Lic. CNCM, P/E Ped CNCM, R.M.T. Kathy has taught piano lessons in her hometown of Keswick, Ontario for thirty years. She entertains seniors at a local retirement/nursing home and is Music Director at Ravenshoe United Church where she plays for weekly services and directs a church/concert choir of twenty-five enthusiastic adults. The concert choir performs two to three times per year, raising funds for church expenses and outreach in the community. She has played at the same little country church for over forty years.
Kathy has completed the Primary/Elementary and Licentiate diplomas in Piano Pedagogy through the Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music studying with Debra Wanless. She is the recipient of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association 2015 Pedagogy Award and is a member of the organization. Kathy has an active studio and loves providing a venue for Composer and Kids sessions, CNCM examinations and teacher workshops.
Norine Broomhead
Lic. Trinity College of Music London, England Orff Certification Levels I & II Wilfred Laurier University
Norine is active as a piano and theory teacher, Music for Young Children teacher, festival adjudicator and accompanist, examiner with CNCM, pianist and accompanist at First Baptist Church Mount Forest, classroom music and recorder teacher at Arbor Glen Private School, accompanist with the Concertare Musical in Owen Sound, former president of Hanover-Walkerton ORMTA and the Georgetown Trinity Teacher's Association, and a former theory teacher with the Guelph Children's Singers.
She has continued studies with numerous pedagogues and was the recipient of The Georgetown Trinity Teacher's Award for highest achievements in theory and pianoforte, as well as the Cora B. Ahrens Award for excellence in Teacher's piano pedagogy.
Norine co-founded the Mount Forest and District Arts Council as well as The Mount Forest Festival of the Arts, and is musically active in her community.
Rémi Bouchard
Rémi Bouchard is a native of Western Manitoba. His musical education began in his hometown of Laurier with the 'Presentation of Mary' nuns. He later graduated with a piano pedagogy diploma from the University of Manitoba. In 1956, he started teaching in Neepawa and has been there ever since.
Mr. Bouchard is a member of the Manitoba Registered Music Teachers' Association. He became an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre in 1989. In April 1998 he received the Manitoba Heritage Foundation's 'Heritage Publication Award'.
Bouchard's works have been published by Waterloo Music, Les Éditions du Blé, Boston Music, Mayfair/Montgomery Music, Black Cat Publications, and Hal Leonard. His piano works are included in the New Millennium Series, on festival and conservatory listings and reviewed in Clavier Magazine. His choral works have been performed by various university ensembles. His works have also been featured on the Radio-Canada and CBC radio networks.
In 1999, Conservatory Canada recognized his contribution as a Canadian composer of music for young people by awarding him an Honorary Licentiate Diploma. Bouchard's works are also featured on two CD's performed by pianist Clark Bryan. In 2003, Bouchard was recognized by Canadian National Conservatory of Music with an Honorary Licentiate.
Tenley Dyck
Lic. CNCM, ARCT, R.M.T. Tenley Dyck is a prominent piano and pedagogy teacher in southwestern Manitoba. Her students have earned numerous scholarships and awards at local and provincial levels, as well as Silver Medals for obtaining the highest standing in CNCM and Royal Conservatory piano examinations. She is active as a piano examiner, adjudicator, accompanist and workshop clinician. Tenley holds a Licentiate in Piano Pedagogy with Canadian National Conservatory of Music and a Piano Teachers’ Associate diploma with Royal Conservatory of Music. Presently, Tenley is a member of the Examining Board for Canadian National Conservatory of Music, as well as the Academic Development committee.
She is the provincial representative for CNCM in Manitoba, and is a member of the Manitoba Registered Music Teachers' Association. She serves on Festival committees at local and provincial levels. As Project Manager and Editor of CNCM’s publications, the Northern Lights – An Exploration of Canadian Piano Music and Making Tracks – An Expedition in Canadian Piano Music series, Tenley works with composers from across Canada for the promotion of educational Canadian piano music.
