Darren Hamilton
Assistant Professor
University of Toronto
About Darren Hamilton
Dr. Darren Hamilton is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Music at the
University of Toronto where he teaches undergraduate and graduate
courses in music education. He is also the director and founder of the
University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir. Prior to his
appointment as faculty at the University of Toronto, he taught secondary
music full-time for 15 years with the Peel District School Board.
Dr. Hamilton has been involved in the Canadian gospel music scene for
over 30 years, having worked or recorded with notable JUNO
Award-winning artists such as the Toronto Mass Choir and Sharon Riley, as
well as JUNO-nominated artists, Youth Outreach Mass Choir, Londa
Larmond and Patricia Shirley.
Dr. Hamilton’s research interests lie in formal gospel music, popular music,
and hip hop music education, in addition to anti-Black racism, equity,
diversity and social justice in music education. His research has been
published in scholarly journals, he has presented at provincial, national and
international music education conferences, and in 2024, Dr. Hamilton’s work
with the U of T Faculty of Music Gospel Choir was featured in a
documentary that aired on three CBC Radio programs.
Dr. Darren Hamilton was the recipient of the 2022 JUNO Award for
MusiCounts Teacher of the Year, recognizing his commitment to equity and
diversity, and his professional contributions to the field of music education.
Events with Dr. Darren Hamilton
Changing the Tune: Rethinking School Music Programs to Meet Student Interests and Needs
Across Canada, music educators are reshaping their music programs to better reflect the needs, interests, and identities of their students. This session brings together panelists who are moving beyond traditional...