Jamie Serafi, Founder & Creative Director

Meet our Creative Director, Jamie Serafi, a seasoned composer, arranger, and musician with a remarkable two-decade career spanning both the UK and Canada’s music industry. His extensive portfolio includes composing music for numerous film and TV projects, providing vocal coaching, rehearsal preparation, and serving as a musical director in London’s prestigious West End.

Here are some of Jamie’s career highlights:

• Creative Director and Founder: Alive and Singing choir in the UK from 2011 to 2015.
• Oscar-Nominated Composer: He composed the music for the 2016 Oscar-nominated short film ‘Ave Maria.’
• Concert Accompanist: Jamie has had the privilege of accompanying UK opera sensation Russell Watson in concert.
• West End Musical Director: He’s lent his expertise as a Musical Director in London’s iconic West End.
• Composer for “1916 – The Musical”: Jamie was part of the composing team for the production “1916 – The Musical.”
• Resident Pianist: He’s delighted audiences as the resident lounge pianist for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
• Songwriting Judge: Jamie currently sits on the panel as a judge for the UK’s largest songwriting contest.Get to know the musical genius behind the scenes! 🎶🎹🎷

www.jamieserafi.com
www.coolsaxnkeys.com
www.facebook.com/jamieserafimusician

Tina Hayden, Executive Assistant

Tina’s story is quite a journey! She grew up on the outskirts of lively London, England, and spent many years in the publishing world, rocking it as a promotions and marketing exec. Yep, she’s the brains behind launching some of those iconic magazines, like OK!, back in the early ’90s.

But then, in the late ’90s, Tina decided to take a wild turn. She packed her bags and ventured off to Belize, where she ran a remote fishing and diving resort a cool 30 miles off the coast. Talk about a career flip!

From there, Tina’s life became a bit of a whirlwind. She made a few moves, including a return to Belize, before finally planting her roots in Canada with her family.

Tina hopped on board the Cool Choir train when it kicked off in January 2016, and felt right at home from day one! She’s the type who loves to sing in the shower and belt out tunes in the car, but shies away from the spotlight. Cool Choir helped her find her voice in a big way.

She’s been soaking up every moment rehearsing with her local choir in Lincoln Park, and she’s even teamed up with other choirs in her Cool Choir Community to put on some fantastic shows at cool spots like The National Music Centre and The Jube.

Cool Choir didn’t just teach Tina how to sing fearlessly; it gifted her some incredible friendships along the way. She often says that “this choir isn’t just about singing; it’s about building lasting friendships”.

Tina loves Cool Choir so much that in January 2018, she became part of the team. She’s now the Executive Assistant to the Creative Director, Jamie, helping out with all the behind-the-scenes stuff (though she leaves the creative genius to the experts, of course). Cool, right? 🎶😄

Veronica Mulhall
Performance Stage Manager

Veronica’s musical journey began in Ireland, where she spent many years singing with various choirs and taking part in musicals. When she made the exciting move to Canada, she was on the lookout for something that would bring both fun and challenge into her life. That’s when she stumbled upon Cool Choir, and she’s been with us right from the beginning, loving every moment of it.

Now, when Veronica isn’t belting out tunes, you’ll often find her out and about enjoying the great Canadian outdoors. She’s an avid hiker and kayaker, not to mention quite the soccer player and yoga enthusiast.

But there’s more to her than just her love for singing and outdoor adventures. Veronica has a passion for travel, and spending quality time with her grandsons brings sheer joy to her heart.

Donna Grant (EDGEMONT)

Having relocated to Calgary in the early ’80s, alongside a wave of East Coasters migrating at that time, Donna wholeheartedly embraced the Western way of life. However, a part of her heart always remained tethered to her family and friends back on PEI. Nowadays, if you’re searching for her during the summer season, you’re most likely to discover her in serene contentment on the deck of her PEI beachfront residence, enjoying a refreshing beverage! Donna feels eternally thankful for stumbling upon Cool Choir in the autumn of 2017, as she was in search of an activity to enrich her new post-retirement phase. To this very day, her evenings spent singing, laughing, and simply being with her beloved Cool Choir community unquestionably stand out as the highlights of her week!

Marjorie Smith (EDGEMONT)

Marjorie has been a member of Cool Choir since its inception in 2016.  She claims it gives her the opportunity to experience “therapy, work decompression, social networking, joy and laughter, with a side of mental exercise” at least twice a week.  Since chatting appears to be one of her greatest attributes, “If you can speak, you can sing” was a mantra she felt she gravitated towards immediately.

Jeri Wallis (MAHOGANY)

Singing has been Jeri’s jam for as long as she can recall. Whether it’s choir rehearsals, karaoke nights, or jumping into community musical theatre, she can’t get enough of it. What really strikes a chord with her is the sense of belonging and camaraderie that music brings into her life. In 2017, Jeri found her musical haven with Cool Choir, and it’s been a harmonious journey ever since. She’s got a rock-solid support system, too, with her loving husband, Rob, standing firmly by her side, cheering on her dreams. Of course, there’s a whole chorus of family and friends, plus her furry friend Gizmo, who add their love and encouragement to her musical endeavours. 🎶🎭🐾

Kellie Cooper (BRIDGELAND)

Meet Kellie, who hails all the way from London, UK – and trust us, you’ll instantly recognise it when you hear her charming accent! Kellie’s all about dancing, movie nights, and making cherished memories with her kiddos. She’s head over heels for Cool Choir, and it’s not just about the music. It’s the fantastic friendships she’s formed and the awesome songs she’s learned, some of which might not have crossed her playlist otherwise! Even though she’s a newcomer, having joined the Cool Choir fam in 2022, Kellie’s got a killer voice and has already taken center stage as a soloist in a few performances. Rock on, Kellie! 🎤🎶🤘😃

Sandy Swift (LINCOLN PARK)

Sandy is a proud mom and grandma to two adorable grandsons who light up her world. She’s a daily companion to her trusty dog during those lovely walks. By day, Sandy’s an Education Assistant dedicated to supporting students on their learning journeys. Sandy’s been singing her heart out with Cool Choir since its inception in 2016. She’ll be the first to tell you she’s mainly a “car” and “house” singer, but that hasn’t stopped her from diving headfirst into all the fantastic musical experiences Cool Choir offers. While Sandy relishes meeting the wonderful people who walk through Cool Choir’s doors each week, the real magic for her is harmonising with those incredible voices. She’s all about that sense of community and the enduring musical friendships that make Cool Choir so special! 🎶🎤🤗