Lydia Adams

Cape Breton University is proud to honour the accomplishments and musical talents of a conductor described as a “powerhouse of Canadian choral music,”  Ms. Lydia Adams.

A proud Cape Bretoner, Ms. Adams grew up in Glace Bay and left Cape Breton to further her musical education at Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, and at the Royal College of Music and National Opera Studio in London, England.

Ms. Adams is artistic director and conductor of the JUNO-nominated Elmer Iseler Singers, and of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto, both national leaders in commissioning, premièring, performing and recording Canadian choral works.

Ms. Adams has premièred more than 50 new choral works in the past 20 years and has conducted 18 recordings, with many world-renowned composers. Ms. Adams is also a mentor to others through educational outreach programs focusing on the development of choral conductors, high school and university students, community choirs and composers.

A highly sought-after guest conductor, Ms. Adams recently worked with the Ullugiagatsuk Children’s Choir from Labrador, conducting the world première of Music of the Land by composer Kathleen Allen with singers, dancers and throat singers from Northern Labrador as part of the Canada Day 150 celebrations in Ottawa.

Ms. Adams’ accomplishments, awards and accolades are great with both national and international recognition.  Most recently, she was a co-recipient of the 2016 Parks Canada CEO Award for Excellence for her collaboration on the music drama presentation The Bells of Baddeck, with co-creators, Lorna MacDonald and Dean Burry, held at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.

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