ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & ARRANGER

Anita Comba

Anita has grown to consider choral music to be a deeply meaningful form of connection in her life, despite growing up with little exposure to the choral arts. With early beginnings on the piano, her musical journey has taken a path through a variety of experiences: as collaborator, soloist, coach, teacher, arranger, music copyist, and ultimately as choral director. She loves this diversity and values the enrichment that each area brings to the others. 

Anita had the privilege of studying with Dr. Robin and Winnifred Scott Wood in piano performance and pedagogy (BMus UVIC). As a soloist she has performed with the Victoria and Prince George Symphony Orchestras. Her range as a chamber musician has led to collaborations with brass, string, and woodwind players. In the vocal realm she’s had the privilege of working with singers in art song and opera, having spent several years working with Vancouver Opera. 

Anita’s long tenure as pianist with Pandora’s Vox and Espiritu Vocal Ensembles earned her the position of Resident Pianist. In 2016 she was awarded the Joyce O. Maguire Award for outstanding, long-term service as a choral accompanist. These years of playing under the inspired direction of Gillian Hunt gave her the courage to take on, in 2009, the role of Music Director with the Langley Community Chorus. Now, alongside her continued directorship with the LCC, Anita is humbled and honoured to be entrusted as Artistic Director of Espiritu Vocal Ensemble. She’s keen to continue Gillian’s legacy of excellence in choral performance.

Currently, Anita serves as the President of the BC Choral Federation. She lives in Langley with two golden retriever dogs…. oh, and a husband and son!