Biography: Director

Vision Statement:

“To create and perform gospel music that will draw all people into the awesome presence of God.”

Karen Burke (Co-Founder & Director)

Born in Brantford, Ontario, Karen Burke entered McMaster University’s Honours music programme in 1979, where she developed an interest in choral conducting. During her time there, Burke received the Louise E. Bettger Scholarship recognizing excellence in choral work; the Humanities Medal for Special Achievement, and the Hamilton Alumnae Branch Award for outstanding graduating female student upon completion of her Bachelor of Music Degree in 1983. Burke also received the A.R.C.T. Diploma in Piano Teaching from the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1985.

Upon graduation from McMaster, Burke accepted a position as a church music director. She and her husband Oswald Burke co-founded Micah Communications Inc., a Gospel music production and publishing company, and established Burke Studios, a private piano teaching studio.

In 1988, Burke co-founded the Toronto Mass Choir’s diversified group of singers and musicians and continues to serve as its Director. She runs the choir with her husband, Oswald Burke, who is Executive Producer, and Assistant Director, Elvis Boddie. Along with her devoted choral staff, Burke develops the choir’s touring schedules and choral arrangements. Since its inception, she has also written many original songs for the choir’s recordings.

“It has been very important for us to showcase Canadian gospel songwriters, share culture and provide an environment for music to be created and recorded,” Burke said of the choir’s latest CD, Going Home.

After a twelve-year stint as a high school music teacher at Toronto District Christian High School, Burke became a Professor in the music department at York University in 2005 and established the York U Gospel Choir. Her music career also includes work as a busy guest speaker, classical piano teacher, adjudicator and clinician offering gospel music workshops. Her venues have included the University of Western Ontario, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Metropolitan Separate School Board and the Ontario Mennonite Music Camp. Burke is often asked to conduct gospel music workshops abroad, most recently in Poland.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

2 Corinthians 4:7…”our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

Many people who have witnessed an appearance by the Toronto Mass Choir often tell us of a powerful, uplifting experience. Our goal is that everyone, including us, will remember where that great power comes from and because of Him, the commitments that we have made as an organization.

First of all, we have a commitment to worship. This is our outward expression of our desire to go deeper in Him and to lift Jesus up so that all men, women and children around the world would know that He is the Christ and be drawn to Him!

Our worship is supported by our commitment to excellence in our music. We strive to create and perform Gospel music, which honours God with meaningful lyrics, excellent presentation and performed by musicians of the highest calibre.

Our worship is also supported by our commitment to excellence in our relationships. We seek to find people who will partner with us with one goal in mind. That is, to share their deep and abiding faith in Jesus through the medium of Gospel music. Our desire is to nurture those relationships and function as a family showing our love for each other.

As we enter into our third decade of ministry, we are amazed at what God has done. Our enduring commitment is to maintain a renewed, unified body of singers and musicians who are sold out to God.

Our vision also includes a new van, our own rehearsal and office facility and future mission trips. We need you to partner with us to meet these very real needs by becoming a regular supporter. Sign-up is also available for our monthly newsletter so that we can keep you informed of the progress in all of these areas and exciting upcoming events.

Our prayer is that GPS (God’s Power Solely) is directing your life and that you run the race that He has set before you. Remember to stay plugged in…

Karen Burke
Director