"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery" Mark Van Doren
Ewa was born in Warsaw, Poland, where she studied harp and piano, before receiving her Master of Arts Degree in Music Education from the Music Education and Eurhythmics Faculty of the Academy of Music in Gdansk. She came to Canada in 1991 and completed courses in Music in Early Childhood, Kodály Pedagogy and Orff Pedagogy at the Royal Conservatory.
Since 1996 Ewa has been teaching music in early childhood, music and movement, theory and music enrichment classes at private music schools, Montessori schools and Suzuki Talent Centers as well professional development courses for adults.
Ewa is a recipient of the Robert and Donna Wood Scholarship (The Early Childhood Music Association of Ontario, 1998), The Brigg’s Family Teachers’ Development Fund Scholarship (The Royal Conservatory, 2017), and the prestigious The International Kátalin Forrai Award (The International Kodály Society, 2017)
A tireless advocate of the importance of music in lives of young children Ewa has served as the President of the Early Childhood Music Association of Ontario for 15 years.
Ewa believes that young children experience music in a stimulating and positive environment, using the two most natural instruments they have – their singing voice and their body. Musical growth develops through participation in singing, active play, musical games and playing instruments. As the curriculum follows principles of child development the wide range of musical activities matches the children’s cognitive, psychomotor, and social-emotional developmental levels. In her teaching, Ewa blends Dalcroze, Kodály and Orff approaches to music education and focuses on joyful music making with an underlying emphasis on the art of music itself.
Alexa is a music theatre performer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, guitar, ukulele and bass. She began her musical endeavours when she was seven and, as she grew, began performing locally in Oakville. In high school, she began performing with a local theatre troupe while simultaneously studying dance in Iona C.S.S.'s Regional Arts Program. Her experiences as a dancer provided unique challenges in various aspects of music. Still, they deepened her understanding of vocal physiology and the technical aspects that were holes in her education that she now brings into the classroom.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Drama and Music at Queen's University, Alexa is continuing her studies of various music genres while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of acting through song. She holds a Bachelor of Music Theatre from the same university and a Diploma in Musical Theatre Performance from St. Lawrence College.
Throughout her academic journey, she has worked with several industry professionals, focusing on vocal pedagogy, physiology, composition, music theory analysis, and performance. Alexa started taking piano lessons at the age of seven, mainly studying classical repertoire and achieving Grade 8 RCM proficiency.
Alexa has been working as an emerging theatre artist in the Greater Toronto Area, having collaborated with Toronto Fringe, Kick and Push, and Simcoe County Theatre Festivals in recent professional endeavours. She is thrilled to continue making her mark in the theatre industry while creating theatre for young audiences.
Alexa is passionate about music's power to inspire and uplift people and aims to offer the tools that allow others to express themselves through music. She looks forward to working with her students and helping them uncover their individual voice and expression.
Dionne was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) and started her formal piano education at the age of 6, under the tutelage of Mrs. Freda Soares, a Fellow of Trinity College, London. She has been studying the piano for 26 years and has completed an Associate of Trinity College, London (ATCL) Diploma in piano performance which is equivalent to the Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT).
Dionne has been preparing students for music exams for the last 10 years and is currently pursuing her Diploma in Early Childhood Education due to her fondness for working with children. She has been a church pianist for over 20 years and is currently the pianist at a local GTA church. Dionne has worked extensively with school and church choirs in Mumbai where she trained children to sing in 3-part and 4-part harmony. She has also trained and accompanied professional choirs like the Vocal Point alongside conductors like Mr. Alfred D’Souza, the conductor of the Stop-Gaps choir.
Dionne believes in holistic music education and encourages her students to develop good sight-reading skills along with their aural abilities and a grade appropriate understanding of music theory. She has familiarized herself with the RCM piano exams and is ready to teach RCM Grades with the same expertise she applied to the Trinity College exams.
Music is an integral part of Dionne’s life, and she considers it a joy to be able to share her musical gifts with others!
Colin is an GTA -based professional drummer, specializing in Rock, Pop, Blues, Metal and Jazz. He began his musical journey on guitar at the age of 7 and picked up the bass guitar at age 11, before finding his love for the drums at 14.
Throughout his time as a drummer, he has had the pleasure of playing with prestigious musicians such as Bernard Fowler of the Rolling Stones, Chuck Keeping of Big Wreck, and Phil X of Bon Jovi to name a few.
He has made drumming his full time job, spending two years performing both live and in studios all across Ontario, before focusing his efforts into teaching in late 2019.
