We are a chorus of people who are passionate about singing music that touches and inspires – a community that cares, contributes, and connects.
All net proceeds from our annual concert are donated to a chosen local charity. We enjoy performing choral music from many genres: pop, gospel, traditional, Broadway, classical and jazz.
Founded in 2013, the choir is directed by John Le Blanc and Anna Graham. Our 50+ members come from many walks of life and varied musical backgrounds.
JOHN LE BLANC
John has been the director of Aurora Chorealis since 2015. He has degrees in Music and Music Education from both Concordia and McGill. His career in education and choral directing began in 1997. For 10 years he was assistant director for a church choir. Starting in 2008 he founded and directed a secular acapella choir, Lester Be Music. In 2015 he became assistant director of Montreal Voice Male, a Barbershop Chorus. Also that year he sang baritone in Game Day, a competing barbershop quartet from Montreal, earning 5th place in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Northeastern District. (To anyone in the Barbershop world, that is quite an accomplishment!) In 2018 he began directing a choir at John Abbott for students, faculty and staff. His philosophy is that choral music is an important way of “looking after the adults who are looking after the kids” by providing a musical education that might not otherwise take place. Choir members enjoy the passion and good humour that he brings to teaching the varied musical arrangements that he and Anna select, while audiences love his energetic style of direction.
ANNA GRAHAM
Anna began her music education journey through the specialized music program in High School. She has sung in a variety of choirs – both sacred and performance – of varying styles, including classical, gospel, and folk/contemporary (Anima Musica, The People’s Gospel Choir of Montreal etc.). She has gained knowledge of choral conducting and vocal techniques under the direction and mentorship of highly skilled conductors. Teaching is one of Anna’s passions, and she has been directing both Children and Youth choirs since 1998. She has been Assistant Director of Aurora Chorealis alongside Director John Le Blanc since 2015.
ANGELA BARDOSH
Gifted and talented she started to play the piano at the age of 6. She is a graduate from Marianopolis College in Music and Health Science and from McGill with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology. Following a two decade career in the Pharmaceutical Industry, she has recently come back to her long passion in Music and playing piano and is currently embarking in a career in Music and Sound Therapy, teaching piano and performing. Classically trained from the McGill Conservatory of Music and in the Suzuki Piano Teaching Method she is developing a vast repertoire genre of music from Classical, Hungarian Gypsy Style to Jazz Lounge. In her musical journey thus far, she has accompanied violinists, flutists and singers, and was involved in the Montreal Hungarian School teaching music and piano. She’s performed in church bands, senior residences, at art vernissages, and in Hospital settings. She has a special soulful touch and sensitivity in her playing style and hopes to help create many musical moments in the years to come.