Ana Alvarez, Artistic Director
Ana Alvarez was born in Cali, Colombia. She started her studies in voice at the Conservatorio Antonio Maria Valencia. In 2001, she moved to Bogota, where she received her Bachelor of the Arts degree in music in Choral Conducting under the supervision of Colombian conductor Alejandro Zuleta.
Ana Alvarez’s experience with choral scores and conducting began in Colombia where she founded Anita y el Coro Sound and directed the ensemble for two years. During her graduate studies, she continued to gain experience conducting the University of Victoria Chambers Singers, Prima Choir, and Philomela Women’s Choir, while studying under Dr. Bruce E. More and Dr. Gerald King.
The University of Victoria provided Ana Alvarez with experience in orchestral conducting. Under Dr. Gerald King and Janos Sandor, she studied technique and score analysis and was the Graduate Assistant Conductor of the University of Victoria Wind Symphony. Also, she expanded her knowledge of contemporary music by conducting ensembles as a Teaching Assistant for Christopher Butterfield’s Sonic Lab program.
Currently, she is deepening her knowledge in conducting as a D.M.A. student at the University of Toronto under the supervision of Dr. Hilary Apfesltadt. She has also been honored with invitations to participate at the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Symposium, as well as the Transient Glory Symposium with Francisco Nunez in NYC, both in 2012.
Svetlana Kotliarenko, Accompanist
Svetlana Kotliarenko is a graduate of the Kiev State Conservatory (Ukraine), where she was a piano major. She was the 1982 First Prize Winner of the All Ukraine Piano Competition. Svetlana Kotliarenko is a graduate of the Kiev State Conservatory (Ukraine), where she was a piano major. She was the 1982 First Prize Winner of the All Ukraine Piano Competition. While in the Ukraine, she performed as both soloist and accompanist, and was a coach for the Kiev State Opera and Ballet. In addition to her work with the MFYC, Svetlana serves as Music Director for Runnymede Presbyterian Church in Toronto. She is active as a free-lance accompanist, and teaches piano in a private studio. The MFYC is privileged to have had Svetlana as its accompanist since its inception in 1997.
