CONDUCTING FELLOW – Soprano Darby Drew Howard is thrilled to return to Ensemble Laude as a Conducting Fellow. Darby is an educator, conductor, and vocalist based in Victoria that has had the joy of working with Ensemble Laude in the 2022-2023 season. Following her graduation from the University of Victoria with her BMus in 2023 and BEd in 2025, Darby has worked as an elementary music educator and has been offered the opportunity to work with multiple choirs as a Choral Scholar, Conducting Fellow, and Section Lead. Some of the choirs that she has worked with include Ensemble Laude, the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Choir, and the Newcombe Singers. She has also had the opportunity to work with Kathryn Whitney and Howard Dyck as a Section Lead during the 2026 Sing the North Festival. As a choral leader, Darby works with singers and choirs from a perspective of growth, and that everyone has the right to sing.

When they are not in choir or singing, you can find them teaching in the School District of Victoria, or doing fibre arts and watching reality tv with her fiance Noah.

Darby is an Ensemble Laude Conducting Fellow in our 2026-27 season. They were an Emerging Artist in our 2023-24 season.