Artistic Staff

Director: Paula Roberts

Paula Roberts has been at the helm of EKOSingers since it’s inception in 1979. The first concert was on Father’s Day in 1980, and we have really come a LONG way since then! Paula’s vision combined with the vision of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Edmonton, whose newspaper ad she answered way back then, has led the choir down a continuous path of musical growth and exploration.

Paula graduated with a BME - choral concentration from Indiana University in 1971 and even back then she was dreaming up shows for competitions for her “dorm” choir. She’s been to Woodstock, played in rock bands, attended Phil Mattson’s vocal jazz workshop, was a conducting apprentice for a year with Michel Gervais, founder of Edmonton’s Pro Coro, and has served on the board of the Alberta Choral Federation. She has a passion for dance, most recently salsa, studied ballet for 10 years, and challenges EKOSingers to not only sing, but MOVE...not necessarily at the same time!

Around town, Paula has taught private voice lessons for the outreach program at Grant MacEwan College, provided her expertise for their week-long summer vocal camps, and also conducted their junior jazz choir for 3 seasons. Other past conducting jobs have included the Northgate Lions Seniors’ Choir, and the children’s program for Edmonton Musical Theatre. Currently, Paula is also the director of Edmonton Vocal Minority, with whom we occasionally share set pieces, and volunteer jobs.

It is handy that along with Paula comes Jamie Kidd, her husband and long time supporter of EKOSingers. Jamie, sound man “extraordinaire,” lends his expertise to help us sound fabulous at concerts, and records our year-end shows and CD’s. Occasionally, Paula’s two sons, Adam and Nathan, help out at concerts as well, and in a few years her grand daughter, Ayla (now 8), may even get in on the act! So it’s become a family affair, not only for the Roberts-Kidd’s, but for all EKOSingers members past and present who form strong bonds as they work their way through the creative process together. This is what keeps Paula and the rest of us coming back for more!

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Accompanist and Arranger: Charlie Austin

Charlie Austin joined us in our 2007-08 season as our accompanist coming with extensive professional experience in music.

Highly valued as a music educator, Charlie 'retired' after almost three decades of teaching the fundamentals of jazz piano at Grant MacEwan College, mentoring hundreds of students - many who have become reputable musicians as well.

Charlie is an accomplished musician who continues to appear in gigs with the "Charlie Austin Trio" and other local jazz artists, appearing regularly at the Yardbird Suite. He has written and published two books on the art of playing jazz piano, 'An Approach to Jazz Piano', and 'Contemporary Piano Studies', both highly regarded as fundamentals for students (and professionals!) of jazz.