Workshop Leaders
Gordon Adnams
Gordon Adnams teaches at Redeemer, coordinates worship at MacNeill Baptist Church in Hamilton and leads workshops, seminars and retreats to encourage and enrich churches in their congregational singing.
James Bloemendaal
James Bloemendal loves music and worship. He helped found ‘Church Outta Da Box’ in Brampton, worked with ‘Church In The Box’ at Redeemer for four years, directed music at Living Mosaic Church, and still consults churches on worship and music, teaches guitar, and writes/records/tours with a few different bands including Garner, Toronto Party Band, and Ash & Bloom.
Syd Hielema
Dr. Syd Hielema serves as chaplain and Associate Professor of Religion at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, ON. During the past 35 years he has been privileged to serve congregations in almost every worship role imaginable (preacher, worship leader, liturgist, musician, composer, choir director, children’s worship), and finds great delight in exploring the worship dimensions of loving the Lord.
Esther Lessard
Esther first started liturgical dance at her home church in Oshawa, in 1993. She has taught many different workshops, and has instructed both children and adults alike. Esther is an instructor and choreographer for a dance ministry called “In His Presence”. Her passion is to glorify God in the dance, and to help bring others into a deeper worship experience through dance.
Dan Machiela
Dan Machiela received his Ph.D. From the University of Notre Dame in Scripture and Theology in 2007. he currently teaches Bible and Early Judaism at McMaster University and attends Ancaster Christian Reformed Church.
Matt Pamplin
Matt is the associate pastor of discipleship and teaching at Grindstone church in Waterdown.
Wendy J. Porter
Wendy is the Director of Music and Worship at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON. She plans and leads weekly chapel services, teaches courses on music and worship as well as on theological reflection, works as a consultant to churches in the area of music and worship, and is frequently a guest worship leader and/or soloist at churches, retreats, conferences, and educational institutions. She also leads worship in her local church.
Robb Powell
Dr. Robb Powell is the national coordinator of university/college ministries for Mission Canada (PAOC) and a chaplaincy associate at Redeemer University College.
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan is Resource Development Specialist for Worship Teams for the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and the Coordinator for Christian Formation through Worship at Calvin College.
Ruth Ann Schuringa
Ruth Ann Schuringa is proud to be a Redeemer graduate! (Dykstra '89). One of the first music grads from R.U.C, she went on to Calvin College to study more about worship and music. She's been a worship director for many years, the last 7 years on staff at Immanuel CRC in Caledon (Brampton). Ruth Ann also teaches various worship seminars at local Ontario churches; as well as leading worship for retreats and conferences.
Greg Sheer
Greg Scheer is Minister of Worship at Church of the Servant in Grand Rapids and Music Associate at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. His writings include The Art of Worship: A Musician’s Guide to Leading Modern Worship (Baker Books, 2006) and contributions to The Hymn, Call to Worship, Worship Leader, and the forthcoming New Songs of Celebration Render (GIA, ed C. Michael Hawn).
Amber Smith
Amber Smith is the Creative Director & Children’s Ministry Consultant for Glo Media which is based out of GTA.
Julia Soderholm
Julia is in her second year at Redeemer. She is an art major and due to her skills in powerpoint, she was asked by her professor Petra Zantingh to help out with this workshop.
Glen Soderholm
Glen is singer/songwriter/worship leader/facilitator who consults with churches across Canada on worship renewal. He lives in Rockwood, ON.
Paul Thorlakson
Paul is Associate Professor of Music at Redeemer University College and has served in music ministry in multiple contexts and denominations and in large and small congregations. He holds a Masters degree in Church Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance, Conducting, and Theory from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
Patrick and Lisa Timney
Patrick and Lisa have both had careers in the performing arts, and have led workshops and voice and worship in numerous churches in a variety of denominations. They have also participated as workshop clinicians in music conferences and at music festivals. Patrick is currently the worship pastor at Bramalea Baptist Church in Brampton and Lisa teaches voice privately and is part of the music faculty at Redeemer University College.
James Tughan
James Tughan is the executive director of the Semaphore Institute International in Oakville, Ontario and is part of a coordinated renewal of the Arts in the global Christian community. He is a professional visual artist and is a part of the art faculty at Redeemer University College
Ron VandenBurg
Ron, his wife Rachel, and their three children worship at Jubilee Fellowship CRC in St.Catharines. Drama and the importance of words in worship have been his focus while working in worship. In recent years, at Jubilee, Ron has written and directed the musical The Life based on the music of Michael Card. He also organized Arts in Worship Niagara.
Petra Zantingh
An artist, educator and freelance graphic designer, Petra currently teaches in the Fine Arts and Education departments at Redeemer University College. She is also the Visual Arts co-coordinator at her church.