Our Oakville Music Teachers

Ewa, Mini Musicians Music & Early Childhood Education Instructor

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.

Alex: Violin Lesson Instructor

Alex is a musician from Almonte Ontario, currently residing in Toronto. He has been playing violin for 13 years and has a wide repertoire of music from jazz to country, classical to contemporary. He enjoys performing to all ages in all settings - intimate gatherings to festival stages. Alex has performed in the Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy television special A Celtic Family Christmas in 2018, as well as an auxiliary string player with them at Casino Rama in 2019. He is the recipient of the Danny O'Connell Memorial Award, recognized for his role in advancing Ottawa Valley fiddle tradition. Alex also is a session musician in Toronto, and frequently works on projects where he arranges and records classical and contemporary violin parts. Alex has been teaching violin for the past 4 years and is comfortable instructing students both in the classical and fiddle domains. He is currently studying his Bachelor of Music at Humber College in Toronto. Here is another video for your enjoyment https://youtu.be/GNWjPQr6l0M

Kaitlyn, Vocal and Piano Lesson Instructor

Kaitlyn is an accomplished classical singer and piano player.

Vocal: With more than eleven years of vocal training from some of Canada's most esteemed instructors, she has studied and performed repertoire in more than sixteen world languages and has therefore gained a deep understanding of diverse musical genres.

As a twelve-year member of the internationally-ranked Oakville Choir for Children and Youth, Kaitlyn has participated in a number of nation-wide music festivals and has performed as both a soloist and an ensemble singer in several world-leading opera houses including the Harpa in Iceland, the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm and the Royal Opera House in England.

Having recently received First Class Honours with Distinction on her Grade 8 voice and theory exams, Kaitlyn is also a three-time finalist at the ORMTA Provincial Voice Championships and is a frequent soloist for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO).

Piano: In addition to Kaitlyn's many accomplishments as a classical singer, however, she is also an experienced concert pianist and accompanist. With over six years of elite instruction from some of Canada's most revered piano instructors, she demonstrates proficiency in technique, improvisation, ear training and sight-reading and has developed strong technical skills across all predominant piano styles including classical, baroque, pop, contemporary, jazz, blues and more.

Aside from the distinction of receiving the highest mark in her Level 8 piano exam across the province, Kaitlyn has also won a number of national titles in Canadian-wide piano competitions and has therefore had the privilege of performing at some of North America's most recognized concert halls including Roy Thompson, Massey and Koerner hall.

Despite Kaitlyn's many achievements as a classical singer and pianist, however, perhaps her biggest passion in life is sharing her love of music with aspiring musicians. As music and performing have always played a pivotal role in her life, being able to teach, mentor and guide beginner-level musicians throughout their musical journeys has always held a special place in her heart.

With the strong belief that "music can change the world because it can change people", Kaitlyn's goal is always to foster a positive, encouraging and fun learning environment that increases confidence and allows students of all ages to fulfill their musical goals. :)

As a result, Kaitlyn is thrilled to be joining the team at the Addison Music Learning Centre and is greatly looking forward to helping students achieve their full musical potential!

Gretchen: Vocal and Piano Lesson Instructor

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.

Piano instructor and voice teacher in Oakville

Irina: Advanced Piano and Vocal Lesson instructor

Irina Graduated from the Saratov State Pedagogical University with an Honours degree speacializing in Music for Elementary and Preschool. Three years previous to this she obtained a Music Education diploma from Volgograd State Pedagogical College.

Since 1995 she has held many positions in the field of music education including an accompanist for a ballet company (piano), Elementary Music School teacher and Choral Conductor, and a private voice and piano instructor at schools such as the Hamilton Conservatory and Mohawk College. Irina specializes in classical but can perform and teach all styles .

Brittney: Vocal, Piano, Uke and Guitar Lesson Instructor

Brittney will be teaching guitar/uke and piano on Mondays and Wednesdays and vocal and piano on Thursdays and Fridays. Brittney holds two Bachelor degrees 1) Bachelor of Education and 2) Bachelor of Music and English double from Brock University. Addison Music is the lucky recipients of a career change for Brittney as she has decided to make music her main passion and is coming to us from full time teaching at a private school. At her previous school she taught the entire Ontario curriculum in core subjects including math, language and science through project based learning activities to students with autism and other learning challenges. Brittney has kept herself very busy teaching music at other music schools and institutions in the past including a stint at a Primary school in Wembley England where she developed a comprehensive music program for children in years 1 through 6. Welcome to our team Brittney!

Leslie: Advanced Piano Lesson Instructor (Thursdays) and Advanced Violin Instructor (Tuesdays)

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.

Liam: Advanced Piano Lesson Instructor, Composition

Liam is leaving for a world wide tour and will be returning to us when he comes back.... Liam is a pianist currently studying at Humber College in Toronto. He has a broad range of musical interests and experiences. He started with piano as a child but took an interest in drums and percussion, and he soon made this his focus. He played with the La Jeunesse Youth Orchestra for 8 years, as well as playing with local rock/blues bands, pit bands for theatrical productions, and jazz groups at his school and with the Humber Community Music Program. He began his musical studies at Humber on the drums but has since moved towards fully pursuing the piano as his primary instrument. He is now focused on jazz/rock/popular music genres, but he is equally comfortable with classical music and is pursuing an RCM grade 10. Liam brings his love of all things musical and his enthusiasm for learning to his lessons. He encourages creativity and personal expression with his students and wants to help make music as fulfilling and enjoyable for others as it is for him.

Alex: Drums and Percussion Lesson Instructor

Alex is a drummer from Etobicoke, Ontario. He has many musical interests including Funk, Rock, Country, Latin and Jazz. Alex began playing the piano at age 4 and has his RCM Grade 6 certification. In Grade 8, his interests shifted to the drums and he has been a dedicated drummer since.

