Lauren graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. She lived in Lethbridge for ten years teaching piano before moving back to her hometown of Calgary.
Lauren has taught music to children ranging from three to sixteen years of age, as well as adults. Children are her passion; she loves working with them and ultimately ends up learning from them in return. Lauren enjoys helping students achieve their goals of completing piano exams. Her teaching methods include a lot of movement-orientated techniques. She believes that it is important to think about all aspects of the body when playing the piano, and believes that incorporating movement allows for more musical quality.
Lauren’s experience as a musician includes solo performances in recitals and masterclasses, as well as recitals in chamber music with other instrumental musicians. She is an avid accompanist having accompanied opera soloists, musical theatre soloists and musical theatre groups
Read MoreAn extremely talented Malaysian-born musician, Lone has taught guitar, ukulele, bass guitar and drums for over 18 years. He has a wide range of experience with a diverse group of students having taught all styles of music to children as young as three years old, and adults up to 75 years old, in two countries – Malaysia and Canada, as well as internationally through online channels.
Over the years, Lone has developed his own distinctive and versatile style of teaching. His lessons are tailor-made for each individual student’s learning style and experience to keep interest and enthusiasm levels up. Lone also encourages his students to push through their comfort zones and improve their skills through performances and various music activities.
Lone is a passionate musician and a well-loved music teacher. He is dedicated to sharing his love of music and cultivating the musical talents and abilities of his students and music lovers everywhere.
Lone Chu can teach lessons in English, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese, and Malay.
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 MoreMarianna has been interested in music since her childhood and started playing the piano at the age of six. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree and eventually with a Master of Music Degree, from the R. Glier Kyiv Academy of Music.
Marianna has experience working with kids and adults with all levels of students (beginner, intermediate, advanced). She has been teaching piano lessons for 6 years.
Marianna adapts lessons to the student's needs, interests, and goals. Also, she combines different types of music to develop all skills and to make your musical pastime more interesting and diverse. Marianna can help you in becoming and developing in a professional way as well as to reveal and improve your piano skills if you play for fun.
Marianna can teach lessons in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.
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 MoreMeaghan 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!
Read MoreMichael Coburn’s passion and tenacity for piano performance have led him to become an inspiring and in demand educator. Michael has developed his own teaching philosophy that seeks to transform the way his students understand music by focusing on thought first, action second. By allowing students to understand what happens in the brain, Michael is able to evoke more creative and secure performances.
In 2006, Michael was featured as a soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, shortly before receiving his Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Calgary. He furthered his studies at the Académie Musicale Internationale "Barbara Krakauer" in Vaison-la-Romaine, France, and working with internationally acclaimed pianists such as Paul Badura-Skoda and Emanuel Krasovsky.
Michael is currently the Piano Faculty Director at Chinook School of Music, the Artistic Director of Cum Vino Cantus Choir, the Director of Music at Parkdale United Church, and an adjudicator at music festivals across Alberta.
Read MoreMelissa graduated with her Bachelor of Arts on the violin at Ambrose University under the tutelage of Joan Barrett. One of Melissa greatest passions is playing in various community and university orchestras throughout Calgary. She has also enjoyed performing with her siblings in the Priddis Strings Trio and the Ambrose String Quartet.
Melissa has enjoyed teaching violin for the past five years and aims to inspire in her students a love for music and a desire for continued learning. Melissa incorporates a holistic approach to teaching and believes that the things that we learn through music should be transferable to other areas of life.
Read MoreMichelle Kyle is a performer and music educator based in Calgary, Alberta. Originally from Manitoba, Michelle has been performing since she was 12 years old, playing a wide variety of venues and styles. Michelle can be seen performing anything from coffee shops to pit bands or jazz ensembles. After being inspired by her band teachers Michelle decided to study jazz guitar at Brandon University where she completed a bachelor of music and education. She has nearly 10 years of experience teaching private lessons from ages 5 to 65 and has taught concert band, jazz band and guitar in classroom settings.
Michelle is passionate about helping others experience the joy and community that music has brought her. Michelle believes that music is for everyone and works hard to adjust every lesson to suit each student's individual goals and interests.
Read MoreNataliia was born in Kiev, Ukraine. She started her violin studies at age six. After completing her studies at school of music, she proceeded to Kiev State Music College, later furthering her education at the Kiev State Conservatory. She supplemented her violin tuition with lessons in musicology and chamber music performance.
Apart from performing as soloist and in chamber ensembles, Natalia has been a member of several orchestras, including Kiev Opera House for Children and Youth, the famous Kiev National Philharmonic Orchestra, and Cairo Opera House and Malta Philharmonic orchestra. She has performed extensively giving concerts in Europe, Far East and United States (including Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Center).
From 2008 till 2022 Natalia was a Lecturer in Violin Performance at the University of Malta and a violin instructor at Johann Strauss School of Music, Malta.
She participated in numerous international festivals as a first violinist of “Yaro” string quartet and “Lakota” piano trio. Nataliia teaches both piano and violin at CSM.
Read MoreNiel is a Calgary-based saxophone, flute, and clarinet player and educator. Since his first violin lesson at age 7, music has been a central part of Niel's life. He started learning the saxophone at age 13 and began playing regular shows in Calgary by the time he was 17, taking advantage of every opportunity he could find. Neil earned his Bachelor’s degree in jazz performance at Capilano University in North Vancouver. While studying there he played countless shows across many genres, including jazz, hip hop, classical, pop, and musical theatre. As a performer, Niel has appeared on professional recordings and performs regular shows across the Calgary area with local bands.
