Program Advisory Committee
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JEAN-LOUIS BLEAU, CALGARY
Jean-Louis Bleau has been very involved in the Calgary and area arts scene for a number of years. He is the Artistic Director of Choral Programs and the Program Administrator for General and Orchestral Programs at Mount Royal University, where he also directs Mount Royal Artio. In addition to his work at Mount Royal University, Bleau is the artistic director of Cum Vino Cantus and the University of Calgary Chamber Choir. Bleau's passion for music, especially choral music, is evident through his unique and expressive conducting style, and his enthusiastic approach to rehearsals. Bleau has always sought to push the boundaries of choral music and the concert experience through unique collaborations and concert events. This has resulted in performances around a lake in the heart of Kananaskis and concert events in a planetarium, parking garages, an industrial shop and even a swimming pool. When not engrossed in music, Bleau can be found with his partner on their farm northwest of Calgary enjoying the mountain views and the quiet peace of the country. |
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JOSIE BURGESS, EDMONTON
Josie Burgess | EYV Artistic Director holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Alberta. Josie’s ability to work with multiple levels of musical experience is evident in her work with both school and community choirs involving Kindergarten to grade twelve students in a variety of educational settings. In addition to her work with EYV, Josie is also a music specialist at St. Boniface School, a fine arts elementary school in south Edmonton. Josie has worked as a music specialist at Victoria School of the Arts, as the associate artistic director of Edmonton’s Cantilon Choirs and is the past head of choral studies at Archbishop Jordan High School. Choirs under Josie’s leadership have won awards locally, provincially and nationally. She is in demand as a vocal coach, workshop clinician and adjudicator. |
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RITA BURNS, EDMONTON
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LIZ DIMARINO, CALGARY
Liz DiMarino has been a music specialist with the Calgary Board of Education for 17 years. She has a passion for choral music and shares her love of singing as the director of Calgary’s Westside Senior Children’s Choir. Liz has also been selected as guest conductor at the Naramata Centre in BC, for the Youth Singers of Calgary, and as the rehearsal conductor for the Alberta Children’s Choir. She’s given workshops for the University of Calgary’s Centre for Performing Arts, the Calgary Orff Chapter, and for CBE’s Global Learning Services. She has presented at both the Calgary and the Southwestern Alberta Teacher’s Convention. Liz has her Level Three Orff Certification, was a semi-finalist in the 2013 Excellence in Teaching awards, and was given a Service of Excellence certificate from the Alberta Government for her contribution to elementary school music. |
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JOEL FORTH, EDMONTON
Joel Forth has been a passionate participant in Edmonton's choral music community since 2003. In addition to teaching choral music and vocal jazz at Edmonton's largest high school, Joel also sings in Edmonton's favourite nerd-a cappella ensemble, Apocalypse Kow, and composes and arranges a wide variety of music. Joel is excited to be serving on Choir Alberta's board of directors. |
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CATHERINE GLASER-CLIMIE, CALGARY
Catherine Glaser-Climie has nurtured and inspired singers of all ages through her acclaimed work with choirs and singers for more than thirty years. Choirs under her direction have won awards at the local, provincial and national level and regularly perform with Calgary Opera, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and are frequently heard on radio and television. Currently she is Founder / Artistic Director of the Cantaré Children’s Choir in Calgary, a nationally-acclaimed programme of one hundred and fifty singers ages six to eighteen, and serves as Minister of Music at Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Cross. In demand to share her expertise with all levels and ages, and known for her captivating warmth and enthusiasm, invitations to appear as adjudicator, lecturer, guest conductor and clinician take Catherine across North America. |
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NICOLE HOUNJET (CHAIR), CALGARY
