About Grand River Voices
Grand River Voices is a community choir which prides itself in welcoming music lovers from all walks of life.
Our goal is to foster a fun, joyful atmosphere while performing to a high technical standard.
We welcome all adult singers and do not require auditions.
We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible and supportive musical community for our members.
Gordon Wright
Musical Director
Music has always been a joyful part of my life. I love listening to and making music of all sorts. It brings me so much happiness.
I have had the privilege of studying voice and piano with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and at the University of Toronto, and those experiences shaped my passion for music. I’ve also had the pleasure of singing with the Georgetown Bach Chorale and the Calgary Opera House, which were unforgettable experiences.
Over the years, I’ve enjoyed teaching music both privately and in schools. Leading choirs of all sizes has been especially meaningful to me. There’s something wonderful about bringing singers together, creating beautiful music in a fun and welcoming environment, and encouraging everyone to work as a team.
As well as teaching and leading choirs, I know what it’s like being on the other side of the music, singing as a soloist in churches and concert halls.
I believe choirs are a special place where people can find community and real joy. That’s my hope as I take on the role of Music Director for Grand River Voices – to create a space where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging.
On a personal note, I’m married and have four children and two grandchildren. Spending time with my family—whether we’re by a lake, out in a boat, or hiking through the woods—is one of my greatest joys.
Lys Ashen Hill
Accompanist
Life may be a series of challenging travels and trials, but music makes the whole world feel as one. In my girlhood I was privileged to receive a classical music education, but my heart has always been with the diverse traditions and sounds around me. Today I would situate myself primarily in the musical worlds of music theatre, contemporary art song, anglophone hymnody, and community singing. My artistic growth has been guided by experiences of mutuality and care from many communities, and every participatory moment feels like a privilege.
The Haldimand Tract has been my home for 13 years now, and most of my work happens in the settlement currently named Kitchener. I frequently play piano and organ at various churches, most often the First Church of Christ, Scientist and the Grand River Unitarian Congregation. I also frequently collaborate with Penny & Pound Productions, a community music theatre company headquartered in Preston (Cambridge). Songwriting is another important aspect of my life, and my songs have been performed at many venues in the city. Of course, I also serve as collaborative pianist with the Grand River Voices, as well as with the Schneider Male Chorus.
A collaborative pianist’s role is fundamentally supportive. Under director Gordon Wright’s guidance, I accompany the choir at rehearsals and performances, modify accompaniments as needed, play vocal lines, augment Gordon’s instructions, help communicate creative decisions, and offer feedback when requested. Essentially, I am free to give as much as I can give, but I am also free to rely on Gordon and other choir leaders whenever I need assistance, and this is how community is maintained.
Community choirs give people the opportunity to set down their heavy work lives and bulky daily anxieties, joining together in a space where the expectations are known, the energy is enthusiastic, and everyone is a good neighbour. I think we all need more experiences like that, and it is an honour to help maintain one with the Grand River Voices. Bless this time we share together.
Meet the Board of Directors
Carla
I have had the pleasure of singing with Grand River Voices since 2018. This will be my second year on the Board and I have the position of Chair. The Chair position takes a wide overview of the entire singing season. Planning involves ensuring that the music arrives on time and all members receive the support required to enjoy their time in the choir. Our choir is growing quickly, so it is important to me that everyone continues to enjoy singing and that our choir is a warm and welcoming place to be.
I am really excited to work with the new Board of Directors to help shape the direction for Grand River Voices. It would be great to have our choir more recognized in Waterloo Region as the place for fun and great music. I love that we sing a variety of genres and that anyone with a passion for music can join. I look forward to meeting all our new members during this season and expect some great music and concerts. There are always new initiatives and plans, so if you are interested in sharing your skills and talents with Grand River Voices, we would be thrilled to see how it can help our choir grow.
Karen
I joined Grand River Voices in January 2024 and have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fellow choir members and participate in the community through singing. I now serve as the Treasurer of Grand River Voices. In this role, I oversee the choir’s finances and provide financial reports to the Board of Directors.
