Born and raised in the Orthodox Faith as passed down to him from his Syrian heritage, Ken was introduced to Byzantine Chant when he stumbled upon his mother’s CD collection and discovered one of the most prolific choirs of recent age; the Greek Byzantine Choir as directed by Lycourgos Angelopoulos. Ever since he discovered this treasure, he has been and continues to fall in love with Byzantine Chant.

Ken dedicated his musical talents to singing in the choir at his parish, St. Matthew Antiochian Orthodox Church in Torrance, California. He was tonsured and made Protopsaltis of the choir at his parish, for which he has served faithfully for over 20 years. Though Ken was self-taught, he credits many people in his life for helping him thoroughly understand not only Byzantine chant, but a life in prayer through the intrinsic study of the words that are chanted. Such people include Masterchanter John Michael Boyer, Pierre Sakali, the late Archimandrite Panteleimon Farah of Hamatoura and Mt. Athos, and other various monastics.

Ken is thankful to his parish, his beautiful wife, and children who are supportive of him and his ministry in the Sons of Antioch choir, seeking to introduce to the English-speaking world and beyond the beauty of Byzantine chant.