About
He is currently completing his Doctor of Music (D.Mus.) in Choral Conducting at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music under Dr. Jean-Sébastien Vallée, where he has directed the University Chorus and Concert Choir, as Course Lecturer and Principal Conductor, and served as Assistant Conductor of the Schulich Singers.
His conducting experience spans professional, university, youth, community, and faith-based ensembles across Canada. He has collaborated with many of the country’s leading choirs, including the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and TMSingers, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Ontario Youth Choir, Modern Sound Collective, Schulich Singers, Western University Singers, and Pax Christi Chorale.
Matthew’s achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and fellowships, including the Sir Ernest MacMillan Memorial Foundation, James T. Chestnutt Scholarship, Hnatyshyn Foundation Christa and Franz-Paul Decker Fellowship in Conducting, Clifford Evens Graduate Conducting Award, Graduate Excellence Fellowship, and the Wayne Riddell Choral Award.
Beyond the podium, Matthew has served on various committees and organizations. Recently, these included being a member of the Executive Committee of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, Ambassador for the Center for Congregational Song, board member of the Summer Institute of Church Music, and the Royal Canadian College of Organists. He currently serves on the curation committee for Then Let Us Sing! resource for the United Church of Canada.
He holds a Master of Music (M.Mus.) in Choral Conducting from the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Sacred Music (MSM) in Organ Performance as well as a Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in History and Theory from the University of Toronto, and an Associate Diploma in Piano Performance (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Based in Toronto, Matthew looks forward to continuing his role as Director of Music at Leaside United Church, singing and conducting with the Elmer Iseler Singers as the 2025-2026 James T. Chestnutt Scholar, and singing with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale. Upcoming engagements also include his role as Apprentice Conductor for the National Youth Choir of Canada 2026, and a guest conducting appearance with Pro Coro Canada.
Laotian-Canadian conductor, tenor, organist, and educator Matthew Boutda, named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30” (2024), is an emerging leader in Canada’s choral community.
