Staff

Laura Talbert, Artistic Director & Conductor

I’ve been singing since before I could talk, and haven't stopped since. I started voice lessons when I was ten years old, entering the Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary during high school, and competing in the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival during much of my training. I was accepted in a Voice Performance bachelor’s program in 2000, and then into a master’s program in Voice Performance as a graduate assistant teaching voice at a private liberal arts college in South Carolina. During this time, I had the opportunity to perform in operas including Lucia di Lammermoor and Andrea Chenier, I won state in the NATS voice competition, and premiered compositions for the accomplished composer Mark Buller. While teaching during my master’s degree, I realized how much I love teaching people how to find their own unique voice. I moved to Beaumont in 2010 and started Talbert Voice Studios with the Songbird Choirs starting in 2017 – with a focus of teaching people that everyone can sing.

Laura has her vulnerable sector check and Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification.

Laura Talbert, Artistic Director & Conductor

Laura's skills as a Vocal Coach have earned her a spot on the Coach Foundation, one of the biggest names in the coaching industry.

Layne Spencer, Assistant Conductor for youth and adult choirs

Hi everyone! My name is Layne and I have been working with Laura Talbert since 2018. Under her tutelage, I have gained experience in solo and ensemble performance, am pursuing certifications through the Royal Conservatory of Music, and am gaining the conductorial skills required to fulfill my role as Assistant Director for the Beaumont Songbirds Choirs. Prior to my time with Laura, I spent 15 years as a Royal Conservatory of Music piano student and had roles in the E.S.B.C.H.S. Block 5 drama program as Karl the Giant from Big Fish as well as Big Jule from Guys and Dolls.

Layne has his vulnerable sector check.

Layne Spencer, Assistant Conductor for youth and adult choirs

Camryn Bauer, Assistant Conductor for children's choirs

Hi there! I'm Camryn and I love learning and teaching about music. I am currently doing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance at Macewan University. I have been trained in voice lessons for six years with a focus in both classical singing and musical theatre singing. I have also been taking piano lessons for three years. I have a passion for acting, singing, and dance and I am excited to gain more experience teaching and conducting! It’s my goal to foster a safe learning environment where people feel comfortable to take risks and be themselves.

Camryn has their vulnerable sector check.

Camryn Bauer, Assistant Conductor for children's choirs

Laura Cook, Rehearsal & Concert Pianist

I started taking piano lessons at the age of 6. As a teenager I was able to put to practice what I had learned and play in my church for different groups, large and small, and have continued to do this throughout my life. In 1989 I started teaching piano in Edmonton and have been teaching for 30 years now. I have put my musical abilities into teaching music in schools, nursing homes, churches and my own studio, Touch of the Ivories. I teach 6 music classes a week at Meadows Baptist Academy, and run two major concerts a year for the students. In 2017, Laura Talbert asked me to join her in this endeavor in accompanying the Beaumont choirs. It has been a thrill to play for these choirs. As you can see I have had many years of experience with music. I am so thankful that everything I now have as a career is totally immersed in all things musical.

Laura has her vulnerable sector check.

Brittany Utley, Concert Pianist

Music has always been an integral part of my life. After beginning piano lessons at age 5, I’ve enjoyed learning and making music ever since. Throughout my school years I also took lessons in flute and bassoon, and loved the experience of participating in musical ensembles from elementary through university. I completed both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in music education, and taught elementary general music and beginning band before moving to the Beaumont area. Currently, my musical endeavours involve teaching piano lessons, accompanying, and playing in my church. Many wonderful teachers poured into my musical development over the years, so it is a joy to invest in the next generation of music makers.

Brittany has her vulnerable sector check.

Meghan LeBlanc, Tiny Tunes & Tales Teacher

Early literacy is my passion.
I graduated from Faculté St. Jean at the University of Alberta with my bachelor of Education. I started my career as a French Immersion Kindergarten teacher with EPS. For 8 years I loved coaching children and families to develop literacy skills in a second language environment. After having my own babies, I moved into the role of early literacy programmer in a library setting. I have worked for 9 years with families to model early literacy best practices. I believe that music and play are corner stones to developing young readers and am very excited to be part of the Tiny Tunes program.

Meghan has her vulnerable sector check.