Who We Are
Cantara Choirs is a Twin Cities–based treble choir rooted in the legacy of Janice Kimes and the Bel Canto Voices. We bring together highly trained singers to explore challenging classical, contemporary and global repertoire with depth, precision, and expressive power.
Our Mission
Cantara Choirs empowers voices for cultural change, bringing beauty and inspiration into the world through musical artistry and mastery.
Artistic Leadership
Emily Colay, Executive Director & Artistic Leader, brings decades of experience in choral performance, conducting, and interdisciplinary music. Her work is grounded in artistic excellence, collaboration, and community connection.
Our Approach
Cantara operates as a collaborative ensemble, offering singers opportunities for artistic growth, leadership, and meaningful musical engagement beyond performance.
Repertoire
Cantara performs a diverse range of music, including:
• Classical choral works
• World and global traditions
• Multilingual repertoire
• Contemporary and socially conscious pieces
Achievements
Our singers bring extensive experience from professional choirs, opera, education, and international performance. Collectively, Cantara Choirs represents a high level of musical training and artistic dedication.
Cantara Choirs 