Musical Directors

Our Director – Adele Merritt

Adele Merritt is the Musical Director of the Valley Voices. Adele joined the Valley Voices in November 2021, and she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our chorus. She holds an Honours BA in Music from the University of York, England where she studied voice, piano, clarinet, and composition. She’s also a passionate music educator with years of experience teaching both youth and adult musicians. After joining Harmony, Inc. in 2010, Adele learned a great deal from her time as a Section Leader, Music Chair and Assistant Director with the ScotianAires chorus. She became a certified Music Judge with Harmony, Inc. in 2023 and loves nothing more than to share her knowledge and skills with other quartets and choruses. Adele also enjoys performing as the Bass of award-winning quartet Tonic!

Associate Musical Director – Corinna Garriock

Corinna Garriock is the Associate Musical Director of the Valley Voices. Corinna joined the Valley Voices and Harmony Incorporated in November 2022 with 35 years of experience singing, teaching and coaching in the barbershop community. As a member of Sweet Adelines International since 1988, she is a Master Director, Certified Music Judge, and the tenor of the 2012 Sweet Adelines International Quartet Champions, Martini. Corinna enjoys coaching and teaching barbershop as well as creating vocal arrangements in the barbershop style, available through Sweet Adelines and Sheet Music Plus (SMP).

Assistant Director - Trinda Ernst

Trinda Ernst is an Assistant Musical Director of Valley Voices. Trinda has sung bass in Valley Voices since 1986. She studied piano with the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) and sang in school choirs and Girl Guides, where she led many campfires for youth and adults. She continues to develop her musical skills through educational programs offered by Harmony, Incorporated and Barbershop Harmony Society, such as Harmony University. She was Bass Section Leader for several years and is now Quartet Promotion Coordinator for Valley Voices. She enjoys helping others learn and grow as performers. Trinda is a past International President of Harmony, Incorporated, a volunteer Board member with Sing Canada Harmony Scholarship Fund, a lifetime member of the International Fellowship of Rotarian Musicians, and an occasional performer at CentreStage Theatre in Kentville.

Assistant Director - Paula Henley

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Paula Henley is an Assistant Musical Director of Valley Voices and has been a member of Harmony, Incorporated for over 20 years. Paula has sung Baritone since she joined the Valley Voices in 2012. Paula studied piano through the Mount Allison Conservatory of Music program and played French Horn in her high school band. Singing in numerous school and church choirs as well as a mixed voice chorale, and now also enjoys strumming a few ukulele chords. Since joining Valley Voices and becoming Baritone Section Lead, Paula has taken advantage of education opportunities, such as attending Harmony University and coaching sessions, to improve her musical knowledge and skills to better support others in the chorus. She is a keen quartet singer and enjoys performing competitively with QWiNN. Paula has also served on the Board of Valley Voices in various capacities for several years.