Canta Filia is an ensemble of young women ages 14 - 20 at the UMKC Conservatory's Community Music & Dance Academy. The ensemble collaborates with the Kansas City Children's Chorus, UMKC Conservatory ensembles, community groups, and visiting choirs, as well as maintaining a schedule of independent performances. In March of 2009, Canta Filia will be traveling to New York City to participate in a choral festival under the baton of composer and conductor Eric Whitacre. Strenuous auditions are held, and participation is limited to advanced singers. Canta Filia performs a wide variety of choral repertoire from around the world. Enrollment in a school ensemble is strongly encouraged. All Canta Filia singers pay an annual participation fee of $400.00, as well as costs associated with travel and performance apparel.
Mission
Canta Filia is dedicated to excellence in the performance of choral music and to developing a community of friends who share a love of singing.
Purpose
To offer the advanced singer an opportunity for further study
To further connect the UMKC Conservatory to the music community in Kansas City
To serve the Conservatory's musical needs
To expose talented young girls to the rich choral traditions at the Conservatory
To provide a next step for girls in the Kansas City Children's Chorus
To serve as an ambassador for UMKC at city, state, regional and national venues
Artistic Director
Jennifer Benjamin, a native of Los Angeles, earned a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Loyola Marymount University in 1992 where she studied conducting with Paul Salamunovich. She moved to Kansas City in 1993 to study at the UMKC Conservatory of Music where she earned her M.M. in Music History and Literature and her M.A. in Music Education. At UMKC, she studied conducting with Charles Robinson and Eph Ehly. Jennifer is an active member of ACDA at the state and national level and is a graduate of the Rene Clausen Choral School. She taught music history and music appreciation at UMKC, Rockhurst University and Johnson County Community College from 1996 to 2000. She then went on to serve as the music director at St. Teresa's Academy from 2000 to 2005 where her ensembles consistently received "I" ratings at district and state festivals and a "Gold" rating at the Chicago Heritage Festival in 2003. Under her direction, the St. Teresa’s Academy A Cappella Choir performed at the MMEA Conference in Osage Beach, Missouri, in 2004 and the ACDA National Convention in Los Angeles, California, in 2005. She currently serves as artistic director of Canta Filia, an ensemble of young women in 9th-12th grades at the UMKC Conservatory's Community Music & Dance Academy. She is also active as a clinician in the Kansas City Metro Area.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for the 2009 - 2010 season will be $400.00. In addition, new members will be required to purchase performance apparel. Limited financial aid is available.
Join Canta Filia!
Auditions for new members will be held Monday, August 31.
Call 816-235-2741 or email music-ce@umkc.edu for more information or to request an audition time.
UMKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution; Part of the University
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