About Us
The Westside Concert Choir was formed in 1994 to provide an affordable, high-quality choral music education program for youngsters whose busy lives could only accommodate one rehearsal a week.
The following directors and accompanists of Westside Concert Choir are all professional musicians and teachers whose goal is to achieve the highest artistic standards with the finest, most challenging treble repertoire available:
Elizabeth Di Marino (B. Mus., B. Ed.)
Caroline Parker (ARCT, B.Ed., M.A.)
Caroline Parker is a former teacher and administrator with the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Girls’ School. She is currently furthering her musical pursuits by studying the harp. Additionally, she enjoys teaching as a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary. Caroline is the accompanist for the Senior Choir (grades 6 and up).
Heather Nail (BMus., B.Ed.)
Heather Nail has been an Orff Music Specialist for the Calgary Board of Education for 24 years. She holds Orff level three certification, and has a Master of Education degree, specializing in Elementary Music. Heather co-teaches the Introductory Orff level in Calgary, and in 2010 she was a semi-finalist in the Alberta Excellence in Teaching awards. She is currently the President of Carl Orff Canada, and presents regularly at music conferences in western Canada and beyond. Heather is a enthusiastic leader in the Alberta music community and she mentors emerging music teachers in Calgary.
Jennifer Korven-Laluk (A.R.C.T., B.Mus, B. Ed)
Jennifer is a former teacher and music educator with the Saskatoon Board of Education. She spent her professional career conducting and accompanying choirs and soloists as well as teaching drama, musical theatre and private piano, voice and guitar lessons. She currently enjoys taking various accompanying jobs in the city but her favourite place to be each week is at the piano supporting the wonderful emerging artists in the Westside Junior Choir.
Gail Danysk (B.Ed., M.Ed.)
Gail Danysk is a former teacher with the Calgary Board of Education and a former Sessional Instructor with the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. Gail has worked with Mrs. Czaja in various capacities over the years, with her current role being rehearsal assistant.
Jean Czaja (B.A., B.Ed.)
Jean Czaja is the founder of the Westside Concert Choir and the Westside Women’s Choir. She is a respected choral music director and clinician, dedicated to educating children and sharing her love of choral music.
Her choirs are noted for their musicality and their superior tone. Jean taught in Winnipeg, New Orleans, Toronto, and was a classroom teacher, music specialist, and music consultant with the Calgary Board of Education.