Lydia Adams, Conductor and Artistic Director

Lydia Adams, one of Canada’s most distinguished conductors, has been Conductor and Artistic Director of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto (since 1984) and of the Elmer Iseler Singers (since 1998).

Originally from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Lydia received her musical education at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and at the Royal College of Music and the National Opera Studio, both in London, England. During this time she worked and performed with many leading conductors, composers and arrangers including Sir David Willcocks, Sir Neville Marriner, John Rutter, and Bob Chilcott, among others, and while there was awarded the Sir Adrian Boult conducting award.

Under her direction, the Amadeus Choir has experienced tremendous musical and organizational growth. Some of her successful initiatives with them have included establishing the annual international Amadeus Choir Christmas Carol and Chanukah Song Writing Competition, and launching and editing The Amadeus Choir Choral Series, published by Gordon V. Thompson.

Lydia Adams has conducted many award winning compact discs with her Toronto choirs and has extensively toured and conducted throughout Canada and the United States. The Canadian Music Centre recently stated that “Lydia Adams is the new leading exponent of the Canadian choral composer.” She has worked with celebrated Canadian composers such as R. Murray Schafer, Harry Somers, Louis Applebaum, Harry Freedman, Eric Robertson, Bert Carrière, Srul Irving Glick, Christos Hatzis, Ruth Watson Henderson, Eleanor Daley, Peter Togni and many others, premiering and promoting their work through concerts, recordings and broadcasts.

Ms. Adams 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 the United States. The recipient of many awards, she has been honoured by the City of Scarborough, the Women’s International Network, the Ontario Choral Federation and Mount Allison University. In 2003, Ms. Adams received an Honorary Doctorate from her alma mater, Mount Allison University, for her service to music in Canada. In 2009, Ms. Adams was chosen as one of six finalists for the 2009 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, she was featured as one of 74 Canadian performing artists in acclaimed photographer V. Tony Hauser’s portrait exhibition entitled Stage Presence, and was named as one of 50 Ambassadors for the Canadian Music Centre – honoured for her outstanding contributions to Canadian music. Most recently, Ms. Adams was chosen as one of six finalists for the 2010 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

Dr. Adams possesses extraordinary musicianship and a true passion for the choral art form - her expertise, unique approach and dedication make her a vibrant and inspiring musical force.