Stouffville United Church is excited to introduce Daniel Mehdizadeh as our new music director with his first service on September 24, 2023.
Dr. Daniel Mehdizadeh (DMA, University of Toronto) is a composer, pianist, and educator. For the last ten years, he has served as church organist in both Ottawa and Toronto, and for three years held the Composer-in-Residence position for the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been involved in both national and international festival series and holds numerous performances in Europe and North America. His works have had global exposure and have been broadcasted across Canada and the US including guest appearances on CBC and Classical Jukebox Radio. Mehdizadeh’s music has been featured on a number of albums, including those released by Akashic Rekords, distributed by Universal Group. He currently holds the title of Artistic Director at East Chamber Music and Juror & Mentor with the SPO’s New Generation Workshops. Mehdizadeh previously served as board member for the Canadian Music Centre’s Ontario region, and is currently part of the Music Advisory Committee for the Scarborough Philharmonic. Through concerts, commissions and festivals, he has been involved with the Penderecki String Quartet, the Princeton Singers, the Ewashko Singers, Capital Chamber Choir, Orchestre de la Francophonie, Georgian Bay Symphony, and North York Concert Orchestra amongst many others. Festivals include Collingwood Music Festival, ChamberFest, Music & Beyond, InnerChamber and much more. In his spare time, Daniel enjoys farmland nature, working on the house and spending time with his family.
Peggy’s journey at Stouffville United began in September 2012 as the Office Administrator. In conjunction with Rev. John, she prepares the bulletins and other materials for the weekly worship services. As well as welcoming guests and answering inquires, this role offers a lovely mix of varied duties including routine accounting procedures, assisting Rev. John and the Church Treasurer, as well as being creative when putting together the announcements. She provides clerical and administrative support to the various church committees and groups.
Nikki Devereux is our Communication Coordinator, made possible by Creating Community for All (CCFA) initiatives and the New Ministries Grant from the United Church of Canada Foundation. She is developing and maintaining a Communication’s Hub that has enhance our communication outreach both with our congregation and into our broader community of Stouffville.
Nikki has been an active member of our church congregation for over ten years, along with her husband, Chris and boys, Tyler(University), Alexander(Secondary school) and Bradley(Intermediate in Grade School). She continues to volunteer her time with Children’s Worship, Messy Church and a variety of other church activities and committees.
Please contact Nikki with your upcoming events (especially during your planning phase) so she can develop a communications plan with you that reaches a new audience of people who can Explore Spirituality, Embrace Action, and Experience Belonging.