Our Choir Story

Past & Present

Singing our song, almost 40 years strong!

In 1986, Dr. Lillian Upright formed a choir as an offshoot of her church choir. Two years after she started the choir,Tim Hankewich took over, soon followed by director, Jan Dammann. Then in 1990, Eric Mierau took over as director with his daughter Criselda as accompanist. After a year, Criselda took over and remained as the Guild’s Artistic Director until 2023.

What began as a mixed choir of 24 voices grew to almost 50 singers with many on the waiting list. Eventually the Guild expanded its programming to include six choirs: The St. Albert Singers, The St. Albert Women’s Vocal Ensemble and four children’s choirs. Although the Guild no longer runs the children’s choirs, our current mixed choir has a membership of almost 60 and we are pleased to announce that SAWVE is coming back, better than ever, this September.

Many of our singers joined the Guild for the first time in the fall of 2023, as we welcomed our new Artistic Director, Caroline Crispin. An enthusiastic music teacher and accomplished musician, Caroline has been warmly welcomed into the SASG community. She brings a community focus and a desire to share music with all ages and levels of experience. The choir appreciates the fun-loving style and collaborative approach she brings to this choir with a long-standing history.

The St. Albert Singers Guild is a community, as well as a musical family. Within the choir family we make new friendships and nurture long term relationships. We celebrate milestones, we grieve losses, and we work together to further the goals of the Guild. The music draws us all together; the love of singing and of bringing joy to others through performance is something we all share no matter what our background or musical experience.

Music is more than just notes on a page—it’s a way to build community, create joy, and leave a lasting impact.

Artistic Team

Pursuing Passion

Caroline Crispin

Artistic Director/Principal Conductor

sasgchoraldirector@gmail.com

I am both honoured and thrilled to be the Artistic Director of the St. Albert Singers Guild (SASG). My passion for music, ignited at the age of three, has guided me through over five decades of experience as performer, teacher, conductor and enthusiast.

For the past 15 years, I’ve served as a music teacher with St. Albert Public Schools, where I founded two thriving choirs at Muriel Martin Elementary, growing to an impressive 212 members. Our choirs have performed on esteemed stages, including the Arden Theatre, the Jubilee Auditorium, and the Winspear Centre.

I believe in the power of music and its ability to create meaningful human connections. My goal is to ensure that our choirs continue to flourish, leaving a lasting impact on all who participate in, and experience our performances.

Jaime Johansson

Assistant Director / Accompanist

sasgassistantdirector@gmail.com

I am honored to join Caroline on the artistic team of the St. Albert Singers Guild (SASG). My musical journey began at the age of three, and it has been a core part of my life ever since, whether professionally or simply for the joy of it.

Starting as a choral accompanist in my early teens, I later joined SASG in the early 2000s, where I served as accompanist, rehearsal assistant, and director for several youth ensembles. My experience also includes working as a choral director within the education system across five school boards, and 15 years of involvement with Edmonton Musical Theater.

After returning to SASG as accompanist in 2022, I am excited to continue supporting this wonderful musical community alongside Caroline.

Our Board

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Our dedicated board members are the unsung heroes behind the scenes, volunteering their time and energy to ensure every choir season is a success. They work tirelessly on all the administrative tasks and background work that often go unnoticed, but are crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Their commitment and hard work allow us to focus on what we love most—making beautiful music together. We are incredibly grateful for their efforts in creating a wonderful season for all.