Artistic Director & Conductor 

Choral Canada  Board of Director, Toronto

Dr. Leo Li (abd), Choral Canada on board director, Chair of Choral Canada Membership Committee, Member of Juried Program Committee, a Member of China Chorus Association, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award recipient, a choral and orchestral conductor and adjudicator. 

His journey as a conductor commenced officially at the age of 18, where he led a choir to victory with a Gold Prize at the Czech International Music Festival. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Li (abd), a Chinese Canadian award-winning conductor, ardently dedicates himself to fostering connections and bridging possibilities for various choirs and singing groups, facilitating cultural exchange from the East to the West. 

Dr. Li (abd) possesses extensive experience in the realm of conducting. His expertise extends across diverse music ensembles, ranging from mixed choirs, equal-voice choirs, university choirs, youth choirs, children’s choirs, community choirs, and school choirs. Additionally, he has showcased his conducting prowess with symphony orchestras. Dr. Li (abd)’s influence in the conducting sphere transcends borders, as he has conducted and performed in various countries spanning four continents, including Australia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, etc.

Dr. Leo Li (abd) has undergone a comprehensive musical education, studying under the tutelage of esteemed Canadian and international conductors, maestri, and educators. His educational journey spans from high school to graduate levels, including masterclasses and workshops, where he has focused on choral and orchestral conducting, musicology, and music education. In addition to his conductor training, Dr. Li (abd) has delved into vocal performance and instrumental studies such as flute and percussions under the guidance of Canadian well-known artists and musicians. This diverse training background has equipped Dr. Li (abd) with a well-rounded foundation across various musical disciplines. 

At the end of 2022, Dr. Li (abd) accepted NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir’s invitation as the conductor. Since the 2023~2024 music season, Dr. Li (abd) has been appointed as the Artistic Director and Conductor of NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir and NeoVoce Philharmonic Quartet. He has been invited to perform in a concert during the 2024–2025 music season at Carnegie Hall.

Vocal Trainer

Ms. Yan Huang, Lyrical coloratura soprano, she studied under Professor Chen Yanfang from the Music Department of Xiamen University, Professor Zhan Shihua from the Music Department of Jimei University, and Professor Guo Lingbi from the Vocal Department of the China Conservatory of Music. She has many years of experience in music education in schools in China, as well as in training and conducting children’s and adult choirs, with extensive experience in vocal and choral instruction.

She has participated in numerous competitions and events both in China and internationally, earning accolades such as the Silver Award at the 2009 National Outstanding Singers Competition, the Gold Award at the Fujian Provincial Singing Competition, and both Gold and Silver Medals at the 5th World Choir Games (Graz, Austria). She has also traveled to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Europe for cultural exchange activities.

In 2022, she immigrated to Toronto, Canada, and currently serves as the vocal coach of the NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir. She was a judge for the 2023 "North America Super Star" Vocal Competition, an on-site judge for the Toronto division of the 2024 “Cultures of China – Water Cube Cup” Chinese Song Contest, and an online judge for the Montreal division.

On October 11, 2024, she performed Lament at the River in the commemorative concert celebrating the 85th anniversary of the premiere and the 75th anniversary of the Canadian premiere of The Yellow River Cantata, presented by the NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir in collaboration with the Tsinghua Alumni Art Troupe and the Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra.

In November 2024, she successfully held a solo recital in Toronto titled “Chinese Melodies and Poems”, featuring Chinese art songs based on classical poetry.

Ms. Luyao Xu holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Michigan State University, where she studied under the esteemed Professor Deborah Moriarty, Chair of the Piano Department, and Georgian pianist Tamar Mikeladze. Additionally, she earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Toronto, specializing in Developmental Psychology and Education.

Ms. Xu has served as a piano accompanist and artistic director for numerous arts groups and choirs in both China and North America. Her impressive portfolio includes working with top-tier groups such as the Shanghai Little Stars Choral Art Troupe in China and the Choral Union at Michigan State University in the United States.

Her achievements are noteworthy, including winning the Gold Award in the Piano Category at the "Charm of Hong Kong" Asian Youth Arts Festival and securing First Prize in the Piano Category at the Art Teachers' Skill Competition in Shanghai.

