Artistic Leadership

Linda Crawford, Artistic Director

Born in Quebec City, Linda studied at the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec and Université de Laval, earning degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education. Additional studies included conducting and Baroque choral literature at Westminster Choir College and the University of Toronto. She continues to study choral conducting at master classes, most recently with Jean-Sebastien Vallée (Montréal) and Jon Washburn (Vancouver).

Linda is a retired Music and French educator. Her school concert bands attained regional and national gold standings at many festivals, over her 30-year career. She founded the OCDSB Intermediate Music Council, a teacher-based group to support music teachers and to organize music enrichment events for students. In 2004, Linda received the OCDSB Arts Recognition Award for Excellence in Music Education and the promotion of the Arts in Ottawa.

Linda has directed numerous community and church ensembles. She is often invited to offer choral and instrumental music workshops in Ontario and Quebec. In addition to her choral work, she teaches private Music (piano and voice) and French lessons. She is also part of the ELL teaching team for refugee families currently being welcomed to Vankleek Hill.

Linda is passionate about the excellent family of choirs in the GJS organization. She loves sharing the joy of choral singing with the three groups! She is very proud of the dedication and hard work of her Singers, and of the high level of quality they attain, in such a varied repertoire.

Nicholas Busch, Accompanist

Nicholas Busch has completed his Masters in Collaborative Piano at Western University, studying with Dr. John Hess, and Professor Mariana Chibotar-Rutkevich. He has collaborated with vocalists and instrumentalists in various recitals, competitions, and festivals, and has performed as part of the Adams & Busch Piano Duo throughout southwestern Ontario. He has a passion for new music and has had the honor of premiering and recording many new pieces for both mixed ensembles and solo piano by composers from across Canada. He currently holds the position of Director of Music at Kanata United Church, and is the Project Coordinator for the Beaverbrook Community Concert Series.