Camerata Nova was founded in Winnipeg in 1996 as a choral ensemble dedicated to the exploration and performance of a cappella Renaissance music. As the group has evolved, it has branched out well beyond this period to medieval and early Baroque works as well as 20th-century repertoire, including compositions by Andrew Balfour, the group’s Artistic Director. Camerata Nova is taking an increasingly innovative approach to performance, experimenting with unusual venues and exploring the use of unconventional sounds, including throat and overtone singing, and instruments such as crystal bowls, sackbut, and didgeridoo, in contemporary compositions and in arrangements of traditional works.

Comprised of a dozen accomplished singers, the group offers its own annual concert series in Winnipeg and makes several guest appearances throughout the year. The group has produced three CDs in the last six years: Camerata Nova, Mystica and Nova Noël, and has launched a DVD entitled Wa Wa Tey Wak.