RCM Teacher of Distinction Awards
RCM Teachers of Distinction are leaders in the field of music and arts education, recognized for their contributions of creativity, dedication, innovation, and passion. Through their years of teaching experience, they provide mentorship to other teachers and instill a lifelong love of music and the arts in their students. RCM Teachers of Distinction are an inspiration to others and are influential in creating a brighter future.
Nomination Deadline: July 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Previous Teacher of Distinction Award Recipients
- 2025 Teachers of Distinction
Canada
Alberta, Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Jennifer Orr
As both an educator and administrator, Jennifer Orr has inspired countless students and cultivated excellence in speech arts curriculum and program design, transforming and elevating the practice and experience of teachers and students across Canada. Jennifer has worked at Calgary’s Mount Royal University Conservatory for more than three decades, serving as both an instructor and program facilitator. Through her unwavering perseverance, innovative teaching, and visionary leadership, she has built a program that is a cornerstone of the Conservatory’s offerings. Jennifer was honoured with the Teaching Excellence in Lifelong Learning Award in May 2025, recognizing her outstanding contributions to MRU. Jennifer has a long-standing affiliation with The Royal Conservatory, serving as Speech Arts and Drama specialist and senior member of the RCM College of Examiners, supporting and encouraging teachers and examiners across Canada. Jennifer has taken a leadership role in developing concurrent revisions of the Speech Arts and Drama syllabus, including the upcoming version to be released in 2026. Jennifer lives by her belief that speech arts is a vital art form, and her students consistently credit their speech training as “the thing that made the difference” in their road to success. She is delighted to be named as an RCM Teacher of Distinction!
Atlantic
New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward IslandAnne Marie McIntyre
Anne Marie McIntyre is a seasoned voice and piano educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. A graduate of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, she has cultivated a distinguished career as both a performer and pedagogue. Her recital work has taken her across Canada and the United States, including notable appearances at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Anne Marie has coached vocalists across a wide range of genres, including music theatre, opera, and pop. Many of her voice students have gone on to successful performing careers in music theatre and opera in North America and Europe, while her piano students have consistently achieved top honours in numerous competitions, including the National Music Festival in Canada and the American Protégé Competition in the U.S. Both her voice and piano students alike have achieved gold medal standings in their Royal Conservatory of Music examinations. In addition to her teaching and coaching, Anne Marie has music-directed over 30 theatrical productions. Her collaborative and versatile approach to music direction has made her a sought-after leader in both educational and professional theatre settings. In recent years, Anne Marie has continued her own artistic development by taking classes at the Golandsky Institute in New Jersey and the Juilliard School in New York.
British Columbia & Yukon
Teresa Ho
Teresa Ho’s passion for music began as a child in Hong Kong, where she was inspired to learn piano by her elementary school music teacher. At age 17, she and her family immigrated to Canada in pursuit of better opportunities for higher education. She achieved her ARCT Performer’s and Teacher’s diplomas from The Royal Conservatory with Edward Parker, her first piano teacher. Teresa graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from UBC in 1983 under the tutelage of Professor Jane Coop. She started teaching at the Vancouver Academy of Music in 1982 and has guided her students to successes in RCM examinations as well as local and national competitions. In addition to teaching, administrating, and mentoring, Teresa has actively pursued professional growth by attending national conferences and master classes led by world-renowned pianists and pedagogues. Teresa is dedicated to nurturing every young student, instilling a love of music from the first piano lesson, and her students have learned to pursue excellence in both music and all areas of life. She has demonstrated exemplary dedication throughout her 43 years of service at the Vancouver Academy of Music. Building on the legacy of her mentors, she has made lasting contributions to the music community.
Ontario
Daniel Temnik
Daniel Temnik is an Israeli-born Canadian violinist, arts administrator, and educator. He has worked with illustrious artists including Pinchas Zukerman, Yefim Bronfman, Vadim Gluzman, Miriam Fried, and Donald Weilerstein, and has been featured at festivals such as Keshet Eilon, the Banff Centre, and the NAC Artists Program. Daniel has appeared with leading Canadian ensembles such as the Toronto Sinfonietta, Kindred Spirits Orchestra, and the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, and has distinguished himself at major competitions, including the Paganini, CMC, Schoenfeld, and Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competitions. He is the recipient of notable prizes such as the VIMF (Vaughan International Music Festival) Scholarship and the Benjamin Steinberg Music Legacy Award. Deeply committed to education, Temnik’s students have won top prizes, gained admission to leading institutions, and performed internationally. As the artistic director of Leah Posluns Theatre’s inaugural chamber concert series, Daniel continues to inspire through performance, teaching, and cultural leadership.
Ontario
Kelly Xu
Kelly Xu was born into a musical family in China, where her gift for music was discovered at an early age by her mother. She began piano lessons at the age of five and later earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto before devoting herself to teaching. Over the years, she has inspired hundreds of young musicians, nurturing not only their technical skills but also their creativity, confidence, and love of music. Her students have earned top prizes and scholarships at the Peel, Hamilton, and Kiwanis Music Festivals. In 2025 alone, they achieved 78 awards, including 32 first prizes and 9 provincial awards at the Ontario Music Festivals Association (OMFA). In 2024, one of her students won first prize in Level 8 at the OMFA, a success story featured in Oakville’s local news. Believing that music is a lifelong journey, Kelly continuously seeks opportunities to grow as both a musician and a teacher. As an advanced RCM teacher, she deeply values the structure and resources that the RCM curriculum provides for students. Kelly’s dedication shines through every lesson as she patiently guides each student with passion and care, helping them discover and reach their fullest potential. She strives to instill a spirit of curiosity and perseverance in her students, encouraging them to embrace challenges, express themselves fully, and grow not only as musicians but also as individuals.
Quebec
Caroline Derome
Caroline Derome is a dedicated musician and educator known for her artistry, versatility, and commitment to nurturing musical excellence. She holds a Master of Music degree in Performance from the Université de Montréal and Bachelor of Music degrees in both Performance and Music Education from McGill University. In addition to performing regularly, she teaches flute and piano privately and previously served as a flute instructor and examiner with the McGill Conservatory of Music until its closure in 2022. Her students have received multiple RCM Gold Medals, earned top placements in prestigious Canadian and international competitions, performed as soloists with youth orchestras, and graced the world stage in venues such as Carnegie Hall. Caroline is also a full-time music teacher for the English Montreal School Board. She presents annual school concerts of ensembles involving over 200 children, and her student groups have won several CBC Music Class Challenge Awards. A passionate educator, Caroline instills a "growth mindset" in her students, cultivating curiosity, resilience, and artistic development. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment and to sharing her love of music with others. With a firm belief in the transformative power of music, Caroline continues to inspire both audiences and students through performance, mentorship, and lifelong artistic exploration.
Saskatchewan
Allison Luff
Allison Luff is a passionate pianist and dedicated music educator based in Regina, Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Alberta and dual Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education from Western University. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she fosters musical growth through her expertise in piano performance, solfège, music theory, and ear training—approaches shaped by her pedagogical studies at the Kodály Institute in Hungary. A frequent adjudicator for music festivals, Allison brings both discernment and encouragement to young performers. Winner of the Regina Musical Club Recital Competition in 2012, Allison is also an active conductor and community leader. She formerly taught with the Toronto Children’s Chorus and currently, she directs the Conservatory of Performing Arts Prairie Kids Chorus and serves as production manager for the Regina Music Festival. She has also been managing director of the Amadeus Choir of Greater Toronto and contributed to the strategic planning committee of the CFMTA. Her teaching philosophy blends technical mastery with mindfulness, empathy, and expression.
United States
California/Hawaii
Jude Weirmeir
Dr. Jude Weirmeir is a guitarist, conductor, educator, and composer who earned his Ph.D. in music from the University of California, San Diego. He has taught extensively across diverse musical traditions, including the music of Africa and Asia, popular culture and film, music theory, musicianship, and guitar performance. For more than two decades, Dr. Weirmeir has maintained an active teaching studio in San Diego and has directed the Villa Musica Classical Guitar Ensemble since its founding. His beginning-guitar method book, Guitar Play, serves as the foundation of Villa Musica’s guitar curriculum. In addition, Dr. Weirmeir has been deeply involved with the RCM Certificate Program’s guitar exams for the past 13 years, successfully guiding his students through well over 100 examinations.
North Central
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, WisconsinTristan McKay
Dr. Tristan McKay, NCTM, is a pianist and educator based in Detroit, Michigan. He holds a PhD and Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from New York University and a Master of Music in Contemporary Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Celebrated for his “dramatic” and “assertive” playing (The New York Times), Tristan has premiered dozens of solo and chamber works at iconic venues across the United States and abroad. As a guest lecturer, Tristan has presented at institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Colorado at Boulder, Nova University (Lisbon, Portugal), and Queensland Conservatorium (Brisbane, Australia). He is currently on faculty at the State University of New York at New Paltz, where he has taught courses on music theory, piano performance, music history, and music criticism. Tristan works with dedicated students of all ages in his online piano studio. As a Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher, his prize-winning students have received state awards and regional gold medals as well as outstanding marks from local competitions and festivals. Tristan serves on the board of the Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League and the Michigan Music Teachers Association.
Northeast
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West VirginiaJongsun Lee
A native of South Korea, pianist Jongsun Lee began piano studies at age six and has performed internationally as both soloist and collaborator. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Ewha Womans University, graduating early with a Certificate of Excellence, and completed her Master of Music in Piano Performance degree at the University of Michigan with a full scholarship. Passionate about contemporary music, Jongsun presented an innovative master’s recital featuring George Crumb’s Makrokosmos with projection mapping and was a featured speaker at TEDxSNUSuwon, discussing the relationship between composer and performer. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2014 and is a prizewinner of the Korea Music Competition, Donga Music Education News Concours, and the Italy Verbania International Music Competition. Now based in New Jersey, she is on faculty at the Lindeblad School of Music, serves on the annual piano competition committee for the Music Educators Association of New Jersey, and is an active member of the New Jersey Federation of Music Clubs. Jongsun continues to inspire students of all ages while maintaining an active presence as a performer and advocate for contemporary music.
