Music News

March 4, 2024

York University’s Noam Lemish Nominated for 2024 JUNO Award in Jazz Category

York University's Noam Lemish, a Professor of Jazz Studies, has earned a nomination for the upcoming 2024 JUNO Awards in the Jazz Album of the Year (Solo) category for his most recent album. The announcement was made on February 6 at CBC Studios in Toronto, marking a significant achievement for both Lemish and the Department of Music.


February 29, 2024

AMPD Professor Karen Burke’s Influence on Black Gospel Music Education in Canadian Academia

Karen Burke, Chair of the Music Department at York University, has been instrumental in advocating for the inclusion of Black gospel music in academia. Since 2005, she established the first courses of this kind at York, emphasizing the interconnectedness of gospel and jazz in African American musical traditions. Burke's influential efforts have played a pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive academic environment, including her mentorship of Darren Hamilton, who established the University of Toronto’s first Gospel Music course.


November 28, 2023

York University Leads Ontario in Culturally Diverse Performing Arts Education, Study Reveals

In a new research report conducted by Community Researchers, the York University School of Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) has been ranked the #1 University in Ontario for the cultural diversity of its performing arts curricula in Music and Dance. The comprehensive study, spanning June to July 2023, analyzed 77 performing arts programs and over 6,000 performing arts courses across Ontario colleges and universities. This accolade affirms York University’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and positive change in performing arts education.


February 10, 2023

Word, Sound, Power annual celebration shines spotlight on Black artists

On February 8, Members of the York University community congregated on campus to celebrate Black artistic talent with Word, Sound, Power: An Annual Celebration of Black Artistic Expression. The Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora presented the showcase of music, dance, spoken word and performance.


November 7, 2022

Christina Petrowska Quilico wins York University Research Award for being named 2021 Order of Ontario appointee

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced AMPD Professor of Musicology and Piano and world-renowned pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico's appointment to the Order of Ontario for 2021.  The Lieutenant Governor will bestow the province's highest honour on Petrowska Quilico at a ceremony to be held on November 21, 2022.