For me, being part of Grand River Voices brings together two things I value: my love of music and my desire to contribute my skills to the community. As I move toward retirement, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to be part of an organization that brings people together through music. I look forward to helping Grand River Voices continue sharing the joy of singing with the broader community.
Danny
As a Director at Large, I am part of the Technical Team. Our focus is on the systems that support the choir, making sure our website, social media, administrative systems and other technical supports are functional, attractive and secure.
My hope for the choir is to stabilize a strong set of core members, and to grow our mix of voices in a balanced way. I have enjoyed singing contemporary (e.g. pop rock) songs as a primary component of our repertoire and look forward to more of that in the future as a foundational part of our identity.
Joan
My role on the Board this year is Vice Chair. I’ll be providing backup to Carla, our Chair, when she needs me to and continuing to work on activities that support our members and build a strong sense of community. I’ll also be exploring ways to enhance our financial picture through various fundraising opportunities.
I see the future Grand River Voices as an energized contemporary choir, known for its tight harmonies and broad repertoire and whose members share a love of music, social interaction and fun. I look forward to working with the Board to increase our visibility and reputation as the place to be if you love to sing.
Reigh
I'm Reigh, your friendly but shy Board Secretary. My main responsibilities include attending the Board meetings to take and distribute minutes, book the meeting spaces and share ideas.
My vision for the choir is that it continues to grow more inclusive and diverse and rich in its membership. I have never felt more welcome anywhere than I did when I found Grand River Voices and I want to extend that to community members everywhere. Plus I want us to be famous for our brilliant singing 😉
Dana
I am currently the Past Chairperson of the Board, having just completed my full term as Chair. My role is to provide continuity and support to the new Board that officially took over in June of 2026.
I am looking forward to a strong, vibrant, well balanced SATB choir with members who love singing all types of repertoire under the direction of a Music Director who is happy to share a mutual vision with us. I would like this choir to feel connected with each other and happy to contribute their skills and experience in any number of ways toward the development of a shared purpose and ultimately, the success of the choir. I would also like to see Grand River Voices become better known in the community and sought after for a variety of performances.
Sara
I'm a Director at Large on the Board. That means I show up and try to help out where I can. Currently, I manage the website, social media and member communication.
My vision for the choir is to continue building an inclusive, welcoming, and joyful space for people to come together and create beautiful music.
History of the Choir
The Grand River Voices choir is a vibrant, inclusive community of about 65 members who come together to share music, friendship and laughter. We perform two public concerts each year as well as a number of community events on request. We have over 40 years of history in the Waterloo Region.
After a pause in the infamous year 2020, we returned and began our revitalization. With our move to Waterloo in 2025, and under the direction of Gordon Wright, we have grown tremendously in both membership and spirit!
In 1985, Alfred Kunz put out a call to the communities of New Hamburg, Baden and surrounding areas for singers to form a new choral group. Envisioning a community choir rich in the choral traditions of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, he invited people from all walks of life who just like to sing. The Nith Valley Singers was born.
The Nith Valley Singers enjoyed a rich camaraderie and the choir developed its own distinctive sound that was warm, lively and unpretentious, much like its members.
The Music Alive concert choir was a group from the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas. They were described as “ordinary people who just like to sing.” In September 1989, this ‘ordinary’ group of singers was creating an extraordinary sound. Music Alive was a one-of-a-kind choral group that brought singers of all ages together in a rich and diverse tradition of choral singing.
The choir’s first performance in Kitchener’s Centre In The Square drew a full house. More than 1,700 people were treated to a program that catered to a wide spectrum of musical tastes. Their repertoire represented music that extended from Bach to the Beatles … and beyond. The accomplishments of this choir represented a true community effort that brought together people from all walks of life to produce what Alfred Kunz referred to as ‘magic’.
In 2005, the Nith Valley Singers and Music Alive were merged under one banner to form the Millennium Choral Organization. Together the choirs enjoyed continued success in bringing their love of music to the community until 2016, when the choir was renamed to Grand River Voices. In May 2015, the organization celebrated over 30 years of its founder’s musical works at a farewell concert as Alfred Kunz retired as conductor and artistic director.
In June 2015, the organization renewed its commitment to the community by announcing that it would continue its musical journey.