From an early age, Luc Julian was immersed in a world where spirituality, music, and cultural exchange were deeply intertwined. Raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where his parents were engaged in community work for the church, Lucas developed a deep respect for diverse traditions while remaining rooted in Christian faith. This openness to different cultural expressions developed during a trip to Senegal, where he first encountered the ethereal sounds of the Kora, a 21-string West African harp that would later shape his musical path.
Upon returning to Canada, Luc took up the cello at the age of 7, an instrument he played with natural ease and devotion. However, during his adolescent years and studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, Luc found himself disillusioned by the competitive pressures of the classical music world. The weight of performance anxiety and a repetitive strain injury left him questioning his artistic path and life’s purpose. Searching for a deeper connection to music beyond technical mastery, he left University and traveled to St. Louis in Senegal, where he began his first lessons on the kora with Dialy Kouyate, who encouraged him to integrate the instrument into his creative work.
After completing his studies with cellist Paul Pulford, Luc moved to Toronto, where he became deeply involved in spiritual and musical communities. He played for kirtans and yoga classes, studied soundwork with Gary Diggins, explored mindfulness meditation, engaged with New Age circles, all while maintaining a connection to his Christian roots. For seven years, he co-hosted a monthly chamber concert series at St. Anne’s Anglican Church with flautist Jamie Thompson, collaborating with over fifty local musicians and artists. In 2024 the historic church, adorned with Group of Seven paintings, was tragically lost in a fire.
Upon returning to his hometown Waterloo, Luc completed an MA in Community Music with Dr. Gerard Yun (choral conductor and shakuhachi teacher). Luc now lives in London, ON where he experienced a subtle yet powerful calling through dreams and self-reflection to explore faith in greater depth and integrate elements of Christian mysticism into his songwriting. Luc now composes devotional chants, blessings and prayers that reflect a lifelong pursuit of truth, weaving the beauty of diverse spiritual wisdom with the transformative love of Christ and the beauty of nature (continued below).
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Musical Collaborations
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Recording on award-winning albums, including the Grammy-nominated album Asia Beauty by Ron Korb
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Playing for services at various United Churches and hosting a chant gathering where all proceeds went to indwell.ca
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Accompanying Brenda McMorrow at the Yoga Mela Festival in Sweden, alongside artists like Deva Premal & Miten
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Playing a five-string cello on a track for East Forest and spiritual teacher Ram Dass
Luc has facilitated workshops at the Ignatius Retreat Centre (with singer/harpist Shannon Kingsbury), Hillside Music Festival and has performed at several festivals. He has also presented at an International Community Music Conference in Waterloo.
With extensive experience accompanying yoga classes (for teachers like Tommy Rosen, JP Tamblyn-Sabo, Tracey Soghrati, Lana Sugarman, and Jaimee Horn), Luc also served as a musical advisor for mindfulness programs and has participated in Buddhist Meditation Retreats. He has played in hospital and hospice settings, bringing healing through music.
A skilled instrument maker, Luc crafts African-style harps. In addition to traditional 21-string Koras and Kamale Ngonis made with gourds, he also creates smaller, user-friendly koras with wooden bowls.
Education & Availability
Luc holds a BA in Music Performance and an MA in Community Music (Wilfrid Laurier University) and is a certified Yin Yoga teacher (Tracey Soghrati). He is available for workshops, concerts, and retreats at:
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Churches & Yoga Studios
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Festivals & Retreats
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Retirement Homes
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Community Centres
Luc’s mission is to facilitate sacred spaces where people can connect deeply with music, spirituality, and one another.