Artistic Director – Kathryn Berko (B.Mus, B.Ed)
Kathryn Berko is thrilled to be working with the organization where she started as a founding member. Born and raised in Calgary, Mrs. Berko received her B.Mus and B.Ed from the University of Calgary, and her Kodaly Level II certification from the University of Alberta. Kathryn continues to serve as the Artistic Director of the Calgary Boys’ Choir and will begin with St. John Choir Schola this fall as the Junior Choir Director (Grades 3-6) and an instructor for Math 31. She also teaches private piano and voice in her home studio. Kathryn lives with her husband, Andreas, and their four children, all of whom have been members of the CCC at some point.
Assistant Music Director – Lindsay Phillips (B.Mus Voice, B.Ed Fine Arts Music) – CURRENTLY ON MAT LEAVE
Lindsay is an all-around music lover, performer, and educator. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice in 2015 and Bachelor of Education degree in Fine Arts (secondary music) in 2017. She has received numerous University Vocal and Choral Scholarships. During her music degree, she focused on vocal pedagogy, vocal performance, and choral and instrumental conducting. She has performance experience in concert choir, show choir, chamber choir, vocal jazz and early music ensembles. She taught voice with StageCoach Canada and was a private piano/voice instructor with Time Music Studios 2011-2017. She has been an elementary music and band teacher with Calgary Catholic School District since 2017 and joined Calgary Children’s Choir as the Junior Choir Director in 2017. When Lindsay is not singing, conducting or teaching, she enjoys reading, hiking, boxing, yoga and travelling.
Assistant Music Director – Emma Montori – B.Mus, B.Ed
Emma Montori is a Singer, Actor, and Educator from Calgary, Alberta. She is incredibly excited to conduct the Calgary Junior Choir! Emma has been a music teacher with Calgary Catholic for 8 years. During her time as a music teacher, she has put on many concerts and musical productions at her school, including Disney’s The Lion King Jr. (2023) & Disney’s Aladdin Jr. (2025). Emma is currently working towards her Master’s in Education from the University of Alberta, with a focus on Music and Leadership. Emma is a graduate from the University of Lethbridge, where she earned a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Music & Education. In her time at UofL, Emma performed with Opera Workshop, The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra, and The University Singers. Previous stage credits include: Gilbert and Sullivan Scene Show, The Beggar’s Opera, I Do! (Opera Workshop), Dido and Aeneas, Opera’s Hits Parade, Carmina Burana, Faure Requiem (Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra) Les Miserables, Once Upon a Lily Pad (Storybook Theater). When Emma is not teaching or conducting, she loves reading, travelling and watching hockey.
Music Makers Program Coordinator – Aislyn Rickard (B.Mus, B.Ed Fine Arts Music)
Aislyn is so excited to be working with the Calgary Children’s Choir to explore the fundamentals of music with beginning makers. Aislyn is a born-and-raised Calgarian who loves choir and the choral community here, which she has been part of for many years. She enjoyed six years of performing with the Youth Singers of Calgary during her formative years, which sparked her interest in choir and choral directing.
At the University of Calgary, Aislyn is currently completing her final year to receive her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education as well as an Alberta Innovates Summer Studentship. Specializing in voice and vocal pedagogy, Aislyn spent many university years singing in and occasionally conducting the University of Calgary Chorus with the mentorship of Kathryn Parrotta. Other directing and teaching experience includes directing the Symons Valley Church Choir in 2022 and teaching private voice and piano lessons beginning in 2020. When Aislyn isn’t teaching, she enjoys sewing, crocheting, and dog sitting.
Business Manager – Jackie Trowbridge
Jackie Trowbridge has worked in administrative roles with Calgary-based music organizations since 2001, including Westwinds Music Society, the William Aberhart Music Parents Association, and the Calgary Association for the Development of Music Education (CADME).
Jackie began her musical journey at 32, when she learned to play the trombone as a member of a beginner adult band. Her positive experience in band inspired her to join a beginner adult vocal choir in 2009.
