Associate Artistic Director of VIVA Youth Choirs, Co-Conductor of Main Chorus and Chamber Youth Leadership Singers
Dr Laura Menard, OCT, is the Co-Conductor of the Main Chorus and Chamber Youth Leadership Singers; and is also the Soprano Lead of the Chamber Singers. She has held many roles during her twenty-plus years with VIVA - some ongoing, including her work as Camp Coordinator; Chorus Coordinator for The Nutcracker with the National Ballet of Canada; and developing VIVA’s exciting and unique Creation Stream programming for youth and adults.
Currently, Laura is a course instructor at OISE, working with pre-service Intermediate/Senior Music teachers; and is the Coordinator of SoundLife Scarborough, an innovative and accessible community-engaged music hub at the University of Toronto Scarborough, where she also works as a Research Assistant. Laura has been a secondary school teacher with the Toronto District School Board since 2007.
Biography
Laura Menard’s research and pedagogy focus on intersections between student agency, space and sound; and equitable and inclusive music education practices. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for musicians of all ages and stages to take risks, develop skills, and expand their creative horizons.
As a performer, Laura relishes opportunities to sing with fellow choral enthusiasts in a variety of settings, including impromptu sing-alongs, and ukulele jams with friends.
