Music Director: John Goulart
John Goulart established Bow Valley Chorus in 2001. In the year 2000, John was also the musical director of the Bow Valley Millennium Choral Event, where he conducted the 100 voice Bow Valley Millennium Choir in performances of Mozart's Requiem at the Banff Centre, accompanied by full orchestra which included members of the Calgary Philharmonic. In 2005, John was selected as one of six international participants in the National Conductor's Symposium, where he collaborated with Master conductor Jon Washburn, and also conducted the Vancouver Chamber Choir in concert. John was the proud recipient of the prestigious 2013 Con Spirito Award from the Alberta Choral Federation. This award recognizes the spirit and dedication of individuals and their commitment to choral music in their local community.
John also enjoys the reputation of being one of Canada's finest guitarists. He is an international prize winner and has appeared with several of Canada's leading orchestras, including the Calgary Philharmonic; Regina Symphony; Northern Chamber Orchestra; Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestre de Concerts Populaire (Montreal Symphony). His award winning recordings have received extensive airplay on CKUA Radio in Alberta and across Canada on the CBC Radio Network. John is also a sought after adjudicator and teacher and continues to perform concerts, record, produce, adjudicate, and conduct masterclasses.
John Goulart established Bow Valley Chorus in 2001. In the year 2000, John was also the musical director of the Bow Valley Millennium Choral Event, where he conducted the 100 voice Bow Valley Millennium Choir in performances of Mozart's Requiem at the Banff Centre, accompanied by full orchestra which included members of the Calgary Philharmonic. In 2005, John was selected as one of six international participants in the National Conductor's Symposium, where he collaborated with Master conductor Jon Washburn, and also conducted the Vancouver Chamber Choir in concert. John was the proud recipient of the prestigious 2013 Con Spirito Award from the Alberta Choral Federation. This award recognizes the spirit and dedication of individuals and their commitment to choral music in their local community.
John also enjoys the reputation of being one of Canada's finest guitarists. He is an international prize winner and has appeared with several of Canada's leading orchestras, including the Calgary Philharmonic; Regina Symphony; Northern Chamber Orchestra; Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestre de Concerts Populaire (Montreal Symphony). His award winning recordings have received extensive airplay on CKUA Radio in Alberta and across Canada on the CBC Radio Network. John is also a sought after adjudicator and teacher and continues to perform concerts, record, produce, adjudicate, and conduct masterclasses.
Laura Brandt, Soprano
Laura Brandt has been hailed as a “tour-de-force” and a “powerhouse soprano”. Upcoming concerts include Brahms’ Requiem with Chorus Inspira and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, "Liberte" with Luminous Voices, and Handel’s Messiah with the Bow Valley Chorus. She has been a frequent performer with Calgary Opera in various shows and events. Credits there include Frasquita (Carmen), Aurore (Le Portrait de Manon), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), and Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia). In 2023 she was a featured opera soloist in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show.
As an ambassador for Calgary Opera Laura has been a soloist on two European river cruises, travelling and singing from Budapest to Amsterdam. Laura also made a foray into musical theatre with forty performances as Lily in Theatre Calgary’s production of The Secret Garden. Laura has been a soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (Music of the Movies, Pops, and outreach concerts), Luminous Voices (Brahms Requiem, Carmina Burana), The Festival Chorus (Elijah, Brahms Requiem), The Firebird Symphony and Chorus (Mozart Mass in C Minor, Carmina Burana), Spiritus Chamber Choir (Resphighi Laud to the Nativity), Chorus Inspira (Carmina Burana), The Mountain View Chamber Festival, The Calgary Civic Symphony (Popera, Mahler 2), Opera on the Avalon (Governess, The Turn of the Screw), Opera New Brunswick, and Cowtown Opera (Die Fledermaus). Laura was a featured soloist on the Luminous Voices album “Fire Flowers” (January 2024). She runs the Wildwood School of Music and teaches voice and piano to students of all ages.
In 2025 she was the national recipient of the Canadian Voice Pedagogy Award from the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In her free time Laura enjoys getting outdoors with her husband and son, hiking, running, video games, and knitting.
Laura Brandt has been hailed as a “tour-de-force” and a “powerhouse soprano”. Upcoming concerts include Brahms’ Requiem with Chorus Inspira and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, "Liberte" with Luminous Voices, and Handel’s Messiah with the Bow Valley Chorus. She has been a frequent performer with Calgary Opera in various shows and events. Credits there include Frasquita (Carmen), Aurore (Le Portrait de Manon), Gretel (Hansel and Gretel), and Female Chorus (The Rape of Lucretia). In 2023 she was a featured opera soloist in the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show.
As an ambassador for Calgary Opera Laura has been a soloist on two European river cruises, travelling and singing from Budapest to Amsterdam. Laura also made a foray into musical theatre with forty performances as Lily in Theatre Calgary’s production of The Secret Garden. Laura has been a soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (Music of the Movies, Pops, and outreach concerts), Luminous Voices (Brahms Requiem, Carmina Burana), The Festival Chorus (Elijah, Brahms Requiem), The Firebird Symphony and Chorus (Mozart Mass in C Minor, Carmina Burana), Spiritus Chamber Choir (Resphighi Laud to the Nativity), Chorus Inspira (Carmina Burana), The Mountain View Chamber Festival, The Calgary Civic Symphony (Popera, Mahler 2), Opera on the Avalon (Governess, The Turn of the Screw), Opera New Brunswick, and Cowtown Opera (Die Fledermaus). Laura was a featured soloist on the Luminous Voices album “Fire Flowers” (January 2024). She runs the Wildwood School of Music and teaches voice and piano to students of all ages.
