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  • 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 co-conductor
    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.


    Jolaine Kerley, Ariose co-conductor
    Jolaine Kerley
    Jolaine Kerley holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree from the University of Alberta and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University. Jolaine is active as a soloist, conductor, adjudicator, clinician, and teacher. Along with her position as co-conductor of Ariose Women’s Choir, Jolaine is the current conductor of the choral program at Archbishop Jordan High School and is co-artistic director of the Strathcona Children’s Choirs and the Scona Chamber Singers. She has been heard as soprano soloist with Pro Coro Canada, Richard Eaton Singers, Ariose Women’s Choir, Scona Chamber Singers, Alberta Baroque Orchestra, Carmel Bach Festival Chorale, Masterwork Chorus, and Spiritus Chamber Choir. Jolaine was instructor of voice, diction, and early music at the University of Alberta until Spring, 2011 and has recently been appointed voice instructor at Concordia University College in Edmonton.


    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.

    2011-12 Ariose Members
    Soprano I
    Lindsay Batke
    Bonnie Beulah
    Ashley Emberley
    Alicia Fenton
    Amira Kanji
    Jolaine Kerley
    Camilla Kershaw
    Kyra Noster-Tinant
    Erin Prenoslo
    Lindsey Tinant
    Soprano II
    Amanda Becker
    Mia Berg
    Jose Chartrand
    Heather Chisholm
    Elizabeth Dreidger
    Heather Hurst
    Nicole Noster
    Marlane Noster
    Elizabeth Robertson


    Alto I
    Joelle Banasch Campbell
    Krisandra Bujold
    TobyLauren Burgess
    Mara Erickson
    Allison Glubish
    Keisha Hollman
    Megann Karasin Derry
    Susan Loewen
    Helen Stuart
    Alto II
    Lily Chong
    Kim Clarke
    Sheriann Clelland
    Sharon Darbyshire
    Lisa Heslip
    Nathsha Jefferies
    Jessica Robertson

    If you would like to sing with Ariose, please e-mail us or call 780-922-4586 to arrange for an audition.



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