NORTH LAKESHORE CHORUS: PEOPLE
Michael Korn, Producer
Michael Korn, the Producer and founder of the North Lakeshore Chorus, grew up near St. Albans, Herts, England in the 1960s and came to Canada with his parents in 1975. His father was a German Holocaust survivor and his mother survived the Allied bombing of Cologne, Germany in the Second World War. Both grandfathers
fought in the Imperial Germany Army in the Great War—although his Jewish grandfather served in the British Army for eight years in the Second World War. Michael’s love of choral music lead to opportunities to sing with Scarborough Choral Society and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. He was a founding member of the Bel
Canto Singers in 1993 and served as their president for many years. He currently sings with Belleville Choral Society and the choir of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Picton.
Passionate about history and music—and thrilled to be able to meld the two together with a narrative—Michael was inspired by the story of Thomas Clifford Wilson, who grew up in his Prince Edward County farm house, and was sadly killed at the Battle of
Passchendaele, Belgium on November 4, 1917. This passion has led to the production of over twenty concerts since 1993, all
with an historical theme.
As 2019 marked the 80th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, the choir’s focus shifted away from Great War commemorations, and there was a very successful tour of mainland Italy and Sicily in the same year. Covid brought choral activities and a planned tour to the Netherlands, Belgium and France in 2020 to a halt. Michael is very excited by the prospect of travelling to northern France, Belgium and the Channel Islands in June 2024 to pay tribute to the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Canadian assault on June Beach on June 6th, 1944. He is inspired by the dedication of choristers, accompanists, music directors, committee members and volunteers who have worked so hard on current and past productions.
Heather Christiansen, Music Director
With over 25 years of music and performing arts experience from Ontario to British Columbia, Heather Christiansen has worked with a variety of non-profit arts organizations, ranging from youth and professional orchestras, community choirs, dance and musical
theatre groups. Heather has a Bachelor of Music degree from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Education degree from the
University of British Columbia. She has been recognized for her conducting abilities with the Don Wright Scholarship in Vocal &
Choral Music Education, Edward Somppi Award for Musical Direction and Conducting, and the George N. Maybee Memorial Scholarship for Choral Conducting.
Heather is honoured to join the Belleville Choral Society. She believes in the power of ensemble singing for physical,
psychological, social and musical well-being. She says, “Ensemble singing creates magical moments for the performers and audience, bringing a community together. A great performance has the ability to stop time - it is the power of the music. How lucky are we all to join in that experience!”
Tom Dietzel - Accompanist
Hailing from Moose Jaw Saskatchewan, Tom studied classical piano with Carl Ellis and Maude McGuire, and pop music in dance bands with Roman Churko and Dale Collins, before completing a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at the University of Regina, where he gained experience singing in the Concert Choir, and wrote an arrangement for the touring University Jazz Ensemble.
Tom is grateful to the Quinte Ballet School in Belleville for presenting him with the challenge to find creative ways to play for unscripted ballet classes, which has helped him to develop some basic improv skills. Tom has played in the Quinte Symphony since 1990, and helped on the board of directors from 2014 to 2023.
At St. Joseph’s Church in Belleville he led a musical theatre youth group, composing settings of gospel stories. Tom has also been involved with musical theatre at the Belleville Theatre Guild yearly since 2005.
Tom has been able to do remote learning online with E.J. Gold. With E.J. Gold, Tom was given an opportunity to compose music to accompany a visual arts event. After sharing the results at Tom's home church, St Andrews Picton, the church began a series of multimedia events in partnership with local painters, photographers and poets. Tom enjoys time visiting with his sons in Toronto and Montreal.
Garret Rodgers, Piper
Garret is a seasoned bagpiper with over 13 years of experience, showcasing his talent in bands across Canada and Ireland. A highlight of his career includes competing at the World Pipe Band Championships for three consecutive years, achieving top 5 rankings with the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band.
His dedication led him to Scotland, where he studied music on a scholarship, further refining his bagpipe skills. Alongside his musical pursuits, Garret is committed to nurturing future talent as a teacher at a local cadet squadron, while also starting a new band at the cadet squadron.
In parallel, Garret is finishing up training to become a pilot, with aspirations to fly for Air Canada. Despite his busy schedule, he remains devoted to bagpipe music. Garret has been a member of the NLSC since 2015 when we traveled to Europe for our "Till the Boys Come Home" Tour and in later years, Newfoundland for the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel, Canada 150, and "Peace at Last, The Boys Come Home" tour around Europe in 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War and to Italy for our "Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye" tour. Over the past years, it has been an opportunity of a lifetime to travel with such an amazing group and experience in person the history which has made our world a better place today.
Garret's multifaceted journey reflects his unwavering commitment to excellence in both music and aviation, embodying a passion for embracing new challenges.