In 2025 she was the national recipient of the Canadian Voice Pedagogy Award from the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In her free time Laura enjoys getting outdoors with her husband and son, hiking, running, video games, and knitting.
Christina Lanz, Mezzo
Cristina is thrilled to be singing the music of Handel's Messiah with Bow Valley Chorus this holiday season! Praised by San Francisco Classical Voice for her "flair and musical vibrancy," Cristina is a dynamic and thoughtful performer. As a versatile artist, Cristina has performed in opera, theatre, and musical theatre productions across a variety of musical genres including Baroque, operetta, and contemporary music. Some of her favourite roles include: Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Estelle (Later the Same Evening), Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), and Mrs. Gibbs (Our Town). Cristina has performed as a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus in productions such as Carmen, The (R)Evolution of Steve Jobs, the 2023 Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, and L’Elisir d’Amore. She has also sung locally with companies such as Good Mess Opera Theatre, the Firebird Symphony and Chorus, and Calgary Concert Opera. In 2026, she can be seen singing the role of Mercedes in excerpts from Carmen at Calgary Civic Symphony's Afternoon at the Opera and in Calgary Opera's Arias and Ales concert in March.
Cristina is thrilled to be singing the music of Handel's Messiah with Bow Valley Chorus this holiday season! Praised by San Francisco Classical Voice for her "flair and musical vibrancy," Cristina is a dynamic and thoughtful performer. As a versatile artist, Cristina has performed in opera, theatre, and musical theatre productions across a variety of musical genres including Baroque, operetta, and contemporary music. Some of her favourite roles include: Hansel (Hansel and Gretel), Estelle (Later the Same Evening), Baker's Wife (Into the Woods), and Mrs. Gibbs (Our Town). Cristina has performed as a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus in productions such as Carmen, The (R)Evolution of Steve Jobs, the 2023 Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show, and L’Elisir d’Amore. She has also sung locally with companies such as Good Mess Opera Theatre, the Firebird Symphony and Chorus, and Calgary Concert Opera. In 2026, she can be seen singing the role of Mercedes in excerpts from Carmen at Calgary Civic Symphony's Afternoon at the Opera and in Calgary Opera's Arias and Ales concert in March.
Jason Ragan, Tenor
Jason is incredibly excited to be sharing live music once again in the Bow Valley. He is a regular member of Calgary’s professional chamber choir, the Juno-nominated Luminous Voices. Recent concerts with them include Togni’s Lamentations of Jeremiah, Balfour’s Ispichiwin, a virtual performance celebrating the New Year, and Brahms’ Requiem. As a soloist, past highlights include Handel’s Messiah with the Lethbridge Symphony, cover for St. Brioche in Merry Widow with Calgary Opera, and Purcell’s Welcome to all the pleasures with the Calgary Bach Society.
Jason is a proud graduate of the McPhee Artist Development Program with Calgary Opera. He is grateful to be performing in Bow Valley Chorus’ 25th Anniversary concerts!
Jason is incredibly excited to be sharing live music once again in the Bow Valley. He is a regular member of Calgary’s professional chamber choir, the Juno-nominated Luminous Voices. Recent concerts with them include Togni’s Lamentations of Jeremiah, Balfour’s Ispichiwin, a virtual performance celebrating the New Year, and Brahms’ Requiem. As a soloist, past highlights include Handel’s Messiah with the Lethbridge Symphony, cover for St. Brioche in Merry Widow with Calgary Opera, and Purcell’s Welcome to all the pleasures with the Calgary Bach Society.
Jason is a proud graduate of the McPhee Artist Development Program with Calgary Opera. He is grateful to be performing in Bow Valley Chorus’ 25th Anniversary concerts!
David Daly, Bass
David is thrilled to be performing once again with Bow Valley Chorus. After an extensive career in energy economics and government relations David returned to university, completing first a BA (Music) with First Class Honours and then an MA (Musicology) from University of Calgary. He has been in many concerts with Bow Valley Chorus, Firebird Symphony and Chorus, the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus, and in many productions of Calgary Opera. He recently completed eleven years as a trustee of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation, the last two as president. David currently sits on the Advisory Council of the Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region.
David is thrilled to be performing once again with Bow Valley Chorus. After an extensive career in energy economics and government relations David returned to university, completing first a BA (Music) with First Class Honours and then an MA (Musicology) from University of Calgary. He has been in many concerts with Bow Valley Chorus, Firebird Symphony and Chorus, the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus, and in many productions of Calgary Opera. He recently completed eleven years as a trustee of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation, the last two as president. David currently sits on the Advisory Council of the Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region.
Executive Board
President: Linda Heywood
Vice President
Treasurer: Tom Paasuke
Secretary: Elena Silvestroff
Music Director: John Goulart
Board Members
Members at Large: Alexine Murray, Dr. Jean Michel Worms
