Program Advisory Committee

TINA ALEXANDER-LUNA, GRANDE PRAIRIE
Kristina Alexander-Luna has her Masters in Voice Performance from the University of Ottawa, and an Advanced Certificate in Performance from the University of Toronto. She is currently completing her Doctorate at the University of Toronto in Voice Performance and Pedagogy with countertenor, Daniel Taylor. Tina is also currently Instructor of Voice and Choir at Grande Prairie Regional College, and hopes to continue growing as a performer, conductor, and educator. As a teacher of Voice, she loves to encourage and instill confidence in her students, as well as giving them opportunities to grow as expressive communicators and versatile singers through performance of all styles and genres. Tina is a member of ARMTA (Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association), NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and CAEA (Canadian Actors Equity Association). 

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.

​JOANNE COLLIER, DIRECTOR
Joanne Collier has shared her passion for choral singing with people of all ages as either a singer or conductor her entire life. Currently she teaches for Holy Spirit Catholic Schools at The Children of St. Martha School in Lethbridge, is Music Director at St. Augustine’s Church, and Music Director of Vox Musica Choral Society. For nineteen years she was on faculty at Medicine Hat College where she taught voice and directed children’s, youth, and adult choirs including the award-winning MHC Girls’ Choir. Originally from Boissevain, Manitoba, Joanne holds a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from the University of Manitoba and Master of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of British Columbia. Following an accomplished career of almost twenty years, she entered the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge in 2011 where she received the William Aberhardt Gold Medal upon graduation. She is the recipient of the Alberta Choral Federation’s “Con Spirito” award for contributions to choral music in her community, the Johann Strauss Foundation scholarship for study in Austria, Medicine Hat College Employee of the Year and City of Medicine Hat Civic Award for contributions to the arts.   ​

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.

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.

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.​

TYLER LEAVITT, LETHBRIDGE
Tyler Leavitt is the choral conductor of Gilbert Paterson Middle School, as well as the Drama Coordinator and lead Fine Arts teacher - a position he has held since 2008. He is an active singer and performer in the community and on stage. Tyler is one of the founding members of the Chinook Chamber Singers in Lethbridge, and has had the privilege of singing under the direction of award-winning conductors, including Dr. George Evelyn and Dr. Marvin Dueck. Tyler's most recent stage performances include "Titanic: The Musical" and "All is Calm: the Christmas Truce of 1914". Tyler holds a B.A. in French and a B.Ed. in modern languages from the University of Lethbridge. ​

JUSTIN MACOSKY, CALGARY
Justin Macosky loved choral music from a young age. He spent eleven years singing with the Mount Royal Family of Choirs, touring across Canada and to Mexico. During his time with the Mount Royal Youth Choir, he was a student at Central Memorial High School in the Performing and Visual Arts Program in vocal music as a counter tenor. Starting in 2007, Justin was the choral director for Forest Lawn United Church directing both the adult choir, and children’s choir. He also served as Artistic Director and Conductor for the Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir from 2009-2012. Since 2010, he has been the Director of Choral Programming with Hillhurst United Church. In 2013, Justin began working with the Alberta Choral Federation as the Calgary and Southern Alberta Programming Assistant. He served as tour manager for the Alberta Youth Choir tour in 2013, along with organizing Choralfest South, and Choralfest South Jazz 2013 & 2014. Starting in 2015, Justin began teaching children from birth to six years of age with Gymboree Play and Music of Calgary, and continues to teach while completing the Early Childhood Education program at Mount Royal University.

​BETH PECSON, EDMONTON​
Beth Pecson is an accomplished choral director, music teacher, pianist, and church musician. She has taught with the Edmonton Catholic Schools as a music specialist for 27 years. Beth is the Conductor of the ECSD All-City Junior High and the Monsignor Fee Otterson Junior High Choirs. In addition to performing at local, provincial and national music festivals, her choirs serve at Liturgical and Eucharistic celebrations. They are also actively involved in faith formation sessions. Beth is currently piloting a High School Liturgical Music program. In 2017 the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta presented her with an Excellence in Catholic Education Award. She finished her Master of Religious Education Degree (with Distinction) from Newman Theological College and was the recipient of the 2017 graduating class’ Emmaus Award. Beth serves in the music ministry of Annunciation Catholic Church. She is one of the conductors of the Edmonton Youth and Children’s Choirs. Beth lives in Edmonton with her husband and their four beautiful children. 

​THOMAS SPILA, CAMROSE
Tom Spila (B. Ed, U of A, secondary music major) recently retired after having taught music at the Elementary, Jr., & Sr. High School levels for a total of 43 years. The past 39 of those were spent at Camrose Composite High School where the music program consisted of concert and jazz bands, mixed chorus, chamber choir and vocal jazz, as well as beginner and advanced guitar. Student groups under his direction have been recognized at regional, provincial, and national levels. He has been the director of the Camrose & District Community Band since its inception in 1983, is a past recipient of the Tommy Banks Award from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, was presented with the first Vondis Miller Legacy Award in 2004, and is a member of the International Bandmasters Fraternity: Phi Beta Mu – Mu Alpha Chapter. He has been recognized for his work by Alberta Education, the University of Alberta (Augustana Faculty), the Alberta Band Association, the Alberta Choral Federation, the city of Camrose, the Alberta Government, and the Governor General of Canada. In 2017, he directed the Southern Alberta Jr. High School Honour Band for the Alberta Band Association. Mr. Spila has served on the board of the Alberta Band Association and now looks forward to working for the music community as a board member of Choir Alberta. 

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.