• Home
  • About Ariose
  • Performances
  • Recordings
  • Related Links
  • Contact Ariose

  • About Ariose


    Ariose Women’s Choir is an award-winning choir of 30 singers from every walk of life – all of whom enjoy the challenge of exploring and performing women’s choral music from many styles and periods. In 2008, Ariose was awarded first place in the Equal Voices Choir (Female) in CBC’s National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs. Ariose has six times been a finalist in this national competition, and was awarded 2nd prize in 1996, 2000, 2002 and 2006.

    Formed in 1995 by Dr. Marilyn Kerley in Edmonton, Ariose strives to expose its audiences to a wide variety of women’s choral music – much of it unaccompanied – which allows the choir to fill a unique role in Canada’s rich choral landscape. To this end, Ariose has commissioned several works by Canadian composers Allan Bevan and Ramona Luengen.

    In addition to presenting its own concert series, Ariose performs at community functions throughout the greater Edmonton area. Ariose has appeared as an invited guest at the biennial conference of the International Society for Music Educators, the annual conference of the Alberta Choral Federation, and at Podium, the biennial conference of the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors.

    In December 2008, Ariose released its fifth recording – What Child is This? – a collection of familiar Christmas songs. Ariose has released four other recordings: Ariose (2000), Joy shall be yours (2001), Cantemus (2004) and There, in that Other World (2005). More about Ariose's CDs

    Marilyn Kerley, Ariose director
    Marilyn Kerley

    Dr. Marilyn Kerley is a choral director, music educator, clinician, and adjudicator. Dr. Kerley has taught at all levels of the school system and directed numerous children's, youth, and adult choirs. Dr. Kerley has also maintained a private voice studio and for 20 years taught music education classes in the Faculties of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as in the Department of Music at the University of Alberta. In 2007, Dr. Kerley received the Alberta Choral Federation's highest honour, the Richard S. Eaton Award of Distinction.


    Helen Stuart, Ariose pianist
    Helen Stuart

    Helen Stuart holds a B.Mus. with Distinction from the University of Alberta, and maintains a busy teaching and accompanying schedule in the Edmonton area. Ms. Stuart accompanies numerous choirs, including Edmonton's Greenwood Singers as well as several youth choirs.


    Ariose's Successes

    May 2008
    Ariose was awarded first place in the Equal Voicees Choirs (Female) in Choral 2008, CBC's 2008 National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs, on April 29, 2008. The choir travelled to Laval, Quebec to perform in a Gala Concert on May 18, 2008.


    Ariose Members

    Most Ariose members are music students, teachers of music, or accomplished musicians in their own right. What brings them together is a love for beautiful choral music.

    2009-10 Ariose Members


    Soprano I
    Lindsay Batke
    Ashley Emberley
    Alicia Fenton
    Jolaine Kerley
    Kyra Noster Tinant
    Erin Prenoslo
    Soprano II
    Elizabeth Darbyshire
    Heather Iverson
    Simran Jassar
    Melanie Murphy
    Heidi Reader
    Lindsey Tinant


    Alto I
    Joelle Banasch Campbell
    Krisandra Bujold
    Megann Karasin Derry
    Shelley Layton
    Jessica Robertson
    Helen Stuart
    Alto II
    Sheriann Clelland
    Sharon Darbyshire
    Johanna Dietrich
    Kerri Egbert
    Lisa Heslip
    Kim Mallon
    Sandra Marcus

    If you are interested in auditioning to sing with Ariose, please e-mail us or call 780-922-4586 to arrange for an audition.



    Copyright 2000-2010 Ariose Women's Choir
    Please obtain written permission to use any content on this web site.