Edward J. Ellis
FTCL, LTCL, A. Mus., ARCT, RMT
Edward (Ted) Ellis is an active music teacher in Welland Ontario. He owns and operates Ellis Music Studios where he has devised innovative teaching techniques and methods which have proven successful, including a musical thesaurus, a sight-reading system using speed-reading techniques and powerpoint presentations. Having been in a teaching capacity for 49 years, he draws upon his eclectic experiences, education and life skills (art, motorcycle teaching, science and others) to help students of all ages discover how to unlock their creativity through the piano and enrich their lives learning and performing various styles of compositions.
Ted has been a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association since 1976 and served as the president of the Welland - Port Colborne branch for 5 years. Interested in the different styles of learning and right-left brain integrated techniques, “Mr. Ted” is always interested in enhancing students' level of creativity and enjoyment in music.
Laura Gray
Laura Gray is a piano teacher from Harriston, ON. As a child she studied with Debra Wanless, and after completing the Grade 10 piano practical and written requirements, Laura attended Brock University. In 1998 Laura graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance with piano pedagogy and literature courses. In 1998 she began teaching piano full time at her studio in Harriston.
At a young age, Laura knew she wanted to be a piano teacher. Through many years of music studies, Laura's teaching philosophy developed to "never stop learning". In 2009 she completed an Associate Diploma in Piano Pedagogy with Canadian National Conservatory of Music (CNCM). Also in 2009, Laura ventured into the Music for Young ChildrenTM program, and added a new aspect to her music studio with class lessons. In 2010 Laura was appointed to the CNCM Board of Examiners for Piano. Most recently Laura has updated her education by completing the credits for the Primary-Elementary Pedagogy Diploma with CNCM.
Laura Gray lives on a farm outside of Harriston with her husband,and their son and daughter. She works as a church organist and volunteers as a Sunday school music director. She has also volunteered with music projects in her community at the school of dance, the Grey-Wellington Theatre Guild, and Minto-Clifford Public School. Laura has also worked with several ballet schools as an accompanist for Royal Academy of Dance examinations.
Beth Hamilton
Beth Hamilton is a music educator, music therapist, and singer-songwriter. Raised in a musical family, her studies began at the early age of five as her mother’s first piano student. Beth sang in choirs, played in bands, and studied piano throughout her school years, completing her Grade 10 Piano with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She continued her piano studies at Wilfrid Laurier University with Leslie Wyber and master class teacher Jamie Parker, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Music Therapy in 2001.
Beth’s love for music and making a difference in people’s lives led to a career in both music therapy and music education. As an Accredited Music Therapist, Beth’s practice centers in gerontology and palliative care, working in hospitals and long term care centres. She served as Public Relations Chair for several years on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Association for Music Therapy.
Beth has taught music for over 20 years including Kindermusik, workshops for school children, and private piano lessons. She has a thriving piano studio in Owen Sound, Ontario where she is Vice-President of the ORMTA Owen Sound Branch.
Beth is a singer-songwriter in the duo Beckon with her friend Connie Rossitter. In June 2012, Beckon released their debut full-length album “Beautiful Life”. With Juno nominated producer Rick Hutt at the helm, this FACTOR supported album garnered commercial radio play and airplay on CBC. Beckon has toured venues and festivals across Ontario. Their song “Beautiful Life” has been utilized in promotional videos for the City of Owen Sound and The Roxy Theatre. The song has made its way into classrooms across Ontario, utilised by teachers to teach music, movement, and to explore themes of community, gratitude, and aspirations. Beckon is an intriguing blend of fresh pop sound and graceful style, rapidly gaining recognition for their captivating original music and stunning trademark harmonies. Beth and Connie continue to meet weekly to create, compose, rehearse, and record original music.
Laureen Kells
Laureen currently resides in East Central Saskatchewan where she teachers private lessons and Music for Young Children. Active in her community,
Laureen is on the committee of the local music festival association, and her local registered music teachers association. As well Laureen sits on the board of the Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers Association. Having recently completed her Licentiate in Piano Pedagogy with CNCM, she is now currently working on her Junior Fellowship in Piano Pedagogy. She isalso honored to have been asked to join the Board of Examiners of CNCM.
