Seven members of Toronto Children’s Chorus
community awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal
March 31st, 2025
The Toronto Children’s Chorus (TCC) is proud to celebrate seven members of its extended community who have recently been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for significant contributions to their community and to Canada. The Medal, announced by the Prime Minister in May 2023, commemorates the Coronation of
His Majesty King Charles III as King of Canada.
The following recipients have played a vital role in building and advancing choral music in Canada and around the world. Over the TCC’s 47-year history, their contributions have helped shape not only the internationally-acclaimed Toronto Children's Chorus but also the broader global choral community. It takes conductors, composers, educators, administrators, and singers - all working together - to move the choral arts forward.
Congratulations to:
Jean Ashworth Bartle, C.M., O.Ont - Founder and first Artistic Director of TCC, 1978 - 2007 (Toronto)
TCC wouldn’t exist without the vision of Jean Ashworth Bartle who founded the Chorus in 1978 at the invitation of Sir Andrew Davis, went on to lead it for 29 years, and continues as a friend and supporter of the Chorus today. As a conductor, teacher, mentor and author, she has profoundly influenced every child and choral conductor with whom she has worked. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards: the Leslie Bell and Sir Ernest MacMillan prizes in conducting, the Roy Thomson Hall Award (1985) for her contribution to the musical life of Toronto, the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada (1998), the Outstanding Choral Publication Award (2004) for her book “Sound Advice” from the ACCC (now Choral Canada), Distinguished Service Award in Music Education (2004) from the UofT Faculty of Music, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2012), Choirs Ontario Presidents’ Leadership Award (2012), and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2017).
Elise Bradley, MNZM - TCC Artistic Director, 2007 - 2021 (Auckland, New Zealand)
Elise Bradley is a passionate musician, award-winning conductor, and internationally respected educator who has dedicated her career to the study of the choral arts. She has encouraged countless young people, through participation in choirs, to develop not only their musical abilities, but also their self-confidence and a life-long love of music. Before leaving her native New Zealand in 2007 to become Artistic Director of the TCC, she created celebrated music programs and choirs at Westlake Girls High School in Auckland and directed the award-winning New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir. During her tenure with the TCC, Ms Bradley and the Chorus recorded professionally, commissioned Canadian composers, performed as guests of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and represented Toronto on nine international and four national tours. She has won many awards during her tenure with her choirs, and in 2018 she was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) by the Queen in recognition of her services to Music. Since returning to New Zealand, she has become conductor of several school choirs and an adult community choir, Artistic Director/Co-Founder of the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy, and Co-Director of Aotearoa New Zealand Academy Choir.
Professor Darryl Edwards
TCC Vocal Coach, 2009 - present (Toronto)
Dr. Darryl Edwards has profoundly impacted youth in music through his innovative teaching and dedication to nurturing talent. At the University of Toronto, he inspires students to reach their highest potential, fostering technical skill, expressive artistry, and confidence in their pursuits. His influence extends internationally, with teaching engagements at renowned institutions in Asia, Scandinavia, Western Europe, and South America. As Artistic Director of the Centre for Opera Studies, he provides young singers with exceptional training opportunities, shaping future leaders in singing arts, for greater professional effectiveness across disciplines and diverse career directions. Since 2009 he has been part of the TCC artistic team, enriching young choristers’ experience and helping them grow as artist-citizens.
Ruth Watson Henderson - Composer & TCC Collaborative Pianist, 1978 - 2007 (Toronto)
Recognized nationally and internationally as a leading Canadian composer of choral music, Ruth Watson Henderson is also admired as a pianist and organist. She has done much to promote the artistry of children through her wealth of compositions for treble voices. TCC worked with her when she was accompanist for the Chorus under Jean Ashworth Bartle, and has performed many of her works over the years. She has also written a wide spectrum of acclaimed works for adult choirs, beginning while she was accompanist of the Festival Singers under Elmer Iseler. Her works are commissioned, performed, and recorded worldwide.
Cassie Luftspring
TCC Alumna, 1999 - 2005 (Vancouver)
Cassie Luftspring shares her love of choral music through conducting, composing, singing, and teaching people of all ages. As a youngster she was inspired by musicians - particularly Founding Conductor Jean Ashworth Bartle - staff, and fellow choristers at the Toronto Children’s Chorus. She was recently named as the incoming Artistic Director of Elektra in Vancouver, BC. She is the Artistic Director of the British Columbia Girls Choir, Director of Choral Studies at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and has held conducting positions with choirs in Vancouver, Toronto, and Kingston.
Zimfira Poloz
Artistic Director of the TCC, 2022 - present (Toronto)
An award-winning conductor, director, educator, adjudicator & clinician, Dr. Zimfira Poloz is dedicated to children and their voices through the art of choral music. She continues to lead a global choral movement which synthesizes excellence in singing with theatrical elements and innovative programming and staging. She established her musical credentials in Kazakhstan where she founded and led the nation’s first choir school. Her career in Canada includes previously being Artistic Director of the acclaimed High Park Choirs (now YVT) and Hamilton Children’s Choir where she has been named Honorary Artistic Director. She currently teaches “Vocal Pedagogy for Young Choirs” at the UofT Faculty of Music and is a curator for Cypress Choral Music. Her leadership in the international choral world extends to being the Canadian Representative on the Interkultur World Choir Council, a Board Member of the World Alliance of Children’s Choirs, and an Advisor for the World Youth and Children Choral Artists’ Association. TCC was thrilled to welcome her as their Artistic Director in 2022.
Heather Wood
TCC General Manager, 1989 - 2007 (Victoria)
A graduate of the Banff School of Fine Arts, Heather Wood is recognized as a gifted arts manager. She managed national competitions at CBC Radio’s Music department and directed Debut Atlantic, fostering emerging Canadian talent and securing major sponsorships. As General Manager of the TCC from 1989 to 2007, she elevated the Chorus to international acclaim, overseeing 19 international tours and producing award-winning recordings. She has shared her expertise at international choral symposia and has continued to serve and contribute to the arts community, having served as a Board member of Turning Point Ensemble, Vancouver, and
Elektra, Vancouver.
