Jonathan Michael - The Toronto Tenor

Jonathan began singing at the age of 7 when his parents enrolled him into the world renowned St. Michael’s Choir School in Downtown, Toronto, Ontario. It is there that his musical background was nurtured as the school had a heavy emphasis on liturgical music. For the next 11 years of his life, Jonathan’s regular curriculum at school involved choral singing for 45 minutes daily, singing at one of the 4 masses at St. Michael’s Cathedral during weekends, travelling with the school twice yearly on tours throughout Canada and the U.S. and learning the piano and classical guitar. This was all in addition to the regular academic curriculum that himself and the other students were required to also complete. In 1988, Jonathan gained his first bit of experience in recording music as he was selected as one of the students to lend his voice to the Choir School’s fifth album titled “Shout For Joy.” He was also selected as the soprano soloist for the song “Little Road To Bethlehem”

Shortly after entering high school, Jonathan began singing with the Tenor and Bass choir after his voice changed and settled as a 1st tenor. After graduating, Jonathan then attended Carleton University and majored in psychology. Not forgetting his musical background, Jonathan began singing with the Carleton Choir from 1994 to 1999 and was featured as a tenor soloist in a number of their Christmas and spring concerts. He also continued his liturgical duties and began singing as a cantor at various parishes in the Ottawa area (St. Augustine’s Parish from 1995 to 1996 and St. John The Apostle Parish from 1996 to 1999). In addition, Jonathan was also part of a vocal quartet with three of his classmates that performed at various functions when he returned home to Toronto during the summer months.

After graduating from Carleton University with his Master’s degree in psychology, Jonathan returned to Toronto and began working as a counselor. In 2001 and 2002, he was given an opportunity to fill in as a cantor at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish during the summer months. The part time opportunity eventually turned into a full time canting position in 2003. It was there that he was introduced to Suzanne Kompass in 2004 who took him on as vocal student.

In 2004, the influx of cross over classical music (also known as Popera) began gaining popularity in mainstream music. With artists such as Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Russell Watson and Mario Frangoulis spearheading this new genre of music, Jonathan felt as though he had found a style that perfectly fit his voice. Since 2004, Jonathan has focused his studies on cross over classical music to help expand his repertoire. Although he still holds strong with traditional songs he learned from his early years at the choir school (such as Ave Maria, Laudate Dominum and Panis Angelicus), he also enjoys performing more contemporary cross over songs which has allowed him to sing in Italian, Spanish, French and English.

Jonathan still remains as one of the main cantors at St. Margaret’s of Scotland Parish in Toronto and also performs at various galas and charity functions throughout the year.