Tim Korthuis is Founder and Artistic Director of the Foothills Philharmonic Society - a growing community of musicians committed to a simple conviction: beautiful, world-class music can be created in the Foothills by local artists working together.

Raised in Okotoks, he remains deeply connected to the Foothills community and its musical life. He holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Rocky Mountain College, with additional international study in Vienna and Bulgaria and professional work with leading Canadian ensembles including the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Spiritus Chamber Choir.

As a conductor, he has prepared and led major works including Brahms’ A German Requiem, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and music by Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvořák, Whitacre, and leading Canadian composers. He has also conducted a world premiere by Anna Pidgorna.

Tim serves as Worship and Arts Pastor at Okotoks Alliance Church and is active as a clinician, collaborative pianist, and guest conductor throughout the region. He lives in Okotoks with his wife and four children.

Amberly developed a deep love for music from an early age, singing in children’s and youth choirs, studying piano, and beginning organ accompaniment for church services at age 12. She also performed on bassoon and piano in concert and jazz ensembles throughout high school and university.

She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Lethbridge, where she received extensive training in collaborative piano under Dr. Deanna Oye, shaping a strong focus on accompanying and ensemble work.

Amberly works as a collaborative pianist, piano teacher, and freelance musician, and has accompanied numerous choirs and ensembles across Alberta. Her musical interests also include composing, arranging, and ongoing study of additional instruments, including cello.

She lives in Okotoks with her husband and four children and is deeply connected to the musical and community life of the Foothills.

Heather was raised in a musical and church-based environment and began accompanying and preparing choirs from a young age, developing an early passion for collaborative music-making and teaching.  She has maintained a private music studio for over 25 years, teaching piano, voice, and theory. Her work as a composer includes a recording of 15 original songs released in 2009.

Heather has extensive experience as an accompanist, arranger, and choral leader, including long-standing involvement with the Foothills Men’s Chorus since its inception, and over a decade of work with the Calgary Protestant Male Choir in both accompanying and directing roles.

She currently serves as Musical Director of the Foothills Philharmonic Ladies Vocal Jazz and Men’s Chorus, where she continues to shape engaging, high-quality musical experiences for singers across the Foothills region.

Our conductor and Junior Singers Co-Founder, Jeff has been singing in choirs since the age of 7, and is a veteran music teacher in the Foothills School Division. He has lived and worked in the Foothills area since 2015, and has performed with several of the Foothills Philharmonic Society groups, most notably the FP Chorus, Chamber Chorus, and past Opera Chorus.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music degree (with Distinction) from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Education degree from Nipissing University. He is also an alumnus of the Amabile Men's choirs in London, Ontario. When he's not singing or teaching, he can often be found playing softball, reading with a good cup of coffee, seeking out new music to listen to, or going on adventures with his family.

Conducting the Junior Singers has been a great source of joy for Jeff since its inaugural season in 2024. Watching the members of the Junior Singers find their voice, challenge themselves, and forge friendships has been one of the highlights of his career as an educator. Jeff looks forward to another great season with our wonderful singers!

Chelsea Suresh-Mills has been sharing in the joy of choral singing since she was 6 years old! She has been avidly involved in musical pursuits throughout her life, having studied solo vocal performance, performed extensively in community musical theatre productions, and sung in many auditioned choral ensembles across Canada.

Chelsea holds a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in vocal music from the University of Guelph, a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Education from Queen’s University. These days, her musical interests include singing with the Foothills Philharmonic Chamber Chorus, sharing her love of music with students as an elementary school teacher, and making music with her two young daughters, both of whom are members of Junior Singers ensembles.

With the support of the Foothills Philharmonic Society Board, Chelsea co-founded the Junior Singers along with Musical Director, Jeff Hibberd in the winter of 2024. She is immensely proud of the young singers in the Junior Singers ensembles as they have come together in friendship and fun to create beautiful music together. As the Administrative Director for the ensemble, Chelsea looks forward to connecting with new and returning singers and families to support a positive experience for all!