The Team
Eun Jung ParkInterim Artistic Director
Eun Jung Park is an accomplished artist who plays an active role in Quebec choral music, whether as a conductor, chorister or accompanist.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Eun Jung earned a bachelor’s degree in piano and classical composition at Seoul National University and then obtained her Master’s degree in music composition at Ewha University for Women (Seoul). In 2017, she received her Master’s degree in Choral conducting under the direction of Mr Robert Ingari, followed by a graduate diploma in piano performance with Professor Carmen Picard.
Since arriving in Canada in 2008, she’s directed the choir and orchestra of the Methodist Korean Church of Montreal, SLAVA Chamber Choir of Sherbrooke, the Sherbrooke Mass Gospel Choir, the Petite Chorale d’Eastman (Children’s Choir), the Trium Choir (Co-founder), and has acted as the assistant conductor to Julien Proulx at the Chœur de la Montagne in Beloeil. In 2022-2023, she was a course lecturer at the Université de Sherbrooke for Vocal Ensemble.
She is currently musical director of the Chœur symphonique de Sherbrooke and a member of the Quebec Chamber Choir. She also works as an accompanist for the Université de Sherbrooke in Longueuil.
Eun Jung ParkInterim Artistic Director
Eun Jung Park is an accomplished artist who plays an active role in Quebec choral music, whether as a conductor, chorister or accompanist.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Eun Jung earned a bachelor’s degree in piano and classical composition at Seoul National University and then obtained her Master’s degree in music composition at Ewha University for Women (Seoul). In 2017, she received her Master’s degree in Choral conducting under the direction of Mr Robert Ingari, followed by a graduate diploma in piano performance with Professor Carmen Picard.
Since arriving in Canada in 2008, she’s directed the choir and orchestra of the Methodist Korean Church of Montreal, SLAVA Chamber Choir of Sherbrooke, the Sherbrooke Mass Gospel Choir, the Petite Chorale d’Eastman (Children’s Choir), the Trium Choir (Co-founder), and has acted as the assistant conductor to Julien Proulx at the Chœur de la Montagne in Beloeil. In 2022-2023, she was a course lecturer at the Université de Sherbrooke for Vocal Ensemble.
She is currently musical director of the Chœur symphonique de Sherbrooke and a member of the Quebec Chamber Choir. She also works as an accompanist for the Université de Sherbrooke in Longueuil.
Stephanie UrquhartCollaborative Pianist
Stephanie Urquhart is a Latina-Canadian pianist and composer. She received her Bachelors of Music in Composition from MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta and is currently working towards her Masters of Music in Jazz Piano Performance at McGill University in Montreal.
Stephanie is an experienced pianist and accompanist having worked and performed with a wide variety of ensembles and choirs throughout Canada. She is an active gigging pianist and works in theatre as a composer, music director, pianist, and trombonist. Stephanie also works as a musical improviser having performed with Rapid Fire Theatre and Grindstone Theatre in Edmonton.
Stephanie’s album Concealment was nominated for Best Jazz Album by One World Music Awards in 2019. Her music has been featured at international events including the 2019 International Jazz Composers’ Symposium (IJCS) at the University of Northern Colorado, the 2017 IJCS at the University of South Florida, and the 2017 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, Washington. She won 2nd place in the 5th Annual Jazz Composition Contest for Women Composers in 2017. She has also received nominations for her music from the Edmonton Music Awards for Best Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Recording in 2014 and 2018.
Stephanie UrquhartCollaborative Pianist
Stephanie Urquhart is a Latina-Canadian pianist and composer. She received her Bachelors of Music in Composition from MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta and is currently working towards her Masters of Music in Jazz Piano Performance at McGill University in Montreal.
Stephanie is an experienced pianist and accompanist having worked and performed with a wide variety of ensembles and choirs throughout Canada. She is an active gigging pianist and works in theatre as a composer, music director, pianist, and trombonist. Stephanie also works as a musical improviser having performed with Rapid Fire Theatre and Grindstone Theatre in Edmonton.
Stephanie’s album Concealment was nominated for Best Jazz Album by One World Music Awards in 2019. Her music has been featured at international events including the 2019 International Jazz Composers’ Symposium (IJCS) at the University of Northern Colorado, the 2017 IJCS at the University of South Florida, and the 2017 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, Washington. She won 2nd place in the 5th Annual Jazz Composition Contest for Women Composers in 2017. She has also received nominations for her music from the Edmonton Music Awards for Best Jazz Recording and Best Instrumental Recording in 2014 and 2018.
