Paul Grindlay, Teacher

Paul Grindlay has sung in choirs since he was nine years old, when he started with the choir of his local parish church in London, England. After moving to Canada and completing a zoology degree at UBC, he returned to choral singing with such notable ensembles as The Phoenix Chamber Choir, The Vancouver Cantata Singers, The Vancouver Chamber Choir and musica intima. He was a member of the 1990 National Youth Choir and the 1991 World Youth Choir. After graduating from UBC with a B.Mus. in 1994, Paul pursued a solo vocal career, which has taken him to Austria, Japan, England, the USA and across Canada. Paul has studied and worked with many distinguished voice teachers, coaches and conductors, and has recorded CDs for NAXOS Records, Marquis and Toccata Classics. A man of broad musical tastes, Paul performs, conducts, teaches, writes and arranges music in many styles, plays the trombone, hand drums and piano.

Paul has been an Adjunct music professor at Rocky Mountain College since 2007. He is the Artistic Director of three choirs - the Calgary Boys Choir (calgaryboyschoir.ab.ca), the Airdrie Community Choir (airdriecommunitychoir.org) and SuperSonic Men’s Choir - and co-director of music at Knox Presbyterian Church (knoxcalgary.ca). He teaches voice at Rocky Mountain College (rockymountaincollege.ca), at his home studio and to the singers in his choirs. Many of his students have taken gold and red seals in Kiwanis Festival classes and gone on to enroll at such institutions as McGill University, the University of Western Ontario and the U of C.

Paul is in great demand as a soloist, voice teacher, repertoire coach, choral workshop clinician and adjudicator. He is best known for his work with boys and adult male singers, but has also encouraged success in many female students. As a teacher and clinician, he distinguishes himself through innovative use of imagery – both verbal, visual and kinesthetic – constructive/affirming methods, plus his unique amalgamation of the best of traditional "Bel Canto" pedagogy and modern vocal science.

Paul’s clients include the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus, the Calgary Bach Festival Society, The Edmonton Youth Choir, The Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir, The Western Hospitality Singers, The Calgary Multicultural Choir, the John G. Diefenbaker, Dr. E.P. Scarlett, Crescent Heights, William Aberhardt, Forest Lawn and Western Canada High School choirs, plus Heritage Christian Academy. Paul also serves on the board of directors of the Alberta Choral Federation and the Pro Arts Society.

In spare time, Paul is a passionate fly-fisherman, and leads guided fishing trips on the Bow River during the summer months. He also loves to spend time with his family and write poetry.