Northwest
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, WashingtonClaire Marshall
Claire Marshall, based in Bainbridge Island, Washington, earned a degree in psychology and a diploma in music from McGill University and successfully completed a practicum at the Gesell Institute of Child Development at Yale University. Claire has worked with patient and insightful piano teachers, including Dorothy Morton at McGill University, John T. Moore at the University of Washington, and Jeffrey Gilliam at Western Washington University, and is now an active member of the RCM College of Examiners. Claire is most grateful for the rich tapestry of pianists, mentors, and experiences that have influenced her as a teacher and holds true the philosophy that teachers continually learn from their students.
South Central
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, TexasVadim Timinsky was born in Estonia and began his musical studies at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music High School with guitarist Tiit Peterson. He later earned a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music and Dance and a Master of Music in Guitar Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, studying with Joseph Urshalmi and Robert Guthrie. Vadim is a founder of the Classical Guitar Studio at Coppell Conservatory (2002) and the McKinney Classical Guitar Studio (2008). He has guided students through private lessons, workshops, and ensembles for over two decades. Since 2015, he has also participated in The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program, where his students earn consistent recognition in this comprehensive and demanding curriculum. Known as a dedicated and patient teacher, he emphasizes beautiful tone, musical taste, and selects repertoire suited to each student, inspiring them to reach their full potential. His students regularly receive praise and artistic distinction through recitals, workshops, and RCM guitar examinations.
Southeast
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, VirginiaMary Wendelken
Mary Wendelken received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Piano Performance, Magna Cum Laude, from SUNY Purchase, studying with Tung Kwong-Kwong. Through Ms. Tung, the last protégé of Artur Schnabel, Mary received training stemming from the direct teaching lineage of Beethoven. She pursued postgraduate studies in the Master of Music in Piano Performance program at the Royal Academy of Music in London under the tutelage of Piers Lane. Mary has appeared in notable performance venues such as the Cincinnati Palace Theater, the Westchester Performing Arts Center, the Juilliard School of Music Recital Hall, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. She has taught piano at Pace University in Manhattan, Bournville College in Birmingham, England, and at the University of South Florida. Mary began teaching the RCM curriculum in the late 90s, traveling from Tampa to Toronto each summer with her students to take the exams. An early advocate of bringing the RCM program to the U.S., in 2003, Mary was invited to attend a conference of six American teachers to plan the “Royal American Conservatory Exams.” Wendelken Piano Studio was the first RCM-affiliated school in Florida and, in 2016, was named an RCM Founding School. Mary is the RCM center representative for Tampa Bay and has guided hundreds of students through successful RCM examinations, with many achieving first-class honors and above, including many gold and silver medals for the highest score statewide. In addition to her work in Florida, she has founded private studios in New York City, London, and Birmingham, England. Outside of teaching, Mary is especially fond of chamber music and composing.
Southwest
Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, WyomingAmy Lee
Amy Lee received both her Bachelor and Master of Music in Piano Performance degrees from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. Since completing her graduate studies, she has continued her professional development through a study with Kenneth Thompson, executive director of the Musical Arts Centre of San Antonio, and ongoing studies with Brenna Berman, certified master teacher of the Taubman Approach and associate faculty member of the Golandsky Institute. Amy has been a nationally certified teacher of music through MTNA since 2009 and is an active member of the MTNA, CSMTA, BMTA, and FMTA. She served as an adjunct instructor in music theory and piano at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas, from 2009 to 2010 and has been an affiliate faculty member at Colorado Christian University’s School of Music since 2022. She chaired the CSMTA Rising Stars Festival, a statewide competition, in the 2023–2024 season and currently serves as Vice President of Conferences for CSMTA (2024–2026). Amy began teaching piano in 2003 while pursuing her master’s degree and currently maintains an active private studio, working with students of all ages and levels. Her students regularly participate in both local and state-level festivals and competitions, earning numerous honours. Amy emphasizes technical excellence, expressive artistry, and lifelong musicianship in her teaching.
- 2024 Teachers of Distinction
Canada
British Columbia, Yukon
Deborah McGladdery
Deborah McGladdery has been involved in Speech Arts since the age of seven, when she began “elocution” lessons in Victoria, BC with Mrs. Wilfrid Ord at the “Victoria School of Expression” and participated in the Speech Arts and Drama program at the RCM She has an Education certificate from the University of Victoria, an Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama from Mount Royal College, Calgary. Deborah has been designated a Speech and Drama Specialist by The Royal Conservatory at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels.
Deborah taught public school for more than ten years before turning her attention to Speech Arts and Drama as a private teacher. For 25 years, she ran a Speech and Drama studio, “Rainbow Kids’ Theatre” in Prince George, BC coaching up to 100 students a year in private and small group situations. She also enjoyed running a “Production Camp” for many summers where students presented Fairy Tales and Shakespeare plays to enthusiastic audiences. Since relocating to Penticton, she has stayed active, working for local and provincial festival organizations. Ms. McGladdery has adjudicated for many festivals in Canada, is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators' Association and is a member of The RCM College of Examiners as a Speech Arts and Drama examiner.
Mrs. McGladdery is a member of the faculty at The Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Though intending to retire from some aspects of private teaching, mentoring new Speech Arts teachers and new students is still at the top of her 'to do' list!Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Jiayun Chen
Jiayun Chen graduated from Shenzhen University as a Piano Education Major. She also loves playing Guzeng and cello. Of her ten years teaching piano, three years were spent in Shenzhen, China and seven years in Edmonton, Canada, following her immigration to Canada in 2017.
From the outset, Jiayun Chen has consistently demonstrated her exceptional skills as an educator. Her remarkable patience with young learners, coupled with her ability to provide encouragement and motivation, truly sets her apart. Her teaching style is both vibrant and engaging. She tailors her lesson plans to address each student’s unique needs and goals, effectively nurturing their musical abilities. Despite juggling the demands of parenthood—she has two young children—Ms. Chen remains flexible, accommodating evening and weekend lessons as needed.
Ms. Chen’s passion for teaching has profoundly influenced her students’ musical journey. Her students excel at RCM exams and piano competitions. Jiayun’s students showcase their progress in annual recitals through solo performances and duets that celebrate the value of collaboration. She also organizes an annual recital to fundraise for Stollery Children’s Hospital.
She remains committed to her own professional development, actively engaging in advanced studies and participating in professional associations such as Alberta Piano Teacher Association, American Music Teacher and Her dedication to staying abreast of the latest teaching methods ensures that her students receive the highest quality instruction. Ms. Chen’s impact extends far beyond teaching. Her attention to detail, commitment to ongoing learning, and musical prowess are invaluable assets to her students’ future musical endeavours.Saskatchewan
Michelle Aalders
Originally from Nova Scotia, pianist and educator Michelle Aalders is known for her musical diversity.
She holds a BMus and BMusEd (Acadia University) and a MMus (Westminster Choir College) where she studied with renowned piano pedagogue Frances Clark.
Michelle was the principal pianist with the Saskatoon Children's Choir from 2002 – -2023 appearing on two of their CD”s and performing with them on ten of their national and international tours. She was the music director and organist at the former Third Avenue United Church in Saskatoon for fifteen years where she coordinated the "Thursdays at Third Avenue" noon-hour concert series.
She performs regularly with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and International Saito Conductor’s School.
Michelle’s teaching career has spanned more than 35 years in five provinces. She is an active member of the Saskatchewan RMTA. Her students include provincial composition winners and RCM Gold medalists. Her priority is “Growth Mindset” for herself and her pupils.Manitoba
Ruth Douglas
Ruth Douglas holds ARCT Performer’s and ARCT Teacher’s Diplomas from The Royal Conservatory of Music. She has completed numerous music courses at the Desautels School of Music and attended many informative workshops provided by the RCM. She also holds B.Sc and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Manitoba and for six years, she taught high-school Chemistry and Math.
From 1991 to 2019, Ms. Douglas was a contract teacher for The Division of Preparatory Studies at the Desautels School of Music, teaching students all levels of music theory. She transitioned to online lessons in 2020.
Ms. Douglas extends her gratitude to the Manitoba RMTA for its support of teachers.
She also expresses appreciation to the RCM for its very important leadership role in providing, locally and internationally, music learning and evaluation, on-site and distance, extra resources, valuable curricula, books, workshops, teacher resources, etc. and says,
“Thank you so much for this totally unexpected honor.”Ontario
Tamara Goulina
Tamara Goulina holds a Ph.D in Music and Education from the Moscow Conservatory of Music. She started her teaching career at the Belarus Academy of Music, and after few years of practice, became the youngest Professor of Music at the Academy. Her students have been laureates of prestigious musical competitions. In addition to her teaching career, Tamara is the distinguished author of more than 30 published music education books and annuals.
Tamara held the full-time position of Chief Choir Conductor at the Belarus Musical Theatre. Upon moving to Canada in the 1990s, Tamara became very involved in Canadian music life both in Montreal and Toronto through teaching (both young and older students) and organizing cultural events and participation with organizations like the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Choir and by coaching voice at the National Theatre School of Canada. Tamara also collaborated with Nancy and Randall Faber as a pilot teacher for the Piano Adventure program.
Tamara’s musical interests and specialty span a number of different fields — piano performance, voice arts, and choir conducting. In each of these ventures, Tamara’s students achieved high degrees of success. Earlier in 2024, Tamara was awarded The Best Teacher of the Sixth International Festival, “Music of the World”.
