Our Story

The dream

Youth Singers of Calgary is a Calgary success story which began in 1985 when founder Shirley Penner had a dream of giving young people the chance to express themselves on stage through music, dance and acting - recognizing all three major touchstones of the performing arts.

An exceptional music education and performance opportunity

More than twenty years later, Youth Singers has become Calgary's most comprehensive performing arts training program; an exceptional music education and performance opportunity that has shaped the lives of thousands of young people providing them with passion, purpose and direction.

Over 500 strong, aged 3 1/2 to adult

The organization has grown from twenty-eight junior high school students to over five hundred strong aged 3 1/2 to adult in thirteen classes/levels. An incredible 35,000 hours annually of volunteer commitment supports an impressive assembly of contract artistic educators, a focused board and a small but dedicated administrative staff. Renowned for instilling a love of music in a non-competitive way, Youth Singers has a lasting positive impact on our community by developing our youth through music appreciation and performance.

A diverse repertoire

Youth Singers' diverse repertoire spans all centuries and styles of music such as a cappella, choral classics from the Renaissance through to modern classical works, the musical theatre of Broadway show tunes, contemporary, gospel, spirituals and pop and vocal jazz stylings as well as show choir standards. Incorporating elements of choreography and theatre into its presentation, this exemplary musical education and performance program is unique in Canada.