About Us
Stephanie Martin, Artistic Director
Artistic Director of Pax Christi Chorale since 1996, Stephanie Martin has lead Pax Christi Chorale in many memorable performances. Highlights over the past 10 years include Bach’s Saint John Passion; Handel’s Israel in Egypt; Brahms’ Requiem; Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Saint Paul; Poulenc’s Gloria; Vaughan William’s Hodie and Dona Nobis Pacem and Britten’s Saint Nicolas. Recently in Vancouver, she received an honourary membership in the Elgar Society, and a note from the British Chairman, Andrew Neill who said, “pass on our congratulations and appreciation to Professor Martin for her contribution to the music of Elgar in this, the 150 th anniversary year of his birth”. Ms. Martin holds the distinction of being the first Canadian woman to conduct a full performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius. She serves as Music Director of the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Toronto and as Assistant Professor of music at York University. She can be heard on several Naxos, Marquis and self-produced recordings, playing harpsichord and baroque chamber organ. Ms. Martin holds degrees from the University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University, and is an Associate of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
Stuart Sladden, Assistant Conductor
Stuart Sladden has been teaching and performing in the Toronto area since 1996. His love of music began in high school where he was exposed to a wide variety of music. During high school he studied both trumpet and voice, and it was his affinity for vocal music that eventually led him to pursue a post secondary education in vocal performance. He studied for a year at Humber College under Trish Colter, and then transferred to the University of Toronto where he studied with Carol Wellsman and Lisa Martinelli and graduated with his B. Music in Performance degree in 2002.
Since graduating from university, Stuart has been in demand as both a private instructor and freelance musician throughout the GTA. He is currently working as the Music Director and Organist for Mayfield United Church, the Music Director for Oasis Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the Asst. Conductor of Pax Christi Chorale as well as a member of the Pax Christi Chamber Choir. He has also done extensive work with Mississauga Tranzzit, Cawthra Park Secondary Schools Senior Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and will be Directing Jazz A Peel, Cawthra's Jr. Jazz Choir in the fall.
Along with choral work and teaching, Stuart is also a composer and arranger. He was the co-writer for Opus Focus, a vocal jazz quartet, and recently wrote half a program for the debut performance of VSOTP, a new choral ensemble in Toronto featuring works from local composers.
Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill, Rehearsal Accompanist and Organist
A native of Victoria, BC, Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill completed his MA in musicology at the University of Victoria before moving to Toronto for doctoral studies at the University of Toronto. He left his job as Organist at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Victoria, and for seven years was Organist and Choirmaster at St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Scarborough, and College Organist for St. Michael's College on the U of T campus. Bruce Kirkpatrick Hill has been Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Deer Park, a large Anglican church in mid-town Toronto since 1997. He is the rehearsal accompanist for the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, is a member of the award-winning Exultate Chamber Singers, is the accompanist for Pax Christi Chorale, and is married to the choir’s Artistic Director, Stephanie Martin.
