Board of Directors
Laurier Fagnan (Edmonton, AB)
President
With a doctorate in choral conducting (U of A / IRCAM, Paris) and a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy (U. Laval), there is nothing Laurier Fagnan enjoys more than inspiring singers to make the most beautiful sound possible. He has served as guest conductor and vocal coach for many choral festivals and has offered hundreds of workshops in vocal technique to choirs from Whitehorse to Seattle to Paris. He was awarded a generous grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to establish Canada’s first Vocal Acoustics Laboratory at Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta, where he has conducted the very dynamic Chorale Saint-Jean since 1995. Dr. Fagnan was keynote speaker at the general assembly of the European Choral Federation in Bulgaria and has presented his research on choral acoustics and bel canto vocal principles at several international conferences. He has recently launched a DVD on vocal technique for choirs, which incorporates bel canto vocal principles applied to choral singing and is currently writing a book on bel canto vocal pedagogy. Recent highlights include conducting at international festivals in Vaison-la-Romaine, France and Domaine Forget, Québec as well as presenting at the National Conference of the American Choral Directors’ Association and the Acoustical Society of America in Salt Lake City. Dr. Fagnan recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Vocology in the US and served as co-Chair of Podium 2016, Canada’s national conference and festival of choral singing. He was guest conductor at the 40th anniversary of the Académie internationale du Domaine Forget (Québec) and made his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in May of 2018. Dr. Fagnan has previously served as president of Choir Alberta and was recently named President Elect of Choral Canada, Canada’s national association of choirs and choral conductors.
President
With a doctorate in choral conducting (U of A / IRCAM, Paris) and a master’s degree in vocal pedagogy (U. Laval), there is nothing Laurier Fagnan enjoys more than inspiring singers to make the most beautiful sound possible. He has served as guest conductor and vocal coach for many choral festivals and has offered hundreds of workshops in vocal technique to choirs from Whitehorse to Seattle to Paris. He was awarded a generous grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to establish Canada’s first Vocal Acoustics Laboratory at Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta, where he has conducted the very dynamic Chorale Saint-Jean since 1995. Dr. Fagnan was keynote speaker at the general assembly of the European Choral Federation in Bulgaria and has presented his research on choral acoustics and bel canto vocal principles at several international conferences. He has recently launched a DVD on vocal technique for choirs, which incorporates bel canto vocal principles applied to choral singing and is currently writing a book on bel canto vocal pedagogy. Recent highlights include conducting at international festivals in Vaison-la-Romaine, France and Domaine Forget, Québec as well as presenting at the National Conference of the American Choral Directors’ Association and the Acoustical Society of America in Salt Lake City. Dr. Fagnan recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Vocology in the US and served as co-Chair of Podium 2016, Canada’s national conference and festival of choral singing. He was guest conductor at the 40th anniversary of the Académie internationale du Domaine Forget (Québec) and made his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in May of 2018. Dr. Fagnan has previously served as president of Choir Alberta and was recently named President Elect of Choral Canada, Canada’s national association of choirs and choral conductors.
Kellie Walsh (St. John's, NL)
Past President
A native of Newfoundland and Labrador, KELLIE WALSH is the Founder and Artistic Director of Lady Cove Women’s Choir, Artistic Director of Shallaway Youth Choir, and Co-Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Newman Sound Men’s Choir. Shallaway is an internationally celebrated youth choir and cultural organization whose mandate is building community, empathy, and leadership through the choral experience. Most recently, the senior ensemble received a first place in the prestigious Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, and was awarded the highest mark overall for children and youth choirs. Lady Cove Women’s Choir strives for excellence beyond singing. The group has a strong commissioning mandate, steeped in the culture of their home province, and maintain an active bursary program for young musicians. Most recently, the choir traveled to Labrador to work and sing with children from isolated northern communities. The choir is a two-time winner of the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs, won first place in one of the the prestigious European Grand Prix competitions, The Béla Bartók Contemporary Choir Competition in Hungary, and was invited to participate in the 9th World Symposium on Choral Music in Argentina.
Kellie enjoys a busy schedule as a workshop clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, traveling regularly to work with choirs of all genres. This season she was invited as guest conductor of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, the New Brunswick Youth Choir, MusicFest Canada in Ottawa, and was a guest presenter at the ACDA Children and Youth Choir conference in New Jersey. Kellie holds Bachelor degrees in both Music and Music Education, as well as a Masters degree in conducting from Memorial University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Jack Hand Legacy Fund, raising funds for children and families in Newfoundland and Labrador who are struggling with the financial burdens of Cancer care.
