Espressa Women’s Choir (Canada)

Espressa Women’s Choir (Canada), conductor Elaine Quilichini

Since its founding in 1995, the Calgary Girls Choir (CGC) has inspired girls and young women to meet the creative challenge of choral music performance.
The CGC is recognized nationally and internationally for its dazzling performances and many accomplishments: first-place awards and major prizes at Canadian and international
competitions; prestigious performances at the National Conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, ACCC Podium, and the Organization of American Kodály Educators;
features on national television; premieres at the Banff Centre for the Arts; concerts with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Calgary Civic Symphony; and commissions of new
works by Canadian and international composers.
The CGC have won at the Vienna Music Festival, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and in local, provincial, and national competitions within Canada. They were awarded first place four times in the ACCC National Choral Competition!

Espressa (women’s division of the Calgary Girls Choir) was founded in 2020 during the pandemic to bring joy and hope to our alumni and women in our community. Their growth and pursuit of excellence has been a true joy for all involved.

Elaine Quilichini (Founder and Artistic Director of Espressa) has a unique gift for inspiring a love of music in others. Her passion and expertise allow her to guide others toward musical and personal excellence. This gift has brought her recognition and accolades at home and around the world.
In 1995, she founded the Calgary Girls Choir, and with her vision and passion it continues to stand as a model of choral excellence for others. She is the Artistic Director of summer choral programs at Wichita State and Nebraska Wesleyan Universities and the recipient of numerous awards including Choir Alberta’s ‘con spirito’ award, Global Television’s Woman of
Vision award, the Alberta Kodály Association Teacher Recognition Award and the Richard S. Eaton Award of Distinction in recognition of exemplary service to choral music in the province of Alberta. These awards celebrate the passion, talent and commitment she embodies, and are fitting recognition of Ms. Quilichini’s achievements.