ABOUT ARIOSE WOMEN'S CHORAL ASSOCIATION

Ariose Women’s Choir is an award winning, nationally recognized choir of singers from all walks of life.

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, and led by their artistic director, Jolaine Kerley, the group enjoys the challenge of exploring and performing music of various styles and from different periods, and strives to expose audiences to a vast array of women’s choral music.

Ariose presents its own concert series twice a year (Spring/Winter), and in addition, performs at community functions. Notably, you can find them performing at the Alberta Legislature over the Christmas Season.

Founded in 1995 by Dr. Marilyn Kerley, Ariose has built a legacy of excellence in choral music, and has filled a unique role in Canada’s choral landscape. The group regularly performs pieces by Canadian artists, and has commissioned several works by Canadian composers, including Allan Bevan, Ramona Luengen, and most recently Christine Donkin.

In 2014, Ariose participated in the Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival and from there placed second in the national music festival. The group has also 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.

Ariose has released six recordings: Ariose (2000), Joy shall be yours (2001), Cantemus (2004) and There, in that Other World (2005), and What Child is This? (2008). Their sixth CD, Love, Light, and Lullabies (2016) was released for Ariose's 20th Anniversary in 2016. 

ARIOSE STAFF

Jolaine Kerley

Jolaine Kerley is active as a soprano soloist, voice instructor, adjudicator, choral conductor, and clinician. She is currently adjunct professor of music at Concordia University College of Alberta, while maintaining a large private voice studio in Edmonton and area. Jolaine has been the artistic director of Ariose Women’s Choir since 2012, and alongside this role, Jolaine is the co-director of the Archbishop Jordan High School Choral program. Jolaine has received undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees in voice and choral conducting from the University of Alberta, and a graduate degree with a major in voice and minor in choral conducting and music history from the Early Music Institute at Indiana’s Jacobs School of Music. Jolaine has been heard frequently as soprano soloist in works by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Monteverdi, Haydn, Scarlatti, Fauré, Schubert, Czerny, Pergolesi, and Bevan with choruses and orchestras throughout North America. Most recent solo engagements include Mozart’s Requiem at ACCC Podium conference, the title role of Venus in John Blow’s Venus and Adonis with Early Music Alberta, and Alan Bevan’s Nou Goth Sonne Under Wode at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Upcoming solo engagements include Bach’s BWV 140 with the Alberta Baroque Orchestra, and David Lang’s, The Little Match Girl Passion with Pro Coro Canada.

Megahn Rayment

Meghan Rayment holds a Bachelor of Music from the Augustana Faculty of the University of Alberta, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. Meghan has had the pleasure of working with various ensembles in Edmonton and surrounding areas, including the All-City Junior Choir and Edmonton Junior and Primary Choirs. She is currently teaching elementary music at Mary Hanley School. Meghan’s academic achievements have been acknowledged through awards such as: the Beryl Barnes Memorial Graduate Award, the John and Logie Drew Graduate Scholarship in Choral Conducting, the Swiss Ethnic Music Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship.

Helen Stuart

Helen holds a Bachelor of Music with distinction from the University of Alberta. She maintains a busy teaching and accompanying schedule in the Edmonton area. Helen accompanies numerous choirs, including Edmonton's Greenwood Sings, as well as several youth choirs.