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Accomplishments

2023 – World Strides Performing Arts – A Gold for Jubilate at the Heritage Festival in Orlando.

2019 – Seghizzi, Italy, 58th International Choral Competition – 3rd place overall in the Grand Prix with Gold in the Gospel Category and Silver in the contemporary section. 

2015 Children’s Choir of the World – Shallaway Youth Choir received top honours at one of the largest and oldest choral competitions in the world — and it was their first time competing in the festival. The St. John’s-based choir competed in the senior children’s choir classical and the folk music categories at the prestigious Llangollen Musical Festival in Wales. The classical troupe came in first, and the folk group placed second. Shallaway won the award for the choir that has the best performance and the top mark out of all the junior and senior children’s choirs; the Children’s Choir of the World trophy. 

Order of Newfoundland and Labrador – In 2016, Shallaway’s Artistic Director, Kellie Walsh, was awarded the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador from the provincial government. The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is the highest honor of the province, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour, benefiting in an outstanding manner, the province and its residents.

Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Creative Arts Award – Shallaway’s Artistic Director, Kellie Walsh, alongside Associate Conductor, Deidre Costello, were also awarded the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Creative Arts Award from the Bruneau Centre for Excellence in Choral Music on behalf of the Lauda ensemble of Shallaway. Lauda, our newest ensemble introduced in 2017, offers an enriching musical experience in a safe, neurodiverse environment. With a high ratio of musical and social support, including music therapists and choral music specialists, this ensemble fosters acceptance and respect through reciprocal learning.

Awards and Acclaims

  • Gold in the Gospel category – Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition – July 2019
  • Silver in the Contemporary category -Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition – July 2019
  • Third Place – Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition – July 2019
  • Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales – Children’s Choir of the World – July 2015
  • Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales – First Place, Classical Category Children’s Choir – July 2015
  • Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales – Second Place, Folk Music Category Children’s Choir – July 2015
  • Bela Bartok International Choral Competition, Debrecen, Hungary – July 2012
  • ECMA (Canada) – Classical Recording of the Year Nomination for Ann & Seamus – 2011
  • MusicNL (Canada) – Classical Recording of the Year Nomination for Ann & Seamus – 2011
  • Represented Canada at the International Society of Music Education 29th World Conference in Beijing, China – 2010
  • Performed on the Americas Stage at Expo 2010 Shanghai, China – 2010
  • Invited to present Ann & Seamus at the 8th World Choral Symposium, Copenhagen Opera House, Copenhagen, Denmark – 2008
  • 1st Place, Youth Category – Tolosa International Choral Competition – 2005
  • 1st Runner Up , Tolosa Grand Prix – 2005
  • Premiere of Ann and Seamus – toured Canada, USA and Europe – 2005
  • Winner – Chorus America’s Top Award for Choral Excellence – 2004
  • Performed at a series of concerts for the American Choral Directors’ Association National Convention, New York City, New York, USA – 2003
  • Winner – Canada Council for the Arts Grand Prix for Canadian Choirs – CBC National Choral Competition – 2002
  • 1st Place – Youth Choirs (Equal Voice) Category in the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs – 2002
  • ECMA (Canada) nomination, Best classical Recording of the Year for Full Circle – 2002
  • Invited to appear at the Toronto International Joy of Singing Festival – 2002
  • Presentation of two world premieres of commissioned work – Great Hall of Hart House, University of Toronto – 2002
  • Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) – Best Classical Artist Award for Full Circle – 2001 
  • 3rd Place – Let the People Sing Competition
  • ECMA (Canada) – Best Classical Recording of the Year for At the Rim of the Carol-Singing Sea – 2001
  • Newfoundland and Labrador 2000 Cultural Tourism Award – awarded by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
  • ECMA (Canada) – Best Classical Recording for Reaching from the Rock – 2000
  • 1st Place – Children’s Choirs – International Choral Kathaumixw Festival in British Columbia, Canada – 1998
  • 2nd Place – Youth Category – International Choral Kathaumixw Festival in British Columbia, Canada – 1998
  • 1st Place – Canadian National Music Festival Award – 1998
  • ECMA (Canada) – Classical Recording of the Year Nomination for Rock Within the Sea: Songs of Newfoundland – 1998