Clinician Bios
| Industry Panel | Workshop Clinicians |
| Industry Panel |
Oswald Burke
Oswald Burke is active as a producer, audio engineer, songwriter, musician and concert promoter. His musical experience and active involvement in Gospel Music in Canada spans a period of over 30 years.
After his arrival from his native Jamaica in 1978, Oswald became a vocalist and songwriter with the Toronto based recording Gospel group, “The Revivalaires.” From there he went on to study bass guitar and with his wife established the contemporary gospel group “Sweet Sound” with whom he toured through much of the 1980s.
In 1988, Oswald was one of the founding members of the Juno-award winning Toronto Mass Choir an ensemble of twenty five plus singers and musicians who have distinguished themselves as one of Canada’s most respected and enduring gospel choirs. Along with Karen, Oswald founded the label Micah Records and Burke Music Inc., a music production, publishing and management company based in Brampton, Ontario.
Oswald’s credits as a record producer and executive producer include projects by The Revivalaires, Sweet Sound, Sharon Vardy Bacon, Jenna Burke, TC3 and all seven releases by the Toronto Mass Choir.
For his contribution to Canadian Gospel music, Oswald has been the recipient of several awards including Vision’s 2001 ‘Thomas A. Dorsey Award’ for Lifetime Achievement.
Scott Jackson
Scott is from Toronto. As a pre-teen he listened to 1050 CHUM and got the radio bug. He enrolled in the radio course at Humber College and began his career working part-time in Peterborough and then on-air in Kingston at CKLC.
Like most radio people, Scott moved from town to town, up and down the dial, working in various formats in various cities.
In 1989, while working in Pembroke, Ontario, Scott accepted Christ as Lord.
In 1996 he moved to Nashville and became the Vice President of WAY-FM, the leading Christian radio station in the United States. He returned to Canada in 1997 and began the groundwork for LIFE 100.3, which launched August 15, 1999. Scott is the President of Trust Communications Ministries and still jumps behind the microphone from time to time.
Away from the studio enjoys cycling, cruising the back roads around Central Ontario.
For recreation, Scott owns a business – More Radio which produces the Christian radio industries semi-annual trade magazine, designed to inspire Canadian radio employees and artists in the Christian industry to work together.
Scott authored his first book “Good To Great – The Radio Version”. Scott says, “I only know how to do one thing which is radio!” The book was released August 2010.
Ali Matthews
A multi-award winning recording artist, Ali Matthews has been a performing songwriter since her teens and has built a strong following across Canada and beyond. She has released 6 critically acclaimed CDs since 2000 on her independent music label, Shake-a-paw music. Her CDs are distributed nationally through David C Cooke Distribution. As a graduate of The University of Western Ontario, where she studied English and Drama, songwriting is her natural passion. Ali’s songwriting and performing are highly respected in both the Christian and the mainstream music industry due to her accessible, honest lyrics and her ability to weave the “spiritual” into everyday life experiences.
She has received 14 GMA Covenant Awards and 34 nominations since 2004. She was a winner in the 2006 International Songwriting Competition, The Canadian National Songwriting Competition, The Word Guild Canadian Writers Awards and she was named Woman of the Year in the City of Stratford for her outstanding contribution to the Arts. She received nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year at the prestigious 2010 and 2011 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.
Leroy Miller
The House of Levi Music Group is a homegrown Toronto company best known for promoting gospel music concerts conferences and speaking tours. House of Levi started promoting concerts in the city in 2003, when 2000 people attended a Good Friday concert. Since then, the company has brought several major Christian concerts to the GTA, including artists such as Ricky Dillard and New G, Israel Houghton, Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin, and Fred Hammond
The visionary behind House of Levi is Leroy Miller, founder and CEO of the the company. Born and raised in Toronto, he’s had a passion for music and business ever since he was a child. He actually promoted his first concert at the age of 14, designing his own flyer on Wordperfect and going from church to church selling his own tickets. He then worked alongside Toronto Gospel veteran Courtney Williams of the Gospel Music Machine (CIUT 89.5FM). Working with
Williams taught Miller not only how to put together a major event, but how to package and sell the events. After a few years, Miller sat down with some close friends (who today serve as executive board members of House of Levi) and together they fleshed out a plan that would see House of Levi fuse their event planning skills with grassroots networking in Toronto’s Black church community to create quality Christian events with A-list artists, solid organization and, of course, a thorough presentation of the gospel through music and spoken word.
Richard Picart
A seasoned marketer, communicator and music industry professional, Richard Picart brings over two decades of experience building artist profiles while effectively branding them in domestic and international arenas. In Canada, Richard is recognized as a specialist in gospel music and the convergence of Christian music with non-traditional mainstream music formats.
