Every moment a musical bridge, carrying Elektra from the past into the future
(Vancouver, BC) – A new chapter in Elektra’s celebrated history begins this fall as Cassie Luftspring takes the podium as Artistic Director. In its 39th season, the internationally renowned choir of adult treble voices ventures beyond familiar paths, weaving contemporary works and time-honoured traditions into a bold tapestry of sound. With a renewed spirit of collaboration and outreach, Elektra’s 2025/26 season speaks to the heart of community, creativity, and cultural connection in Vancouver, presenting an exciting mix of both ticketed concerts and free-with-RSVP events.
“Leading Elektra into this new season is an absolute honour,” says Luftspring. “We can’t wait to share the powerful impact of choral music with audiences old and new, blending fresh compositions with beloved traditions. Every concert is an opportunity to amplify voices – both on stage and in our wider community – and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit. My hope is that everyone who hears us will feel the pure joy and sense of unity that Elektra brings to each performance.”
CHEZ NOUS – CHRISTMAS WITH ELEKTRA
(November 29 & 30, 2025 at Pacific Spirit United Church)
Elektra’s season opens with a festive celebration that merges centuries-old Yuletide themes with contemporary flair. At its heart is Derek Holman’s spirited choral suite, Sir Christëmas, arranged for choir and instrumental ensemble – a jubilant tribute to the warmth and wonder of the season. Complementing this medieval-meets-modern centerpiece is Missy Mazzoli’s ethereal reimagining of Hildegard von Bingen’s O Frondens Virga, enhanced by the cello’s rich tones, and Kelly-Marie Murphy’s uplifting works featuring harp.
Adding another layer of musical reflection is Andrew Balfour’s Wyandot’s Realm, a powerful re-envisioning of the “Huron Carol” that pays tribute to the cultural legacy of the Wyandot people. Elektra also unveils a newly commissioned piece by local composer Gerda Blok-Wilson, whose distinct voice brings fresh insights to Canada’s choral landscape.
Expanding the circle of performers for this special concert, Elektra welcomes the young singers of the Mira Youth Mentorship Program. Their artistry and youthful spirit enrich Chez Nous, underscoring the warmth and community at the heart of this seasonal celebration.
IF THE EARTH COULD SING
(March 28 & 29, 2026 at Pacific Spirit United Church)
Elektra’s spring concert serves as a resounding call to action amid escalating climate crises. Soaring temperatures, raging wildfires, and catastrophic floods form the backdrop for a multimedia exploration of our planet’s precarious future. Central to the program is Vancouver composer Katerina Gimon’s Unsung: If the Earth Could Sing – a work combining movement, photography, and choral storytelling to illuminate Canada’s endangered landscapes.
Further emphasizing the toll of extreme weather, Elektra premieres Newfoundland composer Andrew Staniland’s Songs from the Lytton Fire, a powerful three-movement work inspired by the devastating 2021 wildfire that destroyed the village of Lytton, BC. Transgender Mexican-American composer tMari Esabel Valverde offers a song of regeneration and hope amid the struggle for global climate justice. Through these compelling works, Elektra reminds us of our shared responsibility—and our capacity for hope—as we strive toward a sustainable future.
TAPESTRY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
(May 8 & 9, 2026)
The spring season culminates in Elektra’s much-anticipated Tapestry International Festival, a triennial gathering of treble choirs from near and far. Elektra welcomes the Aeolian Singers from Halifax, La Caccina from Chicago, and California’s Peninsula Women’s Chorus to Vancouver’s stages. Together, they’ll present two unforgettable concerts – a free community performance on May 8 (Choral Threads at Pacific Spirit United Church) and a grand finale Tapestry Celebration Concert on May 9 at Christ Church Cathedral.
In Elektra’s festival repertoire, audiences will discover an all-Canadian program that reflects our nation’s cultural and creative breadth. The festival’s signature spirit of unity shines in each combined performance, a joyful reminder that diverse voices can unite in profound musical harmony.
FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS
Throughout the season, Elektra extends a warm invitation for all to experience the vitality of choral music. In addition to the free Tapestry Festival opening concert, audiences can step behind the scenes at the Reading Session of New Compositions (October 20, 2025), sharing in the creative process and connecting with emerging composers. Then, on May 25, 2026, the Choral Encounters Festival offers a welcoming showcase of local community choirs, celebrating a mosaic of musical artistry in a relaxed, non-competitive setting.
As Elektra sounds the first notes of this new era, audiences can expect a season of meaningful collaboration and inspiration. Old friends and new listeners alike will discover a choir that cherishes its heritage while blazing fresh trails – where every moment of music is a bridge, carrying us from the past into the future.
Season subscriptions are now available. For complete details and updates, please visit elektra.ca.
About Elektra elektra.ca
Now under the leadership of Cassie Luftspring, Vancouver’s internationally renowned Elektra is known for its brilliant programming, multidisciplinary initiatives, and spellbinding performances. It has been a groundbreaking ensemble since its founding as a women’s choir in 1987 by co-founder’s Diane Loomer, C.M. and Morna Edmundson, C.M. In 2024, Elektra expanded its embrace to welcome all adult treble voices, celebrating a diverse and gender-inclusive community of singers.
About Cassie Luftspring
Cassie Luftspring is a versatile musician and the newly appointed Artistic Director of Elektra, bringing extensive experience as a conductor, composer, singer, and pianist. She also serves as Artistic Director of the British Columbia Girls Choir and has previously held conducting roles with prestigious ensembles such as the Vancouver Youth Choir, Vancouver Children’s Choir, and Toronto Children’s Chorus.
As a professional soprano, Cassie leads the soprano section of the Vancouver Bach Choir and has performed with acclaimed groups including the Vancouver Chamber Choir and musica intima. Her talent as a composer is widely recognized, earning seven wins in the Amadeus Choir’s Songwriting Competition, with compositions commissioned and performed across North America.
Cassie is also a distinguished scholar, receiving numerous awards, including the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025). She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and Queen’s University.