BIO OF JESSE FEYEN

Musician.  Scholar.  Christian worship leader.  These three descriptors constitute a large part of Jesse Feyen's identity.  At twenty-seven years of age, Jesse has enjoyed a wide variety of musical experiences as an avid performer on drums, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, and vocals.  He balances a busy music career with the pursuit of a Ph.D in Ethnomusicology at York University in Toronto.  Furthermore, for over fifteen years he has worked in music ministry in a large variety of church denominations, including Christian Reformed, Pentecostal, Christian and Missionary Alliance, nondenominational, Baptist, Brethren, Brethren in Christ, Harvest Bible Fellowship, Salvation Army, United, and Church of God in Christ.  He tirelessly works to hone his musical skills, advance his academic career, and improve his abilities as a contemporary worship leader - all while keeping Jesus Christ at the centre of his life.

Much of Jesse’s music experience comes from playing in church – first as a drummer, then on keyboards, and later at age fifteen he took up the guitar.  He has played in dozens of churches throughout Ontario and has worked as the contemporary worship music director of three churches: Metropolitan United Church in London, Gregory Drive Alliance Church in Chatham, and Harvest Bible Chapel Cambridge at present.  He leads worship by singing and playing either keyboard or guitar.  His ability on multiple instruments has proved to be valuable in the context of a worship band.  His passion, sincerity, and smile are inspiring to congregations as they are led into worship through music.

Jesse has been privileged to receive musical training from six private instructors, two vocal coaches, and two post-secondary institutions.  He completed a BA in Music Administrative Studies at the University of Western Ontario before finishing his Master’s degree at York University in August 2007.  He balances his present doctoral research with working as a teaching assistant at York University, speaking at conferences, and his adjunct faculty position at Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario. 

In recent years, Jesse has been active in Toronto's contemporary gospel music scene.  For three years, Jesse served as piano accompanist and band director of the York U Gospel Choir.  Through his involvement with this ensemble, Jesse performed at the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Conference in January 2008 in Toronto.  He also performed with Grammy award-winning gospel singer/songwriter Carvin Winans.  Furthermore, Jesse played electric guitar for the JUNO award-winning Toronto Mass Choir throughout 2008.  Highlights of his time with the group include the two-week concert tour of Poland and opening for gospel legend Shirley Caesar.  Jesse was also privileged to be part of the "Evolution of Gospel Music" production in February 2009 both as a planner and a guitarist.

In addition, Jesse has played in a variety of ensembles over the years including concert bands, “pit” bands, and blues and rock ensembles.  He is in high demand as a wedding musician and private instructor and has also worked as a studio musician, producer, composer, arranger, transcriber, and chorister.    

It is difficult to say exactly what the future holds for Jesse; however, there is no doubt that his exciting musical journey will continue as he passionately serves the Lord with his gifts and strives for excellence in all areas of his life.  Whether he’s in church, in the classroom, or on the concert stage, music will invariably be a key part of Jesse’s identity.