May 23, 2026: Support Local: Building Community for the Pipe Organ

**THIS IS A FREE EVENT**

Join us for our last episode of the season to hear what new and innovative projects are being done across the country to inspire connections with new audiences and grow our community of organ music fans!

We know that engaging the public and growing audiences is critical to the future of the organ, but what is the best way of doing that? Marketing and Communication specialists often say "you need to meet people where they are". For the organ music community that means building bridges by programming music and events that will be exciting to new audiences and then letting them know about it through a successful communications plan. In this episode of the Virtual Organ Academy we are going to hear from a variety of guests about how they are engaging their local community in the world of the pipe organ.

With Special Guests: Jessica Costa (North Bay), Maria Gajraj (Montréal), Ethan Hill (Calgary), Aleesha Katary (Ottawa), Paul Wharram (Windsor-Essex)

Jessica Costa has been actively involved in church music ministry since the age of 11. In 2010, she began studying the pipe organ and quickly fell in love with the instrument. She has had the privilege of studying under Dr. Robert Hall, Dr. Stillman Matheson, Dr.  Sarah Svendsen. Jessica’s goal is to share her passion for the “Magnificent King of Instruments” by providing pipe organ instruction to those interested in learning this remarkable instrument, while continuing to serve as Organist at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption in North Bay.

Maria Gajraj is a Montreal-based organist, collaborator, writer, and sound creator. She has performed and presented internationally, and is passionate about making the organ accessible to everyone through engaging concert programs and multidisciplinary experiences, highlighting women, non-binary, queer, and racialized composers and musicians. Maria is the organettist and social media creator for medieval ensemble COMTESSA. She also creates engaging and accessible videos about the organ on her personal social media accounts, garnering over a million views across platforms.

Ethan Hill is a creative and inquisitive musician whose early studies in piano and theory led him to pursue composition and organ in post-secondary education. Through his education, he discovered not only technical training but also resonance with sacred spaces and music’s capacity for meaning. Based in Calgary, Ethan brings curiosity and playfulness to his work as Director of Music at Knox United Church and as a collaborator with local ensembles.

Aleesha Katary is a third-year student at the University of Waterloo, pursuing a degree in engineering with a minor in music. Currently, she studies with Peter Nikiforuk and is the Assistant Organist at Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church.

With over two decades of experience in choral direction, music ministry, and education, Paul R. Wharram serves at the Church of the Epiphany in Kingsville and is Director Emeritus of the County Classic Chorale in Leamington. Recognizing the organ as a foundational element of worship, he also serves as President of the Windsor Essex Centre of the RCCO and Chair of the Organ Canada Editorial Committee.