Trinity Bach Project - People

People

Who we are

Louise Zacharias Friesen

Artistic Director

Louise has studied piano and voice with such eminent Canadians as Jane Coop, Henrietta Schellenberg, Marie Daveluy, and Nancy Argenta. Choral and solo experiences across the country have been a great joy for her, including seven seasons as a soprano with Pro Coro Canada. In Saskatoon, she pioneered a children’s choir and was developing a vocal octet when the Covid pandemic struck. Her longtime vision of creating a Bach cantata series was realized in Fall 2022 with the launching of Trinity Bach Project.

Nicholas Nicolaidis

Music Director

Nicholas is an accomplished and award-winning soloist, chorister, vocal pedagogue, and conductor, with a special sensitivity to Bach. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, he began his vocal studies at the world famous Drakensberg Boys Choir School. He holds a BMus Degree from Wits University and furthered his singing studies in London, UK, and his conducting studies in Stellenbosch, RSA. He is an established member of Toronto's professional music scene, specializing in choral music, oratorio, Lieder, and jazz standards.

Michelle Odorico

Orchestral Director

Michelle is a versatile freelance musician with a wealth of relationships across Toronto's classical music scene. Trained by Jeanne Lamon and specializing in baroque violin, she has performed and toured with Tafelmusik, Opera Atelier, and Elixir Baroque Ensemble. When not at the park with her three children, she plays regularly with the Toronto String Quartet and teaches violin at the Hamilton Suzuki School of Music. Michelle is thrilled to be sharing Bach's cantatas and instrumental music with audiences in the spiritual intention with which they were written.

Chris Friesen

Executive Director

Chris brings experience as a teacher, pastor, writer, producer, and HR manager. For years he led the Friesen Family Band with Louise and their six children, composing and arranging repertoire, crafting over a hundred concerts, and overseeing multi-event tours and the recording of three albums. While commuting to weekend work at a retreat centre in rural Saskatchewan in 2013, Chris used to listen to Bach’s collected motets and Mass in B minor weekly. He is completing a PhD in Theology at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto.