Huronia's Choral Jewel

Artistic Director

Conductor Gary Heard has studied voice, piano, organ and bassoon. He earned the highest marks in the province of Ontario on the Solo Performers Associate in voice. He sang with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for more than a decade. He was a guest conductor of the North York Concert Orchestra at the Ford Centre for the Performing arts in Toronto.

Mr. Heard has maintained a career as a church organist/choir director for thirty years. Currently he sings professionally with the Etobicoke Centennial Choir and at the Church of St. Simon-the-Apostle in Toronto.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as well as a certificate in Arts Management. Mr. Heard was the conductor of the North Toronto singers for fourteen years and is currently in his eleventh year as Artistic Director of the Serenata Choir.

Accompanist

Serenata is delighted to have John French as the choir’s accompanist. Mr. French, a local Midland resident, is an accomplished musician and accompanist. He attended the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music degree in Musicology. He was organist and choir director in Toronto and was also the organist/choir director at Calvary Baptist Church in Midland.