Metropolitan United Church London, Ontario, Canada

Rob Cairns is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Music where he received both his Honours Bachelor and Masters degrees, and Althouse College where he completed his Education degree. Prior to this he attended Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, graduating in Technical Theatre. While at University he was presented with both the Albert Winslow Award in Choral Conducting and the Don Wright Scholarship in Vocal Music. Rob recently retired from Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts in London, Ontario where he specialized in Vocal Music and Drama. As a conductor he works with Pearson’s grade 7 school choir, the grade 8 school choir, the Pearson Singers - a grade 4 to 8 auditioned choir, and Twelve - a group of select senior students who are given the opportunity to work on vocal pieces at a very high level of artistry. He also conducts the St. Thomas Youth Choir and the St. Thomas Children's Choir. The Youth Choir regularly tour overseas to participate in international choral festivals. Outside of school Rob performs as tenor soloist on various concert series in the southern Ontario area and is the tenor soloist and director of the four handbells choirs at Metropolitan United Church. The main handbell group is the Jubilate Bells. As well, Rob is the Past-President of the Ontario Guild of English Handbell Ringers.