Ceci, Yuexi Li, 18 years old, is currently studying in Music Education program, Classical Piano at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.

Ceci started learning piano and hulusi at the age of 6, and joined the school folk orchestra to play Pipa when she is 9-year old. She is a professional instrumentalist and has gained rich performance experience. She received the ARCT level Certificate of Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Grade-9 Pipa Certificate and Grade-10 Hulusi Certificate from the Central Conservatory of Music. She continues to study Cello, flute and trumpet. Besides, she has often been invited to charity performances across the GTA, and accumulated a hundred volunteer hours in local musical events. She has played Pipa Solo twice at the Buffalo Annual Charity Music Concert in the U.S.. Ceci ever was honored to be the youth performer playing Pipa at MP Anita's inauguration of Oakville Parliament, House of Commons. She also secured the First Place of Young Artist Awards for both Chinese Instrument Solo and Ensemble Group in the 2020 Canadian International Music Competition. In June 2023, Ceci was invited to performe at the Toronto Dragon Boat Festival on centre Island, spreading Chinese folk music and receiving great acclaim.

In the musical tapestry of the NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir, the soprano section emerges like the first light of dawn—light and radiant. With their clear and bright tone, they infuse choral works with a luminous brilliance full of tension and depth.

The sopranos will continue to deliver outstanding performances, breathing soul into both Eastern and Western classics and bringing the audience unforgettable musical highlights.

The alto section of the NeoVoce Philharmonic Choir, with its rich and warm timbre, forms the most resilient and solid foundation of the choral harmonies.

The altos will continue to anchor the stage with quiet strength, lifting the character and depth of each piece through their subtle and steady tones.

NeoVoce’s tenors are voices that soar—like arrows piercing the clouds. NeoVoce’s basses resonate like bells and chimes, deep and grounded like mountains.

The tenor section will continue to lead audiences to gaze upon the stars through steadfast and free-flowing melodies, revealing the power of music. The bass section will uphold each choral passage with unwavering strength, adding profound depth and weight, allowing listeners to feel a heartfelt resonance beneath the waves of sound.

He began learning piano at the age of seven, and began playing piano accompanist for Hamilton and Burlington choirs at the age of ten. He has performed on the stage of the Hamilton Chinese Spring Festival Gala several times. He has won multiple gold medals in piano and popular singing competitions at music festivals held in London, Niagara, Hamilton and other regions. Currently in ninth grade at Hamilton Westmount Secondary School. His goal is to obtain a Grade 10 piano certificate and a Grade 8 violin certificate in the first half of 2024.

He started learning piano at the age of four and violin at the age of seven. Currently serving as violin accompanist for an adult choir in a church.

He has participated in many local and international piano competitions and won many awards and scholarships. He completed the Level 10 piano course at the age of thirteen. Pass the violin level 10 exam in 2023.

Currently studying in Grade 11 of a high school in Mississauga, he is a member of the school band, and the band has won a gold medal in national competitions. He is also passionate about composing music and is currently composing and playing violin for a film directed and performed by middle school students.

He began to learn violin at the age of seven and joined the Suzhou Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of ten to perform in the orchestra. He immigrated to British Columbia, Canada at the age of 12. He studied and played the French horn in the wind band of the high school where he attended. He also played the violin in the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra (symphony and chamber music division) and also made his first appearance in the string quartet. Tried viola. After attending Laurel College, he studied with violinist Jerzy Kaplanek and joined the Penderecki String Quartet. He resumed studying the viola and began to enjoy it more in chamber music classes, where he studied with viola player Christine Vlajk at Laurel University. In 2022, he will transfer to the University of Toronto. In January 2023, he decided to completely switch to viola and studied with Rémi Pelletier, the principal viola player of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

She started learning piano at the age of six and cello at the age of eight. Currently a cellist in the Mississauga Youth Symphony Orchestra.

In 2023, she won the Peel County Music Festival scholarship and first place in the string duo group. In 2024, she participated in the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival competition and won the Platinum Award in the Class 10 Classical Music category and first place in the Pop Strings category.

She is currently a seventh grade student preparing for the Royal Conservatory of Music piano and cello level 10 exams.