Tamara has been teaching the RCM Certificate Program for more than 25 years. The age of Tamara’s students ranges from 4 to 80 years old. Tamara loves sharing her passion and love of music with people of all ages and backgrounds by teaching them how to “speak” one universal language — the language of music.Quebec
Veronica Schiopu
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Pedagogy at the Faculty of Music in Bucharest in 2005, Ms.Schiopu further developed her piano and conducting expertise by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Musical Arts in 2007.
In 2007 Veronica began teaching piano in Bucharest and also served as collaborative pianist for the Bucharest National Operetta Theatre.
From 2011, she worked as a piano teacher and collaborative pianist at the Francesco Petrarca Music High School in Arezzo, Italy. Since 2022 she has taught in Gatineau. She is a Certified RCM piano teacher whose students have achieved outstanding results, including gold medals in 2022 and 2023 and gold and silver medals every year at the Unionville Music Competition.
As a concert pianist, Ms. Schiopu has performed in Romania (Bucharest), Italy ( Rome, Trieste, Arezzo, Bibiana, Siena, Firenze), Liechtenstein, Austria (Vienna), Spain (Madrid), and the US (California, Boston, Virginia).Atlantic
Amy Simon
Amy Simon is a clarinetist, woodwind specialist and music scholar. She holds a Master’s degree in Music (Clarinet Performance) from the University of Victoria, and a PhD in Music (Ethnomusicology) from York University. Her doctoral research was funded by the Provost Dissertation Scholarship.
She is currently in the faculty at UPEI as Instructor of Clarinet and Woodwind Techniques. She has published articles on Japanese wind music and clarinet repertoire in the journals Asian Music, Analytical Approaches to World Music and The Clarinet [Online].
As a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, Amy is active as a chamber and orchestral musician. She toured throughout Europe and North America for several years, performing in renowned theatres and opera houses.
Currently, Amy performs regularly with the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra and Luminos Ensemble. She acted as producer for the 2022 CD release of Solitary Clarinet by Karem J. Simon.
She is an active member of the PEI Registered Music Teachers’ Association, and her students have won regional gold medals for their RCM exams, competed in the National Music Festival, and earned scholarships to study music at university.United States
North Central
Amy Immerman
Amy Immerman is one of Cincinnati’s most active and well-known piano teachers.
Amy and her colleague, Sheila Vail, were the power force that brought the RCM curriculum to Ohio, and eventually the United States. Many of Amy’s students have received gold medals for attaining the highest score state-wide and earning First Class Honors with Distinction. Amy was a member of The RCM College of Examiners for eight years. She gave presentations and consulted for the RCM and the Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited.
Amy has held many leadership roles in the music community, and has given over 100 presentations, at 20+ national conferences in 19 states and in Canada. In 2011, she was named Ohio Certified Teacher of the Year, and in 2013, she was recognized nationally by her peers as an MTNA Foundation Fellow.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University. She is one of the original co-founders and owners of Cincinnati Music Academy.Northeast
Bonnie Black
A passionate leader of aspiring musicians of all ages, Bonnie Black has served as artistic director, conductor, and master teacher for many successful programs, including the Harlem Children’s Orchestra, Harlem School of the Arts, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, Boston University, and currently, the New England Conservatory.
Honored by Boston Magazine as one of Boston’s 100 most influential women, Ms. Black has devoted much of her life’s work to building powerful programs for youth and communities, helping people young and old use their musical and creative energies to make the world a better place.
Her performing ensembles have been presented in Boston's Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, and her students frequently garner top awards at regional and national competitions.
Through her popular string pedagogy programs, Ms. Black is always honored to share her years of experience with the next generations of teachers, as she continues to train and mentor new musical leaders to build their own programs around the world.California, Hawaii
Mona DeCesare
Mona Wu DeCesare graduated from UCLA and the Aspen Music School, studied under Aube Tzerko, and earned multiple degrees in piano performance (BA & MFA).
Currently, she serves as an adjunct faculty at Moorpark College.
She served as the President (2021-2023) of the Music Teachers' Association of California (CAPMT).
Mona is also the California 2021-2022 MTNA Foundation Award Nominee and an RCM Certified Teacher of The Royal Conservatory.Northwest
Grace Huang
Born in Taipei City, Grace Huang received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Washington School of Music, where she studied under Dr. Robin McCabe. During her time at UW, she was awarded the Brechemin Scholarship and the Elizabeth Goldmann Award. She also had the opportunity to collaborate with Seattle Symphony musicians and Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist John Patitucci.
In 2007, Grace studied at the Mozarteum University in Austria with Andrzej Jasiński, the jury president of the Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition. Grace has been enjoying a diverse career as a soloist, chamber performer, and educator.
She has developed and maintained a thriving independent piano studio in Redmond, Washington, for over ten years, catering to students of all skill levels. Her students have garnered awards in various prestigious competitions. Many of her students have excelled in the RCM Certificate Program, earning first-class honors with distinction, with several achieving the highest marks in Washington State, leading to invitations to perform at the Seattle Library.
Outside her musical pursuits, Grace is committed to giving back to her community by organizing studio performances at senior living facilities several times a year. Both her students and their parents commend her as a gentle yet firm, precise, and patient teacher of the highest quality.Southwest
Heather Smith
Heather Smith, MM, MBA, is the Director of Development and Advancement for The Frances Clark Center and the co-creator of the Center’s online course, A Pianist’s Guide to Studio Management. A dedicated music educator, administrator, and community arts advocate, Heather brings a wealth of experience to her multifaceted career.
She serves on the Executive Board of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) as Secretary-Treasurer, contributing to both the Development Committee and the MTNA Business Network. Additionally, Heather is a member of the College of Examiners for The Royal Conservatory of Music, examining students across North America. The RCM has been instrumental in her own growth as a student and educator, and she continues to see its impact through the success of her students.
Heather has spearheaded numerous arts initiatives, including Silent Film Celebration, which provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with historic films through live music performance, fostering both artistic and educational growth.
As a Certified Change Leader with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Heather regularly organizes local and national events to support music students, teachers, and communities through the musical arts. She has received the Outstanding Service Recognition Award from The Frances Clark Center and the Advocacy in Action Award from the Utah Music Teachers Association, honoring her commitment to advancing music and arts culture.
With advanced degrees in both piano performance and business, Heather teaches private and group piano lessons in her home studio in Centerville, Utah.South Central
Elizabeth Gutierrez
Elizabeth Gutierrez, Founder and CEO of pianoteacheracademy.com enjoys a diverse career as a performer, pedagogue, teacher, composer, editor, and educational consultant.
She held professorships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and The University of Texas at San Antonio and also served as a piano editor for major music publishers, such as The FJH Music Company, Carl Fischer, and Theodore Presser. She was also an editor and national clinician for Faber Piano Adventures for many years giving numerous workshops and masterclasses worldwide.
Elizabeth devotes herself to serving independent teachers with targeted online tutorials, self-study courses, guest webinars, and virtual conferences at Piano Teacher Academy.
She recently launched a companion website, ianopassport.com, offering teachers go-to resources for information and sheet music that meets teaching needs.
Elizabeth has opened the door to collaborative piano pedagogy where pedagogues and teachers work together to create content through context, connection, and community.Southeast
Yulia Roubtsova
Pianist and educator Yulia Roubtsova holds a Masters degree in Western Musicology from the Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia. For ten years Ms. Roubtsova was on the faculty at the Saint-Petersburg Music Lyceum, which serves as a preparatory division for St. Petersburg State Conservatory.
Since moving to the United States in 2009, Yulia Roubtsova has established a reputation of excellence in both piano and music theory instruction, working at the UNCSA Community Music School, where she introduced The RCM Certificate Program. Ms. Roubtsova has helped many young musicians attain the highest honors on their Certificate Program examinations. Her piano students have won numerous prizes in local and statewide competitions.
Yulia Roubtsova is the director of St. Mary’s Music Academy in High Point, NC. In 2024, Ms. Roubtsova joined the UNC School of the Arts faculty, where she now teaches keyboard harmony for pianists. - 2023 Teachers of Distinction
Canada
Alberta, Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Michalis Andronikou
Michalis Andronikou is a composer and musicologist currently residing in Calgary, AB. He holds a PhD in composition from the University of Calgary. He received his Bachelor’s and Integrated Master’s degrees in musicology from the Department of Music Studies, University of Athens, Greece. He has a Diploma in Classical Guitar, Clarinet and Music Theory from the Trinity College and the Royal Academy of Music, and a Diploma in Byzantine Music from the Argyroupolis Municipal Conservatory. Michalis gained credentials in Harmony, Counterpoint, Fugue, and Music Composition (with Theodore Antoniou) from the Hellenic Conservatory. He has composed music for small and large ensembles, theatre plays, art exhibits, movies, and songs. Eight CDs with his works have been released since 2003, and his scores are published by the Canadian Palliser Music Publishing, the Bulgarian Balkanota, the Italian Da Vinci Edition, the English Trübcher Music Editions, and the American Alea Publishing & Recording.
Atlantic
New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward IslandJennifer Moss
Jennifer began studying the piano at the age of four. In school, she played the clarinet and was a member of Gower Youth Band and the Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra. Jennifer holds a BSc in Psychology from Dalhousie University, an AVCM Teacher’s Diploma from the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and an ARCT Performer’s Diploma from The Royal Conservatory of Music.
She has taught at the Music Collection in St. John’s, NF, Allison Pianos in Victoria, BC, the Merriam School of Music in Oakville, ON, and the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax, NS. Jennifer served as the Music Director for Sheridan United Church in Mississauga for twelve years.
She recorded a CD of classical piano pieces entitled "Believe" in support of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Jennifer is an active member of the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association and enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels.British Columbia & Yukon
Fariborz (Fred) Safaei Tehrani
Fred Safaei, a seasoned pianist, and educator, embarked on his musical journey at age eight, inspired by his renowned tar-playing uncle. After twenty-two years of training in the Russian tradition in Iran, he established his private studio in 1981. A graduate of Tehran University of Art with a Bachelor's in Music, Fred began instructing at the Tehran Conservatory in 1988. In 1995, he relocated to Canada, with a mission to provide exceptional music education on the North Shore. Recognized as an Advanced Specialist in Piano and Theory by The Royal Conservatory of Music, his students consistently excel in festivals and exams. Some have earned doctorates in music or distributed their work on iTunes and Spotify.
