Celebrating 10 years!

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About Cool Choir

A Singing Revolution in Calgary

Cool Choir brings a fresh twist to the traditional choir experience by infusing beloved rock and pop songs into the mix. While this concept is making waves in Calgary, it’s already a smash hit in the U.K., with choirs popping up all over the country.

Our weekly rehearsals are an absolute blast, featuring chart-topping hits with fantastic vocal arrangements. Cool Choir offers a lively and spirited evening where you’ll connect with fellow singing enthusiasts, regardless of your experience level. We groove to tunes spanning from Queen, Michael Jackson, and Tom Jones to today’s chart-toppers like Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, American Authors, and many more!

Not sure if Cool Choir is your jam? No problem! Book yourself a FREE Taster Session and give it a whirl without any strings attached. Come see why we’re the coolest choir in town!

We’re proud winners of

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People’s Choice Award (2023)

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Canadian Choice Award Winner (2025)

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Finalists & award-winners in Calgary’s top music and business awards since 2016

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YYC Community Music Ensemble of the Year (2023)

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Celebrating Excellence: A Canadian Choice Award Winner!

Honored to be Recognized for Our Commitment to Quality and Service

We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to announce that Cool Choir is a Canadian Choice Award Winner for 2025! This prestigious award is a testament to the passion, hard work, and the incredible support from our vibrant singing community.

Winning the Canadian Choice Award is more than just a recognition; it’s a milestone that reflects our commitment to excellence in making music accessible and fun for everyone. From our unique rock and pop arrangements to our welcoming, non-auditioned approach, this award validates the passion and effort we pour into every rehearsal and performance.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without you – our amazing “shower singers” turned “show stoppers,” our supportive partners, and our dedicated team. Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment inspire us to push musical boundaries and strive for even greater heights. We are immensely proud to share this moment with you and look forward to an even brighter, louder future together.

Thank you for helping us SING, SMILE, and SHINE!

Testimonials

Voices from the Choir

“Thank you for bringing out my inner ROCK STAR! Who knew that singing into my hairbrush years ago was all the experience I’d need?”

– Colleen

“Not just a great musical experience - also great time for making new friends and having fun every week.”

Glenda Anderson

“It is a great way to detox from a stressful day at work.”

Fran Vos

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Meet the Founder & Creative Director

Meet the Maestro Behind the Magic Jamie Serafi

Meet our Creative Director, Jamie Serafi, a seasoned composer, arranger, and musician with a remarkable two-decade career spanning both the UK and Canada’s music industry. His extensive portfolio includes composing music for numerous film and TV projects, providing vocal coaching, rehearsal preparation, and serving as a musical director in London’s prestigious West End.

Career Highlights

  • Creative Director and Founder Alive and Singing choir in the UK from 2011 to 2015.
  • Oscar-Nominated Composer He composed the music for the 2016 Oscar-nominated short film ‘Ave Maria.’
  • Concert Accompanist Jamie has had the privilege of accompanying UK opera sensation Russell Watson in concert.
  • West End Musical Director He’s lent his expertise as a Musical Director in London’s iconic West End.
  • Composer for “1916 – The Musical” Jamie was part of the composing team for the production “1916 – The Musical.”
  • Resident Pianist He’s delighted audiences as the resident lounge pianist for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
  • Songwriting Judge Jamie currently sits on the panel as a judge for the UK’s largest songwriting contest. Get to know the musical genius behind the scenes!

Leadership Team

The Team That Keeps the Music Playing

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Kaz Grzechowski, CPA, CGA

Chief Financial Officer

Kaz was born in Poland, but at the age of 22, he made a life-changing move to the UK. His career path led him to gain valuable experience working at the head office of one of the UK’s largest independently-owned coffee shop chains, Caffe Nero.

Now, if you think that’s interesting, here’s a bit of romance in the mix too. Kaz happens to be Jamie’s husband, and their love story started back in the UK in 2009. They decided to take the plunge and got hitched in Canada in 2012!

When Kaz isn’t busy crunching numbers behind the scenes at Cool Choir, he’s all about his other passions. He’s a wizard in the kitchen, loves concocting cocktails, and you might just find him chilling out while enjoying the soothing tunes of Celine Dion!

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Veronica Mulhall

Performance Stage Manager

Veronica’s musical journey began in Ireland, where she spent many years singing with various choirs and taking part in musicals. When she made the exciting move to Canada, she was on the lookout for something that would bring both fun and challenge into her life. That’s when she stumbled upon Cool Choir, and she’s been with us right from the beginning, loving every moment of it.

Now, when Veronica isn’t belting out tunes, you’ll often find her out and about enjoying the great Canadian outdoors. She’s an avid hiker and kayaker, not to mention quite the soccer player and yoga enthusiast.

But there’s more to her than just her love for singing and outdoor adventures. Veronica has a passion for travel, and spending quality time with her grandsons brings sheer joy to her heart.

Our Rehearsal Leaders (“Cool Crew”)

Meet the “Cool Crew”
Your Weekly Vibe Captains

Each location’s rehearsal leader
brings energy, talent, and personality

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Dawn Harrison (BONAVISTA)

Dawn has been singing for as long as she can remember. From school and church choirs to singing with family and friends, music has always been a part of her life. As Dawn says, “A day without song is just too quiet.” Naturally, when she joined Cool Choir in 2023, she instantly felt at home among kindred spirits. Cool Choir has boosted her learning and confidence in singing, while also bringing an abundance of fun, laughter, and friendship.

