Deeandra Miranda has been singing for as long as she can remember. After starting voice lessons at a young age, she fell deeply in love with musical theatre, classical singing, and art song. Hailing from Surrey, B.C., Deeandra has performed numerous operatic roles with the Crescendo Operatic Society and sung many choral concerts with her high school choir, the Johnston Heights Chamber Choir – these musical experiences led her to entering the vocal performance program at the University of British Columbia in 2018.

Throughout her time at UBC, Deeandra has enjoyed many wonderful performance opportunities such as touring throughout Italy with the UBC University Singers, participating in several productions and concerts with the opera program, and performing alongside the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir as bursary soloist for their annual Christmas Concert series. Deeandra recently graduated with her dual BMus and BEd degrees this past May and is currently working at St. Joseph’s Elementary as their K-5 Music Specialist teacher.

When she isn’t teaching, she can be found singing as an Emerging Artist with Ensemble Laude and going for runs on Dallas Road.

Deeandra was an Ensemble Laude Emerging Artist in our 2025-26 season.

BELLA KERSHAW stands as a trailblazing non-binary Soprano vocalist, deeply immersed in the realms of chamber music, conducting and solo artistry. Originating from Vancouver, Bella’s musical odyssey has been punctuated by transformative experiences, including captivating solo renditions of Vivaldi and Monteverdi during Capilano University’s 2019 Italy Tour. As they pursued a conducting certificate at Capilano, Bella took center stage as the principal Soprano for Laudate Singers, enchanting audiences with their renditions of Vivaldi and Charpentier’s solo repertoire. Concurrently, Bella led God’s Free Spirits, a children’s choir at Highlands United Church. Now at the University of Victoria, Bella seeks to fuse their passion for chamber music and conducting with an innovative exploration of Contemporary repertoire.

Bella was an Ensemble Laude Emerging Artist in our 2024-25 season.

YVONNE USSENI is an aspiring mezzo-soprano and conductor with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria. Currently pursuing a post-degree Bachelor of Education program, she is preparing for a career as a school district music teacher and aims to further her studies with a master’s degree in choral conducting. Passionate about both teaching and learning, Yvonne continuously hones her conducting and vocal skills while sharing her love of music with others. Specializing in voice and beginner piano, Yvonne has been a singer for over 20 years. Her 11-year experience with the BC Girls Choir inspired her to pursue music education. She has performed extensively in festivals, competitions, and workshops, and has been an active member of the UVic Chamber Singers and the UVic Chorus. Yvonne has also gained valuable experience as a guest conductor at the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s Conductor’s Symposium and the BC Choral Federation’s Choral Da Capo Summer Conducting Workshop. When not immersed in music, Yvonne enjoys the wonderful world of Disney, quality time with family and friends, and planning her next travel adventure. Yvonne can’t wait for an exciting season of singing with Ensemble Laude!

Yvonne was an Ensemble Laude Emerging Artist in our 2024-25 season.

SARAH HIGGINSON was a fourth year music education student at UVic when she joined Ensemble Laude. Sarah’s primary instrument is euphonium, but she has always had a love for singing. Sarah has mainly sung in church, musical theatre settings and in her high school’s R&B band but she recently developed a love for choral music after taking choral pedagogy at UVic. She is extremely grateful for this opportunity to be an Emerging Artist so she can continue to develop her choral teaching skills.

Sarah was an Ensemble Laude Emerging Artist in our 2022-23 season.

KATHERINE ALLEN‘s love for music started early at the age of 3 when her parents enrolled her in piano lessons. At 12 years old she switched to voice, where she trained classically all throughout high school until she graduated in 2018 and moved to Victoria to pursue a BMus in Vocal Performance at UVic. Inspired by the abundance of wonderful music teachers she has had in her life, her passions include vocal coaching as well as songwriting with her twin sister. Katherine has fallen in love with Victoria and was so excited to be a part of Ensemble Laude!

Katherine was an Ensemble Laude Emerging Artist in our 2022-23 Season.

ANNIKA SAUSER is a motivated individual who has a passion for working with youth and fostering their growth through musical explorations. Throughout her experiences teaching piano and working as an Educational Assistant, she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of exceptional learners. Her teaching approach is described as intuitive and nurturing, with a focus on supporting the needs of each individual through a creative lens. Annika holds a Bachelor of Music with Distinction with a specialty in Music Education from the University of Victoria. She plans to continue her schooling so that she can receive her teaching certification. Born in Vancouver BC, Annika took piano lessons from a young age, cultivating a deep love and appreciation for music that led her to explore the numerous possibilities in that field. She has completed her Grade 10 piano from the Royal Conservatory; as well, she has sung and accompanied in various choirs such as the Vancouver Youth Choir and Coastal Sound Youth Choir. Annika has developed a deep connection to choral music, participating in national choral conferences such as Podium and working with revered choral mentors such as Jon Washburn, Eric Whitacre, and Carrie Tennant. She recently participated in the Vancouver Chamber Choir Conducting Symposium, and has been selected as the intern conductor for the BC Youth Choir this year.

Annika was an Ensemble Laude Emerging Artist in 2022-23