CNCM Team
About > CNCM Team
Kathy Anderson
Team Member
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.
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
Theory Co-ordinator
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.
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.
Scot Clarke
Webmaster & Design
Scot Clarke has provided web and design support for CNCM for over 15 years. He is a graduated of Humber College's Graphic Design for Print and Digital Media Program.
Scot Clarke has provided web and design support for CNCM for over 15 years. He is a graduated of Humber College's Graphic Design for Print and Digital Media Program.
Tenley Dyck
Co-ordinator & Editor of Publications
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 Northern Lights 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.
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 Northern Lights 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.
Lois Knarr
Team Member
BMus, MMus, R.M.T.
Lois began her piano studies at the age of ten and has been in love with music ever since! She completed her BMus in Music Education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario and recently finished her MMus in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Lois currently lives in southern Ontario and is the owner of Key Impressions Music Studio. In her teaching, Lois loves getting to know each student’s beautiful and unique personality and helping them develop their passion for music. She deeply values the process of learning and helps her students build attitudes of curiosity and exploration rather than perfectionism. We can always gain a different perspective from an experience if we take the time to try and see what we can learn from it!
Lois also has a specialized interest in teaching piano in a way that promotes health and wellness for musicians, specifically by providing tools for injury prevention and performance anxiety. Efficient movement is so important to avoid injury, produce beautiful and rich music, and build sound technique. Using healthy movement, along with other tools, can also help students learn how to perform confidently and deal with performance anxiety. It is natural to feel nervous, but each student should be able to share the music they have worked so hard to learn, not become debilitated by their fear of performing!
In addition to teaching private piano lessons, Lois has had the opportunity to work as a professional accompanist with students at Memorial University, as well as instructing some Functional Keyboard classes for the university. Other ways she actively loves to keep music in her life is by becoming involved in her local church community. This includes accompanying the congregation for services and founding and directing church choirs!
BMus, MMus, R.M.T.
Lois began her piano studies at the age of ten and has been in love with music ever since! She completed her BMus in Music Education at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario and recently finished her MMus in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Lois currently lives in southern Ontario and is the owner of Key Impressions Music Studio. In her teaching, Lois loves getting to know each student’s beautiful and unique personality and helping them develop their passion for music. She deeply values the process of learning and helps her students build attitudes of curiosity and exploration rather than perfectionism. We can always gain a different perspective from an experience if we take the time to try and see what we can learn from it!
Lois also has a specialized interest in teaching piano in a way that promotes health and wellness for musicians, specifically by providing tools for injury prevention and performance anxiety. Efficient movement is so important to avoid injury, produce beautiful and rich music, and build sound technique. Using healthy movement, along with other tools, can also help students learn how to perform confidently and deal with performance anxiety. It is natural to feel nervous, but each student should be able to share the music they have worked so hard to learn, not become debilitated by their fear of performing!
In addition to teaching private piano lessons, Lois has had the opportunity to work as a professional accompanist with students at Memorial University, as well as instructing some Functional Keyboard classes for the university. Other ways she actively loves to keep music in her life is by becoming involved in her local church community. This includes accompanying the congregation for services and founding and directing church choirs!
Joan Ritchie
Team Member
ARCT, R.M.T.
Joan Ritchie is a semi-retired piano teacher. She holds an ARCT in piano teaching. For many years she taught all levels of piano as well as music theories and history. Joan was active on the Alberta Piano Teachers Association executive for 20 years and held many positions on that board, including president. Her passion for both music and travel has led to many trips to conferences and festivals in the US and Austria. She has especially loved sharing these experiences with colleagues and friends.
Now in semi-retirement, Joan continues to teach a few adults but also uses her position on two local festival boards to continue to promote music in the community. Being semi-retired also allows she and her husband to spend the coldest months of the Canadian winter in Tucson where they enjoy hiking, biking and bird watching.
ARCT, R.M.T.
Joan Ritchie is a semi-retired piano teacher. She holds an ARCT in piano teaching. For many years she taught all levels of piano as well as music theories and history. Joan was active on the Alberta Piano Teachers Association executive for 20 years and held many positions on that board, including president. Her passion for both music and travel has led to many trips to conferences and festivals in the US and Austria. She has especially loved sharing these experiences with colleagues and friends.
Now in semi-retirement, Joan continues to teach a few adults but also uses her position on two local festival boards to continue to promote music in the community. Being semi-retired also allows she and her husband to spend the coldest months of the Canadian winter in Tucson where they enjoy hiking, biking and bird watching.
Debra Wanless
Principal
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 has served at the local and provincial levels of 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.
Debra's 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 most recent books/materials include two Rhythm Workbooks, Elementary Harmony and Melody Writing, Musical Signs and Terms Flashcards, Let's Begin, 101 Children's Pieces, A Jazzy Day, Midnight Jazz which includes a CD, Keyboard Harmony Books 1-3, Classy Piano Pieces, Boogie and Jazz Piano Styles, Groovin' and What a Wonderful World in Big Note and intermediate piano solos, intermediate Sacred Jazz Solos. and Matinee Jazz with CD. Debra's pedagogy materials and compositions are also used and performed in Australia, Brazil, China, England, Guam, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Serbia and throughout North America. She is the recipient of the ORMTA Special Teacher Award, and the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.
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 has served at the local and provincial levels of 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.
Debra's 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 most recent books/materials include two Rhythm Workbooks, Elementary Harmony and Melody Writing, Musical Signs and Terms Flashcards, Let's Begin, 101 Children's Pieces, A Jazzy Day, Midnight Jazz which includes a CD, Keyboard Harmony Books 1-3, Classy Piano Pieces, Boogie and Jazz Piano Styles, Groovin' and What a Wonderful World in Big Note and intermediate piano solos, intermediate Sacred Jazz Solos. and Matinee Jazz with CD. Debra's pedagogy materials and compositions are also used and performed in Australia, Brazil, China, England, Guam, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Serbia and throughout North America. She is the recipient of the ORMTA Special Teacher Award, and the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.
Ruth Wilkin
Administrative Coordinator
Having never strayed far from her rural roots in Midwestern Ontario, Ruth is happy to call Harriston, Ontario home. After graduating from the University of Guelph and the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario, she spent her elementary teaching career with the Bluewater District School Board. Since retiring from the classroom in 2019, she has joined CNCM to provide administrative duties in the office. She appreciates the opportunity to support the flexible grass-roots structure of the organization, believing that students of all ages can thrive as they explore and develop their musical appreciation, understanding and proficiency.
[email protected]
Having never strayed far from her rural roots in Midwestern Ontario, Ruth is happy to call Harriston, Ontario home. After graduating from the University of Guelph and the Faculty of Education at the University of Western Ontario, she spent her elementary teaching career with the Bluewater District School Board. Since retiring from the classroom in 2019, she has joined CNCM to provide administrative duties in the office. She appreciates the opportunity to support the flexible grass-roots structure of the organization, believing that students of all ages can thrive as they explore and develop their musical appreciation, understanding and proficiency.
[email protected]
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