Past President
A native of Newfoundland and Labrador, KELLIE WALSH is the Founder and Artistic Director of Lady Cove Women’s Choir, Artistic Director of Shallaway Youth Choir, and Co-Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Newman Sound Men’s Choir. Shallaway is an internationally celebrated youth choir and cultural organization whose mandate is building community, empathy, and leadership through the choral experience. Most recently, the senior ensemble received a first place in the prestigious Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, and was awarded the highest mark overall for children and youth choirs. Lady Cove Women’s Choir strives for excellence beyond singing. The group has a strong commissioning mandate, steeped in the culture of their home province, and maintain an active bursary program for young musicians. Most recently, the choir traveled to Labrador to work and sing with children from isolated northern communities. The choir is a two-time winner of the CBC Radio National Competition for Amateur Choirs, won first place in one of the the prestigious European Grand Prix competitions, The Béla Bartók Contemporary Choir Competition in Hungary, and was invited to participate in the 9th World Symposium on Choral Music in Argentina.
Kellie enjoys a busy schedule as a workshop clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, traveling regularly to work with choirs of all genres. This season she was invited as guest conductor of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, the New Brunswick Youth Choir, MusicFest Canada in Ottawa, and was a guest presenter at the ACDA Children and Youth Choir conference in New Jersey. Kellie holds Bachelor degrees in both Music and Music Education, as well as a Masters degree in conducting from Memorial University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Jack Hand Legacy Fund, raising funds for children and families in Newfoundland and Labrador who are struggling with the financial burdens of Cancer care.
Morna Edmundson (Vancouver, BC)
President Elect
Morna Edmundson is one of Canada’s best-known choral conductors with a strong reputation for excellence. Based in Vancouver, she is Artistic Director of Elektra Women’s Choir and also EnChor Choir, an auditioned SATB ensemble for mature voices. Passionate since childhood about choral singing, Morna obtained degrees and diplomas in vocal music in Vancouver, Bellingham, and Stockholm, Sweden where her teachers included Eric Ericson. Under her leadership, Elektra is a proud leader in the women’s choir community, programming a season of concerts, commissioning, recording, and engaging with women of all ages and their conductors through a suite of outreach programs. For 14 years Morna shared her love of quality repertoire with a new generation of singers in her role as Associate Artistic Director of Coastal Sound Music Academy. Morna has adjudicated in North America and Asia, conducted state honour choirs, co-directed the American Choral Directors Association National Women’s Honour Choir, and gives frequent workshops with choirs of all ages. She curates a series of Canadian compositions and arrangements for accomplished treble choirs at Cypress Choral Music. Her accomplishments have been recognized with the BC Choral Federation’s Healey Willan Award (2000), a BC Community Achievement Award (2009), YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Arts and Culture category (2011), and UBC Alumni Builder Award (2017). Since 2013, she has served as a Board member of Chorus America, the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that gives voice to the choral field. She currently serves the BC Choral Federation as chair of its Willan Council.
President Elect
Morna Edmundson is one of Canada’s best-known choral conductors with a strong reputation for excellence. Based in Vancouver, she is Artistic Director of Elektra Women’s Choir and also EnChor Choir, an auditioned SATB ensemble for mature voices. Passionate since childhood about choral singing, Morna obtained degrees and diplomas in vocal music in Vancouver, Bellingham, and Stockholm, Sweden where her teachers included Eric Ericson. Under her leadership, Elektra is a proud leader in the women’s choir community, programming a season of concerts, commissioning, recording, and engaging with women of all ages and their conductors through a suite of outreach programs. For 14 years Morna shared her love of quality repertoire with a new generation of singers in her role as Associate Artistic Director of Coastal Sound Music Academy. Morna has adjudicated in North America and Asia, conducted state honour choirs, co-directed the American Choral Directors Association National Women’s Honour Choir, and gives frequent workshops with choirs of all ages. She curates a series of Canadian compositions and arrangements for accomplished treble choirs at Cypress Choral Music. Her accomplishments have been recognized with the BC Choral Federation’s Healey Willan Award (2000), a BC Community Achievement Award (2009), YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, Arts and Culture category (2011), and UBC Alumni Builder Award (2017). Since 2013, she has served as a Board member of Chorus America, the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that gives voice to the choral field. She currently serves the BC Choral Federation as chair of its Willan Council.
Amy Pun (Vancouver, BC)
Secretary
Amy is an actuary by profession but has been involved in choral music and choral singing since she was a kid.
