About Us
For over 50 years, The Calgary Boys’ Choir has been delivering dynamic, engaging, high quality choral instruction, performance opportunities and formative experiences designed for boys. Our vision is to empower boys to be remarkable, expressive and creative citizens. We operate with the core values of stewardship, integrity, creative leadership, excellence, growth, friendship, fun and humour.
Our Staff
Kathryn Berko, B.Mus., B. Ed.
Artistic Director
As a native Calgarian, Kathryn Berko continues to be active in the city’s choral scene. While growing up she was involved with the Calgary Children’s Choir, the Mount Royal Youth Choir, Ad Libitum Vocal Arts Ensemble, and the University of Calgary Chamber Singers. She has completed her Bachelor of Music in Education as well as her Bachelor of Education, both from the University of Calgary.
After marrying a Calgary Boys’ Choir Alumnus, she decided to become involved with the choir. Now in her sixteenth season with the Calgary Boys’ Choir, she has fulfilled all roles, with the exception of General Manager. Ms. Berko continues to instruct many youth in music throughout the city. On top of her time with CBC, she is a director with the Calgary Children’s Choir, the Canadian Martyrs Youth Choir, teaches with the Calgary Catholic School District and has a private home piano studio. She has completed her Kodály Level 2 certification.
Elizabeth Garrett
General Manager
Elizabeth Garrett was in love with choral music after her first junior high rehearsal. High school brought her to Cawthra Park School for the Arts in Mississauga, Ontario, where she continued singing in vocal ensembles while taking courses in Theatre, Dance, Musical Theatre, and Photography.
Elizabeth received an academic scholarship to attend the Fine Arts Studies degree program at York University, where her major focused on the interplay between arts disciplines and culture, politics and history. During her studies she was accepted into the Classical Voice Performance courses and sang with the York U. Chamber choir. She was also president of the York U. Fine Arts Studies Student Association.
In Calgary, she has sung with a number of groups including Spiritus and Fresh Blend Acapella.
Outside of working with Calgary Boys' Choir and other arts organizations, Elizabeth enjoys time with her family, gardening, and dreams of starting a jazzy lounge ensemble with tight harmonies and smooth instrumentals.
Réjean Campbell
Director, Intermediate Choir
Réjean Campbell is an experienced singer, clinician, and award-nominated conductor with a passion for live music and theatre. He is Artistic Director of Blend Vocal, an auditioned women’s choir who focus on popular music. Réjean is a longtime member of the Calgary Opera chorus, performing in over 20 mainstage operas since 2012. A passionate coach, Réjean loves sharing what he’s learned and helping others achieve their musical goals. He’s worked as a vocal educator at beloved Calgary institutions such as StoryBook Theatre and Mount Royal Conservatory. He teaches private voice lessons at Asylum for Art.
Réjean holds a Bachelor of Music from Queen’s University. His mentors included Member of the Order of Canada Dr. Mark Sirett, Kenneth Kiesler, and Dr. Timothy Schantz. Réjean is an avid skier and hiker and prefers his lobster cold and al fresco.
Maximiliano Lozano-Sarmiento
Director, Young Singers
Maximiliano Lozano was first introduced to choral music in his junior-high school choir
directed by Malcolm Edwards. Since then, he fell in love with choral music and, later on, with
directing. During the last few years, he has had an increased amount of experience with choral
directing - both with younger children and older adults. During March of 2024, he flew to Rome
to direct a mature choir for the Triduum Masses held by the conference UNIV. In addition, for
the past couple of years, he has been co-directing the Sacred Heart church choir under the
direction and guidance of Alane Boudreau. He also spent the last year at Calgary Classical
Academy wherein he served as an educational assistant and taught the kindergarten classes
music.
Maximiliano has come to realize the importance of, not only singing, but of singing beautiful
repertoire and the formative role it plays in our lives. He views music, not as a means to an end,
but rather as an end in itself, something to appreciate and enjoy for its own sake.
His favorite things include climbing, spending time with his family, reading, playing piano, and
listening to anything by Rachmaninoff. He is very excited to spend this coming year making
sure the children appreciate and enjoy the art that is singing.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we come together and create music on land known by the Blackfoot name Moh-kíns-tsis, which we also call Calgary. This land is on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Stoney Nakoda (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations), and the Tsuut’ina First Nations, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
We honour this land and all those who share it in a spirit of peace, friendship, and respect.