OVATION in the Park

Experience an unforgettable evening of live classical music under the summer sky at OVATION in the Park!

Join the Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival on Wednesday, August 26, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Kerry Park for a free outdoor concert presented in partnership with the Downtown Kelowna Association. We’re bringing together an incredible lineup of performers from across the Central Okanagan for an evening of classical voice and strings on the waterfront.

The stage will feature opera singers and vocal soloists, along with the Candesca and AMICI ensembles. Audiences will hear everything from soaring opera arias and art songs to musical theatre duets and folk music. We’ll also be showcasing a talented group of violin and cello performers, bringing another dimension of live classical music to the evening.

Hosting the concert will be the one and only Alexandra Babbel, with Graham Vink providing accompaniment throughout the vocal performances.

This is a chance to experience the passion, artistry, and dedication of our local performing arts community in a relaxed outdoor setting. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, gather your friends and family, and settle in for a beautiful summer evening by the lake.

We can’t wait to share it with you!

OVATION in the Park
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
6:00–8:00 PM
Kerry Park, Downtown Kelowna
FREE ADMISSION

OVATION in the Park

August 26th, 2026

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Kerry Park

Kelowna, BC

Free entry!

VIEW EVENT PROGRAM HERE

2026 Awards and Scholarships

At COPAF, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the outstanding talent, dedication, and artistry of our performers through our Awards and Scholarships program.

In 2026, we presented the following honours:

Adjudicator’s Choice Awards ($300)
Selected by our adjudicators, these awards recognize exceptional performances across all disciplines for their artistry, technique, and overall impact.

Alice Cheung – Voice – Late 20th Century
Isla Young – Popular Voice
Marcy Machinbroda – Open Voice
Ava Heales – Contemporary Ballet
Tepi Porcelli-Newlands – Stage – Hip Hop Dance
Brooke Young – Jazz Dance
Emily Moore – Jazz Dance
Julianna Cavaliere, Resse Heit, Sienna Lieuwen, Sofia Briglio, Tavia Backmeyer, Vivien Munegatto, Adrianna Randell, Alexandra Cavaliere, Aubrey Marriott, Aubree Munegatto, Ava Crabtree, Ava Lavigne, Avery Podovennikoff, Brenna Dewing, Charis Park, Emma Thomas, Everyley Russell, Gabby Kinvig, Isabelle Lancaster, Jayda Sampogna, Jillian Crabtree, Ksenia Backmeyer, Micah Sampogna, Mylee Ward, Olivia Briglio – Stage Lyrical – Large Group Dance
Ava Crabtree, Gabby Kinvig, Jayda Sampogna, Brenna Dewing, Jillian Crabtree, Mylee Ward, Olivia Briglio – Stage Lyrical – Small Group Dance
Annalise Dionne – Stage Dance
Gabby Kinvig – Interpretive Contemporary Dance
Alexandra Cavaliere, Gabby Kinvig – Duo Contemporary Dance
Mark Radchenko – Baroque/Early Keyboard
Ben Jeckel – Twentieth and Twenty-Frist Century Contemporary Piano
Ellie Wingrove – Baroque/Early Keyboard
Carriage House Junior Orchestra – Junior Chamber Music
Kieran Kassel – Concerto Strings

Rising Star Scholarships ($500)
These scholarships celebrate performers who demonstrate outstanding promise and potential. Made possible through the generous support of local individuals and businesses, they help support the continued growth of emerging artists.

Alexandraina Thiessen, Classical Voice – Lori Gordon Rising Star Scholarship
Benjamin Nunes, Stage Song & Dance – Kiwanis Club of the Central Okanagan Rising Star Scholarship
Charles Weathermon, Sonata Strings – Paul Dykstra Rising Star Scholarship

We extend our sincere congratulations to all recipients on this well-deserved recognition, and our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who make these awards possible.

Proudly Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of the Central Okanagan

We are deeply grateful to the Rotary Clubs of the Central Okanagan for their unwavering support and partnership. Their generosity, community spirit, and commitment to youth and the arts make this festival possible. We truly couldn’t do it without them.

Our Commitment

The Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival (COPAF) is a board-governed, non-profit charitable organization that produces an annual regional festival open to public membership.

We believe that meaningful collaboration with stakeholders and a focused strategic approach are essential to the festival’s continued growth. This foundation enables us to deliver high-caliber programming and respond to the expanding needs of the performing arts community.

Real Life Impact

“I really appreciated the experience of the competition and I know other young musicians did too! I have participated in the festival for many years and I always learn something valuable from the experience. These scholarship funds will go towards my education at UBC in Vancouver, where I hope to continue engaging in music through choirs and other ensembles”

“I was very honoured to receive the Shining Star award from Chamber Music Kelowna. Thank you very much for the award, it will help go towards a new violin that I have been saving for. I look forward to next year’s festival”

“I was the successful recipient of your generously awarded Achievement Scholarship for Best Intermediate Musical Theatre. For the past five years I have studied Musical Theatre and Classical Voice. I also love playing the piano and bass guitar. I plan to pursue the performing arts as my future career. I will be using these funds toward furthering my vocal studies. Thank you so much for supporting my musical education”