Born in Trinidad, André Heywood grew up and studied in London, Ontario earning undergraduate degrees in both Biochemistry and Music Education, and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from The University of Western Ontario. A former chorister of the renowned Amabile Boys’ and Men’s Choirs, Mr. Heywood served as the group’s assistant conductor for two years before moving to Minnesota in 2007. Since then he has worked on the campus of Saint John’s Abbey and University, serving as Artistic Director of The Saint John’s Boys’ Choir, conductor of the Saint John’s Abbey Schola (monastic choir), Liturgical Music Director at Saint John’s Preparatory School, and as an adjunct faculty member at the university where he directs two ensembles and teaches graduate choral conducting. Since 2016 he has served as conductor of the National Catholic Youth Choir and director of the choir program at Ontario’s Interprovincial Music Camp. He has twice been awarded by the American Choral Directors’ Association of Minnesota – in 2011 with the VocalEssence Creative Programming Award, and in 2013 as the Outstanding Young Director of the Year. A highly sought after clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, Mr. Heywood is a well-known specialist in developing young male voices. He is currently a doctoral candidate in choral conducting at the University of Toronto, where he studies with Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt.
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