Niel has an insatiable curiosity for music and is enthusiastic about sharing music with others.
Understanding that every student has distinct learning styles and goals, he provides personalized instruction, ensuring to accommodate diverse strengths and interests.
Read MoreA passionate and dedicated instructor, Patricia Higgins is head of the strings faculty at the Chinook School of Music. She received her master’s degree in viola from Quebec Music Conservatory and has been a very active member of the musical community since. She is currently the violist of the Lily String Quartet, and has played with many orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Patricia is passionate about performing and wishes to instill a love of music in all of her students. She believes that it is important to share the joys of classical music, and takes great pride and pleasure in educating the musicians of tomorrow who will one day share their own musical joy with the world.
Read MoreRachel completed her Bachelor of Music in cello performance at Ambrose University. A former student of the Mount Royal University Music Academy, Rachel has had the opportunity to perform for and study under some of North America's most renowned musicians. One of Rachel's favourite passions is playing chamber music. She has played in many chamber groups and currently performs with two string quartets as well as a string trio, Priddis Strings with her siblings.
Rachel has enjoyed teaching cello for the past 7 years to students of all ages and levels. She appreciates the opportunity to help students discover their potential and express themselves through music. Rachel is dedicated to helping students use their passion for music to grow and challenge themselves in other aspects of their lives.
Read MoreRéjean Campbell is a conductor, educator, singer, and theatre music director with over two decades of musical performance and direction to his credit. Réjean focuses his musical leadership activities on building relationships within his groups to foster a culture of trust, growth and collaboration, and his efforts have earned him nominations for a Calgary Theatre Critic’s Award (Fiddler on the Roof, Painted Fish Performing Arts Society) and multiple Calgary-ACTS CAT Awards (e.g. Beauty and the Beast, Painted Fish Performing Arts Society). Réjean is currently Artistic Director of Blend Vocal, and holds ongoing educator positions at The Calgary Boys' Choir, Asylum for Art, Morpheus Theatre’s Gilbert & Sullivan Junior Theatre School, Storybook Theatre’s Theatre School, and Mount Royal Conservatory. Réjean is a long-standing member of the Calgary Opera Chorus, performs regularly with several professional and semi-professional choirs and orchestras, and is currently a finalist in the Timmins Symphony Orchestra's search for a new Artistic Director. A passionate coach, Réjean loves sharing what he’s learned and helping others achieve their musical goals.
Read MoreRiley Ngo began studying piano at age 6 with Carrie Kalmakoff, completing ARCT in Piano Performance with distinction at age 14 under the tutelage of Colleen Athparia. A regular scholarship and award winner, Riley enjoys playing the piano as a soloist as well as collaborating with fellow musicians. He played harpsichord with the Mount Royal Conservatory Sinfonia at the Winter Fantasia concert in 2013. As an award-winning piano duo, he and his partner placed first at the Canadian Music Competition in 2015 and went on to win first place at the North West International Piano Ensemble Competition in 2016. The piano duo won first place again at the Canadian Music Competition in 2018 and 2019, while Riley’s piano quartet placed 3rd in the same competition that year. Riley debuted as a soloist with the Calgary Civic Symphony in 2022 playing Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 5.
Riley is a supervisor at the Calgary Arts Summer School’s piano program. He is also an avid accompanist, having accompanied advanced level RCM string exams. Riley believes every piece of music tells a story. He hopes to inspire students to bring music off the page by developing a balance between good technique and a vivid imagination. He looks forward to sharing his love of music with the next generation of aspiring musicians.
Riley Ngo can teach lessons in English and French.
Read MoreRose Schmaltz has had a passion for music since a young age. As an active member of the Calgary flute community, she has played in many community ensembles including Front Row Centre Musical Theatre, FCC Jazz Flute Big Band, Badlands Passion Play and the Calgary Wind Symphony. Rose has been playing the flute since a young age and now has a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry with a Minor in Music. She has participated in lessons and masterclasses with Rachael Flatt, Bernard Blary, Lea Pearson, Wissam Boustany, and Ian Clarke. She has also taken pedagogy courses with Katherine Emeneth and Terri Sanchez. She travelled to St. Andrews Scotland in 2013 to participate in the Scottish International Flute Summer School. She is currently a member of ARMTA (Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association) and CFMTA (Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Associations).
Rose has 17 years of teaching experience varying in all ages of students from beginner to advanced levels. She has experience teaching band clinics, group lessons, and private lessons. Her students have received high marks on RCM exams, including Regional Gold medals, Provincial festivals, and successfully auditioned for MRU ensembles. She enjoys maintaining a fun environment while challenging the students’ abilities. During lessons Rose works on technique, music theory, RCM repertoire, Disney and Broadway music, duets and more.
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 MoreRyan Ronksley completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Calgary for classical guitar in 2009. In April of 2006, he received a Music Performance Diploma from Mount Royal College. Ryan enjoys teaching all types of music such as rock, pop, classical, folk, acoustic, bass, and flamenco. Ryan has taught acoustic, electric and bass guitar for over sixteen years at Chinook School of Music.
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!
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