Beyond music, Dawn is a mixed-media artist, an avid motorcyclist, and a health and wellness enthusiast. She especially loves spending time with her family and friends.

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Wendy Sears (BONAVISTA)

An east coast transplant, Wendy found her forever home when she moved to Calgary in 2010. Singing has always been a huge part of her life, singing in choirs from coast to coast. Introduced to Cool Choir in 2021, she took part in the virtual performance of “Build This Town Again”, which was just what we all needed! The infectious feeling led her to join Cool Choir in Inglewood and then Mahogany. When not singing with Cool Choir, you can find her hiking in Banff or Kananaskis with her boys, dogs, and hubby, or traveling the world with her adventurous mom. Tuesday evenings are the best part of the week to sing with the wonderful community we call Cool Choir!

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Jocelyn O’Toole (EDGEMONT)

Jocelyn’s been sharing her life with her amazing husband for a whopping 33 years now, and her daughter? Well, she’s the source of Jocelyn’s daily joy and pride. When she’s not reveling in family bliss, you’ll find Jocelyn globe-trotting, nurturing her garden, whipping up delectable dishes, and basking in the summer vibes at her cozy cottage. Calgary has been her home turf for over 27 years, but the real game-changer came in 2016 when she hopped on board with Cool Choir. Now, about her singing adventures, some days she’s like, “Yeah, I’ve got this,” and other days, she’s a bit more like, “Maybe not my best performance.” But here’s the magical part: her Cool Choir pals adore her regardless because that’s just the kind of wonderful community that Jamie brought to life! 

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Donna Grant (EDGEMONT)

Having relocated to Calgary in the early ’80s, alongside a wave of East Coasters migrating at that time, Donna wholeheartedly embraced the Western way of life. However, a part of her heart always remained tethered to her family and friends back on PEI. Nowadays, if you’re searching for her during the summer season, you’re most likely to discover her in serene contentment on the deck of her PEI beachfront residence, enjoying a refreshing beverage! Donna feels eternally thankful for stumbling upon Cool Choir in the autumn of 2017, as she was in search of an activity to enrich her new post-retirement phase. To this very day, her evenings spent singing, laughing, and simply being with her beloved Cool Choir community unquestionably stand out as the highlights of her week!

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Marjorie Smith (EDGEMONT)

Marjorie has been a member of Cool Choir since its inception in 2016. She claims it gives her the opportunity to experience “therapy, work decompression, social networking, joy and laughter, with a side of mental exercise” at least twice a week. Since chatting appears to be one of her greatest attributes, “If you can speak, you can sing” was a mantra she felt she gravitated towards immediately.

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Sandy Swift (LINCOLN PARK)

Sandy is a proud mom and grandma to two adorable grandsons who light up her world. She’s a daily companion to her trusty dog during those lovely walks. By day, Sandy’s an Education Assistant dedicated to supporting students on their learning journeys. Sandy’s been singing her heart out with Cool Choir since its inception in 2016. She’ll be the first to tell you she’s mainly a “car” and “house” singer, but that hasn’t stopped her from diving headfirst into all the fantastic musical experiences Cool Choir offers. While Sandy relishes meeting the wonderful people who walk through Cool Choir’s doors each week, the real magic for her is harmonising with those incredible voices. She’s all about that sense of community and the enduring musical friendships that make Cool Choir so special! 🎶🎤🤗

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Tina Hayden (LINCOLN PARK)

Tina grew up on the outskirts of London, starting her career in publishing as a promotions and marketing exec, helping launch iconic magazines like OK! in the early ’90s. By the late ’90s, she swapped city life for adventure, running a remote fishing and diving resort in Belize. After a few moves—including back to Belize— she eventually settled in Canada with her family.

She joined Cool Choir at its launch in January 2016 and instantly felt at home. Though she’s happiest singing in the shower or car rather than the spotlight, Cool Choir gave her confidence, unforgettable performance experiences at venues like The National Music Centre and The Jube, and, most importantly, lasting friendships. For Tina, it’s never been just about singing—it’s about community.

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Shirley Petovello (LINCOLN PARK)

Shirley made her way from Saskatchewan to Calgary more than three decades ago, and her life took a melodic turn in October 2016 when a friend introduced her to Cool Choir. The idea of a non-auditioned choir was just perfect for her. Since then, being a part of this choir has gifted her an incredible circle of new friends and a true sense of community. Shirley’s life has also been peppered with exciting travels, exploring amazing places near and far. But Thursday nights in Lincoln Park hold a special place in her heart. That’s when the excitement builds, wondering what kind of laughter and goosebump-inducing harmonies lie ahead. It’s a musical journey she wouldn’t trade for the world! 🎶🌍😄

Try Your First Night FREE No Pressure, Just Fun

Whether you’re curious, nervous, or excited — give it a try. Meet the community, feel the music, and experience the energy that’s made Cool Choir an award-winning Calgary phenomenon.

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