Join us for OVATION, an unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of COPAF performers.

The evening begins from 5:30 – 6:30 PM with a welcoming reception, where guests can enjoy food, drinks, and the opportunity to connect with artists, families, and community members in a relaxed, celebratory setting.

At 6:30 PM, the spotlight shifts to the stage for a dynamic showcase of local excellence. From 6:30 – 7:20 PM, audiences will experience a curated lineup of standout performances in dance, piano, strings, and voice, featuring some of the top talent from this year’s festival.

Following a brief intermission, the evening continues from 7:35 – 8:30 PM with a special guest performance by CANDESCA, bringing a powerful close to the night. Awards and scholarships will also be presented throughout the evening, recognizing outstanding achievement across the festival.

OVATION is a celebration of community, creativity, and the next generation of performing artists. We look forward to sharing this inspiring night with you.

OVATAION GALA

May 15th, 2026

5:30 – 8:30 PM

Rotary Centre for the Arts

Kelowna, BC

TICKETS HERE

COPAF 2026

The Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival returns for 2026, bringing together dancers, vocalists, pianists, string players, and speech artists from across our region to share their dedication, growth, and talent.

COPAF is proud to serve as a Provincial Qualifier, providing young performers with the opportunity to represent the Central Okanagan at the Provincial Festival of Performing Arts BC. For many participants, this is an essential stepping stone, offering experience, recognition, and the chance to advance to higher levels of competition. It is an integral building block in the development of young artistic careers.

COPAF is both a competition and a learning experience rooted in encouragement, professionalism, and artistic excellence. Participants receive thoughtful adjudication, constructive feedback, and the opportunity to perform in inspiring venues while building confidence, resilience, and stage presence.

Dance will take the stage at the beautiful Rotary Centre for the Arts, while Music and Voice categories will be held at the acoustically stunning St. Michael’s Cathedral. Each venue offers performers the chance to share their work in a professional and supportive environment.

All festival sessions are open to the public, creating an accessible and welcoming space for our community to celebrate the next generation of artists.

View the full festival schedules here:
Dance – March 2nd – 7th – SCHEDULE HERE
Voice – April 7th – 9th – Coming Soon!
Piano – April 15th – 17th – Coming Soon!
Strings – April 20th – 22nd – Coming Soon!

We look forward to another extraordinary year of artistry, courage, and connection.

Adjudicators

Each year, COPAF welcomes a panel of highly respected adjudicators from across Canada, bringing a wealth of professional experience and artistic insight to the festival. Their thoughtful feedback and encouragement help participants grow as performers and deepen their connection to their art.

DANCE – Nancy Pezzo

Nancy is an award-winning performer, choreographer, and dance educator known for her exceptional technical training and creative vision. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, she has extensive experience in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, and modern dance, as well as acting in television and commercial work. Her choreography has been featured by major brands including Hudson’s Bay, Lancôme, and Toyota, and she has taught and adjudicated across North America, including at Dance Worlds and the World Championships of Performing Arts. A Registered Teacher and Mentor with the Royal Academy of Dance, Nancy is widely respected as a leading ballet educator and industry professional.

Voice – Kiiri Michelsen

Canadian-Norwegian mezzo-soprano Kiiri Michelsen is known for her warm, expressive voice and versatility across classical and contemporary styles. She has premiered works by Liova Bueno, David Loeb, and Anna Höstman, and performed with ensembles such as the Victoria Baroque Players and the Victoria Symphony. Notable roles include Carmen, Hermia, and Ottavia, along with creating Storytime Songs, a concert experience introducing children to classical music. A passionate advocate for Scandinavian art song and a dedicated educator, Kiiri holds a Master’s in Vocal Performance and is based in Victoria, B.C.

Piano – Dale Wheeler

Dr. Dale Wheeler is an independent musician based in Red Deer, Alberta, where he teaches part-time at Burman University and maintains a private studio. He holds a Doctorate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma, with additional degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and Trinity College of Music, London.

A long-standing member of The Royal Conservatory of Music College of Examiners, Dale has performed and presented across North America and Europe, contributed to the RCM Celebration Series, and published in Clavier, American Music Teacher, and The Journal of the American Liszt Society. A former president of both the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra and the Alberta Piano Teachers Association, he is also a recipient of the Mayor’s Recognition Award for contributions to the arts.

Strings – Victoria Gould

Violinist Tori Gould is recognized for her versatility, performing repertoire from Bach to Pärt. She spent nearly 20 years as Principal Second Violin with the Victoria Symphony and has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, and Kelowna Opera.

A passionate chamber musician, she plays with the Odyssey String Quartet and has appeared at major festivals and ensembles across North America.

Before moving to Vernon, Tori taught at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, coached the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra, and mentored young musicians through programs such as the National Academy Orchestra. She holds a master’s degree from Rice University.

OVATION GALA – May 15th, 2026