Over 16 years with Westwinds Music Society and 6 years with the William Aberhart Music Parents Association, Jackie was responsible for a wide range of administrative duties, including planning and managing music tours. She organized seven adult and five student international tours to Germany, Scotland, Spain, Cuba, China, and Eastern Europe, as well as one domestic tour to Canada’s East Coast.
In September 2016, Jackie embarked on a new adventure, moving to Europe for five years and living in both Spain and Belgium before returning to Calgary in September 2021. She is currently the General Manager of Luminous Voices Music Society, an Administrative Assistant with the Sir Winston Churchill Band Parents’ Association, and Business Manager with the Calgary Children’s Choir.
Outside of her professional work, Jackie currently sings in a community choir, plays in a dart league, and enjoys playing pickleball whenever the opportunity arises.
Accompanist – Alena Naumchyk
Alena Naumchyk immigrated to Canada in September 2006 from Belarus (former republic of the USSR) where she received her early training in piano and musical disciplines at the Belarusian State Academy of Music and Arts in Minsk. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Belarusian State Academy of Music and Arts in 1997, studying piano with the renowned professor Sergey Mikulik.
She brings many years of experience as an accompanist and pianist, with exceptional technique and artistic sensitivity. Career highlights include winning numerous international choir competitions, accompanying soloists Nina Tishko, Natalia Zmitrovich and Nikolay Konovalenko with the State Belarusian Philharmonic Society and teaching piano/accompanying choirs and soloists at her “alma mater” Belarusian State College of Arts and Belarusian State Academy of Arts. She also appeared as a vocalist and as an accompanist under the direction of Nikolay Kashuro.
Former Artistic Director – Marni Strome (B.F.A., B. Ed., M.M., A.R.C.T.)
Marni Strome has worked with the Calgary Children’s Choir as a Music Director since its inception in 1988, assuming the role of Artistic Director in 1993. In this role she oversees the entire choral program and directs the Children’s, Youth, and Adult choirs. Her enthusiasm and positive leadership allow her to create and foster choirs that combine a high level of artistry with a strong sense of community, stewardship and fun. Marni has toured with the choir to numerous parts of Canada, Carnegie Hall in New York, Europe and Japan, where they have performed and also taken part in festivals with internationally recognized conductors such as Henry Leck, Dr. David Flood, and Dr. Will Kesling. Her choirs have been award winners in local and provincial festivals, where adjudicators often comment on the choir’s sense of ensemble and musical sensitivity. The impact of her musical leadership and mentorship is seen across the music scene in Calgary and beyond, as former choristers have gone on to become professional singers, voice teachers, conductors and composers. In 2017 Calgary Children’s Choir proudly celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Beyond the Calgary Children’s Choir program, Marni Strome is active as a teacher, conductor, and clinician. She has taught music for 30 years in the public education system, and has also led the choir of St. Giles Presbyterian Church for almost 20 years.
Having studied music formally from a young age, Marni Strome brings a lifelong love of music, singing and the choral art to her profession. Attesting to the diversity of her skills, as a youth, Marni also won provincial and national awards for composition. Mentors include her mother, Marian Smith, a prodigious piano player, conductor and musician; Rosemarie Sherban (founder of the Calgary Children’s Choir), David Ferguson, and Janos Horvath. Marni Strome received her bachelor’s degrees from the University of Calgary, and completed her Masters in Music degree from Holy Names University in Oakland, California, specializing in Music Education with Kodaly Emphasis. Marni has taught Kodaly Levels courses at both University of Calgary, and Silver Winds (Manitoba) summer programs.
She has studied choral conducting in numerous master class and summer seminar settings including Bulgaria, Hungary, Indianapolis, and California.
For fun, Marni enjoys spending time with her husband travelling, bike riding, reading, and exploring neighbourhood ice cream and coffee shops.
Former Business Manager – Linda White
Mrs. White has been the business manager for the Calgary Children’s Choir since 1988 and has assisted with the choirs’ various tours, traveling with the choir on tour to New York City, Vancouver Island and Hawaii.
She has served on the “Quality of Life” Committee at the Bethany Care Society and also volunteers at the Bethany Care Centre in Calgary, playing piano and organ for various functions.
Our talented and experienced musical staff is actively supported by volunteer parents, family members and members of the community at large. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!