Hello!
My name is Deirdre (pronounced DEER-dree), my pronouns are she/her, and I'm originally from Halifax though Ottawa is now home.
I am a conductor, pianist, and vocalist but first and foremost, I am a teacher.
I've been teaching music for 15+ years and I'm passionate about helping people develop their musicianship using a student-led model where YOU get to decide your goals, ideal sound, and musical repertoire.
The Personal Bio:
I've been making music my whole life and started taking piano lessons when I was four. That quickly led to singing in choirs and going to choir camp, performing in musicals, playing in bands, taking voice lessons, competing in music festivals, and taking music examinations. I even started a choir at my high school! I went on to study music at two great schools, learning tons and being a part of incredible music experiences.
Now, I'm a music educator and choral conductor who also performs as a singer and pianist. I live in Ottawa with my wife, Ash, and our two dogs, Stevie Licks and Dolly Pawton.
Some of my favourite musicians include Beyoncé, The Wailin' Jennys, Ella Fitzgerald, Lake Street Dive, Joni Mitchell, and Billy Joel.
The Formal Bio:
Deirdre Kellerman (she/her) is a choral conductor and music educator based on unceded Algonquin territory (Ottawa, ON), where she conducts Tone Cluster – quite a queer choir. Previous conducting positions include Artistic Director of Hypatia’s Voice, conductor and pianist with the Ottawa Children’s Choir, Assistant Director of the Ottawa Choral Society and Director of Music at First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.
Since settling in Ottawa in 2015, Deirdre has become a regular fixture in the area’s choral community. As a workshop facilitator and guest conductor, she has worked with the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus, Canadian Centennial Choir, and CAMMAC.
Deirdre has studied across North America, including a residency at the Banff Centre’s Choral Art program. She was nominated for the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting in 2018 and 2023. An avid chorister, Deirdre has sung with a wide variety of ensembles, including Xara Choral Theatre and the National Youth Choir of Canada, and she currently sings with Aella, an upper-voice ensemble.
Deirdre holds a M.Mus in Conducting from the New England Conservatory and B.Mus in Vocal Performance from Acadia University.