Darryl Joseph Dennie

Darryl started as a group piano student at Merriam when he was 4 years old and continued for 5 years before being streamed to private lessons with Ben Jokela. Darryl has had first hand experience with the curriculum and is continued through the Enriched Program. He achieved the Royal Conservatory of Music ARCT classical diploma with Mary Ficzere, his Artist jazz diploma with Brian de Lima.He spent years studying classical, jazz and theory at the Merriam School of Music, where he is now currently functioning as a music education specialist. After attending Humber College for Jazz and Contemporary music in Toronto, Darryl then further pursued his musical development by joining the music ministry at his home church, Praise Cathedral Worship Centre. It was there that he learned how to fuse the precision of classical, the harmony of jazz and the functionality of gospel music to create his own unique voice on the piano. In addition to serving as the music coordinator for Kingdom Covenant Centre, Darryl also operates as the music director and arranger for multiple groups within the GTA including Juno award winner, Carlos Morgan. In the summer of 2016, Darryl composed; scored and conducted the music for the acclaimed musical ‘Dario et la diabless.’ Darryl also leads his own group, TAP (the audition project) in which he produces and arranges the music for live shows and tours.

Darryl has a relaxed teaching style, and is willing to incorporate his students’ music and song styles into lessons as long as it fits into the curriculum. He joined the Merriam School of Music faculty in 2006.

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