Our Oakville Music Teachers

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  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.

  Starting violin at age 3, Joseph has always shown a keen interest in music.  He started performing at age 4 playing old tyme country and western music and has since played venues such as Aeolian Hall and London Music Hall, to the International Plowing Match.

Through violin he has learned mandolin and tenor banjo, and has picked up drums and piano/keyboards through family members. When interested in the modern contemporary music at age 9, he studied under seasoned veteran John Till (Janis Joplins band leader and guitar player 1969- 70, The Revols).

Joseph has a diploma in Music Industry Arts (M.I.A. Fanshawe Collage) where he learned the ins and outs of the Canadian music industry through several Canadian legends. With this his ear for detail and accuracy has developed with skills in engineering and production.

Joseph has been teaching since 2014 when he was 15 years old and has had more than 70 plus students under his wing on instruments such as violin, guitar, bass, piano and drums, and loves to share these talents with anyone who is interested.  

Matthew has been a valuable substitute teacher at Addison Music Learning Centre throughout the past teaching year. Due to the numerous accolades received from both students and fellow teachers alike, we were delighted to offer him a permanent position. Matthew is a young, enthusiastic, outgoing, and friendly piano teacher. He has achieved his Grade 8 RCM and is currently pursuing Grade 10. His musical interests span across all genres, with a particular passion for both classical and pop music.

Matthew boasts an impressive track record, having secured first place in the Toronto Kiwanis Festivals and the Hamilton Music Festival. His teaching experience is diverse, including roles as a swim instructor where he obtained certifications in Swim Instruction, National Lifeguarding, Bronze Cross, and Bronze Medallion. Additionally, Matthew holds Standard First Aid with CPR - C Certification, ensuring he is well-prepared in emergency situations.
 

 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.   

Vanessa offers comprehensive piano and voice lessons spanning all musical styles, catering to students from beginner to advanced levels. Her journey in music began early under the mentorship of Gisele Fredette, renowned as Celine Dion's voice coach, starting at just age 12 and continuing through her high school years where she graduated as the top vocalist in her class.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree specialized in Jazz/Blues vocal, Gospel, Classical Opera, R&B, and Jazz/Classical Piano, Vanessa brings a rich background in both teaching and performing. Since 2011, she has been imparting her expertise at various schools, consistently recognized as one of the top voice and piano instructors at each institution. Many of her students have gone on to showcase their talents, even earning opportunities to perform on platforms like the Disney Channel, thanks to Vanessa's coaching.

Vanessa's professional career includes collaborations with notable DJs, producers such as Ariana Grande and Tory Lanez, and artists like MC Flipside and Deadmau5, who praise her as an outstanding live singer and songwriter. She has graced numerous solo piano recitals, including prestigious venues like the York Recital Hall, and has performed extensively across Boston, Cuba, and Toronto at private events, festivals, weddings, and concerts. She has also been invited to play piano with blues bands and participated in a Prince Tribute alongside Chaka Khan's legendary drummer.

Beyond performance, Vanessa is highly sought-after as a piano accompanist for instrumentalists, vocalists, and exam candidates, having supported church services, choirs, and various recording projects. She has composed her own R&B/piano album and contributed as a pianist and vocalist to several other albums. Vanessa's exceptional musical talents have garnered her numerous awards, including first place as a poet/songwriter at the remarkable age of 11.

Vanessa's passion for music spans a diverse range of genres from R&B, Blues, Jazz, and Musical Theatre to Disney classics, Italian repertoire, Rock, and House music. She draws inspiration from composers like Chopin, Larysa Kuzmenko, Dmitri Kabalevsky, Mike Schoenmehl, Joyce Grill, Alexandre Tansman, Alicia Keys, Fiona Apple, and Stevie Wonder.

With her extensive qualifications and deep musical expertise, Vanessa offers inspiring and tailored piano and voice lessons, empowering her students to achieve their musical goals and aspirations with confidence and skill.

 Aaron is a guitarist with over 25 years of experience playing and teaching.  A graduate of Mohawk College's Jazz program, he has performed throughout North America. He enjoys teaching a variety of styles, including country, blues, rock, and pop, and encourages his students to bring their own musical tastes to their lessons. Aaron is also a great singer, so if you are an aspiring guitar player who also likes to sing, Aaron's your guy! Aaron welcomes students of all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced.
 

 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. 

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. 

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.