Lydia Adams is celebrating her 23rd season as conductor of the Amadeus Choir.

Under her direction, the Amadeus Choir has experienced tremendous musical and organizational growth. Her successful initiatives include: the realization of the Choir’s move to the George Weston Recital Hall where it has been Choir-in-Residence since the Toronto Centre for the Arts opened in 1993; the production of several CDs; the  commissioning of several major works from Canadian composers; establishing the Choir’s annual international Christmas Carol and Chanukah Song Writing Competition;  and launching and editing the Amadeus Choir Series, published by Gordon V. Thompson.

Dr. Adams was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Elmer Iseler Singers in 1998.

A native of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, she received her musical education at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, and at the National Opera Studio and the Royal College of Music, both in London, England.  While at the Royal College, she was awarded the Sir Adrian Boult conducting award.

Dr. Adams was invited to conduct the prestigious Ontario Youth Choir in 1992 and, in 2002, had the honour of conducting the National Youth Choir.  From 1981 to 1995 she served as pianist with the Elmer Iseler Singers.  In 1996, Choirs Ontario (formerly the Ontario Choral Federation) honoured Dr. Adams with a Distinguished Service Award, as one of 27 individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth of choral music in Ontario.  She also received a 1996 Bicentennial Civic Award of Merit from the City of Scarborough, given to citizens who have made outstanding contributions in their fields.

In 1997, Lydia Adams was the recipient of the Award of Achievement at a ceremony given by the Women’s Intercultural Network to commemorate International Women’s Day.  In 2000, Dr. Adams received the Charles Frederick Allison Distinguished Alumni Award from Mount Allison University.  In 2003, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music, also from Mount Allison University.