Currently, Richard Picart represents Paulis Sanchez and Londa Larmond.
| Workshop Clinicians |
Tim Ball
A solid foundation in any band, Tim Ball had emerged as one of Toronto’s most well known and respected bass players. With firm dedication to making every song the most it can be, Tim helps deliver a cutting edge sound that is not only fun to listen to, but also inspiring.
In his 18 years on bass, Tim has played and recorded for many of Toronto’s well known gospel and R&B artists such as Toronto Mass Choir, York University Choir, Toya Alexis, Kim Davis, Aileen Lombardo, Mark Masri, and Echoes of Praise. Also an emerging producer and writer, Tim heads the dynamic worship group, “For The Master”.
Pastor Richard Brown
Richard Junior Brown was born in Birmingham, England. He migrated to Canada in 1990 and began serving in Ministry not knowing the impact his ministry would have on the City of Toronto and the nation. RJ Brown Ministries, birthed in Europe has expanded beyond the nation of Canada, being received throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Nigeria and Australia, sharing the stage with Ministers such as; Pastor Donnie McLurkin, William Murphy, Stephen Hurd, Marvin Sapp, Sharon Riley and The Faith Chorale, Mali Music, Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Darwin Hobbs, Micah Stampley, Melanie Daniels, Fred Hammond and many more.
Where ever he ministers he has received the reputation for delivering dynamic, sound word and worship ministry.
His educational goals led him to Tyndale University College and Seminary where between 1999– 2001 he studied the Bachelors Degree of Religious Education and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity, majoring in Pastoral Counseling.
Affectionately known as “The Chief Levite,” Pastor Brown has authored and produced many worship songs that continue to bless people around the world. More recently he wrote and performed on his debut live worship project, “Heart of a Worshipper,” produced by Daniel Weatherspoon for Zhanre Music Group. Presently, Pastor Brown serves as Founder & Senior Pastor of Kingsway Community Life Centre in the heart of Toronto.
Karen Burke
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 many awards for choral work before completing her Honours 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.
Karen and her husband, Oswald, own Burke Music Inc. a Gospel music production and publishing company which also offers booking services, consulting, choral workshops and private lessons.
Along with her husband, Oswald, Karen co-founded the Toronto Mass Choir in 1988; a gospel choir comprised of a diversified group of singers and musicians, and continues to serve as its principal director. Since its inception, she has also written many original songs and arrangements for the choir’s recordings.
Following a fifteen year career as a elementary and high school music teacher, Burke became a Professor in the music department at York University in 2005 developing the first post-secondary gospel music curricular courses in Canada and establishing the 100-voice York University Gospel Choir.
Her music career also includes work as a busy guest speaker and conductor, classical piano teacher, adjudicator and clinician offering gospel music workshops for many schools and organizations including R.H. King Academy, Unionville High School, the University of Western Ontario, the Ontario Music Educators Association (OMEA), the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and has travelled to Poland four times since 2006 to conduct gospel workshops for choirs numbering over 400.
Corey Butler
Producer, musician and entrepreneur, Corey’s music combines the best of jazz and gospel. Corey currently serves as the Musical Director at the Prayer Palace Church and has become one of the most sought after producers/musical directors in contemporary gospel music in Toronto. He has had the opportunity to play with artists such as jazz legend, Jon Hendricks and some of gospel music’s greats such as Tamela Mann, co-star of ‘Meet the Browns’ and has also made several appearances on ‘100 Huntley Street’.
Corey also serves as the Music Director for the Juno Award winning Toronto Mass Choir and has worked with other international artists such as Carvin Winans.
Corey is making his mark, having produced the University of Toronto Gospel Choir album “Send Me” which won three Covenant Awards for “Gospel Album of the Year”, “New Artist of the Year” and “Choir Song of The Year” and now more recently co-producing the Toronto Mass Choir’s first Christmas album, “A Christmas Gift”, which won the Covenant award for Seasonal Album of the year.
Jesse Feyen
Musician. Scholar. Christian worship leader. These three descriptors constitute a large part of Jesse Feyen’s identity. At twenty-seven years of age, Jesse has enjoyed a wide variety of musical experiences as an avid performer on drums, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, and vocals. He balances a busy music career with the pursuit of a Ph.D in Ethnomusicology at York University in Toronto.