Beyond his teaching role, Fred is a renowned performer, gracing stages worldwide. He actively mentors students throughout British Columbia, enriching music education through workshops. As the head of the education department, he shapes the future of music teachers and has elevated Ava Music & Art Centre Ltd. into an internationally acclaimed institution. Notably named the Businessperson of the Year by the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce in 2017, Fred remains a dedicated force in the realm of music education.Manitoba
Margaret Sawatzky
Music has been a lifelong passion of Margaret’s. She began teaching at age fifteen and feels blessed to have had the opportunity to teach so many students over her 55 year career. Grateful for The Royal Conservatory of Music’s comprehensive teaching program, she has always appreciated the variety of music and the regular updates of the program that embrace both traditional and contemporary music. Many of Margaret’s students learned to love music during their lessons and have chosen to pursue music in their lives.
Ontario
Cheryl Graham
Cheryl earned an ARCT Teacher's Diploma and has been inspiring piano students for over 45 years in Barrie, Ontario. Cheryl is an RCM Advanced Specialist and specializes in the teaching of pedagogy. Her principal teachers were Joyce Langford and Daryl Irvine. In 2009, she was the recipient of the ORMTA Special Teacher Award. Her patient, persistent, and constant belief in each student has resulted in many pursuing careers in music.
Although her studio consists of many advanced students, Cheryl enjoys nurturing young musical talent. Her students have won numerous awards at the local, provincial, and national levels including RCM Regional and National Gold Medals.
Cheryl’s childhood teacher taught her the art of improvisation, which has been a great asset to her as a church pianist and music director for over 40 years. Along with her students, Cheryl has organized “Music to Make a Difference” concerts. She enjoys presenting workshops on teaching beginners, and engaging students. Her goal of instilling a love of music in her students helps them focus and achieve higher goals in life.Quebec
Silvia Buttiglione
Silvia Buttiglione pursued her music studies with Nevio Zanardi at the Conservatorio di Musica N. Paganini of Genoa, Italy where she earned a Master’s degree with honours in cello performance. In 2000, she played as soloist in front of the celebrated conductor Carlo Maria Giulini.
After completing her Master’s degree, she studied at the Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale of Saluzzo and at the Scuola di Musica of Fiesole (Firenze),. She joined the Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, collaborating with many orchestras and performing in many celebrated concert halls in Europe, and North and South America. Cellist of the Vaughan String Quartet, Silvia is a passionate chamber musician and pedagogu.
She has been teaching cello and beginner piano for for over two decades and speaks English, French, and Italian. Silvia also holds a Master’s Degree in Law and has worked as a lawyer in Italy.Saskatchewan
Amy Boyes
Amy Boyes holds an ARCT (Performance), ARCT (Teaching), LCTL, B Mus from Brandon University, and an M Mus from the University of Alberta. She teaches piano and music theory in Warman and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She is an RCM examiner (piano and music history) and has adjudicated music festivals from Prince Edward Island to Alberta. Her students regularly perform in recitals, competitions, and examinations.
Amy’s writing has been published in American Music Teacher, Canadian Music Teacher, Piano Magazine, Piano Professional, Teaching Music, and by the CBC and the Globe and Mail, among others. She has presented at conferences for the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Associations, Music Teachers' National Association (USA), and the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy.United States
California & Hawaii
Yoko Hoshihara
Yoko Hoshihara is an RCM Certified Piano Specialist, composer, arranger, and improvisor. She started her musical journey at age 4 in the Yamaha Music School. Throughout her youth, she received rigorous classical training with an extraordinary lineage of outstanding instructors, from Japan’s celebrated educators, concert musicians, to an international competition jury. Yoko majored in piano at the Showa College of Music, then was scouted to become a member of the International Musician Artist Society. Through IMAS, she accompanied an orchestra chorale and classical singers. After moving to the US, she continued to accompany women’s chorale groups and musicians while arranging many different genres of music.
As a private piano teacher, Yoko has carefully crafted a methodology that incorporates all her well-rounded musical experiences, including her conducting skills influenced by European expressive playing. She is eternally grateful to her mentors for their training. Yoko’s students’ quality performances come from instruction in beautifully choreographed body movement natural to the individual, resulting in a polished look at all levels. Her studio was awarded “Top Achieving Studio,” for the MLTW Piano Festival with multiple students selected as finalists and first place in the US and CANADA. Consistently producing First Class Honors with Distinction students, many have earned RCM awards, qualifying them to participate in Celebration of Excellence recitals.North Central
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, WisconsinDr. Afrim Shabani
Dr. Afrim Shabani, a composer, pianist, and educator, holds a Doctor of Education from Bradley University, a Master of Music from Illinois State University, and a Bachelor of Music from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He is certified as an Advanced Specialist in piano, Theory, and History by The Royal Conservatory of Music. Since 2016, the Music Teachers National Association has certified Dr. Shabani as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, specializing in piano, group piano, and recreational piano. In 2016, he established the Shabani School of Music. In 2023, the school earned RCM America's “Smart Start: Music and Neuroscience” accreditation. Dr. Shabani teaches piano at Heartland Community College and Pro-Sound Center. His students often attend the IFMCF-NFMC Festival. In 2017, his protégé won 1st Place in the MTNA-Illinois Elementary Composition. His students compete and attend masterclasses; one joined Maestro Leonard Slatkin's conversation masterclass.
Northeast
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West VirginiaCharl Louw
Charl Louw holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City where he studied with Robert Weirich. His teachers include Seymour Bernstein, Frank Heneghan, Jeaneane Dowis, Pamela Mia Paul, and Truida van der Walt.
Mr. Louw has taught and performed throughout the US and South Africa as soloist, collaborative pianist, and with orchestras including the South African National Chamber Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Civic Orchestra and University of Missouri Chamber Orchestra. He served as Director of Chamber Music and Pianist in Residence for the Mid-West Chamber Ensemble and, as pianist of the Filamental Trio, collaborated on a recording project of newly commissioned repertoire by award winning composers from Kansas City in 2012. Throughout his career Mr. Louw has received prestigious awards including the Kauffman Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching, MC Roode, and Getrude Buchanan awards. His students have received top awards in piano competitions including performances in Carnegie Hall.
Mr. Louw currently serves as a member of the RCM College of Examiners, Artistic Director of the Greater Princeton Steinway Competition, and Director of the Program for Excellence in Piano Studies at The New School for Music Study. He has presented at the NSMS Practical Piano Pedagogy Seminar, NCKP, MTNA and NJMTA, and has given lectures and master classes in South Africa and the US.Northwest
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, WashingtonIrena Kirova
Irena Kirova’s interest in music began as a young child. In 2000 Irena completed her high-school diploma from the music school at Vicho Grancharov, and later enrolled at the Academy of Music and Dance Art in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. While attending the Music Academy she studied with world-renowned pianist Professor Georgi Petrov and famous organist Velin Iliev. She taught piano and theory in Bulgaria throughout her high-school and college years.
Irena’s piano performances include solo recitals and accompanying and chamber music groups. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Pedagogy in 2004, Irena moved to Renton, Washington to pursue her passion for music education.
Irena’s students regularly achieve accolades in local and international competitions, and by earning RCM Gold Medals and distinction exam results. For the past nine years her students have been invited to play at Carnegie Hall, as winners of Crescendo International Competition. In 2022 and 2023, Irena received the Teacher of the Year award from Crescendo International Competition. Irena has been a faculty of Prosser Piano and Organ for 8 years and Chopin Academy of Music, Issaquah, for more than 10 years. She currently teachers in Renton, WA where she has been teaching The Royal Conservatory of Music program since 2012. A founding teacher of the RCM Certificate Program, she also serves as an RCM Center Representative in Seattle.South Central
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, TexasGrace Long
Dr. Grace Long started piano study at the age of five. She came to the United States in 1981 to further her education and received her D.M.A. in Piano Performance in 1991. Grace is devoted to all aspects of music education and is actively involved in the local music teachers association and music communities, providing abundant learning and performing opportunities for her students. Grace’s students have earned high remarks in The RCM Certificate program, as well as many top prizes, including 1st place and Grand Prix in the local, state, and international competitions. Recently, she received the 2022 Top Piano Teacher award by the Steinway Piano Gallery of Plano, Texas, and a Teacher Award Certificate by the Vivaldi International Music Competition for 2023 Season 2.
Southeast
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, VirginiaAnna Brock
Anna Brock is a Certified Royal Conservatory piano teacher and exam center representative from Charleston, South Carolina. She is a Nationally Certified NMTA piano teacher. She accompanies choirs and music theater, teaches piano at Ashley Hall, and is the pianist for the Charleston Gospel Choir and North Charleston Pops! orchestra. Anna studied piano performance at Oberlin Conservatory and vocal accompanying at the Stuttgart Musik Hochschule. Her ensemble work includes performances with the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Opera Theater. Anna has played keyboard for numerous Broadway road shows (her favorite is WICKED), and has accompanied choirs in Charleston’s Spoleto USA and Piccolo Spoleto music festivals.
Southwest
Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, WyomingChristie Sowby
Dr. Christie Sowby, NCTM, attended Brigham Young University, Harvard University, the New England Conservatory, and the University of Utah. Her expertise is in extended piano techniques.
Christie has served various organizations including, Encore Piano Teachers Association as President, Website Chair, Technique Assistant, Keyboard Competition Chair, and Handbook Chair; UMTA’s Communication Chair, Collegiate President (twice), Collegiate Vice President, and the Website Committee Chair; BYU’s School of Music student committee chair; and MTNA’s National Conference Committee and Marie Sue Harris Studio Teacher Fellowship Committee.
