Founded by its current artistic director Scott Leithead, the Kokopelli Choir Association has been providing quality choral music performance and instruction in the Edmonton area and beyond since its inception in 1996. Over the years, the association has grown from a single youth choir to a family of 3 choirs, with each choir focusing on bringing spirit and artistic integrity to their performances: 

• Kokopelli: the founding youth choir, with members ranging in age from 14 to 24;
• Òran: a young adult choir which includes some past Kokopelli members aged 20 years and older; and
• Shumayela: an apprentice treble-voice choir with members in the 10 to 16 year old age group.

The choirs are known for their unique style of presentation, which combines high quality musical delivery and artistic staging.  A diverse repertoire is the basis of each choir’s program, singing music ranging from canonical classical repertoire to experimental and avant-garde contemporary works.  The association also has a long history of performing  African music, culminating in the relationships built during the choir’s tour to Namibia and South Africa in 2004; these unique connections and the music they bring have been very well received by Canadian audiences.  Kokopelli has recorded 8 CDs, including a commercial release (on the EMI label) of a collaboration with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Canadian recording artist Rita MacNeil.