The Academy
The Montreal Summer Choral Academy, presented by the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, brings together choral conductors, singers, educators, and music enthusiasts from Montreal and far beyond. This week-long program offers a unique chance to engage with choral music through both academic study and hands-on singing experiences. Open to participants of all levels, whether you're a seasoned conductor or an amateur singer, there is a track suited to your needs.
Participants will take part in workshops, masterclasses, and rehearsals with renowned faculty and guest artists, all focused on enhancing choral artistry, musicianship, and vocal technique. Special events, including performances and concerts, foster an exciting community of learning and artistic growth.
At the Montreal Summer Choral Academy, we believe there are no barriers to the joy of group singing. Whether you're here to refine your skills or simply enjoy the beauty of communal music-making, this Academy promises a rewarding journey into the heart of choral excellence.
The Team
Jean-Sébastien Vallée (Academy Director)
Prof. Jean-Sébastien Vallée is an internationally recognized Canadian-American conductor, scholar, and pedagogue, acclaimed for his expertise in vocal, choral, and orchestral repertoires. Over the course of his career, he has led ensembles across North America, Europe, and Asia, and has collaborated with some of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.
At McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, Dr. Vallée is Full Professor of Music Performance, Director of Choral Studies, and Coordinator of the Ensembles & Conducting Area. He also serves as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and its professional chamber ensemble, the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers. Prior to his appointment at McGill, he directed choral studies at California State University, Los Angeles, and taught on the choral faculty of the University of Redlands. He holds degrees from Université Laval, Université de Sherbrooke, the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a doctorate in conducting from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.
Prof. Vallée is deeply committed to contemporary music, actively commissioning and premiering new works while championing rarely performed repertoire. His research interests range from Renaissance French music and the oratorios of Michael Tippett to conducting pedagogy, with a particular focus on the relationship between audiation and gestural communication. He has shared his scholarship at major national and international conferences, including the American Choral Directors Association conventions, Festival 500 in Newfoundland, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, Podium (Choral Canada’s national conference), the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, and the World Symposium on Choral Music.
His discography includes several critically acclaimed recordings on the ATMA Classique label: Lux (2017), Requiem (2018 – Fauré and Duruflé), Distance (2021), and Remember (2024). Broadcast internationally, these projects reflect his dedication to both historical and contemporary repertoire.
Recent and upcoming engagements include performances at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, a tour with the National Youth Choir of Canada, and performances with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Orchestre symphonique de Québec, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
In recognition of his artistic leadership and contributions to the field, Dr. Vallée received the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Prize from Université Laval, awarded to alumni who exemplify innovation, creativity, talent, and exceptional leadership in their professional achievements.
Ryan Doyle Valdés (Academy Manager)
Montréal-based conductor and singer Ryan Doyle Valdés most recently served as Project Manager for PODIUM 2024, Canada’s national conference and festival for choral conductors, singers, and enthusiasts. In May 2024, he helped lead the combined efforts of Choral Canada and the Alliance chorale du Québec to welcome over 400 delegates, thousands of audience members, and choirs from across Canada and beyond to Montréal for a celebration of choral singing and research.
As a performer, Ryan has appeared with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Arts Centre Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Voces Boreales, and Montréal’s Théâtre Prospéro. He holds an MMus in Choral Conducting from McGill University, where he studied under Jean-Sébastien Vallée and conducted the McGill University Chorus, as well as a BA in Music from the University of Delaware, where he served as Associate Music Director of the Lyric Theater and was a Conducting Scholar of the Delaware Choral Academy.
The city of Montreal
Summer in Montreal is a vibrant tapestry of culture, music, and outdoor excitement—an ideal backdrop for the Montreal Summer Choral Academy. As the city basks in warm sunshine, its parks and historic streets come alive with festivals, open-air concerts, and bustling cafés that invite both relaxation and inspiration. Stroll through the lively streets of Plateau Mont-Royal, enjoy stunning waterfront views along the St. Lawrence River, or immerse yourself in the eclectic arts scene of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Montreal's summer also offers diverse dining experiences, vibrant night markets, and opportunities to explore nearby natural escapes like Mount Royal Park. The city's unique blend of European charm and North American energy creates an inviting and dynamic setting for your musical growth and connection. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely bike ride, attending the world-renowned Jazz Festival, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, Montreal's summer spirit will enhance your time at the Academy. This experience promises not only a place of learning but also a memorable adventure in one of Canada's most captivating cities.