Colin is a graduate of Humber Music and is currently enrolled in the degree program where he is continuing to refine his skills in both performing and teaching.
Sebastian is a guitarist based in the Greater Toronto Area. Since having picked up a guitar just over a decade ago, he has played in multiple bands, is a sought out session guitarist and spends a lot of time writing original music for his most recent project, The Cruz Control. Currently Sebastian is in his third year at Toronto’s one and only, Humber College Bachelor of Music Program and has studied with local greats - Rob Bulger, Tony Zorzi, Kim Ratcliffe and Emile D’eon just to name a few. Always looking to progress as a guitarist, Sebastian aside from writing his own music is currently working on classical guitar repertoire. Sebastian is a passionate and creative guitarist who is always willing to share his passion with others.
Carmen is a passionate classical musician who fell in love with the piano at eight years old and has never turned back. She has been playing piano for over 30 years and started teaching piano in 1997. Carmen has Grade 9 Piano Certificate with First Class Honors of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and will be finishing her RCM Grade 10 Piano imminently. Her next challenge is ARCT which she has already started studying. With deepest musical influenced by Nineteenth-Century Romanticism Music, she has extensive knowledge in musical history and harmony at an RCM Level 10. She plays classical music beautifully and is influenced by composers such as Chopin, Franz Liszt and Ludwig van Beethoven. “Nocturne Op.9 No.1 in B flat minor – F. Chopin” and “Moonlight Sonata – Ludwig van Beethoven” are her signature pieces.
Carmen likes to use different teaching methods for each student, and as such, caters lessons to each and every student with their strengths, goals and desires. Her mission as a teacher is to share her passion for music and learn along with students how to discover their own styles, and favorite composers to play. Carmen hopes to bring fulfilment and appreciation in the student's learning process, and help them to truly enjoy in music and the piano.
Gretchen has performed across Canada in Theatre and Music Theatre, Operatic Works, (including original works), Symphonic concerts and has also been seen on television, feature films, and has also performed for CBC Radio. Originally from Toronto, Gretchen has extended her musical and acting studies to include New York, where her training was mostly Classical there, but she feels equally at home in Music Theatre, folk, pop and light jazz.
Her singing performance beginnings, were folk and rock, but she believed in the power of classical training. She is one of the original members of the PHANTOM OF THE OPERA company, and also the MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER concert series, as well as having starred and originated many roles for Canadian Music Theatre.
Gretchen is also well known for her role of 4 years playing Mrs. Jeremiah, the mother of the series star Joey Jeremiah, in the award winning television series DEGRASSI JR. HIGH. Her roles in standard Music Theatre repertoire include Kate, in KISS ME KATE, Alexandra in ALEXANDRA THE LAST EMPRESS (original), Bertrande in THE HOUSE OF MARTIN GUERRES (original), Iolanthe in IOLANTHE, as well as many others that also include Anne of Green Gables, The Boyfriend, The Picture of Dorian Gray (original work, by the award winning composer of the recent DROWSEY CHAPERONE Greg Morrison), and The Desert Song for Shaw Festival. She has appeared many times in concert with the Conductor and Operatic Star Mark Dubois, and has enjoyed singing with full symphonies on numerous occasions.
Gretchen is please to have founded the quartet QuattroVoce. Gretchen has also Music Directed, Conducted and Directed in the Panasonic Theatre’s production of CABARET. Gretchen has also co-hosted a radio show for CBC called Basic Black, with the infamous Danny Marks. She has also trained several movie stars for their singing and musical roles in feature films and television.
Gretchen is a renowned vocal instructor, and spends much of her time training her well known roster of students, who’ve gone on to Broadway, and L.A. in movies and stage, and are all known for their excellence at their craft. (Some call her their “best kept secret”.) She also directs and writes shows 2 - 4 times a year for them, and produces these, at theatres in Ontario.
Gretchen is also responsible for for forming and producing for “SAY YES TO OPERA!”. A group that brings opera to “urban” spaces. CBC RADIO has been a great support of this event, and Gretchen has done a full 12 minute interview for Ing Wong Ward on her radio show. Gretchen has also been interviewed on the internet based radio show LIQUID LUNCH. You will find her on occasional Saturdays, with her group performing for folks at the ST. LAWRENCE MARKET at Front and Jarvis in Toronto.
