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Composer  

 

Kathleen Allan is a Canadian composer, conductor, and soprano who has gained international recognition for her innovative and expressive compositions. Born in 1989 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Allan showed an early interest in music and began studying piano and voice at a young age. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and voice from the University of British Columbia, where she studied with Stephen Chatman and Nancy Hermiston. After completing her undergraduate studies, Allan continued her education at the Yale School of Music, where she earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting. During her time at Yale, she studied with Marguerite Brooks and Jeffrey Douma and served as the assistant conductor of the Yale Schola Cantorum. She also founded the Yale Women's Slavic Chorus, which focused on the music of Eastern Europe. Allan's compositions draw on a wide range of influences, including folk music, poetry, and the natural world. She has written works for choir, orchestra, and chamber ensembles, as well as solo vocal and instrumental pieces. Her music has been performed by leading ensembles such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Choir of Canada, and the Elmer Iseler Singers. One of Allan's most notable works is her choral cycle "The Heavens Declare," which sets texts from the Psalms and other biblical sources. The cycle was commissioned by the Vancouver Chamber Choir and premiered in 2015. The work showcases Allan's skill at creating rich, complex harmonies and textures, as well as her ability to convey a sense of wonder and awe through music. Another highlight of Allan's output is her setting of the poem "The Sun Never Says" by the 14th-century Persian poet Hafiz. The piece, which is scored for choir and string quartet, was commissioned by the Vancouver Chamber Choir and premiered in 2018. Allan's setting captures the mystical and ecstatic quality of Hafiz's poetry, with soaring vocal lines and shimmering string textures. In addition to her work as a composer, Allan is also an accomplished conductor and singer. She has served as the conductor of the Amabilis Singers, a Vancouver-based choir specializing in contemporary Canadian music, since 2014. She has also conducted the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the National Youth Choir of Canada, and the Yale Schola Cantorum, among others. As a soprano, Allan has performed with a number of leading ensembles, including the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Elmer Iseler Singers, and the Yale Schola Cantorum. She has also appeared as a soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Bach Choir. Allan's music has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2016, she was named the Emerging Artist in Residence at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, a position that allowed her to collaborate with the orchestra on new works and outreach projects. She has also been awarded the SOCAN Foundation's Young Composer Award and the Vancouver Bach Choir's Young Composers Competition. Looking to the future, Allan shows no signs of slowing down in her creative output. She continues to compose new works and collaborate with leading ensembles, while also mentoring the next generation of composers and performers. With her unique voice and innovative approach to composition, Kathleen Allan is sure to remain a major force in the world of classical music for years to come.

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