Frances Chiasson
Frances has degrees in Music and Education and has taught choral and instrumental music in primary and secondary schools and choral methods at the University of Calgary. She has also conducted numerous choirs in school, community and church settings in the UK and in Canada. She has worked as a choral clinician and adjudicator in local music festivals and as a piano accompanist for choirs, singers and instrumentalists.
Frances spent a number of years living and working in music and instructing choirs in the UK and now lives and works as a choral conductor in Kelowna, B.C., working with the Okanagan Children’s Choir, Okanagan Youth Choir, Musaic Vocal Ensemble (Summerland) and as Minister of Music at Central Okanagan United Church. Frances is a board member of the BC Choral Federation, a member of Choral Canada and Chorus America, and is a certified teacher in the province of British Columbia. And she is Mom to two wonderful children.
Sylvia Clerke
I began playing the organ in Church at age 13 and directing the Senior Choir at age 16. I graduated from the Regina Conservatory in 1963 and taught piano and theory there until 1971. I have two music Diplomas, A.R.C.T. and A.M.U..S., in piano, Grade 10 in singing and Grade 9 Pipe Organ
I moved to Kelowna in 1973 and became involved with St. Paul’s United in 1974. Since then I have been at First United Church, back to St.Paul’s and now to Central Okanagan United Church. I was the music director for Theatre Kelowna for a number of years. I also taught classical and pop music for Tempo Music. Currently I have 2 choirs, the Men’s Chorus and Gospel Praise as well as a music therapy group, SongShine. I also teach a weekly breathing class. I am very grateful to be employed by the United Church which has been part of my life for many years.
Jessica Crawford
Jessica Crawford has been teaching at KCMS since 2008, and has been part of the music team at COUC Since 2016. She completed her B.A. in Music (Piano and Voice) at the University of Alberta in 2007, studying under Dr. Milton Schlosser and Joy-Anne Murphy. In 2011 Jessica completed her ARCT (Practical Performers) in Piano, and in 2016 completed her ARCT (Practical Performers) in Voice. In her spare time, Jessica is an amateur harpist. She is a member of the B.C. Registered Music Teachers Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Jessica has accreditation from the Royal Conservatory of Music as an Advanced Specialist in Piano and an Intermediate Specialist in Theory. Jessica is the current Artistic Director of the Kelowna Community Music School.