Having grown up in a musical family, Cynthia Friesen pursued her ARCT in performance as a student at the conservatory in Toronto, studying both piano and voice. Throughout her years as a professional in television and radio production, exploring music was a part of daily rhythms but it wasn't until the opportunity came to conduct a children’s choir at her church that she was mobilized to return to teaching. She is delighted to balance a coaching practice of voice students at her home studio with various community partners, leaning on music as an endeavour of care and connection. Facilitating a singing collective for the BC Brain Wellness Program offers opportunities to support creative aging and life enrichment for participants while pursuing research as to the sense of belonging that musical engagement can foster. In addition to leading the BCBWP Creative Expression Team, Cynthia is an elementary school outreach musician in residence for St. James Music Academy, acts as vice chair for the Room 217 Music Care board and contributes to the Community Programming Advisory Committee for UBC’s Chan Centre for the Arts. She is excited to be involved as choral director for the anticipated relaunch of the Helena Choir with Health Arts BC in April, 2026.