Tim believes everyone can learn to sing, when given the proper encouragement and training. Having more people singing in the community is one of his passions. He believes that when someone is singing, they are connecting with their core-self.
Tim has worked in music since he was a young child. He has a Bachelor of Music, an ARCT in Organ Performance and has been directing choirs since he was sixteen years old.
Tim grew up as a boy treble at Christ Church Cathedral under the leadership of Frances MacDonnell. At the age of 16, he took up his first position as Organist and Music Director at Northwestern United Church where he served for 7 years.
In 2001, Tim went to work at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa where he founded and directed the Cathedral Girls’ Choir. He also served as Music Associate, accompanying the Men and Boys’ choir and sharing organist duties with his colleague Matthew Larkin.
Under his tenure, the Girls’ choir grew into a first-rate performing ensemble singing at all manner of Cathedral liturgies as well as concerts throughout the Ottawa region. They sang for many high-profile events including the Induction Ceremonies for our Governor General David Johnston, and in a private performance for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, upon her visit to Ottawa in 2010. The choir toured to Kingston, Montreal, Quebec City, Washington DC, and in August 2012, they took their music over the pond and sang at Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral in England as well as at the Menin Gate in Belgium.
Tim also directs other choirs in the Ottawa area, notably Chorale Lyrica which is a youth choir that operates in Gatineau and the Ottawa Gay Men's Chorus. He is also Musical Director for the Western Quebec School Board’s MusicMakers event which brings together over 800 kids from across the region every spring for a joint musical presentation.
As well as directing choirs, Tim has a passion for writing music of all kinds. He has written a number of musicals, including Bye Bye Bytown, which enjoyed successful runs at both Centrepointe Theatre and the Ottawa Little Theatre. He regularly arranges motets for the choir at Saint Bartholomew's and also arranges many choral offerings for his other choirs.