As an active performer and accompanist, Christie performs regularly and has collaborated with orchestras and performers on every instrument. She has performed in Carnegie Hall and is an award-winning teacher. Her greatest passion is to see her students succeed in life, on and off the stage. - 2022 Teachers of Distinction
Canada
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Gloria Chu is a member of The RCM College of Examiners. She is a dedicated piano, violin and vocal pedagogue, a festival adjudicator, composer, and performer. In addition, she is also a Chartered Professional Accountant. Gloria has been recognized by Steinway & Sons with a Top Teacher Award for her outstanding instruction and leadership in piano education. Gloria presented at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Association 2022 conference. A few of her compositions have been accepted into Alliance for Canadian New Music Projects’ Contemporary Showcase Syllabus. Several of her students have won competitions and been awarded provincial Gold Medals from the RCM. Gloria is currently a mentor to several developing teachers and artists. Her innovative teaching methods motivate students to develop confidence in expressing their unique voice in both music and life.
Atlantic (New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
Robert Colbourne is a proud Memorial University of Newfoundland alumnus. He is the Conductor of award-winning choirs at Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John’s, NL and the Associate Conductor with Shallaway Youth Choir. Robert serves as a member of the Memorial University School of Music Advisory Board, and operates a busy private studio. Robert’s philosophy of creating meaningful connections through music has been showcased in multiple video projects throughout the pandemic and has been presented at New Pedagogies for DeepLearning™ conferences worldwide.
British Columbia, Yukon
For Stanislava Deltcheva, music is a universal language and an endless source of discovery and joy. She is always looking for ways to bring meaningful experiences to her students, and strives to inspire curiosity, creativity, diligence, and independence at all skill levels. Stanislava has performed an extensive repertoire for solo piano, ensembles, and concerti with orchestras. Stanislava has had extensive musical training in her native Bulgaria, followed by Graduate Studies in piano performance at the University of Victoria, and at Temple University in Philadelphia. As a life-long learner, she continues to search for new ideas and methods.
Manitoba
Barbara L. Cornish studied with Walter Thiessen, Gertrude Greaves and Dr. Lyell Gustin in Saskatoon, and with Thomas Manshardt at the University of Regina. After teaching in the Saskatoon area, she moved to Caronport, Saskatchewan, where for many years she taught music at the Briercrest College. After moving to Winnipeg, she taught with the University of Manitoba Preparatory Division and at Providence University College. Currently she maintains a private studio teaching Piano, Theory, Harmony, and Piano Pedagogy. In addition to adjudicating, she enjoys working as a consultant for teachers and students in preparation for examinations, auditions, competitions, or other performances. Her students have received scholarships and awards from assorted organizations and institutions, including RCM Gold Medals in Piano and Piano Pedagogy. She delights in hearing from former students who now have careers in music, and/or those who continue to contribute through music and other arts to their respective communities.
Ontario
Rachel Newallo-Huang teaches piano, theory, harmony and history from her private studio in Richmond Hill. She has 25 years of teaching experience, is passionate about teaching and adapts to each individual’s learning style. Rachel inspires students to enhance life skills; time management, discipline, concentration, responsibility, and public speaking. Rachel earned her ARCT in Piano Performance and is an Advanced Teacher Specialist with the Royal Conservatory. She is expanding her musical horizons by studying violin and voice for her own pleasure. Several of her students have won competitions and some have continued their music education at the post-secondary level. When not teaching, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family.
Quebec
Li Si Zhang comes from a long line of musicians and has been deeply influenced by music since she was a child. She graduated from Concordia University, and is now a senior professor of music education, with 50 years of experience. Li Si has adjudicated many international and local music competitions. Her teaching methods have fostered a comprehensive understanding of music in her students. Many of Li Si’s students have won music competitions and earned gold medals from The RCM Certificate Program. She has trained several outstanding teachers and is an avid community volunteer who is loved by all her students.
Saskatchewan
Cherith Alexander has been a respected piano and theory teacher in Weyburn, Saskatchewan for twenty-seven years. During this, time she has worked with students of all ages and levels. Many have received awards including RCM gold medals and provincial festival honours. Some of her students have pursued professional careers as musicians and music educators. An experienced collaborative pianist, Cherith has performed with many renowned musicians. She especially enjoys coaching young instrumentalists “from the piano bench.” Cherith is passionate about the value of music festivals and has adjudicated over fifty times at festivals throughout Western Canada. In 2017 she created and led the first “Adjudicator Boot Camp” in Saskatchewan, a workshop designed to train and inspire new and current adjudicators. Committed to life-long learning, Cherith recently joined The RCM College of Examiners and is now enjoying hearing pianists from around the world complete their examinations.
United States
North West (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)
Laurie Miller studied violin and piano and holds a BA from Penn State, and a BFA from California College of Arts. After moving to the Bay Area, Laurie studied bass, music theory and jazz music theory with composer Rick Giovinazzo. With her relocation to the Seattle area, Laurie focused on performing and has played over 4,000 gigs with over 100 bands. In 1999, she played bass for the Jimi Hendrix Family Guitar Tour. Laurie has recorded 6 CDs and released numerous singles. She has been preparing students for Royal Conservatory Certificate Program exams for close to 15 years. Several of her students have been recognized for their achievements at the Center, State, and Regional level in both piano and classical guitar. In her current studio, Laurie teaches piano, classical guitar, violin, cello, and voice!
South West (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming)
Lawrence Blind began his piano studies in Rochester, New York, and made his New York debut at Carnegie Recital Hall at age nine. He received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University, and a Performer’s Certificate while studying with Nelita True at the Eastman School of Music. Mr. Blind was a winner of the MTNA Collegiate Artist Competition, and the Young Keyboard Artist Association International Piano Competition. Reviewers have praised his playing as “Electrifyingly exciting…with amazing control, meltingly lyrical tone, flawless technique, and tremendous sonority…” His talented students have consistently received scores of First-Class Honors and First-Class Honors with Distinction in the RCM examinations, and have been awarded both Southwest and National gold medals. In 2018 he was named the Teacher of the Year by the Professional Music Teachers Association of New Mexico. He is the currently the Director at the New Mexico School of Music.
North Central (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
Suzanne Greer currently serves as Artist Teacher at MacPhail Center for Music where she teaches both Suzuki and traditional piano lessons. She received performance degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota as well as the certificate in piano pedagogy from the University of St. Thomas. S Suzanne was awarded the Robert Schmitt Professional Development Grant from the Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and in 2017, was awarded a Top Music Teacher Award by Steinway and Sons. She has served as President of MMTA, the Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum and the Suzuki Piano Teachers’ Guild. In addition, she served as Certification Commissioner for the Music Teachers National Association from 2018 – 2020. As an international bestselling author, she is featured in The Power of Why: Why 27 Musicians Captured the Lead and Why You Should Too compiled by Glory St. Germain.
South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas)
Dr. Maria Mika Guénette earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Ottawa under the tutelage of Jean-Paul Sevilla. Her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku was made possible with an all-inclusive grant by the Japanese Ministry of Education (Monbusho). At the Eastman School of Music, she was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts degree specializing in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, as well as a Master of Music degree in Harpsichord Performance. Dr. Guénette is the keyboardist for East Texas Symphony Orchestra and serves as staff pianist at Southern Methodist University. She was previously on faculty at University of Texas at Tyler, Winston-Salem State University, Greensboro College, and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Maria runs a private piano studio in Carrollton, Texas and is a member of the RCM College of Examiners.
South East (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)
Dr. Dawn Dalangin Hawk is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) and a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Certified teacher, specializing in advanced levels of piano and theory. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, a B.M. and M.M. in Piano Performance from Colorado State University, and a D.M.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Georgia. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Hawk Music Academy in Cumming, Georgia, where she teaches with her husband, Dr. S. Eric Hawk, orchestra conductor and composer. "The Hawks" are Co-Founders of the Symphony Orchestra of North Georgia (SONG), a non-profit organization with three ensembles for members of all ages. At SONG, Dawn serves as the Executive Director/President, pianist, and bassist, and Eric as the Music Director. When not teaching, practicing, or rehearsing, the Hawks enjoy spending time doing yoga, running, cycling, and playing with their five labradors and their 2-year old daughter, Lilu.
California/Hawaii
Janisse Foresti is a piano pedagogy specialist with a unique passion for developing the well-rounded music student by implementing artistry, technique, diverse genres of repertoire, sight-reading, theory, performance, and musicianship into lessons. Her philosophy promotes a life-long skill and passion for the art of music through The RCM Certificate Program curriculum and challenges students to perform at their fullest potential. Janisse is the Stanislaus County RCM Representative. She is an RCM Certified Teacher for Piano and Theory and holds a Permanent Professional Certification from MTNA. Janisse has been a member of MTNA for 30 years. She has a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Utah and Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the University of the Pacific. Her students have achieved First Class Honors with Distinction in RCM Practical Piano and Theory Exams and have participated in RCM Celebration of Excellence Recitals. Throughout her teaching career, her students have won 1st Prize at many Piano Concerto Competitions. Janisse Foresti has shared her passion for teaching at the University of Utah, Modesto Junior College, and currently has a thriving private studio in Central California.
