I grew up playing the piano and worked as a piano accompanist for several years before taking a church musician position at Willowdale United Church in North York, Ontario. I realized early on that the piano simply cannot supplant the organ in the context of traditional worship, and with that in mind I found the transition to organ to be quite logical, although it did involve varying degrees of ‘learning on the job’ (which probably applies to most of us in the church music profession, I think). To this day my favourite thing about being an organist is still in regard to my work as a church musician - being able to serve God with an instrument that has the power and versatility of an entire orchestra, and being a part of others’ religious and life experiences. I have to thank Taylor Sullivan and Gregory Paskaruk for my early organ training, both excellent musicians who got me started on the right foot (bad pun).

I currently serve as the Peaker Organ Scholar at St Paul’s Bloor Street on the Classical music team. It’s been a privilege to work with Joshua Slater, our exuberant music director and organist, and to play on such a fine instrument in the heart of the city of Toronto. I’m also grateful to have studied with Dr Patricia Wright and Dr Jonathan Oldengarm, who are not only exceptional teachers but also wonderful human beings. Outside of church, my primary career is in molecular biology research (I studied both science and music in undergrad at the University of Toronto but ended up taking home a BSc and later an MSc). Any spare time I have left I generally enjoy various laid-back activities (reading, doing plant care, discovering restaurants with my friends).

You can hear me play in person at St Paul’s (11am Sundays) or through our live streams here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVqUlL1475L6R34T9KHFc8Q