Jennifer Farrell

The National Association of Teachers of Singing has named Jennifer Farrell as the recipient of the 2026 Canadian Voice Pedagogy Award.

Providing up to $1,000 CAD annually, the award supports Canadian candidates pursuing seminars, symposia and workshops in voice pedagogy or voice science, including NATS national and regional events and other professional development opportunities

A Nova Scotia-based soprano and voice teacher, Farrell will use the award to attend the 2026 NATS Science-Informed Voice Pedagogy Institute, June 7-14, in Savannah, Georgia.

“This chapter of professional development will bolster my singing instruction and also allow me to better meet the needs of a growing population seeking vocal health guidance outside of the hospital/clinical setting,” Farrell said. “I have been truly inspired yet again in both my singing and teaching this week, so it is with excitement that I anticipate attending the Institute in Savannah this June. I am greatly honoured to receive this award.”

Farrell previously participated in the NATS National Mentoring Collaborative as a mentee of John Nix. In 2011, she took part in the NATS Intern Program, and in 2014 received a NATS Independent Teacher Fellowship. She was named the 2021 Teacher of the Year by the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers’ Association. She has taught at Mount Allison University (New Brunswick), Acadia University, and the Maritime Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Voice Pedagogy Award is administered by the NATS Ontario Chapter to support studies at a seminar, symposium, or workshop in voice pedagogy or voice science. The 2026 selection committee included Alexis Davis Hazell, NATS president; Irene Illic, president of NATS Ontario; Charlie Sadler, president of SNATS (Student NATS) at the University of Toronto; Vicki St. Pierre, dean of arts and associate professor of voice at Mount Allison University; and Lorna MacDonald, Lois Marshall chair in voice and head of voice pedagogy at the University of Toronto. MacDonald founded the award in 2024.

About Jennifer Farrell

Soprano Jennifer Farrell has appeared with professional Canadian ensembles in oratorio, opera and choral repertoire from coast to coast, including the Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Symphony, MusicFest Vancouver, Vancouver Voices, the Vancouver Opera, the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra. She also has appeared as a guest soloist with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Opera Nova Scotia, Symphony Nova Scotia, Maritime Concert Opera, the St. George's Consort, Collegium Cantorum, and Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada. She is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of British Columbia.

To support the NATS Canadian Voice Pedagogy Award and future educators, gifts may be made through the NATS Ontario donation form.