We are grateful to the following musicians for contributing their considerable talents to our events.
Matthew Larkin
One of Canada’s leading liturgical musicians for many years, Matthew is thrilled to be associated with Together in Worship Canada. He has served as director/associate director of music at a number of significant Canadian parishes, including St. John’s Church, Victoria, St. Matthew’s Church, Ottawa, St. James Cathedral, Toronto, Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, and St. Thomas’s Church, Toronto. He attended the University of Toronto (as Organ Scholar of Trinity College), and the Royal College of Music (UK), with studies in organ performance, choral direction, conducting, and composition, and received his early musical training (and gained his Christian formation) as a boy chorister at St. George’s Cathedral, Kingston. A Fellow of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Matthew is known worldwide as a recitalist, accompanist, and recording artist, and he has a lively interest in many subjects, ranging from travel to team sports. An enthusiastic educator, he has been the recipient of several honours for his work with younger musicians, including a doctorate is sacred theology (honoris causa) from Thorneloe University at Laurentian, and the HM Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Matthew is currently the Artistic Director of Caelis Academy Ensemble (which he founded in 2016), and Custodian of Music at St. Andrew’s Church. He maintains a full calendar of engagements, and divides his time between Ottawa and Toronto. Matthew is represented by Domoney Artists.
Leo Marchildon
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Leo was a top-notch student at St. Michael’s Choir School, which prepared him for earning degrees through the Royal Canadian College of Organists, the Western Conservatory of Music (London, ON), the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto, ON), the University of Toronto (Toronto, ON), and the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA).
Leo is the music director for St. Dunstan’s Basilica as well as music supervisor for the Diocese of Charlottetown. He represents the Atlantic Provinces on the National Council for Liturgical Music (NCLM) and serves as chair for the National Hymnal Committee, which is currently at work preparing a new Catholic Canadian Hymnal.
Find out more about Leo at www.leomarchildon.com.
Mark Wood-Salomon
Mark Wood-Salomon is a graduate of St. Michael’s Choir School, and the University Of Toronto’s Faculty Of Music. He is currently the Music Director at St. George’s On The Hill Anglican Church on Wednesday evenings, and the Professional Tenor Lead at Holy Blossom Temple, St. Thomas’s Anglican Church, and the Pax Christi Chorale. His other affiliations include the Babel Chorus, and the Arcady Ensemble. Mark also served as Music Director of St. Patrick’s Catholic Shrine Church from 2010 to 2020, and was a frequent cantor during the infancy of Vision TV’s Daily Mass, and St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica’s Sunday 5:00 PM Mass.
David Simon
David Simon is quickly establishing himself as a prominent organ recitalist, improviser, instructor, and liturgical musician. He won First Prize and Audience Prize in the University of Michigan organ improvisation competition in 2018. David has gone on to improvise extensively in concert, liturgy, and for silent films.
David has performed in North America, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and Russia to the acclaim of audience members, reviewers, and his colleagues. He won First Prize at the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) national organ competition held in Halifax. NS in 2019 and now serves as a member of the RCCO Competitions Committee.
David first studied music as a chorister at St. Michael’s Cathedral-Basilica in Toronto, ON and continues to play organ at its weekly masses. He teaches organ, piano, music theory, and Gregorian Chant at St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto and beyond. By fully embracing digital media, his private studio extends to students across North America.
David is a doctoral candidate at Yale University in the studios of Thomas Murray and Jeff Brillhart. He is a Fellow of the RCCO, winning prizes for top national achievement.
Find him on YouTube and visit his website for more information: davidsimon.ca.
