Kurt Ala-Kantti begins his fourth season as Artistic Director for Cross Town Youth Chorus this season.  He directs the senoir choirs, as well as the combined choirs.

Mr. Ala-Kantti is also the founder and director of the Harmonia Choir of Ottawa , a choir he started in 2003 to promote and perform the music of Canadian and local composers, in addition to traditional choral music.

He is also Choirmaster at St. Mark's Anglican Church, Cumberland, Music Director of the Cumberland Community Singers, and the Ottawa Folk Choir. In the past, he was Music Director for the Atlantic Voices, served for several years as Assistant-Director of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, directed by Barbara Clark, was director of their Young Men's Chorus. Kurt has studied vocal performance with Charlotte Stewart and choral conducting with Dr. Lisette Canton, Wesley Warren, and Barbara Clark, and is currently pursuing studies in music at Carleton University.  He is a member of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors (ACCC), and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).  With a keen interest in choral performance and excellence, he has been a member of several local choirs, including the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, under Barbara Clark, and the Ottawa Choral Society, under Brian Law.  Currently he is a member of the critically acclaimed Ottawa Bach Choir, with which he has performed in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Nova Scotia, Mexico, Germany and Austria.

Tammy Shaw holds a Bachelor of Music in French Horn performance from the University of Alberta and has recently completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa. An alumnus of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, Tammy now performs with the Ottawa Bach Choir and as a soloist with the Govenor General's Foot Guard Band and the Army Choir. Also a member of the military reserve, Mrs. Shaw participates in the Changing of the Guard ceremony in the summer on Parliament Hill, and plays for other band functions as necessary, including the Toronto Santa Clause Parade and the Senator's opening game. Tammy has studied choral conducting with Leonard Ratzlaff and John Brough, and served as Apprentice Director for the Harmonia Choir of Ottawa for the 2006/07 season.

CTYC provides an opportunity to:
learn, explore and express artistic talents through singing and music. promote the performing arts for youth. create an awareness within the community of the talents of our youth.