Artistic Director

Kellie Walsh is the founder and Artistic Director of the internationally award-winning Lady Cove, the Artistic Director of the internationally celebrated, Shallaway Youth Choir, co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Newman Sound Men’s Choir, and, most recently, co-founder of the Inuit Youth Choir Ullûgiagatsuk from Nunatsiavut, Labrador. Kellie is also the Past President of Canada’s national choral organization, Choral Canada.

An active guest conductor, speaker, collaborator and innovator, Kellie’s work has brought her across Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the United States, South America, Europe and Asia. As acclaimed as the choirs she conducts, Kellie’s true passion is more profoundly understood by the use of choral music as a medium to unite people and cultures, transcending geography and societal, political and economic circumstances. From deep and proud roots in Newfoundland and Labrador, she has become known in Canada and internationally for embracing the medium of choral singing as an opportunity to explore leadership potential, sociocultural identity building, reciprocal respectful cultural collaborations, and the transformative impact of choral singing and sharing.

Collaborative Pianist

Leslee Heys has had the honour of playing for Lady Cove over the past decade and feels extremely lucky to be a part of this spirited and potent group of women. Leslee is also the principal collaborative pianist for the award-winning ensembles Shallaway Youth Choir and Newman Sound Men’s Choir. She has a dynamic private piano studio and is a sought-after accompanist and adjudicator. A published composer, Leslee’s choral settings, particularly of Newfoundland and Labrador songs, have gained international recognition, and are introducing Canadian and American choirs to the richness of our provincial musical heritage. Leslee holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Toronto, a Master of Music Performance from the University of Western Ontario, and an ARCT. She subsists mostly on peanut butter and makes a deceptively tasty margarita!