Robert Motchalov began his musical studies at the age of five at the Novosibirsk Academy for Arts in Russia. He continued his musical studies on the piano, violin and clarinet and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria. Robert continued his education at the Indiana University in Bloomington, where he was granted the Master of Music degree with distinction, in piano performance.
Robert enjoys performing as a soloist and collaborative artist. He has performed in master classes with renowned pianists and musicians such as the famed performer and pedagogue Gyorgy Sebok, as well as Lev Vlasenko and Enrica Cavallo Gulli. Today Robert enjoys a busy teaching schedule as well as his position as a Director of Chinook School of Music.
Read MoreDerek Haussecker is a musician and artist from Calgary, Alberta. He has been playing drums for over 16 years and has experience performing in Canada, Europe and the UK. While mostly self-taught, he spent a year studying jazz and latin drumming with local big band legend John de Waal. Derek has an eclectic knowledge of music and plays a variety of dynamic styles including rock, R&B, funk, pop, afrobeat, bossa nova, country, jazz and experimental music. Derek is a core member of local Indie rock/R&B group, Bad Bodies.
Derek focuses on keeping sessions fun and engaging to ensure students stay excited about drumming and music. With personalized lesson plans that cater to the needs of each student, as every individual learns and approaches material differently. Derek offers useful and creative exercises that enable students of various skill levels to effectively learn in their own time outside of lessons.
Read MoreElaine has been studying piano since she was nine years old. Having completed RCM piano and theory and winning a scholarship for the highest provincial mark for advanced theory in Alberta, she is very familiar with the RCM curriculum. She has played in festivals within the province, winning several awards. Believing in accessibility to the arts, she is also involved in a non-profit organization delivering free music lessons to socially or economically marginalized children and youth. While she loves playing classical music, she also enjoys playing movie soundtracks/pop on the piano.
Elaine aims to create an encouraging atmosphere for her students to confidently explore and expand their musical abilities. She believes in adapting to each child’s unique learning style and is always excited to foster musical creativity in young musicians.
Read MoreGringo Villarin spent most of his life in the Philippines where he started piano lessons at the age of eight. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music Major in Music Education with piano principal from Saint Scholastica’s College Manila, Philippines. Gringo believes that everyone has the right to experience music and discover their own talents. This philosophy motivates him to teach and discover the potential in all of his students.
Gringo Villarin can teach lessons in English and Filipino.
Read MoreJames has a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing & Production from Berklee College of Music and has been teaching and playing professionally for 6 years. James enjoys teaching jazz, rock and indie music.
James teaches students songs they enjoy listening to by ear and through sheet music. He has an array of teaching materials and musical activities that help foster a love of music. James is happy to teach students music for their own personal enjoyment, for bands they play in, or for school.
James teaches guitar for all ages and skill levels as well as beginner and intermediate piano.
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.
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