Reverend Steven J. Gillam
Rev. Steve is a storyteller. This is evident in his personal, relaxed preaching style, as well as in his passion for theatre. It is probably no mistake that he shares his name with a man recognized as the first Christian martyr. In the book of Acts we read of Stephen who is told to stop telling Jesus stories, but he continues anyway, knowing that the story must be told. Rev. Steve believes that stories give a shape to the realities of life that are often too big to express otherwise. Sharing our story helps us live life fully.
Originally from the Eastern Townships of Quebec, he earned his B.A. at Bishop’s University before moving to Montreal to complete his studies at McGill (B.Th.) and The United Theological College (M.Div.). He was ordained in 1986, and has been serving in the greater Montreal area since then. He feels blessed to be sharing in ministry with the people of Lakeshore Trinity United Church; a welcoming and inclusive community of faith, dedicated to living the good news in the world, creating a safe place to share tears and laughter, and being committed to seeking justice, proclaiming hope, and nurturing love. (And they continue to let him tell stories!)
Director of Music: Dr. Gohar Manvelyan
Dr. Gohar Manvelyan is an Armenian-born conductor and pianist based in Montreal, Canada with multiple graduate degrees, including a Doctorate in Choral Conducting and Masters in both Orchestral Conducting and Piano Performance from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. She has performed in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Portugal, Armenia, and Russia. Currently Artistic Director and Conductor of Les Muses Chorale at McGill University and Carousellers Community Choir in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville. In addition to her music leadership here as Music Director at Lakeshore Trinity United Church Dr. Manvelyan is also the Music Director at St. Edward the Confessor Mission. Dr. Manvelyan is active as a collaborative pianist and teaches piano at her private studio.
Dr. Gohar Manvelyan began music studies at the age of four with her father, in her native Armenia. At ten, she moved with her family to Moscow, where she completed studies in piano and organ at the Myaskovsky Music School. She then attended the Tchaikovsky Academic Music College at the Moscow State Conservatory, double majoring in piano and choral conducting and graduating with honours in both disciplines.
In 2005, Dr. Manvelyan moved to Montreal, Canada, where she continued her music studies at Concordia University, the University of Sherbrooke and McGill University, obtaining several advanced degrees in Music Performance and Choral Conducting, including two Masters degrees and her Doctorate. Her doctoral thesis, Makar Yekmalyan’s Divine Liturgy: The Introduction of Polyphony in Armenian Sacred Music, led to publication projects and an invitation to present a session titled Armenian Sacred Music: Its Origin and Development at the IFCM World Choral EXPO EXCHANGE! in Lisbon in September 2022. She just recently completed her third Masters, in Orchestral Conducting, from McGill.
Dr. Manvelyan has participated in several music competitions and been involved with many orchestras and choral groups in Quebec and abroad both as a performer and conductor. Dr. Manvelyan has been teaching the piano in her studio since 2012 and has taught keyboard technique at Marianopolis College in Montreal. Her most accomplished private students have won various international and national competitions. She also works as a collaborative pianist, accompanying various singers, instrumentalists, and choral ensembles at concerts, recitals, festivals, auditions, examinations, and worship services.
Since 2019, Dr. Manvelyan has been the Artistic Director and Conductor of Les Muses Chorales, a Montreal-based women’s choral ensemble affiliated with McGill University. Concurrently, since 2019, Dr. Manvelyan has been the Artistic Director and conductor of the St-Bruno Carousellers Community Choir, based in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec. In September 2022, she joined St. Edward the Confessor Mission’s music ministry team in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, to accompany Sunday Mass celebrations.
Dr. Manvelyan joined us as Music Director of Lakeshore Trinity United Church in Pointe-Claire in May, 2023. This position allows Dr. Manvelyan to combine several of her professional skills, including piano and organ performance as well as direction of the church’s Senior Choir.
Office Manager Lisa O’Brien
Born and raised in the small town of Knowlton. Now settled in Dorval together with her husband Vince, she is a proud mother to Kieran, Sofie and Erin. Lisa looks forward to every phone call, email and connection in her role at Lakeshore Trinity United Church.