Board & Staff
The board and staff at Manitoba Choral Association are a dedicated team of choral enthusiasts and professionals committed to supporting, strengthening, and promoting the choral arts in Manitoba.
STAFF
Karla Ferguson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Karla Ferguson (she/her) is a people-centered arts leader and lifelong choral musician with over 25 years of experience in not-for-profit management, event coordination, and community building.
Karla spent nearly two decades with the Winnipeg Folk Festival, most recently as Volunteer Resources Manager. In that role, she oversaw the engagement of 2,500 volunteers, spearheaded numerous technological advances, and led initiatives focused on inclusion and safer spaces. Her work reflects a commitment to collaboration and a strong belief in mission-led, values-based leadership.
Equally central to Karla’s career is her deep connection to choral music. A graduate of Brandon University’s School of Music, Karla is a founding member of the Canadian Chamber Choir and das Femmes, and has performed with ensembles such as the Elmer Iseler Singers, Canzona, Polycoro, Dead of Winter, and Proximus 5. With a versatile voice that spans both classical and folk genres, Karla has also toured and recorded with folk roots bands the Dust Poets and Sam Baardman.
Behind the scenes, Karla brings extensive experience in governance, leadership and organizational sustainability to her choral projects, having served as Chair of the Canadian Chamber Choir’s board for over a decade, as a board member for several other arts organizations, as a long-standing member of the Folk Festival's governance committee and as an experienced juror for arts funders. From fostering national networks to shaping equity-focused programming, Karla's work bridges artistic excellence with a commitment to sound management and to community.
"I have personally benefited from the impact that the Manitoba Choral Association makes on our singing community - strengthening connections across communities, championing diverse voices, and supporting choirs at every stage. I am honoured to bring my skills, experience and passion to help shape the next chapter of MCA's story."
Brittany Mielnichuk
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING COORDINATOR - On leave
Brittany Mielnichuk (she/her) is an arts and administrative professional based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She has dedicated much of her life to the choral community across Canada, and has a myriad of choral conducting, music education, vocal, and administrative experience.
As the Artistic Director of Winnipeg’s 2SLGBTQIA+ choral community Rainbow Harmony Project, Brittany is dedicated to using music and song to build community and inspire social change. Brittany performs at local venues and currently sings with the Winnipeg ensembles Canzona and Dead of Winter, in addition to teaching private music lessons and facilitating choral workshops.
Brittany completed a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of Manitoba with Dr. Elroy Friesen. She also holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Capilano University (Vancouver, BC) and a Diploma in Professional Music from Southwestern Community College (Creston, IO).
Ruth Denton
INTERIM COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Ruth Denton (she/her) is passionate about community connection and storytelling. She brings over a decade of experience in operations for large and small not-for-profit organizations. Her choral upbringing in Manitoba led Ruth to continue singing during her graduate studies in Toronto and Colorado. She is the Assistant Conductor of Joie de Vivre Choir and freelances as an oboist in the arts community. Ruth is thrilled to work with MCA to advocate and support choral singing in Manitoba.
Alexis Chloplecki
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Alexis Chlopecki (she/her) has a plethora of work experience with her last 10 years being dedicated to customer experience, service advisory, and administrative work. She continues to be involved in and volunteers within the Manitoba choral community, as she has since she was young.
Alexis is a Dove Canada ambassador for the "One Girl Can" self-esteem campaign that serves to uplift youth across Canada to believe in themselves, their qualities, their talents and more. She has spent the last 15 years of her life advocating for positive change for youth to freely be whomever they want to be and to fully express themselves, especially through music. Alexis continues to encourage and educate youth on the importance of having music in their lives.
Along with performing at local, provincial and national events, Alexis has sung with community choirs such as Sonolux and Ecco Singers. She currently is also President on the board of Musaico, a choral non-profit organization run through Ecco Singers. Alexis is proud to be a part of such a diverse, accepting, and powerful choral community and hopes to inspire more voices to continue to pursue their passion of choral music.
BOARD
Manitoba Choral Association is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors elected at our Annual General Meeting.
PRESIDENT - Naomi Russell
PAST PRESIDENT - Dr. David Sawatzky
VICE PRESIDENT - Katy Harmer
TREASURER - Robyn Stewart
OUTREACH & ADVOCACY DIRECTOR - Vacant
INTRA-PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR - Crystal Kolt
PROGRAM DIRECTOR - Jorrel Camuyong
DIRECTOR - Nancy Gomes Fast
DIRECTOR - Larissa Hrabi
DIRECTOR - Philip Lapatha
DIRECTOR - Vic Pankratz
DIRECTOR - Caleb Rondeau