2026 Artistic Team

JEAN-SEBASTIEN VALLEE
Guest Conductor

Jean-Sébastien Vallée is a Canadian-American conductor, scholar, and pedagogue recognized for his artistry in vocal, choral, and orchestral repertoire. He has led ensembles across North America, Europe, and Asia, collaborating with world-renowned orchestras including the Chicago and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Vallée is Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Toronto Mendelssohn Singers, as well as Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. He has previously served on the faculties of California State University, Los Angeles, and the University of Redlands.
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His acclaimed recordings on the ATMA label include Remember (2024), Distance (2021), Requiem (2018), and Lux (2017). Recent engagements include appearances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, and at the Liszt Ferenc Academy in Budapest. In 2024, Université Laval honored him with its distinguished Alumni Award.

KIM COUSINEAU
Pianist

Kim Cousineau, B.Mus, ARCT, AVCM, received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Victoria, and studied privately with Anna Cal, student of Russian pianist Pavel Egorov. He is an alumnus of Opera Nuova's collaborative pianist program and has studied at the Franz Schubert Institute in Baden, Austria. Kim has worked as a répétiteur and music director for numerous organizations including Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera Nuova, Mercury Opera, Mayfield Dinner Theatre, MacEwan Theatre, and Concordia University of Edmonton. He is in high demand as a choral accompanist, collaborating with many groups including Concordia Concert Choir, King's Cantorum and Chamber Choir, Da Camera Singers, Vocal Alchemy, Chronos Vocal Ensemble and A Joyful Noise. In addition to his work with choirs, Kim freelances as a vocal coach and studio pianist in the Edmonton area.

YANN McHAFFIE
​Apprentice Conductor

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Yann McHaffie is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Alberta, studying with Dr. Timothy Shantz and Dr. Adam Robertson. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa in 2025, earning a double degree in Piano Performance (BMus) and Chemistry (BSc), summa cum laude. As a solo pianist, Yann has performed at the National Arts Centre on Glenn Gould’s Steinway piano and released the album Je suis calme (2023). He currently serves as assistant conductor of the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers and Mixed Chorus, and as tenor/bass section leader with Chorale Saint-Jean and MacDougall-Garneau United Church Choir. Yann was selected for the 2026 Vancouver Chamber Choir Conducting Symposium and is a recipient of the John and Logie Drew Graduate Scholarship.