Furthermore, for over fifteen years he has worked in music ministry in a large variety of church denominations, including Christian Reformed, Pentecostal, Christian and Missionary Alliance, nondenominational, Baptist, Brethren, Brethren in Christ, Harvest Bible Fellowship, Salvation Army, United, and Church of God in Christ. He tirelessly works to hone his musical skills, advance his academic career, and improve his abilities as a contemporary worship leader – all while keeping Jesus Christ at the centre of his life.
Much of Jesse’s music experience comes from playing in church – first as a drummer, then on keyboards, and later at age fifteen he took up the guitar. He has played in dozens of churches throughout Ontario and has worked as the contemporary worship music director of three churches: Metropolitan United Church in London, Gregory Drive Alliance Church in Chatham, and Harvest Bible Chapel Cambridge at present. He leads worship by singing and playing either keyboard or guitar. His ability on multiple instruments has proved to be valuable in the context of a worship band. His passion, sincerity, and smile are inspiring to congregations as they are led into worship through music.
JJ Gerber
JJ Gerber is a well versed dancer, singer, and actor. He started performing on stage when he was 3 years old in community theatre productions and hiphop troupes. He has choreographed for music videos and live shows for artists including Kirk franklin, God Rocks, Aleesia, Toronto Mass Choir and danced for many more artists including Kardinal Official, Sean Desmon, Faber Drive, and Chevelle Franklin.
Colette Leader
Colette Z. Leader was born on the island of Nevis, West Indies but grew up in Berrien Springs, Michigan. While there she was saturated with music at home, at school and at church.
She was a member of her school select choir that toured South Western Michigan and Indiana. Colette moved to Toronto with her family in 1997 and enrolled as a student at Crawford Adventist Academy. She continued piano lessons with a few teachers. At school, she organized a trio called “Redeemed” who some 10 years later are still singing together. Apart from singing and playing the keyboard, Colette is an excellent steel pan player. While in her teens, she was introduced to the steel pan and she took an immediate liking for the instrument. Along with her two younger sisters, they make up a steel pan trio known as “Sisters of Steel”. Apart from performing in Ontario and Quebec, Colette along with her sisters, has played in cities around the US including Detroit, Dallas, and NYC. She has also played in the Caribbean. Colette is a member of the Toronto Mass Choir where she is exposed to high quality music and choral conducting. She enjoys being with children and youth and often directs youth choirs. She spent the summer of 2011 directing a Pathfinder choir.
Amoy Levy
Talented, Edgy, Focused and Unique are some of the expressions used to describe the Canadian born singer/songwriter. At the young age of six, she discovered her vocal gift singing within Toronto’s local gospel community. Since then, her voice has carried her throughout Canada and the United states, where she has performed with several Grammy Award winning artists including Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar and Canada’s own Celine Dion and Tom Cochrane. From 2009-2011, Amoy was a featured soloist in the epic stage production “The Evolution of Gospel Music”. Her voice is like no other and though she has been compared to artists like Tina Turner and Whitney Houston Amoy is the new and exciting voice for the millennium, sure to leave you with a lasting impression.
Stephen Lewis
As a phenomenal song writer, vocal arranger, producer and musician, Stephen Lewis, in all his humility, is a man with a heart of gold. Anyone who has been in contact with Stephen can testify of this truth. Stephen’s passion for music has been evident throughout his life.
Whether it’s working with churches to set structure to their music department, or song writing for an up and coming project, Stephen Lewis has done it all. Working closely for several years with Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale as Musical Director, Stephen played an integral role in creating the sound Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale are known for.
Stephen Lewis has taken on new ventures, amongst other projects, to showcase Canada’s Christian Music in a unique light. As one of the executive producers of Gospel’s Dynamic Duets, a new reality music show on CTS; he also adds his latest project from Echoes of Praise entitled Hymns, being released late spring. Clearly, there is no stopping Stephen Lewis.
James Linderman
James Linderman lives and works at The Harmony House, a music lesson, songwriting and pre-production recording studio in Newmarket, Ontario. He also provides songwriters with one on one song assessments and songwriting workshop materials both online and in studio.
In April of 2006, James was selected for a 20 member, international, off campus, academic advisory board for The Berklee School of Music in Boston known as Berkleemusic Ambassadors. In the summer of 2007 James was named Berkleemusic’s Worship Music Advisor. James cowrote a song in 2004 that was on hold for Bonnie Raitt called “Completely Yours”, and cowrote “Lead Me There” for Stephanie Israelson which received airplay in the UK and the US and on Canadian Christian radio, ranked in the top 50 Christian songs for airplay in 2006 and stayed in the top 10 through most of 2007. James wrote “Life is Made for This” for recording artist Andy Taylor which charted across Canada in the top 10 in 2008 and in 2010 charted again with “I Run to You”, a top ten single for Miranda Fox.