During the summer, Laureen and her husband Hank Ukrainetz keep themselves busy helping to run the Tuffnell Fiddle and Guitar Camp.
Lara Mason
Lara Mason is a pianist and teacher from Souris, Manitoba. She graduated from Brandon University with a Bachelor of Music degree and has been teaching piano and theory for 30 years. Playing for musicals, singers, instrumentalists and choirs keeps her at the piano all week. On the weekend it's time to slow down and play for church, much to the delight of her dog who prefers hymns over musicals!
The month of July is spent learning and performing a new piano quartet, concerto or duo with other pianists who love performing and want to challenge themselves over the summer break. Lara is married with two children whom also love music. Both have been members of the musical pit bands directed by their mother, and Nicole was this year's piano duo partner for a performance of "Danse Macabre" by Saint-Saens.
Aury Murray
Aury received her Associate Piano and Associate Voice Teacher's Diploma from Western Ontario Conservatory of Music, and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts - Music Major from Lakehead University. She taught for the Music Department of Lakehead University and has served on the ORMTA Provincial Council as the Metro Toronto Zone Representative.
She conducted the Choristers of the Etobicoke Canadian Federation of University Women and was a member of Arts Etobicoke. Aury is Organist and Choir Director of Erindale Presbyterian Church in Mississauga, as well as adjudicator of piano and voice for ORMTA, Kiwanis Music Festivals and other regional music festivals.
Janna Olson
Janna Olson teaches at The King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta. She incorporates Music Learning Theory in her teaching and is certified in Piano and Early Childhood Music with the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.
Originally from Three Hills, Alberta, Janna Olson holds degrees in Church Music and Piano Performance and a Master's degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Alberta where she studied with Janet Scott Hoyt. She is also certified in Piano and Early Childhood Music with the Gordon Institute for Music Learning. Performing, adjudicating, and giving workshops have provided diverse opportunities for her to share her music in Canada, the United States and Europe. Janna currently resides in Edmonton, teaching privately and is a sessional instructor at The King’s University College. She enjoys playing chamber music and in her “off hours” spends time outdoors hiking, skiing and running.
Andrew Sims
Andrew completed the Bachelor of Music degree (2008) from Baylor University in piano performance (cum laude) and the Master of Music degree (2010) in applied music (piano) from the University of Alberta. His principle teachers have included Jane Abbott-Kirk and Jacques Després. Masterclass participations have included Krassimira Jordan, Stéphane Lemelin, Peter Longworth, Marvin Blickenstaff, Jane Margath, Alan Chow, Nelita True, Michel Fournier, Bruce Vogt, and Peter Mack. Early in his musical career, Andrew became interested in healthy piano technique, performance anxiety and injury prevention, and overall musical wellness through the practices and teachings of Dorothy Taubman and the Alexander Technique. His academic research in these fields has led to international conference paper presentations as well as local music association workshop presentations.
Andrew enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. He emphasizes creative and positive teaching in lessons so that his students learn to love all aspects of music. Andrew is a member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers' Association (ARMTA) and the Boris Roubakine Piano Club. He continues to perform and enjoys solo and collaborative work. In August 2014, Andrew attended the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria with solo performance and masterclass opportunities (Dr. Jane Magrath, University of Oklahoma and Dr. Alan Chow, Northwestern University) in Haydn Hall of the Esterhazy Palace.
Cameron Streicher
Cameron obtained his B.Mus from Wilfrid Laurier University, graduating with a double degree in Music Education and Music Theory. Cam has received many awards including the Evelyn Mae McLaughlin Award for Music Education, the WLU President’s Award, and the Laurier Alumni Gold Medal Award for the Faculty of Music. Cam is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA) and teaches at The Beckett School at Wilfrid Laurier University and Renaissance School of the Arts. He also works for Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music as a piano examiner. Cam has strong interests in vocal performance, in particular sacred, a cappella, choral music. He is the founder and director of Village Voices Community Choir (Milverton, ON), and is the current director of the Trinity Youth Choir. Cam regularly leads choral conducting workshops, and teaches at the A Cappella Choir Camp in Jamaica as well as Shenandoah Christian Music Camp: Ontario. He has sung with Da Capo Chamber Choir (Kitchener, ON) and Oasis Chorale (Virginia, USA). Cam has a strong interest in the healthcare field and is currently studying to become a registered respiratory therapist.
