Dr. Friesen is a professor at the University of Manitoba. His ensembles are frequently recorded by CBC and have received numerous awards for their performances in Manitoba and Canada. Dr. Friesen has performed throughout Canada and the United States and has recently conducted in Sweden and South America. As well as touring internationally, his groups perform with many outstanding local and national arts organizations including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, Kokopelli, the WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, and the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Friesen has studied at the University of Manitoba (B. Mus., B. Ed., M. Mus.) and the University of Illinois (DMA), receiving numerous study grants and scholarships from the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Foundation for Choral Music in Manitoba.