Rooted in song The heart of Jorrel Camuyong’s music making

by Oscar Pantaleon Jr.

Jorrel Camuyong had just returned from Toronto the day before our interview. We met at Stella’s on Portage, seated away from the late lunch and the dinner-rush crowd. I’d first connected with him a year ago through the Manitoba Choral Association, where our shared passion for choral music had already piqued my curiosity to know more about him. At Stella’s, it didn’t take long to discover that we held kindred views on music-making: that choirs are about far more than perfect pitch or tight harmonies. Choral singing is about story, connection, and shared breath.

Jorrel has been singing almost as long as he could speak. Raised in a musical Filipino household constantly tuned in to CKJS and TFC, music was ever-present. His lola sang, his lolo played drums, and karaoke was practically a family sport.

“There’s a video of me at four years old belting Nandito Ako at my tito’s house,” he laughs. “My lola wanted me to sing O Canada instead but I insisted on singing Nandito Ako.”

There are also photos of a pre-teen Jorrel with Ogie Alcasid and Rachel Alejandro when they were in Winnipeg years ago. That early exposure to Original Pilipino Music and even visiting stars unknowingly planted the seeds of a lifelong love affair with music.

His formal introduction to choral singing came in Grade 4, when his music teacher nudged him into auditioning for the Winnipeg School Division honour choir.

“I remember having to sing in the coatroom so we wouldn’t be scared,” Jorrel recalls with amusement. Having passed the auditions, he joined a select group of young choristers under renowned conductor Frances Seaton. That experience lit a spark. “I really, really liked it and I haven’t stopped since.”

While he never envisioned himself as a conductor, life had other plans. In high school, when the choir director left unexpectedly, the principal tapped Jorrel to help run the choir program. From there, he wove music into every stage of his life: piano lessons, community choirs during university, and a brief detour into business studies before finding his calling in education. He earned his bachelor of education from the University of Winnipeg, majoring in musical theatre, and recently began a master’s in Inclusive Education at the University of Prince Edward Island.

But his musical education? That’s ongoing. “I didn’t go to music school, and for a long time, I felt like I didn’t have the credentials,” Jorrel admits. “Now, I’ve accepted that I have my own strengths and skills. I’ve put in the work.” That humility is paired with an insatiable curiosity. He’s a self-taught conductor who in his younger days spent countless nights watching online videos on choral music. “I’d see someone do something in rehearsal and think, ‘I want to try that.’”

One of those someones is Elroy Friesen, a frequent influence on Jorrel’s musical path. “As conductor of an honour choir I was a part of, Elroy programmed music I’d never heard before,” he recalls. “He made us sound better without making us feel like we were working hard. His accessible approach to music-making is what I want to emulate.” Other inspirations include his high school choir teacher Sonya Williams, who championed him early on; Tracy Wong, whom he admires; and Carrie Tennant, whose understated conducting belies her deep artistry. He also draws from California-based Melanie DeMore, whose mantra, “you can make good music with just your voice and your story,” deeply connects with him.

Today, Jorrel is making his mark as co-director of Ecco Singers, a Winnipeg-based community choir he once sang with. Helming alongside Roberta Velarde, they’ve brought fresh energy to the ensemble, leaning into dramatic storytelling and diverse programming. “We work really hard to craft concerts with emotional arcs,” he says. “It’s not just about sounding good. We should be telling a story as a service to the audience.”

As a colleague, Jorrel brings the same warmth, humour, and clarity to rehearsals that he strives to embody as a conductor. Roberta speaks of him as both a cherished friend and a trusted collaborator; someone who can keep a choir doubled over in laughter while still hitting every musical milestone. “Jorrel challenges me every day,” she says. “He brings energy and expertise to everything he does.” That balance of joy and discipline, of being approachable yet intentional, mirrors the qualities Jorrel admires in Elroy Friesen: an ability to lead with ease, inspire growth, and make the hard work of music feel almost effortless.

Outside of Ecco Singers, Jorrel co-directs Winnipeg Youth Chorus’ Rhapsody ensemble and serves as program director for the Manitoba Choral Association. He’s also deeply involved in youth leadership through The Rotary Club of Winnipeg.

Despite wearing many hats – as educator, conductor, and community leader – Jorrel remains grounded in what matters most to him. “I still think choir is the thing that brings me joy and gives me purpose,” he says. “I don’t want to take it on as ‘work’ just yet.” For now, he’s content keeping music in his “happy place,” even as he prepares to return to classroom teaching in the fall while pursuing his master’s degree.

When asked about his dream, Jorrel hopes to one day conduct an orchestra and choir together, perhaps performing Christopher Tin’s epic video game arrangements or a lush orchestral version of an OPM classic. “I didn’t think I’d ever conduct in the concert hall,” he admits. “But it’s happened three times already.”

As our glasses were almost empty and the quiet hum of Stella’s began to swell with new arrivals, we wrapped up our conversation. It felt like the perfect moment to pause: a gentle close to an afternoon spent with someone who leads with humility, finds magic in small beginnings, and never stops imagining what could be possible with a song, a story, and a stage.

Jorrel will conduct the Ecco Singers on May 3 in Ecco’s EGOT. The concert showcases music from Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony-winning composers, many of whom, like Jorrel, have roots in musical theatre. Visit eccosingers.com for tickets.