Laurel Teichroeb
Laurel Teichroeb grew up in Springside, Sask. where she began lessons at age 7, studying piano with the late Jean Laube. Coming from a musically rich community, her earliest influences were church music and singing at school. Through the encouragement of her church organist, she began to play and accompany at a young age and began teaching at age 15. It has been her passion ever since with a desire to help students find the joy of music at whatever skill level they are at.
She received her Associateship, Teachers diploma, with the Royal Conservatory of Music and continued further musical studies in electronic and pipe organ. Laurel also received certification in Kindermusik, a program for children ages newborn through six, at the University of Calgary. It was a study which she thoroughly enjoyed and uses in every aspect of her teaching. Most recently she completed a Licentiate diploma in Piano Pedagogy with Canadian National Conservatory of Music.
Laurel is past president of the Yorkton Registered Music Teachers where she has served in every capacity on the executive. She is an active examiner for CNCM and adjudicates for festivals around the province and Manitoba. She is active in her community as a teacher, accompanist for ballet, and pianist for weddings, funerals and many events. Her favorite pastimes are travelling, cooking and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Debra Wanless
Junior Fellowship CNCM; Lic. CNCM; A.Mus.; R.M.T.
Debra Wanless is an active piano adjudicator, studio teacher, editor, examiner, music publisher, and composer. She has travelled across Canada and the United States as a pedagogy clinician. Debra holds a Junior Fellowship and Licentiate in piano pedagogy with Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music; an Associate of Music in piano pedagogy with Western Ontario Conservatory of Music [Conservatory Canada]; and post graduate studies in piano performance, theory and piano ensemble.
Debra is a pedagogy specialist whose students have earned the Cora B. Arhens Award for pedagogy excellence. She is principal and founding member of Northern Lights Canadian National Conservatory of Music and the three-day Piano Pedagogy workshop, Summer Sizzle. Debra has served at the local and provincial levels of the ORMTA, is the founder of the North Wellington Camerata Canada Music Week Festival and worked for many years as music secretary to the Midwestern Ontario Rotary Music Festival.
Her piano solos and ensembles have been selected for performance at festivals across Canada; for inclusion in the New Millennium, Contemporary Idioms, Northern Lights and Making Tracks Series; the Piano Now Syllabus; and reviewed in Clavier Magazine. Debra has edited, revised and written new material for the Leila Fletcher piano course (Mayfair/Montgomery Music), the James Lawless Theory Course (Waterloo Music) and arranges pop music for the ProMusic Company in California. Her books/materials include two Rhythm Workbooks, Elementary Harmony and Melody Writing, Let’s Begin, 101 Children’s Pieces, A Jazzy Day, Midnight Jazz , and many more. She is the recipient of the ORMTA Special Teacher Award, the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada and finalist for the 2011 Louis Applebaum Award for Music for Young People.
Roslyn Weinstein
Roslyn began taking music lessons at the age of 4. After a number of years of private lessons, she eventually studied at the McGill Conservatory and then went on to complete a Bachelor of Music degree at McGill University, majoring in Performance, where she studied with Dorothy Morton, Charles Reiner and Esther Master. Roslyn has been a prize winner at the NDG Arts & Letters Festival (currently the Montreal Classical Music Festival) and has played piano as an accompanist at the Annual Hungarian Ball and for the Montreal Suzuki Association Violin Institute.
She continues her professional development by regularly attending music teaching conventions and seminars on piano pedagogy (e.g., University of Oberlin, Summer Piano Institute; University of Maryland, William Kappell Competition and Seminar).