North East (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia)
Yelena Kuzmenko
- 2021 Teachers of Distinction
Canada
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Kimerica Parr is a versatile artist and a sought-after performer in many operas, oratorios, musicals and concerts in Canada, the USA, Europe, and most recently Asia. Kim completed her Bachelor Degree in Music and a Bachelor Degree in Education at the University of Windsor. She also completed her Master of Music at the University of Alberta. She has performed the lead role in many musical productions including: Mame, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Showboat, The Secret Garden, Les Misérables, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and Annie Get Your Gun. Kim is also featured on many recordings of the works. Kim was the Artistic Director of Rose City Rising Stars Theatre Guild Inc., for fourteen years. A member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Alberta Registered Music Teacher’s Association, Music Teacher’s National Association and The Alberta Teacher’s Association, Kim has also been recognized as a Teacher of Distinction by the Royal Conservatory of Music. Kimerica currently serves the teaching community as Past President of Alberta Registered Music Teacher’s Association, and as Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Association. Her students have placed and won the Provincial Competitions in Ontario and Alberta, as well as received many Gold Medals from the RCM. She currently maintains an active studio with her husband, Michael, called the Parr Academy of Vocal Arts, in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Atlantic
Originally from South Korea, Betty Ro has been teaching in Nova Scotia since 1992. After completing her studies in Korea, she completed a MM from the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA, with piano studies under Gabriel Chodos and Jacob Maxin, and chamber music studies under Larry Lesser and Leon Kirchner. Teaching all ages and levels, Betty has had a flourishing private studio for more than 25 years. Her students have earned awards and scholarships, in addition to gold medals from The Royal Conservatory. Other accolades include top prizes at the Kiwanis Music Festival, the National Canadian Music Competition, and the Debut Atlantic Award for Musical Excellence. In 2016, Betty was named the NSRMTA Teacher of the Year. Betty has additional teaching experience from Dalhousie University, where she was invited to teach for the 2000-2001 academic school year. During 2018-2019, she was on staff at Dalhousie University in the capacity of Applied Faculty in Piano. Betty is a registered member of the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers' Association, and is a Certified Teacher through the Royal Conservatory of Music.
British Columbia, Yukon
Shirley Lum has students across Canada and the United States. Her large studio in Vancouver teaches violin, theory, and piano where her classes emphasize the relationship between theory, history, and interpretation of music. Shirley's students have won numerous RCM medals and awards from local, regional, and national competitions. Alumni from her studio have continued their success at Yale, Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Curtis, NYU, and major Canadian universities. As the Head of RCM Theory & History Exam Preparation for the Vancouver Academy of Music, she has coached and mentored new teachers to develop their own unique approach in teaching the RCM curriculum. Shirley Lum holds a MBA in Marketing and Finance, a BA in Music History and Theory, and an ARCT in Violin Performance.
Manitoba
Allison Phipps has a BA Hons from the University of Manitoba, Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music, where she majored in voice. During her university career she received numerous scholarships and awards including the Marcel A. Desautels Faculty Fund Award, Orville J. Derraugh Memorial Recital Scholarship, Don Wright Entrance Scholarship in Music, Margaret H. Tyler Award in Music, and Margaret Toal Scholarship in Voice. From 2003-2015 Allison participated at the Winnipeg Music Festival in piano, voice, and classical guitar. She has performed with Canzona, Camerata Nova, The Winnipeg Philharmonic, and The Winnipeg Singers. Alison has a wide variety of musical performance interests including being one half of the country/bluegrass duo “Serenade” which performs at Winnipeg’s Festival Du Voyageur and Fringe Festival. Allison has been teaching voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, and theory lessons since 2015 and has had the honour of attending an RCM Celebration of Excellence ceremony with one of her piano students who received one of the highest piano exam marks in Manitoba. As an RCM Certified Teacher, Allison’s main goal is to bring joy to her students through music. She encourages students to try a variety of musical styles and hopes they use music as a language to express themselves.
Ontario
A dedicated pedagogue in both instrumental and music theory, Olga Chichova earned her PhD in Music Education from Pedagogical State University in Moscow. She is the author of published articles on various aspects of music pedagogy, has conducted masterclasses, and has adjudicated at the international level. Olga’s constructive teaching methodology has helped her students earn national gold medals from the Royal Conservatory and win grand prizes at Canadian and provincial music competitions. Her students have excelled at the Steinway Piano competition, with one being recognized as a Young Artist of Steinway. Her students have competed internationally, at: The Nutcracker International Competition (Russia), San Jose International Competition (USA), Chopin Youth Piano Competition (Poland), Jeune Chopin International Piano Competition (Switzerland), Napolinova World Piano E-Competition, (Italy), Euregio International Competition (Germany), and more. Olga’s students have also performed with orchestras in Canada, China, Italy, and Russia. Recognized as a distinguished teacher by Steinway and Sons, Olga is also a member of the Teacher of the Steinway Hall of Fame. Olga sets high standards for each student and values a strong teacher – student – parent relationship.
Quebec
Sophie Hsu began piano lessons at the age of four with Wei-Sze Chang. She participated in various piano competitions organized by The Quebec Music Teacher Association, Canadian Music Competition, and Classical Music Festival (now organized by Q.M.T.A.), where she often finished with top honours in her category. She won first place for eight years in a row at the Classical Music Festival competition. Sophie was the winner of the national competition “C.M.C.” in 1997. In the same year, she also received the highest mark at the C.M.C. (piano category). In 2006, celebrating 250 years since Mozart’s birth, The Austria Society sponsored Sophie to perform Mozart’s famous “Coronation” piano concerto in D major with symphony Orchestra of F.A.C.E. in the presence of the Austrian Ambassador of Canada. In recent years, Sophie has dedicated her time to composing and teaching. She is an RCM Certified Teacher and has been teaching for more than 10 years. Her innovative teaching methods have led her students to receive remarkable results in piano examinations and performances. Sophie’s love of music inspires her students to pursue piano as a passion.
Saskatchewan
Doris Hagan’s love of music began when she received her first piano at age seven. She learned quickly and by her teenage years she had begun teaching in her local elementary and high schools. Doris delights in bringing out the finest in each child and helping them learn lifelong skills. For the past 27 years she has immersed herself in the Music For Young Children program and also become a strong advocate for Royal Conservatory exams in developing goal setting and perseverance. She recognizes every child is different and expects students to work to the best of their individual abilities. Her greatest joy is in seeing each student progress.
United States
California/Hawaii
Dr. Linda Govel earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts from The Thornton School of Music. She is currently serving as President of the South Bay Branch of the Music Teacher’s Association of California, and has served as Chairman for the Palos Verdes area of the National Piano Guild. She is affiliated with the Music Teacher’s Association of California, the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, Southern California Junior Bach Festival, Armenian Allied Arts Association, and the American College of Musicians. Dr. Govel is an RCM Certified Teacher in both Piano Practical and Music Theory from Prep A to Advanced Levels. Her students have received RCM Center Awards, State Awards, and Regional Gold Medals. Dr. Govel has more than thirty years of teaching experience. She draws from her first-hand experiences as an early childhood educator, along with being a mother of two children to guide her in her work. She specializes in teaching kids with learning disabilities or disorders. Her program has been successful in teaching autistic children by creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for students to gain confidence and succeed in both music and life.
South West
Say Eow Quah has taught music for the last 35 years. Say Eow Quah’s study of piano and voice are international. Born in Malaysia, he began his education in Singapore, then earned his BA and MM in piano from the University of Utah, where he was awarded with the President’s Award, Student Teaching Award, and earned a place on the Dean’s List. He completed his Performer’s Associate Diploma in piano and voice from Trinity College of Music in London. Quah has been active in adjudication and in collaboration with performers in voice, instrumentalists, dancers, and the fine arts. In his 20+ years of teaching at the University of Utah Preparatory Division, he has had the opportunity to teach musicianship classes on performing and theory, as well as private and group piano instruction. Many of his students have entered music programs at NYU, Yale, Boston Conservatory, University of Utah, and Brigham Young University.
North Central
Shelly Torossian began RCM piano lessons at age seven in Montreal, Canada. She continued her musical studies fulfilling all practical, theory, and history requirements, and as a McGill University graduate, Shelly began tutoring and teaching piano. Her passion for music and love of children paved the way for her career as a piano teacher. In 1988 she trained as a Music for Young Children teacher, allowing her to teach children as young as three years old. When she moved to Michigan in 1993, she continued preparing students for RCM assessments and would drive them across the border to Windsor, Canada so they could take their exams. Shelly’s students have placed among the top performers at both their state and local assessment centers. Her students participate in annual recitals, composition festivals, and (pre-Covid) perform at senior centers during the holidays. One of Shelly’s former students is currently studying music production at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. During the pandemic, Shelly quickly adapted to virtual teaching and engaged her students more than ever. Her patience, compassion, and understanding of learning styles contributes to each student’s success.
South Central
Allen Long earned a BA from California State at Fullerton majoring in Music with a special emphasis in Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying. He later completed his MM from Southern Methodist University. A Certified Specialist in Elementary and Intermediate piano from the RCM Certificate Program, Allen is a member of several national and regional piano teacher associations. He was named 2016 Teacher of the Year by The Richardson Music Teachers Association and 2017 Teacher of the Year by The Texas Music Teachers Association. Allen served as an ordained minister for several years while teaching piano. In 2010 he began teaching music full time. His greatest joys as a teacher are seeing his students successfully play beautiful music at the piano, display enthusiasm for the music they are learning, and automatically apply concepts and skills learned to a new piece of music. He is a proud grandfather of 4!
North East
Lyubov Paskova Anderson received her BA from the Music Teacher’s Training College in Saint-Petersburg, Russia and her MM from Saint Petersburg Academy of the Arts where she studied piano with Tatiana Lupikina. She began her piano teaching career in Russia and now maintains a private piano studio in Salisbury, MD, where she also works as a part-time professor at Salisbury University teaching piano lab class, applied piano as a secondary instrument to all majors, and online theory courses. Ms. Paskova brought the Royal Conservatory of Music program to students in her region in 2012, becoming a Founding Teacher of The Music Achievement Program and serving as a local representative for The RCM assessments center. Her students demonstrate solid technical and musical skills, and many earn state awards from The RCM Certificate Program. Since 2001 she has served as Chairperson for The Salisbury Piano Guild Center and has been on the board of Judges since 2006. With the support of fellow piano teachers Ms. Paskova has compiled and organized the annual Celebration of Great Composers student recital held at Salisbury University for the past 15 years. In 2021, “Immortal Spirit of Beethoven - His Influence Endures” was streamed online. Ms. Pakova was recently honored with a Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council Distinguished Community Service Award for her participation in the “Classics for a Cause” classical music series which helps provide music and instruments for children in Wicomico County.
