VOICE

April 7 – 9, 2026.

St. Michaels Cathedral

Voice Festival Update – Provincial Nominees Announced

The Voice portion of COPAF has now concluded, and we are pleased to announce this year’s Provincial nominees.

Thank you to all performers, teachers, and families who made this portion of the festival so meaningful and memorable. Held April 7–9 at St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Voice Festival showcased an exceptional level of talent, dedication, and artistry from across the region.

Congratulations to the following performers who have been nominated to represent our region at Provincials:

  • Sarah Truch – Junior Classical Voice
  • Alexandrina Thiessen – Senior Classical Voice
  • Nikolaas Rogers – Junior Musical Theatre
  • Alice Cheng – Junior Musical Theatre Alternate
  • Lucy Miller – Junior Speech Arts

Please note that while all of the above performers were nominated, not all will be advancing to Provincials.

We are incredibly proud of all participants and grateful to everyone who contributed to such an inspiring festival. We wish those advancing the very best as they go on to represent our region.

We look forward to welcoming you all back next year.

Meet Our Voice Adjudicator: Kiiri Michelsen

Canadian-Norwegian mezzo-soprano Kiiri Michelsen is celebrated for her warm, expressive voice and versatility across genres—from Bach to Gershwin, Vivaldi to Weill. A passionate interpreter of both classical and contemporary repertoire, she has premiered works by Liova Bueno, David Loeb, and Anna Höstman, and frequently collaborates with composers on new creations written for her voice.

On stage, Kiiri has performed roles including Carmen, Hermia, Ottavia, Lucretia, and Hansel, and originated The Young Lady in Höstman’s chamber opera What Time Is It Now? for CBC Radio and the Victoria Symphony. Recent highlights include performances with the Victoria Baroque Players, Pacific Baroque Festival, and Victoria Symphony, as well as her family-friendly project Storytime Songs.

An advocate for Scandinavian art song, Kiiri brings this enchanting repertoire to new audiences through concerts and coaching. She holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and has trained internationally with many of Canada’s leading pedagogues.

Based in Victoria, B.C., Kiiri lives with her composer husband and their two children.

Voice Categories

Traditional Folk Song, Art Song, Baroque, Sacred Traditional, Canadian Composer, German Lieder, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Vocal Duet / Trio, Recital & Concert Group Classes

Early 20th Century, Mid-20th Century (Golden Age), Late 20th Century, Contemporary, Movie Musicals, Duet & Trio

Early 20th Century Popular, Mid 20th Century Popular, Late 20th / 21st Century Popular, Movie Songs, Canadian, Duet / Group

Poetry (Lyric, Canadian, Original, Duo), Prose (Narrative, Storytelling), Dramatic Arts (Monologue, Shakespeare, Duo), Public Speaking, Spoken Word / Rap

Rules & Syllabus

Please review the official COPAF Voice Syllabi for full details, including time limits, adjudication criteria, and Provincial qualification requirements.

Students and teachers are encouraged to read through the syllabus carefully to ensure they enter the appropriate class or age division.