Jared Gillard

With more than 15 years of experience providing interactive live music, Jared Gillard has built Lyrical Connection around his ability to connect with people through music. Serving seniors, care communities, adults with diverse abilities, mental health programs and community organizations throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, Jared creates engaging music experiences built around participation, familiar songs and genuine human connection. From larger group performances to smaller neighbourhood visits and virtual sessions, each experience is shaped around the people in the room.

After a 2018 thyroid cancer diagnosis followed by surgery to remove the thyroid and Lymph nodes from his neck, on top of being a new father Jared found himself unable to use his voice due to vocal chord damage resulting from the surgery. This was the beginning to nearly a year long adventure to get it back. After travelling across the country to meet with a top surgeon in the country, Jared was told he wouldn’t sing again. Unwilling to accept this, Jared began working diligently with a Speech Language Pathologist to get it back. With twice daily exercise Jared began to see his new voice taking form. He is now back to singing everyday, and loves to share his story as an example of the passion he has for music and his love of sharing that passion with others.

In 2023 an ultrasound showed more enlarged lymph nodes. A second neck dissection was required. This time things turned out completely different and Jared was singing in the recovery room. Shortly after this he resumed his mission to spread joy with music every day, and thats exactly what he is doing today.