Spirit Vocal Ensemble
Established in 2023 to provide a high-level choral space for emerging vocal artists, the Spirit Vocal Ensemble is a branch of the award-winning Spiritus Chamber Choir. Created for emerging vocal artists aged 18-30, Spirit offers a Chamber Choir experience with a focus on developing choral excellence. Under the direction of Amanda Hillestad, with artistic guidance from Andrea Ciona, the Spirit Vocal Ensemble prides itself on tight harmonies, driving rhythmic energy, and storytelling through song.
The ensemble season runs from September through March, with two project-oriented concert cycles (September to December and January to March). Auditions take place in June, with a second round of auditions in late August/early September.
The Spirit Vocal Ensemble (SVE) regularly shares the stage with Spiritus in December, with SVE hosting their own concert in mid to late March. They can also be heard collaborating and guest performing in other spaces and with other ensembles around Calgary.
AMANDA HILLESTAD Spirit Artistic Director
Amanda, a graduate of McGill University’s Classical Voice Performance program, has performed in various settings, including the Banff Centre and the Taylor Centre for Performing Arts. She sings with the Spiritus Chamber Choir and Luminous Voices. She has also performed at the Mountain View Chamber Music Festival and the Recital Series along with excerpts and roles with McGill Opera and McGill Opera Scenes, including as the Sandman and Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel and Fiordiligi in Così fan tutte. She has toured with Opera Nuova as Mrs. Henceforth and Telerina in Isaiah Bell’s Mr. Moreover’s Magic. She directs the Spirit Vocal Ensemble and is the Choral and Vocal Director at Central Memorial High School’s Performing and Visual Arts Program. She’s also works with Choir Alberta on panels, and is a freelance musician.
