Organist
Justin Ankus began playing the electronic organ as a teenager. At the age of 15 he started playing for his local parish church where he did so for many years. After having left school Justin started taking pipe organ lessons with the organist of St. Mary’s Cathedral Sydney. At the same time, he started accompanying and co-conducing the Sydney Lithuanian choir which he did for 14 years. In 1995 Justin became organist of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta where he was until 2000. From there he moved to Corpus Christi Cathedral St. Ives to take up the position of Director of Music, a position he held from 2003 to 2012. Prior to leaving Sydney, Justin was the Music Coordinator for St. Peter Julian’s Church, Haymarket Sydney. Playing the organ and directing and singing in choirs are hobbies for Justin. He is a professional arts administrator who has previously had careers in banking and call centre management. In September 2015 Justin relocated to Townsville to take on the role of Executive Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Prior to moving to Townsville Justin was the Manager of the Open Academy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (University of Sydney). Whilst Justin has played the organ for many years and directed and accompanied many choirs and small bands of musicians, Sacred and Secular is his debut performance with the orchestra.

Justin Ankus