Vox Aeterna is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing outstanding vocal and instrumental music to audiences of all ages across Montreal and the West Island through their signature event, the Festival de la Voix. This festival features concerts spanning various musical genres—from opera to jazz and rock—and provides numerous workshops for singers at different levels. Additionally, Vox Aeterna enriches educational experiences for children through their Musiquemosaïque concerts for elementary students and Fest de la Voix Goes to School! Events for secondary students. In this interview, we speak with Kerry-Anne Kutz, general manager of Vox Aeterna and artistic director of the Festival de la Voix. Kerry-Anne discusses the organization’s mission to support musicians and engage the community, sharing the journey of the festival since its inception and what more needs to be done to foster a love for the arts in young audiences.
Describe the non-profit organization in a few sentences.
Vox Aeterna presents Festival de la Voix; concerts featuring well-known and emerging artists of many musical genres from opera to jazz and rock, along with a wide range of workshops for singers of various levels. Along with presenting Festival de la Voix for the general public, Vox Aeterna provides educational opportunities to children through our annual Musiquemosaïque concerts for elementary school students and Fest de la Voix Goes to School! concerts for secondary school students.
Our goal is to bring excellent vocal and instrumental music to people of all ages, in French and English.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We address the lack of vocal music concerts in general in Montreal and on the West Island. We seek to support musicians of all ages and styles, to give them opportunities to perform and earn much-needed income. We endeavour to bring our community together through these concerts and workshops and reach out to those who are lonely and disenfranchised, both young and elderly.
When did you start it?
Festival de la Voix began 12 years ago in 2013.
What made you want to get involved?
I wanted my voice students and my friends to hear wonderful music in our West Island community. I also wanted to promote the many tremendous local artists in Montreal, as well as the rich offering of music composed by Canadians.
What was the situation like when you started?
There was a shortage of vocal music concerts and there still remains a lack of vocal concerts. We also lack concerts featuring Black and Indigenous artists. We wanted to rectify this.
How has it changed since?
We have presented hundreds of concerts featuring vocal artists of diverse cultural backgrounds for elementary school and high school students as well as for the public. We also invite seniors from residences and clubs on the West Island to attend. We make a particular effort to feature artists of colour and Indigenous musicians.
What more needs to be done?
We need to continue to create concerts, particularly for young people in order to develop future lovers of the arts. Those who sing and play instruments need to have the opportunity to hear wonderful music in their own communities. When we play or sing in an ensemble, we learn to listen to each other, to breathe deeply, to put aside our quarrels and our stress. Together we create harmony, and we are uplifted. Experiencing a concert as a listener is enriching and can be life-changing.
How can our readers help?
Please come hear the wonderful Quebec artists who will be singing and playing in the 12th edition of Festival de la Voix, in beautiful venues across the West Island.
Do you have any events coming up?
Festival de la Voix is a month of music! Concerts and workshops run from April 4 to 27, 2025.
Where can we follow you/the organization?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Vox Aeterna and Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Centre