Throughout high school, Alex played in bands such as the Jazz Combo, Jazz Orchestra, and the Concert Band travelling across Canada to participate in the FCMF National Music Festivals. He also played percussion with the Hannaford Youth Band in Grade 12.

Last summer, Alex was a Senior Staff member at Red Pine Camp and was co-in charge of running the Junior Program – a morning program offering engaging and stimulating activities for children 0-12 years old. He incorporated music into the daily planning through concerts, interactive playing and singing.

Currently Alex studies at Humber College in the Bachelor of Music – Drums/Percussion Program. He has studied with musicians such as Lorne Nehring, Mark Kelso, and Larnell Lewis.

Throughout the 2019-2020 school year, Alex was a staff member at Humber College’s Community Music Program where he played the drums for various ensembles of students aged 8-17 applying the Orff and Kodaly methods of Early Childhood Music Education.

View Video of Alex Here

Matthew: Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, and Recorder Lesson Instructor

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

Brandon Drums and Percussion Lesson Instructor

Barrie-based drummer, composer, and producer, Brandon has been making noise in Barrie's musical community for the last ten years. Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres including rock, metal, pop, and jazz, his sound as a drummer and composer is most influenced by his desire for adventure, exploration, and curiosity.

Brandon is a founding member of the Barrie-based rock-band "All My Life " and a variety of different projects including the Toronto-based metal band "Anneliese."

While attending Humber College, Brandon studied with renowned Canadian musicians, Larnell Lewis, Mark Kelso, and Paul DeLong and he has recently built a recording studio where he records high-quality drum performances remotely during COVID-19.

A founding member of the Canadian Musicians Co-operative Inc, Brandon is a mentor and Artistic Director for the Barrie-based organization which is geared towards helping independent musicians develop the necessary skills to succeed in the music industry.

Brandon is always looking to share his love and knowledge of music and the drums for anyone who wants to learn!

Leah : Vocal and Piano Lesson instructor

This is an original song written by Leah. Here is another great rendition of a Beatles song. https://youtu.be/xi6FDqPXlBY You will fall in love with Leah's positive personality and wonderful talent as soon as you meet her!

Leah is a singer/songwriter as well as a piano and self-taught guitar musician from Brampton Ontario. She started performing in church when she was 8 years old and as she grew older, began performing locally in Brampton. Leah then followed her passion into high school where she studied classical music in the arts program at Mayfield Secondary School. She has always had a passion for music, specifically for the way music is used to bring people together and so it only felt right for her to pursue music as a career even beyond high school.

She is now at Humber College in the Bachelor of Music Program for Voice where she continues to study many genres including classical, pop and jazz, rock, folk, country, and bluegrass music! Although she specializes in voice at Humber, she has also developed skills in theory, ear training, song writing, production, performance and studio recording. She is a huge fan artists like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, James Taylor, The Eagles, Leith Ross, Chris Stapleton etc. and she does her best to embody the authenticity that these artists portray while also creating something uniquely her own. Leah believes music has the power to comfort and inspire people, and hopes that throughout her life she is able to offer a glimpse of that to people through her own music.

Leah has also taken piano lessons since she was 10 years old studying classical and contemporary repertoire. As she graduated high school, she also received her Grade 8 RCM certificate for piano.

While Leah has a foundation in classical music and an understanding of piano theory and technique, she is passionate about allowing students to use the piano as a creative tool for composition and exploration. Whether that be playing chords along to your favourite songs, accompanying yourself as a vocalist or even writing your own songs - there is so much we can learn from taking a step outside the technical world and into our creative world throughout our musical journey.

Lately, Leah has been making her mark in the Toronto music scene as one of 15 artists on the 2022 Honey Jam Canada roster that supports up and coming female artists. She has had the opportunity to perform at venues like The Rex, Yongue & Dundas Square and the legendary El Mocambo in Toronto as a backup singer for local artists. She is now in the process of recording her first single to release before the end of 2022.

Leah is a full believer in the importance of internalizing technique on the instruments we choose to study while also bringing it into a practical and creative space. It is so important to find our own voice in the music we create and that requires a fun, encouraging and supportive learning environment.

Leah is thrilled to be a part of the Addison Music Learning Center to help bring this kind of environment to the students she will work with and allow for each person on their musical journey to find their artistic voice, whatever that means for them!

Shelley: Advanced Piano and Vocal Lesson Instructor

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.

View Video of Shelley Here

piano teacher in Oakville at Addison Music Learning Centre

Patty: Advanced Piano Lesson Instructor

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.

View Video of Patty Here

Sam: Guitar & Ukulele

Sam is a graduate of the Humber Introduction to Commercial Jazz Certificate Program and is playing in several bands in the Greater Toronto Area. He enjoys all kinds of music including Jazz, Folk, Rock, Metal, EDM, Punk, Funk, Latin, Classical, World Music and Experimental Noise. Sam is a multi instrumentalist and guitar is one of his greatest passions. A skilled guitarist who continues to learn from the people around him and from listening to and learning from recordings, Sam gigs with influential touring musicians who continue to teach him form and countless other skills and philosophies. While Sam was studying percussion he worked with Mark Kelso, Larnell Lewis, Steve Mancuso and Ben Ball at Humber College. He also received piano lessons from Amanda Tosoff and Tania Gill at Humber College and later studied advanced Jazz piano with Brian Rudolph privately. Sam is also a skilled producer, using Logic Pro X to record all of his originals and commercial music. Sam is also an established painter and spends creative time daily in the studio where he paints and draws. He often takes inspiration from nature when painting or composing. We are over the moon that this creative and talented musicians has joined the Addison Music family of educators.

Carmen: Advanced Piano Instructor

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.