Michelle Chyzyk, Director

Home Town: Neepawa, MB
Current Home: Virden, MB

Michelle Chyzyk graduated from Brandon University with the Gold Medal in Music Education and a Diploma in Piano Performance. She immediately moved to Virden and began a lifetime of developing young singers and growing herself as a musician. Michelle’s teaching career spanned 35 years, teaching elementary music and high school choir, drama, and musical theatre.
 
Mrs. Chyzyk has conducted the WMYC eight times and, in addition, has led EMYC, the Winnipeg Divisional Honour Choir, and the Provincial Honour Choir in 3 different years. Michelle has always enjoyed sharing her passion for musical theatre with Virden and the surrounding communities, working with all ages in creating what has now become Virden Theatre Productions and over 30 local productions.
 
Michelle was the proud recipient of a YMCA Women of Distinction Award in 2000, The Hope Medal from the Lions Club for Outstanding Community Charitable service in 2002, the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, a Fort La Bosse Outstanding Employee Award in 2014, and an Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Manitoba in 2016. She was also featured in a CBC documentary called A Prairie Christmas Concert.
 
In 2020, Mrs. Chyzyk was very honored to receive the Manitoba Choral Association’s Award for Artistic Excellence. She is excited to be one of the adjudicators for Choralfest 2023.
 
Michelle has two grown sons who are married and live in Brandon and Minneapolis respectfully. In retirement, she is planning on lots of exciting musical ventures and travel, pickleball, and golf with her husband Dave.