CANDESCA

Alex has been studying music since she was 7, and singing classically since she was 12. She is currently working on her ARCT in both Voice and Music Theory, and plans to study Voice at the post secondary level. She is a student voice teacher at the Vernon Community Music School and is honoured to be a part of Candesca.

Baylee has been singing for over 15 years. She first joined Candesca in 2013 and enjoyed three years with the group, including performing tour of New York City. She returned to the group in 2022 to continue fostering her love of classical singing. Outside of music, Baylee is a lawyer, practicing in commercial litigation and insolvency.

Brynn is so excited to have the opportunity to sing with Candesca. Her love for singing began at a young age and she is thrilled to be part of this talented group of women. She began singing with Candesca in 2022 and is super excited for this years season. She now attends UBCO and is taking a Bachelor of Arts.
 

Emily has loved singing since she was quite young, and started playing piano and guitar when she was in elementary school. Emily loves a wide range of music genres from classical to pop and rock. She found a love for singing Classical in 2019 when she was a part of the opera chorus in Amal and the Night Visitors. Outside of singing and being a member of Candesca, she is a mama to a sweet little boy and works as a care aide.

Emma relocated to Kelowna from the UK in January 2023, bringing with her many years of experience performing and a deep passion for music. Starting with woodwind and piano, she began voice lessons at age 11 and has since performed with a variety of ensembles across the UK. She has a love of early music but has enjoyed expanding her musical horizons under the tuition of Alexandra Babbel. She is honoured to sing with Candesca among new friends.

Laura brings to the group a combination of formal training and experience as a performer, director, and teacher.  Her formal training consists of a music minor, an after degree in Fine Arts, Orff levels I-III, and private voice study where she is currently working on her ARCT in vocal performance.  She has experience performing and serving as Associate Children’s Chorus Master with Opera Kelowna (“la Boheme”, “Carmen” and “Amahl and the Night Visitors”) as well as Associate Conductor for Candesca and a 10-year tenure as Artistic Director for Kelowna Youth Choir (KCMS).  She is currently the Music Specialist at Casorso Elementary (2007-present).

Maggie has been playing the violin since she was 5 years old. It didn’t sound too great at the time, but she’s definitely improved a little bit since then. She comes from a loud, musical family of 13, so music has always been a major part of her life. Between construction work, teaching violin, playing for and singing with Candesca, weight-lifting, and working towards her Level 10 Violin exam, she lives a sweet and happy life.

Rachael began singing in elementary school christmas concerts and hasn't left the stage since. Throughout middle and highschool Rachael enjoyed participating in a number of musicals and singing jazz gigs among friends. In 2022, Rachael joined Candesca and fell in love with classical voice and training. She is honoured to learn from her fellow singers and Alexandra. Outside of music, Rachael is pursuing a degree of Health and Exercise Science at the University of British Columbia.
 

Heather began taking vocal lessons in 2012. Since moving to the Okanagan in 2022 she has been studying voice and classical training. In 2024 she enjoyed the opportunity to travel to New York with Candesca and perform at Carnegie Hall. Heather is also studying music theory and ukulele.
 

Amy has always loved to sing and was influenced by her Granny, who had a song for every occasion. In school, her teachers recognized Amy’s affinity for singing, though it wasn’t until her mid-twenties that music found her again as a six-piece R&B cover band in Montreal. Those were the good days… Since moving back to the Okanagan, she has taken her vocals in a whole new direction—opera and classical, genres that Amy has always admired from afar. Joining Candesca touches Amy’s spirit as she gets to explore vocal activation with a group of like-minded, passionate women.
 

Christine has always known she loved to sing and started training at age 16. She completed her Bachelor of Music in opera performance at UBC Vancouver in 2013 and has sung for the love of it ever since. Since moving to the Okanagan she has performed with the Vernon Proms, Opera Kelowna’s Sidewalk Serenades, multiple choral ensembles, and in private recitals. When not singing, Christine can be found spending time with her young son and family, and working as a nurse in Penticton.
 

Helena grew up in Kelowna, and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UBCO, before moving to Vancouver Island. Throughout high school, Helena experienced multiple musical performance opportunities as Alexandra’s pupil, and as a member of Candesca in 2016. Since moving back home, Helena is excited to incorporate music in her life once again. When not singing, Helena enjoys hiking, running, playing crib, and working as a nurse in Kelowna’s mental health/substance use sector.
 

Solange is a vocalist with a lifelong passion for singing. Trained under Claire Caseley-Smith in Prince Edward Island and holding a Minor in Music Voice from Mount Allison University, she has performed with prestigious choirs and opera choruses worldwide, including Stella Academia (Sweden), Bath Opera (UK), Toronto City Opera, and Opera Sustenida. During her time in Toronto, she was grateful to train with Provoce Studios under Tina Torlone. Solange now finds herself in Kelowna and is excited to be joining and singing with Candesca!

Sophia is a Canadian lyric soprano based in the Okanagan Valley. Since completing her Bachelor of Music at the University of Victoria, Sophia has been active in performance, administrative, and tech roles within the Canadian musical theatre and classical music scene. Her recent performance credits include productions with Opera Kelowna, OACME, the Kelowna Actors Studio, Alexandra Babbel’s Studio, and AURA Chamber Choir. This last year, she has also accomplished training intensives with Opera NUOVA and Opera Kelowna. With her diverse background and passion for music, Sophia is poised to become a leading figure in Canadian classical music.