For her day job, Amy works in Vancouver as senior retirement consultant and actuary with a large employee benefits consulting firm. She works with private and public sector organizations as well as pension boards to manage their pension arrangements. Her work allows her to take an active role in supporting the financial wellbeing of individuals.
Through her involvement with Choral Canada, she hopes to contribute to the mental wellbeing of individuals through Choral Canada’s goal to support and encourage participation in choral music. She strongly believes that participation either as a choral singer or as an audience member uplifts the spirit and promotes emotional and mental wellbeing.
In her spare time, she pursues her interest in music. She has been involved in music ministry work as cantor, accompanist and choir director for various parishes in Toronto and Vancouver. She also sang with the Toronto Mendelsohn Choir, the Mendelsohn Singers and the Vancouver Bach Choir. She is currently a member of the Pandora’s Vox and Espiritu in Vancouver.
Secretary
Amy is an actuary by profession but has been involved in choral music and choral singing since she was a kid.
For her day job, Amy works in Vancouver as senior retirement consultant and actuary with a large employee benefits consulting firm. She works with private and public sector organizations as well as pension boards to manage their pension arrangements. Her work allows her to take an active role in supporting the financial wellbeing of individuals.
Through her involvement with Choral Canada, she hopes to contribute to the mental wellbeing of individuals through Choral Canada’s goal to support and encourage participation in choral music. She strongly believes that participation either as a choral singer or as an audience member uplifts the spirit and promotes emotional and mental wellbeing.
In her spare time, she pursues her interest in music. She has been involved in music ministry work as cantor, accompanist and choir director for various parishes in Toronto and Vancouver. She also sang with the Toronto Mendelsohn Choir, the Mendelsohn Singers and the Vancouver Bach Choir. She is currently a member of the Pandora’s Vox and Espiritu in Vancouver.
Emma Walker (Toronto, ON)
Treasurer
Emma Walker is currently the General Manager of the Toronto Heliconian Club, and also a freelance bookkeeper who has done work for several charities and non-profits. Emma completed an M.B.A. specializing in non-profit management, arts administration and public policy at the Schulich School of Business. Before studying business, Emma studied fine arts, obtaining a Master’s in dance and BFAs in both dance and music. Emma is trained in both ballet and modern dance, and plays the piano and double bass. She is currently also the Treasurer of Toronto Heritage Dance.
Treasurer
Emma Walker is currently the General Manager of the Toronto Heliconian Club, and also a freelance bookkeeper who has done work for several charities and non-profits. Emma completed an M.B.A. specializing in non-profit management, arts administration and public policy at the Schulich School of Business. Before studying business, Emma studied fine arts, obtaining a Master’s in dance and BFAs in both dance and music. Emma is trained in both ballet and modern dance, and plays the piano and double bass. She is currently also the Treasurer of Toronto Heritage Dance.
Anne Longmore (Toronto, ON)
Director
Anne is a strategic communications specialist for the cultural sector, helping arts organizations to be relevant and successful. She developed and managed integrated marketing campaigns and strategic communications for the Royal Ontario Museum and the Ontario Science Centre, and is currently Director of Marketing for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. New initiatives that Anne has undertaken for the TMC include developing the TMC’s concert webcast programming and creating an active social media presence for the Choir. Anne taught Strategic Communications Planning in the Humber College post-grad Public Relations program for a number of years, and has conducted workshops and webinars for small non-profits that provide practical knowledge and build skills in online marketing. She has conducted these workshops for Choral Canada, Chorus America, Choirs Ontario, and the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Choral music has been a part of Anne’s life since high school. She sings Alto for the Choir of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Toronto.
Director
Anne is a strategic communications specialist for the cultural sector, helping arts organizations to be relevant and successful. She developed and managed integrated marketing campaigns and strategic communications for the Royal Ontario Museum and the Ontario Science Centre, and is currently Director of Marketing for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. New initiatives that Anne has undertaken for the TMC include developing the TMC’s concert webcast programming and creating an active social media presence for the Choir. Anne taught Strategic Communications Planning in the Humber College post-grad Public Relations program for a number of years, and has conducted workshops and webinars for small non-profits that provide practical knowledge and build skills in online marketing. She has conducted these workshops for Choral Canada, Chorus America, Choirs Ontario, and the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. Choral music has been a part of Anne’s life since high school. She sings Alto for the Choir of the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Toronto.
