Joseph Fernando, Piano, Accordion

January 29, 2023

Joseph Fernando began studying piano at the age of five. He competed for many years in the Calgary Kiwanis Festival (now the Calgary Performing Arts Festival), winning several classes. He studied in Calgary with Ann Davidson and earned his Performer's ARCT in January 2009, and recently completed the Royal Conservatory's Teaching Elementary Piano course.

He performs at open mic's and music nights around the city, and has been featured as a solo artist at several venues. He has collaborated as a pianist with many local musicians and singer-songwriters, and plays the accordion as a member of the Calgary-based gypsy-punk-folk band Total Gadjos.

Joseph earned a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary in 2009, and an M.Sc. in 2011. He worked as an engineer at a downtown consulting company for over 5 years, and was licensed as a Professional Engineer in Alberta in 2013. He is currently back at university working towards a Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Calgary. Throughout his graduate studies, he has gained educational experience by working as a teaching assistant and tutor.

Joseph believes in adapting teaching methods to the learning styles and personality of each student, and emphasizes creativity and personal interpretation in music performance. He strives to make every lesson enjoyable for his students, and to instill students with a joy for making music.

Meaghan Schulz, Voice, Piano

January 17, 2023

Meaghan Schulz has a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, and an LLB from the University of Alberta. She is on the roster with Cowtown Opera Company, and is a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus. Meaghan has trained in early childhood music education and she also developed and taught a baby sign language program called Nursery Signs. She is so excited to play and explore at Chinook School of Music with Music Kids!

Sarah Nearing, Beginner Piano, Voice, Group Ukulele

January 7, 2023

Sarah is an actor, singer, and emerging playwright born and raised here in Calgary. She is a passionate teacher and artist who strives to inspire compassion and joy through her work in opera, theatre, and even TV (if you’re a fan of The Last of Us, you may have spotted her at the very beginning of Episode 5)! She was recently nominated for a CAT Award for her performance as Mercutio in Full Circle Theatre’s Riverona. Other recent performance credits include Calgary Opera’s Arias and Ales (soloist), as well as The Elixir of Love, The Marriage of Figaro, Macbeth, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs (Canadian Premiere), and Carmen with Calgary Opera’s Chorus. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in both Theatre and Music from Dalhousie University, and is so excited to begin her second year teaching at Chinook School of Music!