Catchy arrangements. Synchronized dance moves. Melodies and harmonies drilled to perfection. Maybe a mash up or two. This is the world of show choir today. A long-standing tradition in the U.S., show choirs are a growing phenomenon in Canada. And the country’s show choir world is rapidly expanding with the help of Show Choir Canada.
Show choir is where pop music and musical theatre fans dance (and sing) on common ground. Therefore, it is fitting that Show Choir Canada combines the talents of the professional arts industry with the expertise of arts educators. At the helm are representatives from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, which trains Canada’s Triple Threat talent, and da Costa Talent Management, which represents some of Canada s leading actors, dancers, singers, and world-class choreographers.
It’s tremendously encouraging to see how much national interest has increased since we first launched Show Choir Canada in 2011,
says Peter da Costa, Show Choir Canada co-founder and owner of da Costa Talent Management.
With over 550 students participating, and an expected 2,000 spectators in attendance for this year’s event, it’s clear that the Show Choir phenomenon and interest in the arts still continues to flourish in Canada.
Performers have to work together to blend harmonies, not only in song but also in tightly choreographed movement. But more important than the performance is the process: the experience of participating in show choir raises self-confidence and encourages teamwork.
The Nationals are a valuable character–building exercise, enabling students to develop further as artists and hone their skills,
says George Randolph, Show Choir Canada co–founder and president of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts.
The participants have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the process, and gain an understanding that the work that goes into preparing for a performance is as important – and as fun – as the performance itself.
High school sports teams meet for annual tournaments. Recreational dance studios vie for top prizes at competitions. Now it’s finally time for the choirs to shine.
The stage is set. The spotlight is on. The band is tuned. Let the glee begin.
Peter Aylin conducted his first show at nineteen in the UK and has since been Musical Director for shows and performances across Europe and North America. He has performed for the late Princess Diana and worked with Britt Ekland, Cilla Black, Bonnie Langford, Wayne Sleep and Victor Spinetti. Peter conducted Dora Bryan in the UK revival tour of HELLO DOLLY and led the Players Theatre (West End) at the piano for many years. He moved to Canada in the nineties and conducted the Canadian National Tour of TOMMY the Musical. In 2006, he conducted Rex Harrington, Evelyn Hart and Louise Pitre in the Canadian Premier of SONG & DANCE. Since then, he has worked with the Canadian Tenors, Drayton Entertainment plus many of the major shows in Toronto. Peter is a co-founder of Diversified Theatre and The Dancers’ Choice Association and has been involved with Show Choir Canada since 2022.
Peter da Costa has built his career on not just seizing, but creating opportunities. It is that mix of insight and ambition that compelled him to establish da Costa Talent Management and build it over 20 years into a leading industry player. With offices in Toronto and Vancouver, da Costa Talent Management today enjoys a cross-country presence that benefits the agency’s roster of award-winning Triple Threat talent—actors, singers, dancers and world-class choreographers.
A first-generation Canadian, Peter was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and immigrated to Canada at the age of four. Witnessing his parent’s struggle and sacrifice provided the foundation for a work ethic that has propelled him to achieve his goals, whatever the endeavor. The mentorship of Elwood “Woody” Saracuse, one of Canada’s leading corporate entertainment booking agents, also helped set the stage for Peter’s industry success.
Peter started his first company at the age of 19 while studying Business Management at Ryerson University. In the mid 1990s he sold his stake and ventured into the entertainment industry with a partnership in Urban Dance Arts Entertainment. In his role as production coordinator of live dance shows for the corporate market, Peter was introduced to many exceptional performers and intriguing personalities–many of whom were unrepresented. Recognizing there was a void in the industry, in 1998, he established an agency dedicated to representing dancers for all areas of the entertainment industry. Over the years, his reputation — and roster — grew and he quickly attracted some of Canada’s leading talents, many of whom remain from that first year of existence with the agency to this day.
A born entrepreneur, Peter is always seeking new ventures that capitalize on his extensive industry experience, particularly in creating and producing. In 2011, he co-founded Show Choir Canada and was honoured in 2015 with a Canadian Screen Award as creator and co-producer of the TVO documentary Unsung: Behind the Glee, which chronicles the national – and international – phenomenon of the Show Choir Canada National Championships.
In 2016, he co-founded Podium Concert Productions with producing partner and music director, Mark Camilleri. Together they have presented ‘Shows That Deserve To Be Heard” with in-concert versions of award winning musicals, The Secret Garden and NINE, both to rave reviews.
George Randolph’s commitment to the arts has taken many forms, from dancer to choreographer, director, producer, and, educator. A former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, George has over 25 years of international dance performance and education experience in Canada, Europe, and the U.S. His expertise has been leveraged as an adjudicator for many dance festivals across Canada and as a member of the Toronto Arts Council’s dance grants panel. Since 1992, he has led the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts as President/Founder.
The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit educational institution providing world-class performing arts training to young artists since 1992. Distinguished faculty and entertainment industry professionals shape Triple Threat™ skills of dancing, acting, and singing in an accredited college program, which presents five productions per year, featuring contemporary plays and popular musicals; a children’s recreational arts program; and, starting fall 2010, a youth show choir program. Former faculty, alumni and current students are currently appearing on Stratford, Shaw, Mirvish, Dancap, Broadway (New York) and West End (London) stages, as well as Hollywood (Los Angeles).