Andre Rakus is the full time Director of Music and Liturgy at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church. He studied violin at the age of 5, under Arkady Yanivker (violinist, Toronto Symphony Orchestra). At 8, he added piano and voice to his studies at St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto. Later he added trumpet and flute. At 12, he studied organ under British concert organist the late Stanley Arthur King, as well as under the late William F. Turnbull, William C. Maddox and Dr. Marilyn Keiser. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (University of Toronto), Bachelor of Education (York University), Registered Nurse Diploma (Humber Polytechnic) and Associate and Licentiate Diplomas in organ, both With Distinction, (Trinity College, London U.K.). He is nearing completion of a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in Piano Performance/Conducting and Leadership Communication studying piano under Dr. Angela Miller-Niles. His conducting professors were Dr. Joshua Calkin (Advanced Instrumental Conducting) and Dr. Matthew Armstrong (Advanced Choral Conducting). His studies will be completed at the end of July 2025. He is exploring the possibility of doctoral studies. Also, he attended a choral conducting masterclass with Grammy nominated Dr. Vladimir Gorbik, professor of conducting at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. He was awarded the Lillian Forsyth National Organ Scholarship from Knox Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, Canada. He performs regularly, performing in such places as Washington National Cathedral (Washington DC), St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (Buffalo, NY), Metropolitan United Church (Canada’s largest pipe organ in Toronto), Roy Thomson Hall (Toronto, ON) to name a few, as well as guest pianist with the Lowcountry Wind Symphony performing George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Contact Andre, the Director of Music and Liturgy, at andre.rakus@pbocchurch.com or 843-237-3428 ext.