Junior Choir Team
Michelle Wiart - Director
Michelle has many years of experience as an elementary music specialist and is currently teaching at Pine Street School in Sherwood Park. Conducting school choirs has always been a favourite aspect of her job. After receiving her B.Ed. degree, she spent two years abroad studying the Kodaly method in Kecskemet, Hungary. Michelle has sung with many choirs, including the University Choir, Madrigal Singers, Da Camera Singers, Eccentrica, and most recently, La Chorale St Jean. Michelle was also a board member of the Elk Island Regional Honour Choirs for a number of years. Since choral music has been a passion throughout her career, Michelle is very honoured to be directing the Junior Choir.
Jess Agrell-Smith - Choral Assistant and Accompanist
Jessica Agrell-Smith (MA Musicology, BA Honours Music, ARCT Performers and Teachers)
Jessica is so pleased to be the accompanist for the Junior Choir. Born and raised in Sherwood Park, Jessica has sung in community choirs her whole life including the formative years of the Elk Island Choirs. Jessica has extensive accompanist experience: workshopping at the Orford Summer Music Festival; training as masterclass and rehearsal pianist for Tanya Prochazka’s cello students; accompanying for many choirs including the EPSB auditioned choir, church services, and community choirs in every community where she has lived; providing collaborative artistry and mentorship for students of all levels of voice, string and wind instruments for many festivals, exams and performances. One of her highlights is accompanying a soprano in her final recital for her Masters in Vocal Performance, presenting a piece Jessica composed for her. Jessica believes in sharing her gift with young musicians by volunteering to accompany various elementary school choirs for Christmas, Remembrance Day, and other performances. Accompanying is truly her passion.