• We are a women’s choir located in Nanaimo. We attract members from across central Vancouver Island. We have sung together since 1997 and have enjoyed performing throughout the area at our own concerts and as guest performers.

• Our music is accessible, diverse, challenging – and fun! We sing in numerous languages both a cappella and accompanied. Our repertoire ranges from classical to modern, pop, rock and everything in between!

Listen to us here – live recordings from our latest concert on May 4th:

Your One and Only Life – a ballad by Canadian singer, Susan Crowe, arranged by Stephen Smith

Kahkiyaw Oskayak – by Sherryl Sawapagaham, sung in Cree “All the children of the earth, sing together” – sung by both Island Bel Canto and Island Flora

Woodsmoke and Oranges – by Ian Tamblyn, a description of our beautiful Canadian woodlands and lakes

Ah si mon moine voulait danser – a traditional French Canadian folksong, arranged by Donald Patriquin “Ah, if my monk would dance”

Our Artistic Team

Fiona Blackburn is our Artistic Director.

Fiona has been directing Island Bel Canto Singers since the spring of 2021. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of choral music and singing to our choir. She has earned a Bachelor of Music in voice performance, a Bachelor of Education in secondary music, and a Master of Music in choral conducting.

Fiona has either sung or conducted in some of the world’s greatest venues. As a professional singer, Fiona has been a featured soloist on numerous Canadian Broadcasting Corporation radio and television broadcasts, and with various orchestras. For 13 seasons, Fiona was a member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir. She also performed various roles with companies such as Vancouver Opera, North Shore Light Opera and Theatre under the Stars.

As an educator, Fiona has taught music from kindergarten to university. She was an adjunct professor in the Department of Education at UBC. We are fortunate to have her as our artistic director! More information about Fiona can be found here

Stefanie Unger is our Collaborative Pianist.

Pianist Stefanie Unger thrives in collaboration with fellow musicians across a broad range of vocal, choral and instrumental works spanning classical, opera, oratorio, chamber music, musical theatre, church music, and jazz. In the four decades since first accompanying her elementary school choir, she has worked with numerous choirs in Indiana, Lithuania, Southern Ontario and Vancouver Island.  She has enjoyed accompanying Island Bel Canto Singers since 2018 and looks forward to Monday afternoons spent music-making with the energetic young singers of Island Flora Girls’ Choir.