Morna Edmundson

Morna Edmundson is the artistic director of Elektra Women’s Choir and one of Canada’s best-known choral conductors and has a strong reputation for excellence. Passionate since childhood about choral singing, she obtained degrees and diplomas in vocal music in Vancouver, Bellingham, and Stockholm, Sweden where her teachers included Eric Ericson. In 1987, she co-founded Elektra Women’s Choir with Diane Loomer, a treasured partnership that lasted 22 years. In 2009, Morna became Elektra’s sole artistic director, continuing the choir’s strong leadership role in concert presentation, commissioning, recording, and mentorship.

For 14 years Morna shared her love of quality repertoire with a new generation of singers in her role as associate artistic director of Coastal Sound Music Academy, where she was music director of the mixed-voice Youth Chamber Choir. She has adjudicated in North America and Asia, conducted honor choirs in several states, co-directed the American Choral Directors Association National Women’s Honor Choir, and gives frequent workshops with choirs of all ages. Edmundson has given lectures on her work at local, national, and international meetings of choral professionals. In February 2009, Morna was a recipient of the BC Community Achievement Award which recognized her gifted organizational talent, leadership by example, and her encouragement of others to pursue their musical and choral goals. In June 2011, Morna received a YWCA Woman of Distinction award in recognition of her work with Elektra. In June 2013 she began a three-year term as a board member of Chorus America.