About
I want to know more about Decoys
And why did you call it that?
Who are you?
Henry Chen & Heather Molloy met as singers in the chorus of Vancouver Opera. We share a love of music, art, and nature and have decided to combine these aspects into something we can share with an audience.
If it seems like we’re not paying attention it’s probably because we were distracted by a bird.
We’re one of those annoying people that won’t stop talking about their birdwatching trips.
What is (are) Decoys?
Decoys is as much a concert as it is a photo exhibit, as it is a study on the importance of nature and the intersection of art and ornithology.
The world is full of falsehoods about birds. Decoys are false birds, often used by hunters to lure in unsuspecting prey. In our minds, musical decoys are songs about birds, used by composers to lure in unsuspecting audiences.
We bring together a selection of vocal works inspired by birds—not just as creatures, but as metaphors for love, loss, joy, and freedom. Alongside our voices, we share a slideshow of original photography from our own birdwatching journeys presented with musical, historical, and scientific-al anecdotes.
We’ve chosen a program that features birds from all across the globe, including songs from Canada, Europe, and Taiwan.
The show is appropriate for bird lovers of all ages and musical experience, some might even consider it mildly educational!
What our fans are chirping about.
“I just wanted to say how much I adored Decoys. The pairing of original photography with live music was so touching. Do you know if you’ll be doing it again?”
Sarah
“What a beautiful evening. The premieres were such a gift—thank you for sharing something so personal, so local, and so alive.”
Leila
I’m a birdwatcher and a music lover and this concert brought both together perfectly. The singers have an obvious chemistry and the songs were gorgeous… Their commentary, beautiful photographs of birds, and charming wooden duck decoys that decorated the stage enhanced the evening. I’d love to go again!
Maureen
“Decoys is a delightful and aptly named concert… I was drawn in to a wide variety of musical selections with amazing vocals and interspersed with interesting anecdotes and captivating projected images of the artists’ own photographs.”
Stephanie
"Decoys was a delight! As a lover of birds and live music, I enjoyed the eclectic selection of familiar and new-to-me compositions, the way they were paired with the singers' excellent bird photography, and the way it was all pulled together with their thoughtful, informative, and witty storytelling."
Jessie
Want even more?
Why not check out our bios?