Alice Boissinot GuastavinoAssistant Conductor
Alice Boissinot Guastavino is a French and Canadian soprano, choir conductor, cellist and gambist. She joined CEM in 2022 as assistant conductor. She holds degrees in voice and cello from Conservatoire de musique de Montreal and is currently studying at McGill university in Voice Performance with Aline Kutan and Baroque cello and viola da gamba Performance with Susie Napper. She has studied choir conducting in Canada and in France under the tutelage of Léa Moisan- Perrier, Simon-Pierre Bestion, and Eun Jung Park. She has received awards and scholarships both as a singer and a cellist, including the Dixie Ross-Neil scholarship in 2023, the Mariana Paunova scholarship in 2022 and a first prize at Choeur de la Montagne Competition in 2019.
Praised by critics for her “beautiful fresh and delicate voice” and “her phrasing and her ornaments” (revue L’opéra), Alice has extensive experience singing and performing with several ensembles in Canada, France and the US. Her repertoire extends from historically informed early music to contemporary premieres. Her solo performances with orchestra include Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Belinda), Rousseau’s Le devin du village (Colette) as part of festival Montreal Baroque, Dean Burry’s Il giudizio di Pigmalione (3rd soprano in the world premiere), various Mozart arias, Fauré’s Requiem, Carmina Burana, Villa Lobos’ Bachianas n.8, and various opera excerpts.
A former chorister, she performed with CEM under the baton of Kent Nagano and Zubin Mehta. In 2023-2024, she will perform in recitals in Montreal and in Sweden with varied programs, including opera arias, mélodies, Lieder, and early music. As a soloist with orchestra, her forthcoming performances include Handel’s Semele (Iris) and Massenet’s Cendrillon (spirit) with Opera McGill as well as Carmina Burana (solo soprano, cover) at McGill.
Alice Boissinot GuastavinoAssistant Conductor
Alice Boissinot Guastavino is a French and Canadian soprano, choir conductor, cellist and gambist. She joined CEM in 2022 as assistant conductor. She holds degrees in voice and cello from Conservatoire de musique de Montreal and is currently studying at McGill university in Voice Performance with Aline Kutan and Baroque cello and viola da gamba Performance with Susie Napper. She has studied choir conducting in Canada and in France under the tutelage of Léa Moisan- Perrier, Simon-Pierre Bestion, and Eun Jung Park. She has received awards and scholarships both as a singer and a cellist, including the Dixie Ross-Neil scholarship in 2023, the Mariana Paunova scholarship in 2022 and a first prize at Choeur de la Montagne Competition in 2019.
Praised by critics for her “beautiful fresh and delicate voice” and “her phrasing and her ornaments” (revue L’opéra), Alice has extensive experience singing and performing with several ensembles in Canada, France and the US. Her repertoire extends from historically informed early music to contemporary premieres. Her solo performances with orchestra include Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Belinda), Rousseau’s Le devin du village (Colette) as part of festival Montreal Baroque, Dean Burry’s Il giudizio di Pigmalione (3rd soprano in the world premiere), various Mozart arias, Fauré’s Requiem, Carmina Burana, Villa Lobos’ Bachianas n.8, and various opera excerpts.
A former chorister, she performed with CEM under the baton of Kent Nagano and Zubin Mehta. In 2023-2024, she will perform in recitals in Montreal and in Sweden with varied programs, including opera arias, mélodies, Lieder, and early music. As a soloist with orchestra, her forthcoming performances include Handel’s Semele (Iris) and Massenet’s Cendrillon (spirit) with Opera McGill as well as Carmina Burana (solo soprano, cover) at McGill.
Benjamin KwongCollaborative Pianist
Benjamin Kwong is a Montreal based pianist, coach and music director. Having completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at McGill University in piano performance, he now works as a vocal, instrumental, chamber and choral pianist. Previous engagements as music director include Côte-St-Luc Dramatic Society (Caberet, 2019), Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre (Bintel Brief (associate), 2016), Centaur Theatre (Last Night at the Gayety (associate), 2016), Opera de Camera (Cosi fan tutti (associate), 2016, Hänsel und Gretel, 2015, Cendrillon, 2014, Le nozze di Figaro, 2013).
