Festival Chorus Conductors 

We have four amazing conductors for the Festival Choruses and Festival Ensemble.

Chelsi Madonna, from Halifax, NS, is conducting the SATB chorus; Crystal Bergman, from Coquitlam, BC, is conducting the SSAA chorus; and Jean-Louis Bleau, from Chilliwack, BC is conducting the TTBB chorus.  

We are very excited to welcome Jackie Falconer from Toronto, ON who will be conducting our very first 2STNB Festival Ensemble.  

SATB Festival Chorus Conductor 

Chelsi Madonna, from Halifax, NS,  

Chelsi Madonna (she/her) is a musician, studio owner, and queer choir conductor living in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2024, she founded Quoir with her music partner, Robert Howlett. The inspiration behind Quoir was to create an inclusive and non-auditioned queer choir for 2SLGBTQ+ community members and a welcoming singing space, free of traditional Western choral boundaries. Before this, Chelsi directed a queer choir in Punamu’kwati’jk/Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for their 2023/2024 season where they performed at Province House and were recognized for their community contribution. Originally from the Goulds, Newfoundland, Chelsi completed her undergraduate degree at Memorial University and was actively involved in their community outreach program, Opera Roadshow. Following her B.Mus. in Vocal Performance at MUN, she attended the University of British Columbia and completed a Master of Music in Opera Performance under the guidance of Nancy Hermiston. Chelsi’s opera studies took her around the world, including performances in the Czech Republic, Italy, and across Canada. Since then, her concentration in music has led to teaching primarily adult vocals while also building a strong portfolio in music marketing. In June 2024, she opened the doors to Chelsi Madonna School of Music, bringing on a staff of four brilliant musicians to the instruction team. The studio aims to bring healing to the heart and mind while injecting a weekly dose of joy into the lives of her students 

SSAA Festival Chorus Conductor 

Crystal Bergman, from Coquitlam, BC

Hailing from a Mennonite household, Crystal Bergman was immersed in the world of music from an early age, surrounded by the beauty of 4-part harmonies. Her upbringing fostered in her a deep love for music and instilled a foundational commitment to her community and social justice.  

Her journey into musical leadership began during her high school years, where she exhibited a natural talent and passion for conducting. This early experience laid the solid foundation for her future endeavours.  

Crystal pursued her musical education at the UBC School of Music, earning a BA degree that further honed her skills and knowledge in the field. In 1988, she embarked on her career in conducting and music directorship, taking the helm of several esteemed ensembles including A Vancouver Women’s Chorus, Synchronicity, Carousel Chorus, Universal Gospel Choir (co-directed with Andy Hillhouse), and founding the Beata Vocal Ensemble in (2002- present) 

Crystals commitment to inclusivity and diversity in music has been an ongoing theme in her leadership in choral festivals such as the Sister Singers festival of Womens’ choirs, GALA San Jose with AVWC, Unison with Canadian Queer choirs, and the Pacific Northwest Women’s Choral Concert Tour alongside groups like the Sacred Earth Singers, Seattle Women’s Ensemble, and Portland Lesbian Choir. She has contributed significantly to Women’s Festival Choruses at GALA and Unison, promoting collaborative and inclusive musical experiences. 

Crystal’s choral collaborations have extended to working with a range of choirs including the Vancouver Men’s Choir, Rainy City Gay Men’s Choir, Calgary Gay Men’s Choir, Betty, and Take Note, enriching her musical repertoire and community outreach efforts. 

A defining mission of Crystal’s musical career with Beata Vocal Ensemble has been to share the transformative power of music with underserved communities, including visits to community centres, senior homes, palliative care facilities, the East Van Tiny Gallery, and Pioneer House—a transition home for young adults with mental health and substance use.  

Her musical influences and collaborations include esteemed figures such as Dee Daniels, Louise Rose, Cortland Hultberg, James Fankhauser, Earl Schmor (her high school band teacher), Leslie Uyeda, Ramona Luengen, and Willi Zwozdesky, whose mentorship and guidance have profoundly shaped her artistic journey. 

Crystal has also had the privilege of commissioning new choral works from renowned composers such as Stephen Smith, Leslie Uyeda, and Ramona Luengen, further showcasing her dedication to expanding artistic horizons and contributing meaningfully to the choral community. 

TTBB Festival Chorus Conductor 

Jean-Louis Bleau, from Chilliwack, BC

Jean-Louis Bleau is an innovative and collaborative arts leader with extensive experience as an artistic director and administrator in the performing arts. Known for bold, boundary-pushing productions, his creative work has taken audiences to unexpected venues — from mountain peaks and lakesides to planetariums, parking garages, and swimming pools. His interdisciplinary approach has included collaborations with musicians, dancers, choreographers, synchronized swimmers, and aerial artists. In 2014, his inventive work earned him recognition as one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40. Currently, Jean-Louis is the Executive Director of the Chilliwack Cultural Centre in British Columbia, where he oversees programming, community engagement, and strategic growth, driving bold and diverse performances that enrich the cultural fabric of the Fraser Valley. Throughout his career, Jean-Louis has remained committed to one guiding principle: artistic creation should be inspiring, fun, and an open canvas for passion, imagination, and individual expression. When not immersed in the arts, he enjoys sailing, running, and water-related sports, always finding inspiration in nature and the outdoors. 

2STNB Festival Ensemble Conductor 

Jackie Falconer, from Toronto, ON

Jackie Falconer (she/they) is a passionate vocal educator, choral director, and advocate for trans-affirming voice work, dedicated to creating inclusive spaces for trans voices in choral music. She holds a BFA in Vocal Jazz Performance and a Master of Arts in Musicology (Choral Conducting) from York University and has been working professionally with choirs ever since. 

Since joining Singing Out in 2019 as Assistant Artistic Director, Jackie has been a driving force in expanding the choir’s inclusive programming. They founded Canada’s first Trans and Non-Binary Ensemble, creating a space that continues to grow, bringing trans joy and excellence to the stage.

In addition to her work with choirs, Jackie is the founder of AffirmingVoice, a private studio supporting trans and gender-expansive singers across North America in both singing and speech. 

With two decades of experience in leading singers, Jackie’s work bridges artistry and advocacy. They are honoured to direct the first-ever national 2-Spirit, Trans and Non-Binary chorus at Unison Festival Vancouver in 2026.