Shining at Carassauga

NeoVoce Shines at Carassauga | “Edelweiss” Dazzles at Mississauga’s Cultural Celebration!

On a vibrant spring weekend, Mississauga welcomed the 40th annual Carassauga Multicultural Festival—the largest multicultural celebration in Ontario and the second largest in all of Canada. From May 24 to 25, the festival drew tens of thousands of visitors from around the world in a truly festive atmosphere.

Among the many cultural pavilions, the China Pavilion was a major highlight. With dragon and lion dances, tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and the aroma of authentic cuisine, it was a full display of Chinese cultural charm. On May 25, the Neovoce Philharmonic Choir’s NPA team stunned audiences with a graceful and moving performance of Edelweiss, featuring both singing and dance.

As the familiar melody filled the air, six choir members took the stage, delivering a heartfelt vocal and dance performance that touched the hearts of the crowd. Their elegant presence and beautiful harmony won enthusiastic applause from hundreds of spectators in attendance.

A Small Stage, Big Energy

Though the performance was carried by just six members, it was the result of a full team effort:

• Qu Jingzhong stepped in as the lead vocalist, taking over for the original soloist who traveled to Carnegie Hall. He dedicated himself to days of intense vocal training, even taking professional lessons to refine his diction and expression.

• Wendy Zhu choreographed the group and solo dance routines, guiding Zhang Li, Zhuo Ya, Jia Xin, and Wang Yulin through multiple rehearsals to perfect their movements and positioning.

• Meanwhile, key choir members in New York provided remote support, sending recordings and guidance to help the home team fine-tune their performance.

• Family members and supporters played a vital role behind the scenes—offering equipment, costumes, makeup, and photography—showing that onstage and off, everyone worked together to bring this performance to life.

A four-minute program took weeks of careful preparation and collaboration. It was this passion and perseverance that helped the Neovoce team shine once again on the community stage.

NeoVoce Gives Voice to Chinese Culture

This year’s Carassauga Festival was more vibrant than ever, with pavilions representing India, Italy, the Philippines, and many other nations gathered at Mississauga’s Hershey Centre. The China Pavilion especially stood out, drawing widespread attention from government officials and mainstream media:

• Deputy Consul General Cheng Hongbo from the Chinese Consulate in Toronto delivered remarks at the event;

• Carolyn Parrish, the newly elected Mayor of Mississauga, attended and gave a warm speech;

• Numerous Canadian Members of Parliament, provincial and city officials were present to show their support;

• Neovoce Philharmonic Choir, representing the Chinese community, made a stunning appearance, promoting Chinese culture and showcasing the vibrancy of the Chinese-Canadian community.

Choral music is a powerful force that brings people together.
Neovoce is a shared source of pride for us all.

A heartfelt thank-you to every choir member, family supporter, and friend who made this performance possible—you made this musical journey so moving and unforgettable.

Let us continue to connect the world through music, and spread love and hope through choral harmony.