Aaron Manswell
Assistant Professor, Music Industry & Technology
College of Arts, School of Fine Art and Music
About
Aaron Manswell is a dynamic composer, producer, and conductor whose work transcends boundaries, weaving together classical, R&B, hip-hop and gospel into richly textured sonic narratives. Born and raised in Toronto, his compositions have been celebrated for emotional depth and contemporary resonance, earning performances and recordings by prestigious ensembles such as the San Francisco Symphony, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and Choral Arts Initiative---whose 2024 album Tapestry of Becoming (featuring his acclaimed piece "Stick with Love") soared to No. 1 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Albums chart.
In February 2023, he was featured in the Canadian Opera Company's Showcase Series, presenting Off-Spring Live---a concert highlighting his genre-fluid compositions. His creative leadership extends to his appointment as Composer-in-Residence of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir for the 2024/2025 season, where he continued to shape the future of choral music.
Beyond the concert hall, Manswell is a sought-after music producer and keyboardist, collaborating with multi-platinum selling Canadian artists DVSN and Juno award-winning singer/songwriters Nemahsis, Dylan Sinclair, Savannah Ré, and Ryan Ofei to name a few. Recently he was tapped by multi-platinum American Alternative R&B artist Mariah the Scientist to orchestrate and conduct the strings for her live performance of "Burning Blue" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and also provided orchestration and production on the outro of her new album Hearts Sold Separately ("No More Entertainers"). His versatility also shines in film scoring, where he crafts evocative original music. A dedicated educator, he previously served as Wind Band Conductor at Crawford Adventist Academy, guiding students to top festival honours and live recordings.
Awards and Honours
Commissions
Nathaniel Dett Chorale & Sistema Toronto
"TBD" (Choir & Orchestra)
Premiere date TBD
Dead of Winter
"The Only One" (SATB, Piano)
Dr. Melissa Morgan, guest conductor
To be premiered on February 22, 2026
The Royal Conservatory
"Life Every Voice & Sing" (Solo Voice, Piano)
Voice Repertoire 5, 2025 Edition
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
"One Thing at a Time" (SATB a capella)
Jean-Sebastien Vallée, conductor
Premiered on May 9, 2025
University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir
"Do You See Them?" (SATB, Rhythm Section, & String Ensemble)
Darren Hamilton, conductor
Premiered on February 8, 2025
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
"Good News" (SATB, Piano)
Jean-Sebastien Vallée, conductor
Premiered on December 4, 2024
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
"Poverty" (SATB, Solo Soprano, Piano, & String Ensemble)
Jean-Sebastien Vallée, conductor
Premiered on November 3, 2024
Sistema Toronto
"Race Car" (String Orchestra, Audio Track)
Shawn Earle, CEO
Premiered on June 14, 2024
Oakville Choir for Children & Youth
"My People" (SA, Piano)
Maria Conkey, conductor
Premiered on May 11, 2024
Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto
"Thank You Twice" (SATB, Piano, & Brass Orchestra)
Kathleen Allan, conductor
Premiered on December 16, 2023
Awards
Named to Oakwood University "40 Under 40 of 2025" Alumni List
Winner of 2022 Grand Philharmonic Choir Composition Competition
Runner up for 2023 ACDA Brock Prize for Student Composers
Education
Bachelor of Music in Composition & Recording Arts, Oakwood University (2013)
Master of Music in Composition, University of Memphis (2020)
Doctor of Music Arts in Composition, University of Toronto (Graduation in June 2026)
In the Media
GuelphToday - "Aaron Manswell to lead final 2025 Music Speaks workshop in Guelph" by GuelphToday Staff
Toronto Mendelssohn Choir - "Music with Purpose: Composer-in-Residence Aaron Manswell on His Latest Composition" by Yasaman Nouri
Ludwig Van Toronto - SCRUTINY: "Composer Aaron Manswell's Work Shines in Toronto Mendelssohn Choir Season Opener" by Hye Won Cecelia Lee
Toronto Symphony Orchestra - "Inspiring Young Hearts & Minds: A Look inside Our Partnership with Sistema Toronto" by TSO
Ludwig Van Toronto - THE SCOOP: "Sistema Toronto Students Create a Hip-Hop Single and Learn About the Power of Music" by Anya Wassenberg
Choirs Ontario - Dynamic Magazine: "A Conversation with Two Canadian Choral Composers" by Dr. Matthew Emery
Grand Philharmonic Choir - "Composer Aaron Manswell wins GPC Composition Competition" by Grand Philharmonic Choir