About - OUR TEAM

Barbara was fortunate to be enriched by a European heritage while she grew up in Switzerland. She learned about North American culture and lifestyle when she moved first to the US 23 years ago and then later settled in Canada.

As Executive Director, Barbara draws from a wealth of experience developing effective business and brand strategies in the not-for-profit, public health, arts, recreation, and municipal sectors.

Barbara shares that “music connects, heals, and inspires me daily - it's here for us all to share and feel our commonality.” She is excited to be part of an organization such as ARC that influences social change and offers a diverse and accepting community for anyone who likes to share their love for singing. One of her all time favourite songs is "Love of My Life" by Queen.

Candace is a long-time Albertan who grew up in sunny Okanagan. As a CPA, she has worked in finance and accounting in the construction, land development and television industries, but found her niche working with non-profit organizations, particularly those that support society's most vulnerable people.

Candace is proud to be the ‘behind-the-scenes-pay-the-bills' person for ARC. In her role, she loves hearing about the the joy that singing in the choirs brings to people and is thrilled to play a small part in that.

Candace's family loves every kind of music; it's always playing in her home, car and even on the golf cart, She admits a special penchant for 70's classic rock, which she likes to sing in the shower!

Born and raised here in Calgary, Reema has been a part of the dance community since she was a tiny tot! Reema has over 15 years of dance training across a variety of dance styles. Her focus and experience is predominantly in musical theatre and hip-hop.

Reema has taught at various schools, festivals and events with the CBE and Foothills School Division. She has also organized and instructed several community dance camps for children and teens. Keeping her passion for dance alive and well, Reema has done volunteer work in local arts programs as well as in international outreach programs in Hawaii, India and Thailand.

Stella grew up in Calgary where she raised her family and achieved a Bachelor of Commerce at the U of C. After enjoying a successful project management career in the oilpatch, she retired early to pursue personal interests including family, art and travel. Stella loves singing (and dancing!) with the choir, practicing Tai Chi, learning guitar and enjoying her grandchildren and family.

Commencing her 6th season with Up2Something, Stella actively contributes to ARC productions with her artwork and as a member of the Costuming Team. Her favourite song is "Caro Mio Ben", performed by Pavarotti.

Brian is originally from Edmonton, where he grew up and attended University. He moved to Calgary in 1991 and achieved his Assoc. of Music in Piano Performance from the Western Board of Music, followed by a BComm and CFRE in Business (Marketing) from the University of Alberta.

Brian developed his career in arts administration with the Calgary Boys Choir and the Youth Singers of Calgary before moving into fund development. He launched ARC in 2003 after founding Second Chants, a division of Youth Singers of Calgary. He is currently the Director of Alumni & Development at SAIT and was recently awarded the Con Spirito Award by the Alberta Choral Federation in 2017.

The most exciting thing for Brian is the opportunity to create a high quality performance arts experience for adults within a recreational choir community. The outstanding people of ARC inspire him every day. Music is Brian's passion:

“It fuels my soul. Music in a choral context is really about creating community – using the human voice to bring people together, to share a common purpose, to make the world a better place.”

Brian has many favourite pieces of music. Of the songs performed by ARC, he highlights “Fire and Rain”, “Alice” and “Somebody to Love”.

Michelle loves Calgary where she was born and raised and now lives with her amazing husband, Keith, and their crazy pooch, Maddie! Michelle began singing at the age of four and has since carried a passion for music and performance. Beginning her conducting studies under a mentor in high school, Michelle went on to study music at Nazarene University College. In 2006, Michelle received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a concentration in choral conducting and piano. She graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Education in 2010, specializing in Secondary Music. Continuing in her passion for teaching and learning, Michelle works as a teacher for the Foothills School Divison and in her free time, enjoys helping students in the community develop their literacy skills.

Choral singing and conducting have woven themselves throughout Michelle's life since the age of 16. She has sung with the Nazarene University College Chorus and Chamber Choir, as well as the Alberta Centennial Chorus and the Savridi Singers. Her most memorable choral experience was a private choral workshop with The Manhattan Transfer when she sang with the Savridi Singers!

Michelle is thrilled to begin her 8th season with the ARC family of choirs. She adores the members and the vibrant community shared within ARC! She notes that when our members come together, there is an unmistakable energy and positive vibe. To Michelle, music means Life…Health…Everything, really! Listening to music and its diverse rhythms and harmonies make her feel like she's on top of the world. Rajaton, The Real Group, Paul Simon, Blondie, and The Scissor Sisters are at the top of her musical favorites list.

Lorne was born and raised in Calgary. He studied piano during elementary school and rapidly excelled through the Royal Conservatory of Music requirements. After obtaining his Grade 10 Piano during high school, Lorne decided to pursue a career In music and achieved his Music and Education degrees at the U of C. He continued graduate studies at the University of Alberta where he was awarded his M. Mus while simultaneously completing his Piano Teacher's Diploma.

Lorne enjoys working with the ARC choirs, with the most exciting aspect being the integration of his accompaniment with the choirs and experiencing the final product in performance. For Lorne, music is the ultimate form of expression because it covers all emotions and speaks when words cannot.

Faye White grew up in Winnipeg where she pursued piano studies at the University of Manitoba. She moved to Calgary after graduating with a Masters degree in piano performance to pursue a career as a piano accompanist. She has since performed with many soloists and choirs, including Cantare Children's Choir and the Alberta Children's honour choir, and plays regularly with her
church's worship team on piano, guitar and drums. More recently, Faye formed the band 'White Noise' with her husband, playing rock, pop, and worship music.

Faye has enjoyed the fun and easy going atmosphere of the Something Lite choir as its accompanist for the past few years and looks forward to being involved this year with Up2Christmas and She's Up2something. Faye enjoys the challenge of learning complex music as well as capturing the important nuances of simple pieces and is deeply satisfied when it all comes together. Her favourite song is “American Girl” by Tom Petty.

Born and raised here in Calgary, Reema has been a part of the dance community since she was a tiny tot! Reema has over 15 years of dance training across a variety of dance styles. Her focus and experience is predominantly in musical theatre and hip-hop.

Reema has taught at various schools, festivals and events with the CBE and Foothills School Division. She has also organized and instructed several community dance camps for children and teens. Keeping her passion for dance alive and well, Reema has done volunteer work in local arts programs as well as in international outreach programs in Hawaii, India and Thailand.