TalkNow
Insert Your Email to Join Newsletter:
My Teaching Philosophy

I have been active in Edmonton's music scene since graduating from the University of Alberta in 1995 where I spent 5 years under the tutelage of Dr. Stephane Lemelin, who had just graduated from Yale University with Boris Berman and Peabody Conservatory with Leon Fleisher. Upon completion of my studies, I moved to London, England for two years and studied informally with Tessa Uys and Nigel Clayton. I continue to hone my skills by working at solo piano and art song accompaniments, under the occasional instruction of Michael Massey. I also have the privilege of working as a pianist with the Edmonton School of Ballet and most recently the Alberta School of Ballet studios in Edmonton, and Vaganova Ballet at MarrMac. Although, accompanying ballet class has been a very enjoyable and has taught me so much, I have set it aside to focus on piano and vocal pedagogy, and rebuilding my studio post CoVid.

Singing, in addition to piano, has been a continuous thread for me. I began voice lessons with Carol Dyck at the age of 19, then with Eva Bostrand for a number of years. I was active as a choral singer throughout the 1990's. I sang with U of A Madrigal Singers throughout my undergrad, and a number of years singing with Pro Coro Canada. This experience opened up opportunities for me in England to work in a number of churches, singing masses as well as participating in a number of choral performances in London. Following this, my focus switched to opera and the performance and interpretation of Art Song. I studied with Cory Miller, Heather Meyers and Shannon Hiebert from 2009 -2013, a part of the Vocal Arts Institute which functioned out of Calgary and the leduc school of music at that time.

I now work occasionally as an accompanist for singers and instrumentalists. I am employed as the section alto lead at Robertson Wesley United Church, where I work closely with one of Canada’s finest and esteemed choral composers, Dr. Allan Bevan as musical director. This affords me regular opportunities as a vocal soloist as well as a pianist.

My piano/ voice studio flourishes in my McKernan home, serving surrounding communities such as Belgravia, Windsor Park, Parkallen, Allendale and Pleasantview. I provide a supportive, nurturing environment where students are guided towards musical fulfillment on the piano and vocally. My students have consistently been awarded medals for high achievement through both Conservatory Canada and the Royal Conservatory through Toronto.

My intent is to find creative and constructive solutions to teaching fundamentals of technique and musicianship to students of all ages.. My teaching style is gentle and supportive with a purpose to draw out student's musical personality through encouragement and exposure to a variety of styles. Piano methods are soundly researched. Beginner methods used are Irina Gorin from https://thegorininstitute.com/, Keys To Music Making by Faina Bryanskaya https://rizz311.github.io/fainabryanskayasite/#home, and most recently added is the brilliant Hello Piano by the most amazing Irina Mints https://www.hellopianoshop.de/i/about-us Each of these methods intertwine beautifully, according to student’s needs as they are rooted in the same philosophy. This includes keyboard harmonization, improvisation, creativity freedom at the keyboard and introduction to composition.