Our Artistic Director

Jean-Louis Bleau has been very involved in the Calgary and area arts scene for a number of years, organizing numerous concerts and music festivals, in addition to maintaining a career as a choral conductor.

He is a very active conductor who, as well as directing The Airdrie Community Choir, also directs choirs at St. Gerard’s Parish in Calgary, the Calgary Renaissance Singers & Players and The Calgary Men’s Chorus. His passion for music, especially choral music, is evident through his unique and expressive conducting style and his enthusiastic approach to rehearsals. He is known for asking his choirs to engage difficult music, always seeking to push the members past their perceived limitations in order to produce music which – while challenging – is ultimately very rewarding.

As a concert producer, Jean-Louis has been responsible for organizing a number of different music events, many of which seek to explore alternative approaches to music. This includes an annual event called Wilderness Songs that takes place around a lake in the heart of Kananaskis.

Jean-Louis received his training at the University of Calgary. In 2005, work he did to organize and produce a week-long conference and music festival based on the music of John Cage was recognized when he was presented with the Faculty of Fine Arts' Creative Achievement Award.

While he spends most of his time on stage directing, Jean-Louis can also be heard performing as a counter-tenor and sound poet. His most recent adventures have included his involvement in the summer of 2007 in R. Murray Schafer’s Princess of the Stars, as well as an appearance alongside the award-winning Land’s End Chamber Ensemble. His wide vocal range and unique vocal ability has definitely been an asset during his choral conducting career.

Jean-Louis is also an exceptionally strong advocate for the music of Canadian composers, which he seeks to promote not only as the Artistic Director of the above-mentioned choirs but also as the President of New Works Calgary.

When not engrossed in music, Jean-Louis can be found on his farm North West of the City of Calgary where he raises cashmere goats. In his spare time Jean-Louis often engages in recreational dog sledding with his team of beautiful white Samoyeds.