In 1965 Edwards moved to Canada and taught at Lachine High School (1965-79) and at the Fine Arts Core Education (FACE) School in Montreal (1979-90). Edwards earned a reputation for his work with young voices, and was appointed associate professor atMcGill University in 1991, where he remained until his retirement in 2001. Iwan Edwards is best known as the longtime director of theSt. Lawrence Choir (1972-2007) and theMontreal Symphony Orchestra Chorus (1986-2007).

As Conductor

Edwards became interim conductor of theMontreal Elgar Choir in 1971, and from that group, he formed the St. Lawrence Choir the following year. He was also the founder of the FACETreble Choir, Concerto Della Donna, and the Canadian Chamber Choir. In 1986 Edwards became director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Chorus, a position he held for 21 years. In that position, Edwards worked closely with conductorCharles Dutoit,on occasion taking the podium himself. He has worked with several other ensembles from across the country, including theLanaudière International Festival Chorus (1996-8), the NationalYouth Choir of Canada, theOttawa Choral Society (1992-6, 2001-05), the Lanaudière Festival Orchestra, theNational Arts Centre Orchestra,the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, theQuebec Symphony Orchestra, and theVancouver Symphony Orchestra. He has workedwith such international groups as the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, in the Czech Republic, and the Karlsbaden Symphony Orchestra, in Germany; and such celebrated conductors asFranz-Paul Decker, ZubinMehta, Trevor Pinnock, and Helmuth Rilling.

Awards and Honours

With the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Edwards contributed to the Juno-winning recordings of Berlioz'sLes Troyens (Juno Award, 1995) andLa Damnation de Faust (Juno Award, 1997). He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995and received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.