Benjamin KwongCollaborative Pianist
Benjamin Kwong is a Montreal based pianist, coach and music director. Having completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at McGill University in piano performance, he now works as a vocal, instrumental, chamber and choral pianist. Previous engagements as music director include Côte-St-Luc Dramatic Society (Caberet, 2019), Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre (Bintel Brief (associate), 2016), Centaur Theatre (Last Night at the Gayety (associate), 2016), Opera de Camera (Cosi fan tutti (associate), 2016, Hänsel und Gretel, 2015, Cendrillon, 2014, Le nozze di Figaro, 2013).
Emily BurtGeneralManager
Originally from Alberta, Emily has been actively involved in the Montreal arts scene for the past 10 years as a performer, educator and administrator.
An active freelancer, she can be heard performing with various orchestras throughout Quebec, such as Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Orchestre symphonique de Trois Rivières, Orchestre symphonique de Drummondville, amongst others. Outside of orchestral playing, Emily is the Oboist and Program Director for The Allegra Foundation’s beloved children’s chamber music series, Bach Before Bedtime. She is also the General Manager of the Chœur des enfants de Montréal.
Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Oboe Performance from the Hartt School of Music, a Master’s Degree in Oboe Performance from McGill University, as well as an Executive Graduate Certificate from the Global Leaders Institute, Emily’s professional career has taken her to North and South America, as well as Europe. Emily is a recipient of the Hildegard Behrens Foundation 2021 Global Humanitarian Entrepreneur Prize.
Emily BurtGeneralManager
Originally from Alberta, Emily has been actively involved in the Montreal arts scene for the past 10 years as a performer, educator and administrator.
An active freelancer, she can be heard performing with various orchestras throughout Quebec, such as Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Orchestre symphonique de Trois Rivières, Orchestre symphonique de Drummondville, amongst others. Outside of orchestral playing, Emily is the Oboist and Program Director for The Allegra Foundation’s beloved children’s chamber music series, Bach Before Bedtime. She is also the General Manager of the Chœur des enfants de Montréal.
Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Oboe Performance from the Hartt School of Music, a Master’s Degree in Oboe Performance from McGill University, as well as an Executive Graduate Certificate from the Global Leaders Institute, Emily’s professional career has taken her to North and South America, as well as Europe. Emily is a recipient of the Hildegard Behrens Foundation 2021 Global Humanitarian Entrepreneur Prize.
Iwan Edwards, C.M.Director Emeritus
Widely known and respected as one of Canada’s finest choral conductors, Iwan Edwards, the founding director of CEM, is recognized for his accomplishments as an educator, adjudicator, and coach nurturing the next generation of professional singers. His life-long dedication to the development of Canadian music and singers is a hallmark of his musical programming. As the director of the Chœur de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal for 21 years and founder of the 90-voice St. Lawrence Choir, he has been involved in many choirs for young people, including the F.A.C.E. (Fine Arts Core Education) Treble Choir, which he directed for 20 years. Iwan Edwards retired as Artistic Director of Chœur des enfants de Montréal in June 2009. He continued to participate as a guide and advisor for the Choir, the Board and its Director until his passing in 2022.
Iwan Edwards, C.M.Director Emeritus
Widely known and respected as one of Canada’s finest choral conductors, Iwan Edwards, the founding director of CEM, is recognized for his accomplishments as an educator, adjudicator, and coach nurturing the next generation of professional singers. His life-long dedication to the development of Canadian music and singers is a hallmark of his musical programming. As the director of the Chœur de l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal for 21 years and founder of the 90-voice St. Lawrence Choir, he has been involved in many choirs for young people, including the F.A.C.E. (Fine Arts Core Education) Treble Choir, which he directed for 20 years. Iwan Edwards retired as Artistic Director of Chœur des enfants de Montréal in June 2009. He continued to participate as a guide and advisor for the Choir, the Board and its Director until his passing in 2022.
Administrative Team
Emily Burt, General Manager
Michèle-Andrée Lanoue, Communications Agent
Board of Directors
- Lisa Hallman, President
- Eric Heddle, Secretary-Treasurer
- Angela Hemingway-Adam
- Anna Pietrobruno
- Jacques Baruthio
- Alexandre Blondin
Join Our Team!
CEM is seeking an Associate Artistic Director, commencing July 2023. The Associate Artistic Director will co-direct the Junior, Senior, and Concert Choirs.