Abraham and Isaac, a programme of Purcell songs, Bach’s B-minor mass, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and Handel’s Messiah. Donnelly studied undergraduate and master’s level courses at McGill University, University of Ottawa, and the University of British Columbia. Prior to moving to Victoria and pursuing his singing career full-time, Donnelly spent time in Africa where he focussed on several international humanitarian projects. Mark is a keen sportsman having won his age category in a recent half-marathon.

Adam Dyjach, Tenor

 
A native of Waterloo Ontario, Adam Dyjach discovered the joy of singing at an early age while attending Knox Presbyterian Church.  He was involved in local choral festivals and choirs before beginning formal voice lessons at the age of 16.  Adam commenced his musical education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Voice Performance under Kimberly Barber.  While at Laurier he was actively involved in Opera Laurier as well as the Laurier Singers Chamber Choir.  Upon completion of his degree Adam moved to Victoria, BC to pursue his Masters in Voice Performance at the University of Victoria with Benjamin Butterfield.  Past performance highlights include: the Tenor Soloist in Bach Cantatas BWV 99, 125 and 155, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 and Schubert’s Mass in Eb.  He has performed the Operatic roles of Oronte in Handel’s Alcina, Romeo in Neil Weisensal’s City Workers in Love, The Doctor in David Foley’s May 23rd, Monostatos in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Mr. Erlandson in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music.  Adam is currently a member of the Pacific Opera Victoria Chorus, Fear No Opera as well as a choral Scholar at St. John the Divine Anglican Church.     

Paul Grindlay, bass-baritone, has performed with numerous opera companies, orchestras and choirs across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Japan. His bold stage presence, musical eloquence and unique vocal ability have captivated audiences at home and abroad. He holds degrees in Music (voice/opera) and Zoology, both from the University of British Columbia, and has also studied at the Britten-Pears School, Steans Institute, and the Banff Centre. He is featured on recordings for NAXOS, Marquis and Toccata Classics. Besides maintaining an active career as a singer, Paul is busy as the Artistic Director of the Calgary Boys’ Choir, the Airdrie Community Choir and SuperSonic Men’s Choir. He is co-director of music at Knox Presbyterian Church and vocal coach to many Calgary ensembles. He is a faculty member at both Mount Royal University and Rocky Mountain College, a widely respected teacher, clinician and adjudicator. Paul is a founder member of “VoiceScapes” and served for six years on the board of directors for the Alberta Choral Federation. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, fly-fishing, cooking and writing poetry.

Andrew Erasmus is currently studying with Ingrid Attrot at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.  He has been the recipient of many vocal scholarships and awards at both the VCM and University of Toronto. Recently,  Andrew won the Rose Bowl at the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, where he was also awarded The most promising singer award. He has performed small roles in many Pacific Opera Victoria productions since 2005, including most recently the Jailer in Tosca. He was a bass soloist in the Victoria Baroque Players production of Bach’s St. John Passion. Earlier this year, he performed the role of George Stoner in the Other Guys Theatre world premiere of Rattenbury: The Opera starring Richard Margison.