Brandon is a graduate of Western University where he received a BA in Business Management. After working in sales for a couple of years, he decided to pursue his true passion: music. He is currently a student at the Mohawk College Applied Music Program, where he is studying contemporary guitar. He has studied, and continues to study, many genres including Blues, Folk, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Bluegrass, and Funk.
Brandon is currently the lead guitarist and singer of Hamilton band Bent Neck & The Joints and lead guitarist of Toronto band Glutenhead. The bands have recorded and released three EP's and have played headline shows at Toronto venues including The Horseshoe Tavern, Sneaky Dee's, and Lee's Palace.
Brandon is enthusiastic, patient, and caring, and he inspires students with his excitement and dedication. Whether you're picking up the guitar for the first time or looking to continue your musical development and journey, Brandon has the experience and drive to help you achieve your goals. His philosophy of teaching is to inspire a deep love and passion for the instrument as well as explore the joy of creativity.
Here is a video of me flat pickin' some Red Haired Boy (bluegrass standard). I know it's not exactly modern but definitely different? I can send something that might be cooler for the kids like me playing the hotel California solo or something of that sort if you think that'd fair better?
Jessica is a multi instumentalist with 10+ years of extensive experience implementing music-play based programmes in public and private Toronto daycares including Waldorf and Montessori schools.
Jessica has achieved her Early Childhood Diploma from Humber college, a Bachelor of Arts from Ryerson in early childhood studies, and also completed her diploma - Primary (3-6) at the AMI Foundation for Montessori Ed. She currently runs many very successful early childhood music programs in and around the GTA.
Jessica's early childhood music experience allows her to inspire fundamental music concepts by using multiple disciplines including singing/vocal and aural development, creative movement, dance, dramatization, storytelling, puppetry, selective listening skills, literacy enhancement and more.
She loves all genres of music and is very excited to specialist in vocal and piano at Addison Music Learning Centre.
Amy is a passionate piano teacher and musician who aims to inspire a love for music in others. She began playing piano over 20 years ago and has trained with the Royal Conservatory and Conservatory Canada. In 2022 Amy completed her grade 9 with Conservatory Canada receiving honours with distinction and is currently working on her grade 10. She has studied both history and harmony, receiving the highest mark in all of Canada for her grade 9 history in 2022. Amy loves classical music and the artistic and technical challenges it presents. Her favourite composers to play are Chopin and Beethoven because of the emotional depth of their music. Although she is classically trained, Amy also loves to write songs and explore all genres of music. Prior to the pandemic Amy performed as a singer songwriter in Edmonton, Alberta. During the pandemic she decided to once again focus on her classical studies and start teaching piano. Amy views music as a creative and emotional outlet, a language for what words cannot express, as well as a technical and theoretical exercise. Her aim as a teacher is to find what each student loves about music and help them explore and develop their skills both as a student and as an artist.
Music has always been an integral part of Peter's life!
Peter has been playing the guitar for close to 30 years and is ALWAYS learning! He has been teaching the guitar professionally (for all ages) for close to 20 years and the ukulele for almost 5 years.
He remembers fondly, that he picked up a violin for the first time (while snooping around in his gramma's bedroom; under her bed – it's a great story!). This first violin was originally owned by his grandfather. It was actually repaired and used all through his public-school years (and he still has it – many years later!). And, so they say, the rest is history...
He transitioned into playing the guitar in high school (when his Music Teacher gave him leadership to teach his whole class!) and hasn't stopped since...His tactic? He comes as a student! He's always found that his engagement and desire, first, to connect with his students, guiding the process to learn from his students as he teaches, ALWAYS helps the process!
His favourite part of teaching? When he gets the privilege to experience the glow on a student's face when they GET music and discover they can communicate in that 'language' themselves - with their very own voice! It's like nothing else on the planet!
"Let's enjoy the journey of Music discovery together!" Sincerely, Peter
Leslie holds an A.R.C.T. degree in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory (University of Toronto) and is a former member of the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra where she played violin for 17 years. She has been teaching Piano and Violin for 40 years in the Mississauga/Oakville area and was a music teacher for 3 Montessori schools in Oakville and Mississauga prior to the pandemic. In addition to teaching, Leslie continues to perform at retirement and nursing homes in the GTA. Volunteering is an important part of Leslie's life and she enjoys being part of the Volunteer Program at The Wenleigh Long Term Care Facility where her mother resided for over 7 years. PLEASE SEE HER VIOLIN PLAYING VIDEO HERE https://youtu.be/HUI70tFtEGw
Lewina was happy to move from Hong Kong and return to live in Canada in 2019 with her husband and her two children. Although she is a licensed Professional Engineer, and has been designing her own line of consumer electronic products for over 20 years, she never put her love for music aside.
