Board of Directors

Music is in Richard’s bones. While he was raised in a musical home and was involved in musical theatre as a youth, focussing on career, family and life meant music was put aside for many years. Attending a Vocal Alchemy concert in 2014 reawakened Richard’s passion for musical performance and inspired him to join our tenor section that fall.

Retired from a career in public service, Richard has insight and expertise in organizational governance. Richard brings a healthy sense of humour to life, he prides himself on being a thoughtful listener who is open to hearing different perspectives and is a task focussed doer who can be relied on to ‘get things done’. Richard believes whole heartedly in VA’s mission and vision and is looking forward to helping set direction for the organization’s future through a well-thought-out strategic plan.

Gardener, canner, camper and generally outdoorsy person, Heather loves both the singing and the fellowship she’s found in VA. Her eight years as an Alto have shown Heather the passion and commitment her choir mates have for advancing their musical skills and knowledge, and the support VA's artistic team offers members to help meet those goals.

Heather says that volunteering is “just who she is”, so taking a turn on the VA board was a natural step. In her career as a geologist, Heather sat on a wide range of professional and community boards, and honed her skills in bringing diverse groups together to achieve common goals. Heather finds the work of organizing and coordinating with people behind the scenes satisfying – and knows that together we can do great things.

Jean joined Vocal Alchemy in 2005 as an Alto, stayed eight years, then took a break to focus on work. When Jean returned in 2017, she joined our Soprano 2's and is currently singing Alto. Jean was drawn to Vocal Alchemy by the quality of the direction, the repertoire, and the opportunity to be part of a group of like-minded people creating beautiful sound. She stayed because of the innovative, challenging and rewarding experience VA has provided her.

Jean brings 25+ years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector with her. With a work-focus on program development, risk management and quality improvement, Jean brings a valuable perspective that helps the board see our big picture more clearly.

Singing was a part of the fabric of Lori’s whole family growing up. Memories of wonderful gatherings and the harmonies created there, warmed Lori’s heart and fed her long-held desire to sing in a choir. In the fall of 2023, Lori put apprehension aside and attended one of Vocal Alchemy’s open rehearsals. Invigorated, she returned the following week (and every rehearsal since) to her seat in the alto section. While Lori loves singing with VA and the way it stretches her musically, she appreciates the warmth and companionship she has found in the choir equally.

Lori brings valuable experience in education, equity and human rights, and post-secondary leadership to the board. She believes there is no better metaphor for inclusion than choir – where the whole is so much greater than the sum of its sections.

Past memories of singing as a youth in the Edmonton Centennial Singers inspired Al to look for a choir to join as he moved into retirement. Finding Vocal Alchemy has meant new friends, new memories, and achieving musical results he never imagined.

With past volunteer board experience and the time to give, joining the VA board seemed a natural fit for Al. Al's focus on due diligence, respect for rules and protocol and his kind and considerate nature, make him a valuable asset to the board in making thoughtful, sound decisions.

Sharlene knows the power of listening — as a chorister, public health nurse, church administrator and board member. She believes that creating space to hear and understand different voices and knowing where to add your own notes, creates beautiful sound and well-considered direction and policy.

Sharlene’s musical background includes community choir, as well as advanced piano study, which continues to serve her as a member of her church’s music ministry. After taking several years away from singing, and completing a second university degree, Sharlene attended VA’s performance of Vivaldi’s "Gloria" and was inspired to join our alto section.

A chorister with a strong belief in VA’s artistic leadership and pride in our musical accomplishments, Sharlene appreciates that while she came to the choir alone, she now stands amongst a community of friends who support each other in reaching higher. As first-time director, Sharlene is excited to help the organization discover “what comes next”!

Elaine has been singing Soprano 2 with VA since 2019. She came to the choir because of the quality of our leadership and accompaniment, and stayed because of the choir’s welcoming spirit, the breadth and quality of our repertoire, and our investment in new commissions. In 2020-21, Elaine’s connection and commitment to the choir deepened with VA’s creative and energetic response to keeping community, choral learning and performance alive, despite the isolation of the time.

While Elaine has decades of choral singing and volunteer experience, she was drawn to the board by a curiosity to see how Vocal Alchemy runs, and she is excited to contribute ideas and insights to help VA continue to thrive in the years ahead.

While Cheryl is new to Vocal Alchemy, choir has been a constant in her life. Her significant musical background includes years of piano training along with singing in church, chamber and jazz choirs, the Alberta Youth Choir and the University Chorus. A highlight for this alto was singing a tenor solo in a community choir production of the Messiah.

Since joining VA in the fall of 2024, Cheryl has been reminded of how wonderful it is to be surrounded by other voices. She appreciates Vocal Alchemy’s warm community and open-door policy, where anyone who wants to sing is welcomed and supported to learn, regardless of experience.

As a board member, Cheryl is an enthusiastic participant and strategic thinker who comes with executive committee experience. She stepped up as a director because she is interested in the organization’s focus and helping VA grow and evolve.

Believing that singing is good for the soul and enriches our human experience, Larry became a member of the choir in 2014. Vocal Alchemy offered Larry a chance to re-join the world of choir after a long hiatus, and re-activate his love of singing.

Along with his baritone voice, Larry brings decades of insights and experience in running not-for-profit organizations to the VA Board. A range of knowledge from policy and practice, to board training, has helped Larry provide valuable guidance to the VA organization. Larry takes pride in Vocal Alchemy’s growth— in our collective musical competence, in our audiences, and in our sense of community.