South East
Rebecca Carlson is a professional violinist with more than 30 years of teaching experience. She studied violin performance at University of San Diego and has had the privilege to work with many string ensembles and recording artists including Johnny Mathis and Marvin Holmes. Ms. Carlson's work as an actress also led to many special Hollywood performances with Henry Mancini, and Angela Bofill. During the 1970’s and 1980’s she performed with the San Francisco symphony with Aaron Copeland, Martha Graham, and Edward Villella as well as playing with the San Jose Symphony under George Cleve's direction. In the 1990's she began teaching full time with an emphasis on serving the local community. Many of her students have gone on to have musical careers of their own.
North West
Diana Fleming founded The Fleming School of Music in 1976. Over the course of many years, the Fleming School developed a comprehensive music program that prepares students for a lifetime of music enjoyment. Many families remain a part of their program for decades, spanning the music education of multiple generations.
- 2020 Teachers of Distinction
Canada
Ontario
Chris Marti has been teaching music for more than twenty-five years. She fell in love with music at a very young age, beginning guitar lessons even before starting school. After completing a Bachelor and Master of Arts, she studied both piano and flute. She discovered her passion for teaching music to children while working as an elementary school teacher. In 2001, she left the school system to open her own studio, and in 2008, she founded the Do Re Mi for Kids Music School in Mississauga. Chris is an advocate for the importance of music education for all children and served for four years as president of the Early Childhood Music Association of Ontario.
Dr. Michael Esch earned his DMA from Rice University. The teachers who had the greatest influence on him include Robert Roux, Jon Kimura Parker, Rosemary Collins, Rebecca Penneys, Lazar Berman, and Anton Kuerti. Michael has been featured as recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestral soloist throughout Canada, Europe, and the US and he often adjudicates at the provincial, national, and international levels. He is a member of the RCM College of Examiners, and a masterclass clinician for The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists at The Royal Conservatory. Dr. Esch's students have won top prizes in many international and national contests and two of Michael’s students have earned LRCM Gold Medals. He has twice been named a Steinway and Sons “Top Teacher” and Composer Robert Rival dedicated his ‘6 Pieces for Piano’ to him.
British Columbia & Yukon
Dianne Bohn holds both a Performer’s and Teacher’s ARCT with the RCM as well as a Music Performance Diploma from the London College of Music. She is in the final submission stage of the RCM ARCT in Theory and Composition. Dianne teaches piano, pedagogy, history, theory, and musicianship in her studio, and regularly participates in piano pedagogy and master classes with performing artists. She accompanies soloists, choirs, and musical events in her city and church and is the piano chairperson for the Mid Island Performing Arts Festival.
Alberta, Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Allen Reiser came to the study of piano quite late at age twelve. Three years later, he began to study with the remarkable Mary Fenwick, whose kindness, wisdom, and professional and personal generosity, formed the backbone of his teaching practices, and the foundation of his playing. It is her humanity and wisdom to which he aspires daily. Allen continued his studies with Dr. Robin Wood at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Allen has been teaching piano for fifty years and credits his achievements to his desire to pass on the lessons in music and life that he learned from the two most influential teachers in his life.
Saskatchewan
Bonnie Nicholson is a pianist, teacher, and chamber musician from Saskatoon. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as an ARCT in Piano Performance from the RCM. Ms. Nicholson has recorded with bass-baritone Henri Loiselle, the Saskatoon Children’s Choir, and trumpeter Dean McNeill. In 2015, she and fellow pianist Dianne Gryba released their first piano duet recording, ‘Les Quatre Mains, Volume 1.’ Since 1986, Bonnie has served as a Sessional Lecturer in Piano at the University of Saskatchewan and she is the current President of the Saskatoon Music Festival Committee.
ManitobaJane Petroni began piano at age twelve with Thelma Wilson. She studied with Garth Beckett at the University of Manitoba, and continued her studies with Ken Adams and John Melnyk Senior. She has also studied in Vienna, Austria and attended masterclasses in the US, Austria, Hawaii, and Manitoba. Thirty-five years ago, Ms. Petroni joined the Prep department at the University of Manitoba and she has given masterclasses in Manitoba, British Columbia, and Hawaii; and has adjudicated in Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia. Jane’s students have won many awards and scholarships, performed with orchestras, and earned gold medals with The Royal Conservatory.
Quebec
Dr. Benjamin Chapman, currently the director of Chapman Piano Studio Montreal, enjoys a multifaceted career as a performer, instructor and RCM examiner. Dr. Chapman holds a doctorate and master’s degree in piano performance from l’Université de MON-RAY-AL where he studied under Marc Durand. He is also an alumnus of The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School where he obtained an Artist Diploma in the studio of John Perry and David Louie. Since leaving Australia to establish himself in both Toronto and Montreal, Benjamin has been an adjudicator and judge for various festivals and examining bodies. Le docteur Chapman détient une maîtrise et un doctorat en piano de l’Université de Montréal, où il a étudié sous la tutelle de Marc Durand. Il est également diplômé de l’École Glenn Gould du Conservatoire royal, où il a eu pour professeurs John Perry et David Louie. Benjamin est présentement directeur de Chapman Piano Studio, à Montréal, en plus de se produire en concert et d’être examinateur pour le Conservatoire royal.
Atlantic
Brenda Gatherall holds degrees in Music, Music Education, and a Master’s in Education. She has also completed advanced studies in Orff Schulwerk and Instrumental Conducting. Ms. Gatherall is on the faculty at St. Bonaventure’s College in St. John’s. She is a founding member of the Lady Cove Women’s Choir, a member of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, a sessional instructor at Memorial University, and an Associate Conductor with the Shallaway Youth Choir. Brenda has presented at both the Pan-Canadian Think Tank on Music Education and the International Society of Music Education conference. A supporter of the arts community in Newfoundland, she volunteers with the Rotary Music Festival organizing committee as well as “The Singing Network.” Ms. Gatherall currently teaches Music for Young Children as well as piano, clarinet, saxophone, and music theory.
United States
North East
Felicia Feng Zhang, an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with 32 years of teaching experience, is currently the President-Elect and Vice President of the CSMTA and is the founder of All Talent Academy. She teaches all levels of piano performance, theory, and pedagogy, created the CLEF Series and established an innovative 3EFM teaching method for students of all ages and levels. Felicia has earned numerous prestigious international piano education awards for her outstanding teaching. Her name was included in the Hall of Fame Piano Guild USA in 2006, as well as the Marquis Who’s Who of American Women 2000/2001. Felicia was nominated as CSMTA Teacher of the Year in 2019 and is an active adjudicator who delivers lectures, workshops, and master classes internationally.
California & Hawaii
Michele Karin Nardone began her Violin, Piano, and Conducting studies at a very early age. Upon High School Graduation, Michele received a music scholarship to pursue her violin studies at the prestigious Thornton School of Music at The University of Southern California. Graduating on the “Dean’s List with Distinction”, Michele was invited to become the Concertmaster for The Los Angeles Debut Orchestra, under director Lalo Schifrin. Michele became a Recording Artist and joined the Studio Orchestras of Paramount, Warner Brothers, Universal, MGM, Sony Pictures, and 20th-Century Fox Studios.
Steven Casano received his Bachelor degree in Piano and Music Education from the Crane School of Music and a Master’s degrees in Ethnomusicology and Music Librarianship from the University of Hawai’i. Mr. Casano’s principal piano teachers were Dolores Johnson (piano pedagogy), and Frank Iogha. Steven is on the music faculty of the Punahou Music School in Honolulu, where he teaches piano performance and music theory, and he has served on the executive boards of the Hawai’i Music Teacher’s Association and the Honolulu Piano Teachers’ Association. Mr. Casano’s students have won top prizes and honors in local, state, and international competitions. He is an MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music and a Royal Conservatory of Music Certified Teacher in both Piano and Music Theory. He also served as the Honolulu RCM Center Representative for more than 10 years.
North West
Dr. Yelena Balabanova, a native of Moscow, holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and is one of only six Steinway Classical Artists in the state of Washington. An acclaimed soloist, she is widely recognized for her extensive repertoire and original interpretations, and is a sought-after clinician on healthy technique and artistry. Dr. Balabanova has received a Recognition Award from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and is a founder of the International Conservatory Studio and the North Sound Federated Music Club. Her students have received numerous awards and scholarships to schools including Juilliard, Harvard, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Dr. Balabanova continues to serve the community as a Board member of the Washington Federation of Music Clubs and Artistic Advisor to the Bellevue Symphony.
South West
Dr. Mary-Elizabeth Brown enjoys parallel careers as a performer and pedagogue. She has earned accolades as a concertmaster and appeared as an invited soloist with orchestras in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Her recording of the last 3 Mozart Violin Concerti for the newly-released Mozart Effect recordings were released worldwide in 2017. Dr. Brown is also a sought-after teacher, clinician, adjudicator and speaker. Her initiative, The AVIVA Young Artists Program, makes music education and teacher training accessible to violinists worldwide. She began studying the violin in her local Suzuki program at the age of 5 and holds degrees from the University of Toronto and l’Université de Montreal where she completed her doctoral research as a Schmeelk Fellow. Mary-Elizabeth is a trained Suzuki Teacher and a member of the RCM College of Examiners.