Heather Fraser (Halifax, NS)
Director
Heather Fraser maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator and collaborative pianist in Nova Scotia. She is the Artistic Director of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choirs (150 singers Grades 3-12), the Aeolian Singers (Halifax based women’s choir), and is an accompanist and music specialist in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
Heather is grateful to have had the opportunity to study conducting and choral pedagogy with mentors across Canada, the USA and the UK. She was honoured to be a Conducting Fellow with the Canadian Chamber Choir (2015), the first conductor in Pro Coro Canada’s emerging artist program (2016), and was Apprentice Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada under the guidance of Dr. Victoria Meredith (2010).
A dynamic teacher, Heather is an active clinician, presenter and adjudicator. As the Program Director for the NS Choral Federation for seven years, she is passionate about the power of choral music to build community and foster our humanity. After having served Choral Canada on both the Advocacy and National Youth Choir committees for many years, Heather is honoured to be elected to the VP Advocacy role, and feels humbled to be a part such a talented and invested team working on behalf of our diverse choral community.
Director
Heather Fraser maintains an active career as a choral conductor, music educator and collaborative pianist in Nova Scotia. She is the Artistic Director of the Annapolis Valley Honour Choirs (150 singers Grades 3-12), the Aeolian Singers (Halifax based women’s choir), and is an accompanist and music specialist in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
Heather is grateful to have had the opportunity to study conducting and choral pedagogy with mentors across Canada, the USA and the UK. She was honoured to be a Conducting Fellow with the Canadian Chamber Choir (2015), the first conductor in Pro Coro Canada’s emerging artist program (2016), and was Apprentice Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada under the guidance of Dr. Victoria Meredith (2010).
A dynamic teacher, Heather is an active clinician, presenter and adjudicator. As the Program Director for the NS Choral Federation for seven years, she is passionate about the power of choral music to build community and foster our humanity. After having served Choral Canada on both the Advocacy and National Youth Choir committees for many years, Heather is honoured to be elected to the VP Advocacy role, and feels humbled to be a part such a talented and invested team working on behalf of our diverse choral community.
Elroy Friesen (Winnipeg, MB)
Director
Described as “innovative, expressive, and dynamic,” Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba where he heads the graduate studies program in choral performance, conducts numerous choirs, and teaches graduate conducting.
His award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcast by the CBC. They enjoy collaborating with many outstanding local and national arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Friesen studied at the University of Manitoba (B. Mus., B. Ed., M. Mus.) and at the University of Illinois (DMA), receiving numerous scholarships and grants from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba. He is the conductor and Co-Founder and Co-Artistic director of Schooner Cove Singers (Parksville, BC), as well as past Artistic Director and founder of the Winnipeg-based youth choir, Prairie Voices. He is also co-founder of fikamusik: a choral conducting intensive based at the University of Manitoba, and has recently appeared as guest conductor with the Winnipeg Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestras. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor throughout North America and Northern Europe.
Director
Described as “innovative, expressive, and dynamic,” Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba where he heads the graduate studies program in choral performance, conducts numerous choirs, and teaches graduate conducting.
His award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcast by the CBC. They enjoy collaborating with many outstanding local and national arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.
Dr. Friesen studied at the University of Manitoba (B. Mus., B. Ed., M. Mus.) and at the University of Illinois (DMA), receiving numerous scholarships and grants from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba. He is the conductor and Co-Founder and Co-Artistic director of Schooner Cove Singers (Parksville, BC), as well as past Artistic Director and founder of the Winnipeg-based youth choir, Prairie Voices. He is also co-founder of fikamusik: a choral conducting intensive based at the University of Manitoba, and has recently appeared as guest conductor with the Winnipeg Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestras. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor throughout North America and Northern Europe.
Marie-Élène Lamoureux (Montréal, QC)
Provincial Choral Organizations Representative
Marie-Élène first studied violin and received her Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia University. It was during her studies that she fell in love with choral singing. She began her career as a chorister in jazz choirs and later moved on to contemporary choirs such as À Contrevoix and the Chœur de Chambre du Québec where she still sings today. Being also passionate about marketing and management, Marie-Élène obtained a certificate in advertising and has worked in both agency and retail businesses. Always striving to improve her skills, she is currently pursuing a graduate diploma in business administration at the HEC. Working to promote the mission of the Alliance Chorale du Québec is a privilege for her.
Provincial Choral Organizations Representative
Marie-Élène first studied violin and received her Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia University. It was during her studies that she fell in love with choral singing. She began her career as a chorister in jazz choirs and later moved on to contemporary choirs such as À Contrevoix and the Chœur de Chambre du Québec where she still sings today. Being also passionate about marketing and management, Marie-Élène obtained a certificate in advertising and has worked in both agency and retail businesses. Always striving to improve her skills, she is currently pursuing a graduate diploma in business administration at the HEC. Working to promote the mission of the Alliance Chorale du Québec is a privilege for her.
