You are warmly invited to a special Black History Month performance by the University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir, uniting the powerful and vibrant voices of over 50 students.

Join students from U of T's Faculty of Music, Toronto School of Theology, and Faculty of Arts & Sciences as they present a powerful musical journey featuring African American spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel pieces, and an electrifying gospel rhythm section. This evening will also showcase the cross-cultural influence and dynamic performances that bridge Canadian and U.S. gospel and classical music traditions.

This year, we welcome visiting guest scholar, clinician, and soloist, Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin (Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA), along with Canadian guest performers, Courtney Frazer, N.I.F.T.Y., and Tanya Charles. Desarae Dee returns as musical director. This event also features a special guest appearance by The Bishop Strachan School and the Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School Gospel Mass Choir. “A Celebration of Black History through Music” promises to be an inspiring and uplifting event that you do not want to miss!

In-Person: U of T alumni can enjoy an exclusive discounted rate of $15. Use the promo code UTALUM during registration on TO Live to unlock the alumni pricing. When the platform displays a “Maximum 1 seat” alert, just click the red Add to Cart button to proceed and complete your registration.

Please note a one-time $2.25 order processing fee will be applied at checkout. 
General admission seating. Doors open at 7:00 P.M.

Livestream: U of T alumni can enjoy free access to the livestream. Register here to receive the link before the event.

Directed by:
Dr. Darren Hamilton
Assistant Professor, Music Education
Faculty of Music

Don't miss this unforgettable evening of music and community!

Our Featured Performers
 

Dr. Darren Hamilton 

Dr. Darren Hamilton is an assistant professor of music education and the founding director of the University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir. His work with the gospel choir was featured in three CBC Radio documentaries that aired throughout 2024. The choir also performed at the 2024 Toronto Jazz Festival for the “Gospel at the Grove” event which Dr. Hamilton co-curated.

Dr. Darren Hamilton's original gospel composition, “Do You See Them?”, co-composed with Aaron Manswell (U of T DMA composition candidate) was released as the Faculty of Music Gospel Choir’s debut single recording in November 2025. A live performance of the song will be featured as part of the 2026 “A Celebration of Black History through Music” event. Dr. Hamilton has worked with several Canadian JUNO Award-winning and nominated gospel recording artists and was the recipient of the 2022 JUNO Award for MusiCounts Teacher of the Year. In addition to his work with the University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir, he currently serves as an assistant director for the JUNO Award-winning Toronto Mass Choir.

Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin 

Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin is a vocalist, composer, scholar, and educator with over 20 years of experience in performance, pedagogy, and cultural advocacy. She is Chair of the Ensemble Department at Berklee College of Music, creator of the Soul Ingredients® Methodology, and founder of the Soul Ingredients® Voice Studio.

Her work centers on preserving and promoting African American music traditions through performance, scholarship, and culturally responsive pedagogy. She is the Executive Director of the African American Jazz Caucus Inc., serves on the Board of Directors for the Jazz Education Network, and is a member of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing.

Dr. Robinson-Martin developed Soul Ingredients®, a voice methodology that teaches singers to develop authentic musical expression in genres such as jazz, gospel, R&B, and blues. Her scholarship and writings appear in DownBeat Magazine, The New York Times, Journal of Singing, and more. She is the author of So You Want to Sing Gospel and a contributor to several academic texts on Black music and voice.

As a performer, she blends soul, jazz, and gospel, earning praise for her emotionally resonant artistry. Her debut album All or Nothing, featuring Cyrus Chestnut and Don Braden, reflects her deep musical roots and interpretive range. In 2023, she launched the Soul Ingredients® Music Teacher Training Academy Online, a global platform offering live and pre-recorded courses for voice educators.

Courtenay Frazer 

Courtenay Frazer is an accomplished Canadian musician, arranger, and music director whose career spans over two decades of live performance, studio recording, and musical direction. Known for his soulful sound and versatility across genres, Courtenay has established himself as a dynamic force in live music, and primary as a professor teaching a range of students from music to creative arts, performance, and personal development.