Nicole Hounjet is honored to sit on the Board of Choir Alberta and is excited to bring vibrant and enriching programs to singers and conductors at every age and stage. She has been the Music and Fine Arts Director at Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts for the past 12 years. During her time at FCHS/AHSFA her ensembles (choirs, bands, and jazz) have all regularly performed and have been recognized at provincial and national music festivals. An accomplished musician, Ms Hounjet completed her music degree at the University of Alberta where she was mentored by wonderful women, passionate about choral music: Dr. Debra Cairns and Dr. Ardelle Ries. Since her time at U of A, Nicole has continued to study with wonderful teachers including James Jordan, James Whitbourn, Gregory Boers, Richard Nace, and Rodney Eichenberger. As an educator and conductor, Nicole believes in empowering her singers to fully engage in the music by building a mutual trust, respect and empathy within the ensemble. Nicole also conducts the Westwinds Women’s Choir which is a part of the larger Westwinds Music Society. |
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CARMEN SO, EDMONTON
Carmen So fell in love with the world of choral music at first sing, two decades ago! Experiencing human connection through voices in harmony inspired her to pursue a career in music education. Her teaching experience includes private piano and voice instruction, vocal coaching for musical theatre, and conducting the All-City Junior Children's Choir and the Braille Tone Choir, a choir for individuals with exceptionalities. Ms. So is the founding director of Kokopelli's children's choir, Kikimasu, which was featured in a spotlight concert at the national PODIUM Conference in 2016. In her tenth year with the Edmonton Public School Board, she is currently the music specialist at Rutherford School. Ms. So attained both her Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education combined degrees (2004) and a Master of Education degree specializing in Elementary Music (2015) from the University of Alberta. As a lifelong learner, she is always searching for opportunities to learn and adores all things involving creative pedagogical practices. She is inspired by working with musicians from all walks of life and feels blessed to have such a wonderful career as a music educator. |
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JORDAN VAN BIERT, EDMONTON
Jordan Van Biert is a choral conductor and organization-builder based in Edmonton, where he directs adult choirs of many types and works within the community to build opportunities for engagement with choral music for all ages. In 2013 he founded the chamber choir Chronos Vocal Ensemble, which in 2015 won the Healey Willan Grand Prize in the National Competition for Canadian Amateur Choirs. He has directed the community chorus Vocal Alchemy since 2007, and since 2012 also its offshoot Ante Meridiem, a daytime choir. He also serves as Director of Music at Trinity Lutheran Church in Old Strathcona, and directs Singspiration, a summer choral camp at Concordia University of Edmonton. He is an accomplished ensemble singer, appearing regularly with professional ensembles in Alberta. In 2016 he was nominated as an Emerging Artist in Edmonton’s Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts, and later the same year honoured with the Con Spirito award by Choir Alberta. Jordan is a lifelong Edmontonian, and his firsthand experience with the power of choral music to change lives inspires him every day. |
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HEIDI WOOD, CALGARY
Heidi Wood (B. Mus, B. Ed, M.Mus - opera performance) has been an active participant in the Alberta Choral Community for over 30 years. As a chorister, soloist, choral conductor, vocal coach, festival organizer, educator, curriculum advisor and clinician, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience that she shares in her classroom everyday. Ms. Wood has been the director of choirs at Lord Beaverbrook High School in Calgary for over 10 years where she has grown the program to include 3 traditional choirs and 2 vocal jazz ensembles. As a teacher, singer and performer, Heidi strives to share her love of music and singing through personal experiences, demonstration and inspirational stories. She endeavors to find creative and teachable moments that enrich and engage students through exciting repertoire and performances. Ms. Wood is thrilled to be working with Choir Alberta while continuing to contribute to organizations like CADME (Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education), and working and collaborating with teachers across the province. In 2016, Heidi’s efforts in the classroom were recognized with a nomination for an Alberta “Excellence In Teaching Award”. She was also honoured with a large grant for the choirs at Beaverbrook provided by MusiCounts in conjunction with the Juno Awards. Heidi is a passionate life-long learner and hopes to continue to be inspired and learn from not only her students, but also choristers and professionals across the province and beyond through her support of the initiatives of Choir Alberta. |