This summer James was chosen to pitch songs to the NBC TV movie “A Walk in my Shoes” and will pitch to 12 more network movies with Front Porch Entertainment over the next 4 years. He has also presently pitched a song to Sony for the next Spiderman movie.
James has a Canadian University and American College education in music theory, composition, and journalism.
jlinderman@berkleemusic.com
www.theharmonyhouse.ca
Richard Peters
Richard Peters is the founder of BrokenOpen Theatre; Canada’s only professional actors specializing in acting training for Christians. You can find him most days teaching drama at Toronto District Christian High School. As an actor, he has worked for Chemainus Theatre on Vancouver Island, Stage Polaris in Edmonton, Brookstone Theatre in Toronto and Laugh out Loud Productions in Muskoka. He can be seen on the small screen with such actors as Jean Smart and Joe Mantegna. He is a member of ACTRA, Canadian Actor’s Equity Association, and Christians in Theatre Arts. Look for him onstage each December performing in 2000 Candles for the Arts Engine. Richard is a graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting Conservatory Program.
Nicole Sinclair-Anderson
Nicole is a graduate from the renowned Humber College with a diploma in Jazz Studies. There she honed her skills by studying with jazz greats such as Trish Colter, Lisa Martenelli, Pat Labarbara, Denny Christianson, Shelly Berger and Don Thompson. In 2003 she was the sole vocalist for Denny Christianson’s big band ensemble.
A principal soloist with the Juno-awarding winning Toronto Mass Choir for over 10 years, Nicole has been featured on many of their gospel recordings, shared the stage with Jon Hendricks, Jane Bunnett, Alvin Slaughter and Michael Burgess and traveled internationally to many countries such as Italy, Hungary, Poland and Romania.
Nicole is a much sought after studio session singer with Canadian artists including Mark Masri and Laila Biali. Nicole was also on the inaugural television season of Canadian Idol, making it to ‘Top 30’.
Nicole teaches music at Canada Christian College and has also set up her own vocal music studio, happy to share with others from her unique vantage point of being not only an experienced jazz singer, but also a seasoned gospel music artist for over the past 20 years.
Cassandra Sommers
Cassandra’s goal has always been to sing, and this became a reality when she was given the chance to tour extensively throughout the USA with the Christian Life College Chorale and later became the music director for the Christian Life Centre, a satellite church in Stockton, CA. Now back in Canada, Cassandra is currently assisting in ministry as the music director at Grimsby Christian Life Centre, Welland Lighthouse church and the Toronto First Church.
Cassandra’s musical expertise continues to enrich various praise and worship teams, musical events, seminars, as well as churches throughout Canada, US and Europe. She has shared the stage with some of Toronto’s gospel luminaries such as Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale, Toronto Mass Choir, and Pastor Richard Brown and has garnered international attention with stints with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Commissioned and James Hall & Worship & Praise, to name a few.
In 2004, Cassandra was a recipient of a Maja Award for Best Written Song (“Never Give Up”). The following year, in the summer 2005, she was a participant on the ‘Gospel Challenge’ TV show, which was aired in May 2006 on the Vision TV network.
Cassandra founded the music company, Divinely Orchestrated Centre for the Arts, where she teaches piano and vocal lessons to individuals, choirs and praise teams as well as organizing and hosting a gospel café “Worship Expressions”. In 2008, Cassandra was a judge and vocal coach on the Canadian reality show “Gospel Dynamic Duets”. Most recently, she was nominated for a Covenant Award for Gospel Song of the Year for her song “Grateful” and recently travelled to Poland to teach vocal workshops. Whether it be teaching, singing or playing, Cassandra strongly believes that the anointing makes all the difference. It is her desire to live a life that is filled with purpose and to reach the lost through Christ and to encourage and uplift souls through the gift of music.
Natalie Stewart
Natalie Stewart is a music consultant, clinician, arranger, director, educator and pianist. She comes from a musical family filled with musicians, worship leaders, psalmists and music producers. After graduating from the Honours Music Programme at McMaster University, she went on to complete her Masters degree in Ethnomusicology at York University with a research focus in gospel music. Natalie believes in using her experience, skills and musical knowledge to invest in others and help them reach their musical potential. She has been teaching privately and corporately for over a decade and has taught courses in worship, ear training and musicianship at the post-secondary level. Currently, Natalie runs her own business of music education (private/group instruction) and musical services (arranging, composing, directing, BGVs, workshops and consultations); she also works as a Music Education Advisor at the Cosmo School of Music in Richmond Hill.