Darren Hamilton
Assistant Professor
Gospel Choir
Education
- PhD, University of Toronto
- MMus, University of Western Ontario
- BEd, University of Toronto
- BFA, York University
Biography
Prior to his appointment to the Faculty of Music in 2023, Dr. Darren Hamilton taught secondary music full-time for 15 years. He was also part-time contract faculty in the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University and in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto (U of T). In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education at U of T, he is the founding director of the U of T Faculty of Music Gospel Choir.
Dr. Hamilton has served as a member of the JUNO Award-winning Toronto Mass Choir (TMC) and the JUNO-nominated Youth Outreach Mass Choir. He has also guest conducted performances for TMC, the Oakville Chora, and the Tyndale Community Choir. He directs and has recorded with the PowerUp Chorale, an ad hoc vocal ensemble that meets and performs at TMC’s annual PowerUp Gospel Music Workshop.
Dr. Hamilton’s research interests lie in formal gospel music pedagogy and popular music pedagogy. His work has been published in the Canadian Music Educator and the Recorder journals, produced by the Canadian Music Educators’ Association and the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA), respectively. He is also the co-editor of the forthcoming edited volume, The Why and How of Popular Music Education: A Canadian Perspective. Dr. Hamilton recently received a 2024 Connaught New Researcher Award from the University of Toronto and is currently engaged in research exploring the perceptions and benefits of curricular gospel choir programs for students at Canadian postsecondary institutions. His work with the U of T Faculty of Music Gospel Choir was featured in a 2024 CBC Radio documentary which aired on "Ideas with Nahlah Ayeh", "The Current with Matt Galloway", and "Storylines".
Dr. Hamilton has been a guest lecturer, workshop presenter and panelist for events hosted by MusiCounts, Choral Canada (PODIUM Conference), the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA), the International Society of Music Education (ISME Conference), the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, York University, the University of Toronto, and several public and catholic school boards across Ontario.
Dr. Darren Hamilton was the recipient of the 2022 JUNO Award for MusiCounts Teacher of the Year, recognizing his professional contributions to the field of music education.
Photo Credit: Connaught Fund
Dr. Hamilton has served as a member of the JUNO Award-winning Toronto Mass Choir (TMC) and the JUNO-nominated Youth Outreach Mass Choir. He has also guest conducted performances for TMC, the Oakville Chora, and the Tyndale Community Choir. He directs and has recorded with the PowerUp Chorale, an ad hoc vocal ensemble that meets and performs at TMC’s annual PowerUp Gospel Music Workshop.
Dr. Hamilton’s research interests lie in formal gospel music pedagogy and popular music pedagogy. His work has been published in the Canadian Music Educator and the Recorder journals, produced by the Canadian Music Educators’ Association and the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA), respectively. He is also the co-editor of the forthcoming edited volume, The Why and How of Popular Music Education: A Canadian Perspective. Dr. Hamilton recently received a 2024 Connaught New Researcher Award from the University of Toronto and is currently engaged in research exploring the perceptions and benefits of curricular gospel choir programs for students at Canadian postsecondary institutions. His work with the U of T Faculty of Music Gospel Choir was featured in a 2024 CBC Radio documentary which aired on "Ideas with Nahlah Ayeh", "The Current with Matt Galloway", and "Storylines".
Dr. Hamilton has been a guest lecturer, workshop presenter and panelist for events hosted by MusiCounts, Choral Canada (PODIUM Conference), the Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA), the International Society of Music Education (ISME Conference), the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, York University, the University of Toronto, and several public and catholic school boards across Ontario.
Dr. Darren Hamilton was the recipient of the 2022 JUNO Award for MusiCounts Teacher of the Year, recognizing his professional contributions to the field of music education.
Photo Credit: Connaught Fund