Alida completed her Master's of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Toronto. She lived and worked in Toronto for 10 years, performing with The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, Opera Atelier, Tapestry Opera, Toronto Summer Music, Toronto Operetta Theatre, and Voicebox: Opera In Concert. Alida was also a musician for the United Church of Canada in Toronto, providing music for Sunday services and assisting with music programs. She has supported various choirs at U of T and in the larger community. Alida worked with Echo Women's Choir for seven seasons exploring folk and world music, and sang in an a capella folk music quartet.
Alida has taught voice and piano for many years, most notably for five years at Classical Music Conservatory (Toronto). She encourages students to celebrate their unique strengths, and fosters musical enjoyment through a focus on vocal and overall health. Alida holds a Bachelor of Music degree with Academic Honors from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. She has participated in summer opera training programs in Taos, New Mexico, and in Marche in Italy. Alida grew up in Calgary and is happy to have returned to her musical home.
Read MoreLauren has a deep passion for music, having started taking lessons at a young age and eventually entering the Performing Visual Arts Program at Central Memorial High School. Through this program, she discovered her love of jazz music, gained a deeper understanding of theory and was introduced to various genres of music. Following high school, Lauren pursued a bachelor's degree in Vocal Jazz Performance from Capilano University.
With over five years of experience teaching piano and singing, Lauren loves exploring different genres of music with her students while helping them to hone their skills. In her lessons, she focuses on technique and theory and how to apply them to songs that her students know and love.
Read MoreMandy Morris is a jazz vocalist, educator, and music teacher with over a decade of experience working with and performing for children. Mandy holds a Bachelor of Education from the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary and has worked as a music teacher with the Calgary Board of Education as well as an vocal instructor with the Calgary Stampede’s Young Canadians.
Mandy is a WCMA and YYC Music Award-nominated artist committed to creating kindness-based music that is a launchpad for jazz appreciation. They have toured throughout Western Canada, with highlight performances at Fernie Culture Days, the Fall Festival at the Red River Ex, Hay Day Festival, Central Alberta’s Children’s Festival, and the National Music Centre.
Read MoreBorn and raised on Canada’s East Coast, Maren McLean Persaud was trained in piano, voice and euphonium from a young age. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Mount Allison University and a Masters Degree from the University of Toronto. She has worked as a collaborative pianist with many ensembles and musicians across the country, has extensive performance experience as a soloist and has competed at the national level. Maren also works professionally with children and youth in not-for-profit organizations and is passionate about the creation of programs and opportunities that nurture the healthy development and unique gifts of young people.
Maren works to pass on a deep love of music to those she teaches. In addition to helping her students grow into well trained musicians with a sense of professionalism and skill, she wants them to enjoy what they are doing while discovering their own interests, talents and passions.
Read MoreSarah was raised in Calgary and from a young age has had a passion for music. She grew up learning to play the piano and eventually expanded her field to include concert band and string orchestra as well as chamber music. She regularly attends festivals, recitals, and musical gatherings such as the Alberta Piano Teachers Association Festival and Calgary Classical Piano meetups. In addition to the work Sarah does throughout the year, she annually attends CASSA Piano Camp and Lethbridge Piano Intensive in the summertime in order to further develop her musical skills.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys travelling and weightlifting. She believes that everybody deserves to experience the joy of music and brings that philosophy to life through her teaching.
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