Elise Naccarato 

Elise discovered a love for singing at an early age when her mom enrolled her singing lessons. Moms always knows best and this would be the start of Elise’s passion for music and foster an emergence from her quiet shell. In 2005, a family move to Burlington, Ontario introduced Elise to the Hamilton Children’s Choir under the leadership of the inspirational Zimfira Poloz. This is where she caught the “choral bug” and was inspired to live a life dedicated to the arts. This spark led her to complete her Honours Bachelors in Music, and Diploma in Voice Performance at McMaster University, and in 2017, her Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Toronto. 

Elise is quickly establishing herself as conductor who is in innovative, dynamic and a strong advocate for women in the arts. As the founder and Artistic Director of Myriad Ensemble, a women’s choir based in Burlington Ontario, Elise has established a niche for working with women’s voice and crafting a sound that is ubiquitous, rich in colour and full of life. With Elise’s leadership and vision, Myriad is committed to raising the voices of women through the collaboration, exploration and performance of women’s choir repertoire. 

 She is also the Conductor of the Hamilton Estonian Choir (HESS). In July of 2019, Elise and HESS travelled to Tallin, Estonian as Canadian representatives at the Estonian Song Festival. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and she highly encourages everyone to attend at least as a spectator!

As a young conductor, Elise has had the privilege of learning from some of the worlds most respected choral leaders including Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, Jon Washburn, Michael Zaugg and Zimfira Poloz. However, it is her years apprenticing with the esteemed Robert Cooper, CM that influenced and shaped the artistic leader and person she is today. Elise will be forever grateful to Bob for the tough lessons, deep life conversations, and the fountain of knowledge and wisdom he graciously imparted to her. 

 Elise has been privileged with many conducting opportunities as: the Apprentice Conductor of the 2016 and 2018 Ontario Youth Choirs under the highly regarded Robert Cooper, CM (2016) and Vancouver Chamber Choir’s Jon Washburn (2018), the Assistant Conductor of the U of T Women’s Chamber Choir under Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt and as a Rehearsal Assistant to Zimfira Poloz with the Hamilton Children’s Choir and Young Voices Toronto. Elise is humbled to continue to learn from Robert Cooper as she enters her fourth season as the Apprentice Conductor with Chorus Niagara. 

As a singer, Elise is has sung in many choirs - McMaster University Choirs, Ontario Youth Choir, and National Youth Choir just to name a few. She also as her own accomplished solo career notably as a guest soloist with the Halton-Mississauga Youth Orchestra, Orpheus Male Choir and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to conducting, Elise is currently pursuing her MBA in Innovation Leadership through the University of Fredericton.