Canto Vivo creates community through the love of Latin American music. Since 2017, the choir has nurtured a welcoming space for singers, new and experienced alike, while building connections with audiences across Vancouver. Our current and past members hail from 15+ countries across Latin America and beyond.
Artistic direction
Canto Vivo is led by Dr. Sérgio Pires, choirmaster and music director, who holds advanced degrees in choral conducting and music education and brings many years of experience developing community choirs. Most of our arrangements are created especially for the ensemble by Sérgio.
Rehearsals & home base
Canto Vivo rehearses regularly at Britannia Community Centre (Seniors Centre) in East Vancouver, with thanks to our long-standing community partnership.
Where we’ve performed
Canto Vivo has appeared at venues across the city, including:
Museum of Vancouver
The Cultch
Vancouver Convention Centre
Britannia Community Centre
UBC Hospital
Vancouver Public Library (Central Branch)
Our sound
The repertoire spans popular and traditional songs from across Latin America, sung in Spanish and Portuguese, with occasional pieces in other languages. A sample of works we’ve performed:
Abracadabras — Jorge Drexler (Uruguay)
Todo Cambia — Julio Numhauser (Chile)
Confesión — Marta Gómez (Colombia)
A Voz do Morro — Zé Keti (Brazil)
Hasta la Raíz — Natalia Lafourcade & Leónel García (Mexico)
Jacinto Chiclana — Astor Piazzolla & Jorge Luis Borges (Argentina)
El Diablo Suelto — Heraclio Fernández & Enrique Hidalgo (Venezuela)
Join or book the choir
Canto Vivo welcomes singers of all backgrounds—no Spanish or Portuguese required, just a love of singing and learning together. To inquire about joining or booking the choir for a performance, please email thais@vlacc.ca.
Watch Canto Vivo in action! Our community choir brings the energy and beauty of Latin American music to life, uniting diverse voices and creating connections through song. This video captures the spirit, joy, and dedication of our singers—whether you’re a longtime friend or just discovering us, we invite you to share in the journey.
With generous support from
