John-Charles Coolen, Director of Espressivo Singers, was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and currently lives in Ajax, Ontario. He has studied piano with Gem Fitch and Kaestner Robertson, organ with Keith Rasmussen and voice with Steven Henrikson.

As a freelance accompanist, conductor and church musician, he participates in a wide range of musical events througout theh eastern Greater Toronto Area, including current appointments with Durham Community Choir (Oshawa) , Espressivo Singers (Oshawa) , the Bronze Foundation (Toronto) and Bells of Bowmanville.