Courtenay has performed at many concert halls such as Massy Hall, Koerner Hall, and the Scotia Bank Arena, and at major events hosted by various TD Jazz Festivals, TD Blues Festivals, Centennial College, Mic Check Magazine, and Sickle Cell Campaigns, to name a few. In addition to his stage presence, Courtenay has worked extensively as a music director and arranger, notably with The Honourable Julius Alexander Isaac, the Vibe Awards, and leading high-profile house bands for Maestro Fresh Wes, and Jully Black. His collaborative versatility has brough him to perform alongside and record for acclaimed artists including Black Eyed Peas. As a frequent contributor to workshops and educational initiatives, Courtenay will serve as guest accompanist for Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin at “A Celebration of Black History through Music’.

N.I.F.T.Y. 

Ches Christian, also known by the stage name, N.I.F.T.Y., is a dynamic faith-based hip-hop artist and storyteller whose music blends soulful R&B melodies with powerful messages of hope, healing, and purpose. He is a passionate educator, recording artist, and community leader who brings over two decades of experience to the classroom—and beyond. As Canada’s first-ever Rap Performance Professor at Centennial College, Ches has paved the way for hip-hop to be recognized and respected in academic spaces. His teaching isn’t just about beats and bars—it’s about helping students find their voice, build confidence, and use music to create real change.

Known for his emotionally honest lyrics and unforgettable performances, N.I.F.T.Y. uses real-life struggles and faith-based stories to inspire transformation and spark conversations that matter. N.I.F.T.Y. is more than a name — it’s an acronym for “Nothing’s Impossible For The Youth”, a statement of belief and a movement built to empower the next generation.

Through extensive national touring, he has reached audiences across colleges, high schools, community events, and churches, performing for crowds as large as 8,000 people. With an energetic yet conversational performance style, N.I.F.T.Y.’s mission is simple: to inject positivity into the culture and remind people that their story isn’t over.

Tanya Charles 

Tanya Charles, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, with ancestral roots in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, has captivated audiences across North and South America, as well as the Caribbean, with her exceptional musical talent. Tanya is currently the concertmaster of Ensemble Obiora, a Montreal-based ensemble she has proudly led since its founding in 2021. As the soloist with this ensemble, she is proud to have performed the Canadian premiere of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 1, conducted by Samy Rachid, Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in October 2023. In addition to her role with Ensemble Obiora, Tanya is also a violinist and the Outreach Coordinator for the Toronto-based Odin Quartet.

Her diverse musical background reflects a broad range of artistic collaborations and performances across various ensembles including the Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet Orchestra of Canada, various musical theatre shows with Mirvish Productions and the Shaw Festival, as well as Toronto’s Viva Mexico Mariachi.

Tanya is deeply committed to music education, serving as a dedicated educator, string adjudicator, and clinician both locally and internationally. Tanya is based in Toronto, where she shares her expertise as a faculty member at both the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music and the Oscar Peterson Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Desarae Dee 

Desarae Dee is an award-winning Canadian instrumental fusion artist, composer, and producer known as “Toronto’s Queen of Vibes” for her genre-defying sound and captivating performances. Blending jazz, gospel, soul, and electronic influences, she has solidified her place as a trailblazer in the instrumental jazz fusion genre.

A recipient of the SiriusXM Black Canadian Award and a GRAMMY Recording Academy Voting Member, Desarae has inspired millions with her viral #4ChordWorship series and powerful storytelling through music. Her 2024 album Adventure: The Album celebrated her 10-year journey as an artist, showcasing resilience and creativity. She serves as the Music Director for the University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir and Progress Church, balancing leadership with mentorship through programs like Soundcheck Youth and Marigold Music Program. Desarae has paved a unique path in the music industry, challenging gender, racial, and cultural barriers and creating a space for current and future Black women musicians.

Notice of photography and videography

Photography, audio and video recording may occur throughout this event. Therefore, by attending, you hereby authorize the University of Toronto to take your photograph, video and/or record your voice and grant the university all rights to these sounds, still or moving images in any medium for educational, promotional, marketing, advertising or other such purposes that support the mission of the university. If you do not consent to this, please speak with a university representative upon your arrival.