Lewina has been a part-time piano and xylophone teacher for over 10 years. She has also taught hand bells to over 700 Grade 3 students in Hong Kong, and she has trained the KTBWCS school hand bell team to perform regularly in school Christmas Mass, Open Days, and Graduation Ceremonies.
After learning to play the pedal harp in 2018, Lewina instantly fell in love with the beautiful and elegant instrument.
Lewina is also the Music Faculty of a renowned Ballet School. She enjoys piano accompanying ballerinas in their daily training and in their Royal Academy of Dance examinations.
Lewina is working towards her RCM ARCT at the moment.
Clarinet video can also be found at this link: https://youtube.com/shorts/5G7jK4CdbZ0
Matthew is an aspiring jazz musician who plays saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano. He began playing piano at age of 6 and has his RCM Grade 8 Certification. During high school, he discovered saxophone which became his passion and since then devoted his time to master the instrument. In addition to saxophone, he also picked up flute and clarinet during his musical studies at Humber College under the guidance of jazz giants such as Pat LaBarbera, Alex Dean, and Mark Promane. He graduated from Humber College on 2020 with a Bachelor of Music Degree.
Matthew has a vast array of musical interests such as Jazz, Latin, Classical, Funk, and Fusion. Throughout high school, he performed in his school symphonic bands as well as in TYWO Symphonic Winds. On top of that, he had the opportunity to play in Toronto All-Star Big Band, pit bands for musical production, as well as jazz ensembles at his college.
Matthew is also an amazing arranger. Here is an arrangement he wrote of Princess Mononoke's theme song for Tentet. https://youtu.be/vv1WJoocrzI
From the early age of four, Mathew was immersed in music, taking piano lessons at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. At twelve, he attended the Ontario Conservatory of Music in Hamilton for guitar. He has been playing guitar for over ten years and has performed in several guitar competitions, winning first place. At fourteen, Mathew played in his first band, 4 AM, where he played lead guitar.
Mathew is currently studying in the Contemporary Guitar Music program at Mohawk College. He has already been teaching music at a well known school in Hamilton for the last few years.
Mathew brings a fun and fresh approach to his teaching, ensuring his students leave their lessons inspired and excited about expanding their love of music. His musical influences include Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Metallica, to name a few.
Mathew is elated to be part of the Addison Music Learning Center and looks forward to teaching and watching his students excel in music. Mathew teaches guitar and ukulele.
Patty has been playing piano for over 35 years and teaching since 1993. She graduated from the prestigious Arts York program at Unionville High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from the University of Western Ontario. Patty has a special interest in music theory, having studied with Joe Ringhofer, current Chief Examiner of Theoretical Subjects of the Royal Conservatory of Music. In addition, Patty is active as an accompanist for exams, music festivals, and other events.
Andrew attended McMaster University starting in the Bachelor of Music Degree program and also ultimately achieving his Honours B.A. Degree in Political Science. Andrew is a busy guy, as not only is the executive editor of McMaster University's student lead newspaper, Silhouette, but also is the current band director for McMaster’ show choir Absolute Pitch, where he writes and arranges all of their arrangments and music.
Despite his busy schedule, he reserves time for his true passion, which is playing and teaching piano. He likes to incorporate fun and enjoys teaching and learning all genres including movie music, pop, and musical theatre. He can also teach up to grade 8 RCM.
Although not a singer, Andrew also loves to sing and has recorded many videos of him playing and singing. You can clearly see his passion and fun for music in everything he records and shares.
Shelley began her musical journey at the age of four with piano lessons. After discovering her perfect pitch and natural ear she went on to earn her Bachelor of Music and performed with choirs and churches as well as an accompanist .
Shelley received training at the Royal Conservatory, earning her Grade 10 RCM and theory, and also trained in the Yamaha School of Music earning her Grade 5 Yamaha credentials. After earning her music degree and her RCM and Yamaha credentials, she went on to teach courses to young children for six years and has been teaching piano and voice in the GTA for 20 years.
Her style is always evolving but her main goal is to promote good technical skills in piano and vocal technique as well as instilling a life long love of music.
Addison Music Learning Centre is a music school located at 481 North Service Road West, Oakville, Ontario, L6M 2V6
905-825-8668 info@musicisfun.ca
providing music lessons for all Instruments and all ages. Addison Music Learning Centre is now providing online virtual internet music lessons too!
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