Kathleen Allan

Kathleen Allan is a conductor, composer and soprano whose work reflects her belief that music has a unique power to create community and a shared sense of belonging. Originally from St John’s, NL, she grew up in a culture where traditional music and storytelling shaped her creative identity. She now serves as Artistic Director of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto, Artistic Director of Chorus Niagara, and teaches conducting at the University of Toronto.

Known for her collaborative and expressive leadership, Allan designs programs that bring new relevance to classical music, often pairing major works with contemporary voices, new commissions, or interdisciplinary collaborations. She founded the Amadeus Choir’s Choral Creation Lab, a nationally recognized incubator that brings composers and poets together to create original work, and she has championed projects that support Indigenous artists and emerging creators in over two dozen commissions.

Her guest conducting appearances include the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Luminato Festival and ensembles in Japan and Carnegie Hall in New York, where in 2026 she conducted selections from Cris Derksen‘s Mass for Nîpîy and Andrew Balfour’s Wanuskewin with the New England Symphonic Ensemble.  She has also conducted and performed her own compositions, which are published internationally and have been featured at two World Symposiums on Choral Music. In 2025, Allan was awarded the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting by the Ontario Arts Council.

Across all her work, Allan is guided by connection, artistry and a commitment to making music feel immediate and alive.