Charlotte has sung with Spiritus Chamber Choir and Rev 52 Choir as a soprano singer, performer, actress, and movement advisor. As a dance enthusiast, she has been a student and performer of Ukrainian, ballroom, country, tap, Canadian step, and flamingo dancing, she’s been playing piano, singing and seniors homes, churches, schools, weddings, and private functions for many seasons.
Charlotte teaching style blends the student’s needs and learning style with her creative personality and diverse artistic background within the scope of curriculum. She delights in teaching music to students with inspiration, clear expectations, and warm connectivity. In turn, students are invited to create and be musical with success!
Read MoreIvanna is a passionate piano teacher and performer currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music at Academy of Music in Ukraine. She has several years of experience teaching private piano lessons to students of various ages and skill levels.
Her teaching philosophy centers on making each lesson both educational and enjoyable, adapting her approach to suit the individual needs and goals of every student. Whether preparing for exams or simply playing for enjoyment, she supports her students every step of the way.
Ivanna can teach lessons in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
Read MoreKatie Filson-Lau is a soprano soloist and choral singer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is a graduate of the University of Calgary and received a Bachelor of Music degree majoring in vocal performance. She has performance and training experience in classical, musical theatre, choral, pop, and jazz singing. As a soloist, Katie has been awarded the WorldStrides OnStage Maestro Award, at a choral competition in Montreal, and the Don Wright Prize from the University of Calgary. She also has been awarded the Anthony G. Petti Memorial Scholarship in Music and the Norman J. Kennedy Memorial Scholarship for Choral Performance, both from the University of Calgary. She has performed as a soloist with Juno award-winning group Rosa Barocca. She has competed as a soloist in the Karaoke World Championships, in which she placed top 20 in Canada and the NATS Southern Alberta Songfest. Katie also has 12 years of experience playing piano as a soloist and accompanist for choirs and accompanying her own performances. She hopes to share her knowledge of these experiences with her students while fostering a passion for music. In the future, Katie plans to pursue a master's in choral conducting and vocal performance. When she isn’t making music, she can be found baking yummy sweets or knitting.
Read MoreApproaching his tenth year of teaching, Matthew prides himself in his engaging approach to piano pedagogy. Above all else, he strives to give students the skill set to pursue their curiosity at the piano. This set of skills involves a thorough understanding of the physical approach to the keyboard, as well as a confidence in musical literacy. With these tools, students will build the foundation for a well-rounded and mature sound.
Matthew received his BMus from the University of Regina, where he studied with Dr. Katherine Dowling. During and after his education, he worked extensively as a teacher and collaborative pianist in southern Saskatchewan. Matthew worked as an instructor at the University of Regina’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. His students participated in recitals, masterclasses, auditioned scholarships, and examinations through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Matthew’s collaborative work with instrumentalists and vocalists brought him many performing opportunities. At regional and provincial music festivals, Matthew performed in Art Song, Opera, Canada West Recital, Musical Theatre, 20th century string sonatas, and duo concerti. Matthew also worked prolifically with choirs in the city – Soulfire, Musica Sacra, and the University of Regina choirs.
Through the support of SK Arts, Matthew participated in the 2022 Traditional Session at Adamant School of Music in Vermont, USA. At this intensive summer festival, Matthew studied with Deirdre O’Donohue (NYU), and performed in masterclasses with Victor Rosenbaum. In 2023, Matthew won the Florence Bowes Memorial Competition in Piano Pedagogy, as well as the Lions award in the Regina Music Festival Piano division. Matthew continues to practice avidly, and has an affinity for the music of Brahms and Prokofiev. In his free time, he enjoys hiking and designer board games.
Read MoreFor nearly half a century, Ryan Aguilar has been immersed in music. At the tender age of six he began tinkering away on the piano and shortly after, picked up guitar, bass, ukulele, and vocals. His naturally gifted ear revealed an almost sixth sense for replicating the tunes he heard on his grandmother’s radio. He was insatiable. Soon, Ryan found himself at college for piano and vocals and then university, majoring in piano performance at Southwest Texas State. Since 1993 he has played in several quintessential Texan rock and country bands (Derringer, Sheila Marshall, The Triumphs) touring the southern US, Canada, and even into Mexico. Then in 2003, he felt nudged to give back all he gained on the stage—he began to teach others how to be rock stars. His personal mantra, ‘practice as joy’, sets the tone for each lesson. Watching students’ faces light up when a piece comes together is what continues to stoke the fires of his musical and teaching passion.
Read MoreSarah 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!
Read MoreShannon (Magee) Roy combines both creativity and skill in the lessons she teaches. She has performance training from the Royal Conservatory of Music and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Ambrose University. Shannon has performed all over the world and she performs locally and nationally with her duo Georgia Sound, who have released two CDs. Shannon believes that every one of her students is unique and requires a unique teaching style. She wishes to instil in all of her students that music is about having fun, being creative, and loving what you are doing.
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