Hussein Janmohamed is a Toronto-based choral artist, composer and music facilitator/conductor passionate about excellence in the choral arts as a medium for cultural dialogue, building positive relations, and accessing the human spirit. Hussein works with all ages to bring interactive choral experiences in community, education, and business settings to inspire creative leadership and connection. Choral music reconciled his diverse cultural heritage with living in Canada, and helped transform the negativity of racism into something beautiful. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in music education at the University of Toronto focusing on the role choral music can play to support Muslim youth identity in dialogue with a diverse Canada.
Hussein is the first recipient of the BC Choral Federation Malcolm McDonald Youth Achievement Award for his distinguished service, community building and inspirational leadership. Hussein has sung with Jumblies Theatre Ground Floor Choir, Awaaz Vocal Collective, Elmer Iseler Singers under the James T. Chestnutt Mentorship Program and Chor Leoni Men's Choir. He has conducted Ismaili Muslim Youth Choirs, as well as college and community choirs across Canada. Recent community arts collaborations include Jumblies Theatre, Ismaili Muslim community, Red Dress Productions, Neighbourhood Arts Network, Sing Festival, and Emergence Arts and Social Equity Symposium.
Hussein's compositions and self-produced performances explore the dialogue between sounds of Muslim devotion and music of the diverse Canadian soundscape. Recent composition premieres include Sun on Water, by the Amadeus Choir; and Nur: Reflections on Light, by the Elmer Iseler Singers, commissioned by the Aga Khan Museum for the opening of the Ismaili Centre Toronto. Commission highlights also include Mombasa Matatu Meditation for the Esoterics (Seattle), and Gatherings (With Lil'wat writer Russell Wallace), by the Westcoast Sacred Arts Society (Vancouver) for a Tribute Concert for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He continues to work as a choral facilitator, singer, and public speaker internationally.
