Content area
Full Text
Abstract: This article summarizes an interview conducted with well-known children's choir conductor Zimfira Poloz, in which she offers her unique perspective as a choral musician who immigrated to Canada from Kazakhstan in the early 1990s. Zimfira shares what she has learned from this transition and the ways it continues to impact her work with choirs.
Highly respected conductor and music educator Zimfira Poloz has quickly achieved a distinguished reputation since moving to Canada from Kazakhstan in the late 1990's. Now residing in Toronto, Zimfira serves as Artistic Director of the Hamilton Children's Choir (HCC) and the High Park Choirs of Toronto. She also serves as lecturer at the University of Toronto, where she teaches a course, 'Vocal Pedagogy for Young Choirs.' To date, Zimfira has worked with children's choirs for nearly 30 years.
Since teaching at McMaster University, I have come to know Zimfira well. During the last school year; she and I collaborated to bring together my choral methods students with her fabulous HCC chamber choir. Prior to attending one of her rehearsals, Zimfira came to our class and presented a lecture, Achieving Resonance with your Choir. This, coupled with the field trip to one of her rehearsals the following week, was a learning experience like no other for my students. Anyone who has watched Zimfira in action can attest to the breadth of vocal knowledge she brings to the rehearsal room and performance stage.
In the fall of 2011, I interviewed Zimfira through a series of email exchanges with the goal of sharing her choral background and perspective with others.
Choral Training and Background
Zimfira first became interested in choral music while singing in a children's choir at her music school, a school attended by all young children. "I sang for eleven years in the same children's choir," said Zimfira, "and I loved it so much that I decided already then, that I wanted to be a conductor." With a particular affinity for children who are more introverted by nature, she was intent on equipping young singers to believe in themselves and experience the joy of singing. In fact, the fondest memories of her conducting and teaching career include instances of children coming out of their shells, opening their hearts and...