Arts on 817 final concert features world-class musical offering

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: May 10 2019 Strathmore Times

By Janet Kanters Times Editor

One of North America’s finest tenors is teaming with two of Canada’s most celebrated and awarded musicians for a performance in Strathmore.
Leon Leontaridis joins Calgary-based band GhostBoy, featuring Denis Dufresne and Aaron Young, for the final season 2 Arts on 817 concert, on May 10.
Leontaridis began singing as a young child and toured Europe with the Amadeus Children’s Choir. He grew up singing gospel music and in 2005 completed a Bachelor of Music Performance in Opera from the University of Victoria. In 2005, he joined The Canadian Tenors, then in 2007, he formed Destino, a male popera group. Leon returned to the stage as a solo artist in 2010 as The Gentleman Leon performing original pop/rock music. He recorded his debut cd The Gentleman Leon in 2011 and followed it up with a cross-Canada tour opening for George Canyon in 2012. Currently, Leon is on faculty at The Conservatory at MRU as a voice teacher and vocal coach, and he owns and operates Leon Leontaridis Vocal Studio in Calgary.
Denis Dufresne, a native of Medicine Hat, is front man for country/Americana group GhostBoy. Recorded on over 500 albums in multiple genres, he is a seven-time Canadian Country Music Association winner for fiddle and mandolin. Dufresne toured the world as a member of world music group, Barrage, a violin-based, modern worldbeat ensemble based in Calgary.
He also toured North America and Asia as front man for roots group PEAR, and has been a side man and session player for many country, folk and rock acts.
Aaron Young is a composer, singer and songwriter, and is known as one of Canada’s top guitarists with a strong background in roots/fingerstyle, folk, blues, country, rock and jazz music. By the time Young was just 23 years old, he had already produced, arranged and performed on over 15 albums. The native of Prince Albert, Sask., Young was also part of world music group Barrage, and is one of the original members of Polyjesters.
GhostBoy featuring Leon Leontaradis goes on Friday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Strathmore United Church. For more information or for tickets, contact Linda at 403-901-2797 or visit smoreuc.com/arts-on-817-2018-19-season.