Willi Zwozdesky (Vancouver, BC)
Provincial Choral Organizations Representative
Willi Zwozdesky is widely-known as a choral conductor and for his work as an arranger, which form a large part of an active musical career that also includes music publishing and arts management. A native of Alberta, Zwozdesky later moved to Seattle, where he completed a Master of Music in choral conducting and a Master of Arts in music theory at the University of Washington in 1981. Following his move to Vancouver in that year, he established himself as a leader in the city’s cultural community, working in choral music, education, musical theatre, and most notably, as the conductor of the Vancouver Men’s Chorus, a position he still holds today. He also trained in arts administration at The Banff Centre School of Management and at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.
At the core of Zwozdesky’s career are his choral arrangements, many of which regularly appear in concert programs and recordings across Canada and abroad. In 1990 he established Rhythmic Trident Music Publishing, which focuses on his own and new Canadian work. An active choral clinician and adjudicator, Willi has also volunteered on a number of national and regional organizations, including the Canadian Music Centre, GALA Choruses, Inc., the World of Children’s Choirs 2001 and, presently, Choral Canada. In 2004, his dedication to choral music was recognized with both a Legacy Award from GALA Choruses for his contributions to that movement and a Willan Award from the British Columbia Choral Federation for outstanding service to British Columbia’s choral community. In addition to his freelance work, he serves as the Executive Director of the British Columbia Choral Federation.
Provincial Choral Organizations Representative
Willi Zwozdesky is widely-known as a choral conductor and for his work as an arranger, which form a large part of an active musical career that also includes music publishing and arts management. A native of Alberta, Zwozdesky later moved to Seattle, where he completed a Master of Music in choral conducting and a Master of Arts in music theory at the University of Washington in 1981. Following his move to Vancouver in that year, he established himself as a leader in the city’s cultural community, working in choral music, education, musical theatre, and most notably, as the conductor of the Vancouver Men’s Chorus, a position he still holds today. He also trained in arts administration at The Banff Centre School of Management and at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.
At the core of Zwozdesky’s career are his choral arrangements, many of which regularly appear in concert programs and recordings across Canada and abroad. In 1990 he established Rhythmic Trident Music Publishing, which focuses on his own and new Canadian work. An active choral clinician and adjudicator, Willi has also volunteered on a number of national and regional organizations, including the Canadian Music Centre, GALA Choruses, Inc., the World of Children’s Choirs 2001 and, presently, Choral Canada. In 2004, his dedication to choral music was recognized with both a Legacy Award from GALA Choruses for his contributions to that movement and a Willan Award from the British Columbia Choral Federation for outstanding service to British Columbia’s choral community. In addition to his freelance work, he serves as the Executive Director of the British Columbia Choral Federation.
Tim Callahan-Cross (Halifax, NS)
Provincial Choral Organizations Representative
Tim Callahan-Cross is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He worked with the Nova Scotia Choral Federation as Program Coordinator from 1987 until 1997 when he assumed the position of Executive Director. Prior to working with the federation he owned and operated the acclaimed Halifax restaurant Café Quelque Chose, worked as a dietetic supervisor at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital and was a qualified fitness instructor with the YMCA.
He has served as a volunteer on committees and boards of several choirs as well as the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council, the YMCA, the Family Pride Camping Association and Kinap Community Centre. Currently he is treasurer of the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia and a board member of Mocean Dance. Tim makes his home in Halifax with his husband Thomas and three sons. He has enjoyed singing with a few local community choirs and currently sings with Nova Voce.
Provincial Choral Organizations Representative
Tim Callahan-Cross is a graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He worked with the Nova Scotia Choral Federation as Program Coordinator from 1987 until 1997 when he assumed the position of Executive Director. Prior to working with the federation he owned and operated the acclaimed Halifax restaurant Café Quelque Chose, worked as a dietetic supervisor at the Halifax Infirmary Hospital and was a qualified fitness instructor with the YMCA.
He has served as a volunteer on committees and boards of several choirs as well as the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council, the YMCA, the Family Pride Camping Association and Kinap Community Centre. Currently he is treasurer of the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia and a board member of Mocean Dance. Tim makes his home in Halifax with his husband Thomas and three sons. He has enjoyed singing with a few local community choirs and currently sings with Nova Voce.