South Central
Dr. Maria Guénette earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Ottawa under the tutelage of Jean-Paul Sevilla. At the Eastman School of Music, she was awarded a D.M.A. specializing in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music, as well as a Master of Music degree in Harpsichord Performance. Dr. Guénette is the keyboardist for East Texas Symphony Orchestra and serves as staff pianist at Southern Methodist University. She was previously on faculty at University of Texas at Tyler, Winston-Salem State University, Greensboro College, and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Maria runs a private piano studio in Carrollton, Texas and is member of the RCM College of Examiners.
South East
Gregory Genter received his BA in music from Pensacola Christian College in 2002. He is the founder and owner of The Piano Express Studio in Ashburn, Virginia which is also a testing center for the RCM. His studio teaching fuses cutting-edge internet tools with age-old pedagogy resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience for students. Greg's students have earned multiple NVMTA awards as well as RCM State Certificates of Excellence and a National Gold Medal.
North Central
Dr. Marie Alatalo has appeared in concerts throughout the United States and Japan, capturing attention with a repertoire embracing both classical and contemporary literature. Her performance of George Crumb’s ‘Makrokosmos, Book 1’, at the Music Institute of Chicago received critical acclaim, holding the audience “at rapt attention.” Dr. Alatalo was raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy and the University of Michigan, and earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she was Teaching Assistant to Rebecca Penneys. She is currently on the Artist Faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago, and the Director of its Chicago campus. Dr. Alatalo is also a member of the RCM College of Examiners.
- 2019 Teachers of Distinction
Alberta, Northwest Territories & Nunavut
Janey Scott studied piano in the UK. She has been teaching in Fort McMurray for nineteen years and each year students from her studio have received Gold Medals from the RCM. In June of this year, two of her students won piano competitions at the Alberta Provincial Music Festival. Janey works with children who have learning difficulties to help improve their piano practice. To Janey, the most important thing about teaching involves helping students who find piano practice a challenge and encouraging students to enjoy music and to play the piano well!
Kathy Dornian is a nationally respected pedagogue, collaborative artist, adjudicator, examiner and teacher, and she has been on the faculty at the Mount Royal Conservatory since 1985. She has collaborated with the internationally recognized Morningside Music Bridge Program and coordinator of the Academy of Music for gifted musicians. Her students are frequent award winners in festivals and competitions, as well as excelling in their RCM examinations. Her students have been accepted into programs, such as Morningside Music Bridge and at post-secondary institutions.
Atlantic Canada
Lynn Stodola is an active soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist, having performed all over the world. In 2009, she was the recipient of the first Hugheen Ferguson Distinguished Teacher Award presented by the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Association, and, in 2018, was named NSRMTA Teacher of the Year. Recently retired after a distinguished career as Professor of Piano at the Fountain School of Performing Arts, Lynn now devotes her time to teaching young, gifted pianists, many of whom have won numerous awards at local and national festivals. She holds a B.Mus. from the American Conservatory of Music, and an M.Mus. (post-graduate Professional Studies) from The Juilliard School.
British Columbia & Yukon
Rebecca Cheng began piano lessons in Hong Kong at age six and accomplished her LRSM in Piano Performance (Licentiate Diploma from The Royal School of Music, London) at sixteen. She completed her education in Canada with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics and accomplished the ARCT in Piano Teaching from The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rebecca began teaching both private and group classes 37 years ago. She adjudicated various local festivals and is an Examiner for the Yamaha Piano Graded Examinations. Presently, she is the Music Director for Tom Lee Music Academy in Vancouver, helping to promote Music Education in the Community. Various students from Rebecca have won the Gold Medals from The Royal Conservatory and performed both nationally and internationally with the Yamaha Junior Original Concert.
Richard Haack began his music studies in Saskatoon with Lyell Gustin and Murray Adaskin. He also started his teaching as an assistant at the United Conservatory in Saskatoon. Upon moving to Vancouver, he resumed studies with Dr. Dale Reubart and Dr. Harold Zabrack. In 1981, he co-founded the Western Conservatory of Music in Langley. 18 years later, he co-founded the Fraser Valley International Music Festival, which has since grown from 2000 to 6500 participants! He has also been the RCM centre representative in Langley for 25 years. Mr. Haack's students have won numerous awards, scholarships, and medals in examinations and festivals, such as receiving First Class Honours with Distinction on RCM exams, Alumni Awards by the RCM, and one of his many ARCT students receiving the highest mark in BC for the ARCT Teacher's Degree in Advanced Pedagogy. Mr. Haack continues to enjoy his teaching career of over 49 years.
Manitoba
Jacqueline Ryz holds an Associate Diploma (ARCT) in piano Performance, a B.A. in Music from the University of Winnipeg, an M.Mus. in performance from McGill University, and is a senior piano examiner with the RCM College of Examiners. Jacqueline has been teaching piano for over 30 years and has performed concerts all over the world. Her students have achieved success at festivals, auditions, and RCM Certificate Program examinations, earning over 25 provincial gold medals to date. Jacqueline always encourages, guides, and mentors her students in both their musical and personal lives. She would like to thank her past teachers: John Melnyk Sr., Dr. Lorne Watson, and Professor Charles Reiner.
Ontario
Dr. Chunson Park has nurtured a great number of excellent students who have won festivals and competitions over the decades. Her passion for music shows through her teaching and inspires her students to strive for the best and discover their love for the art. Her education includes the University of British Columbia, Juilliard, and Boston University (DMA). She has been awarded as Top Music Teacher by Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa in 2017 and 2016.
Dr. Nina Soyfer has had nearly 30 years of music experience. She holds an ARCT and an LRCM with Honours in classical piano performance, along with BFA (Honours), MA, and Ph.D. degrees in Music from York University in Toronto. She has received various awards in piano performance, academics, and visual arts, as well as Provincial and National higher education scholarships. Her multi-artistic experience enabled her to envision an effective method of teaching and developing musical and artistic talents within students, which in turn inspired her Ph.D. research on her new Integrated Arts MethodTM (IAM). She recently published a book, Poems and Art, and a piano performance album, Radiant Classics.Quebec
Marlene Elaine Gregory began singing solos at age three in preschool and flourished at age fourteen when she won a Jeunesses Musicales du Canada scholarship to study at the Centre d’art Orford. Marlene earned her ARCT in Performance while completing her Bachelor of Music degree at McGill University. Following graduation, she taught Piano and Violin at McGill Conservatory of Music, then in 1979, immigrated to the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. There she created her conservatory of 70 students and introduced Suzuki Talent Education to this community for both Piano and Violin. In 1997, she opened Bermuda’s RCM Centre 912, hosting Canada’s RCM examinations in her own home. Inspired by an autistic piano student, Marlene returned to Canada to complete a Masters of Music degree from U of T, with a research concentration in “Music and the Brain’ (2005).
Saskatchewan
Sarah Konecsni has been a professional teacher in Regina for 31 years. She maintains a diverse studio with talented students from beginners to a Licentiate level. Her students have won 53 gold/silver medals from Preparatory A through to Level 10 and have been consistent provincial finals and national winners. Entirely self-taught as a composer, Sarah is a past winner of the Canada Music Week national composition competition. An adjudicator, clinician, and RCM examiner, she seeks to motivate students and teachers to develop their artistic and technical awareness. Sarah is currently studying the Taubman Approach through the Golandsky Institute in New York City, a revolutionary, holistic technique designed to cure injuries and develop an effortless piano technique.
US - North Central
Tracey Ford has taught singing for over fifteen years. She is recognized in her community as a young-voice specialist, who trains singers in both classical and musical theatre genres. Since 2012, Tracey has prepared students for voice and theory examinations (Preparatory through to Level 8), and she is a Certified Teacher in Elementary- and Intermediate-Level Voice. Her students often achieve top scores at the centre and state levels, including one National Gold Medal winner. Originally from Michigan, Tracey holds a B.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, as well as an M.Mus. and a D.M.A. in Vocal Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her performing credits range from opera to musical theatre.
US - Northeast
Dr. Kairy Koshoeva teaches in the Princeton area, performs internationally, and is a member of the faculty of The New School for Music Study. She studied at the Moscow Gnessin Academy of Music and the Oberlin Conservatory before earning her D.M.A. in Piano Performance at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Many of her students have won prestigious piano competitions, some leading to performances at Carnegie Hall. She has won top prizes in competitions including the International Piano Competition in Vicenza and the Nikolai Rubinstein Competition in Paris. For her collaborative performances of the Goldberg Variations and Hindemith’s Ludus Tonalis with the Owen/Cox Dance Group, she received the Marian Bowker Davidson Pianist Award and the Berta Eisberg Award. In 2003, her homeland named her the Honoured Artist of Kyrgyzstan.
US - Northern California
Muza Mdzinarishvili received a B.M. and M.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Tbilisi State Conservatory of Music, and a M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory in Collaborative Piano. She has distinguished herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist internationally. Muza started her teaching career at the Tbilisi State Conservatory Experimental Music School. She has continued her teaching career for 27 years and serves on the piano faculty at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) in Mountain View, California. She teaches students of all ages and levels, and among her students are gold medalists of several international piano competitions. Additionally, Muza has served as an adjudicator for piano competitions and workshops and is the past President of CAPMT.
US - South Central
Dr. Gloria Tham-Haines, DMA, NCTM, has taught for twenty years. She is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention® Practitioner and a national presenter on trauma-informed pedagogy for the piano studio. She is an advocate for ergonomically sized, smaller piano keyboards. She holds piano performance degrees from Southwestern College, Winfield, KS; Wichita State University; and the University of Alabama. While growing up in Malaysia, she completed the ABRSM Grade 8 Piano and earned the Performer’s Certificate from Trinity College, London. Since the fall of 2017, Gloria has been an adjunct piano professor of class piano at Oklahoma Baptist University.
US - Southeast
Marie Powers Ellis has taught piano for over 30 years, including at the Flint School of Performing Arts, Boulder Arts Academy, and the Ivy Piano Studio in Charlottesville, Virginia. Between 1998 and 2008, Marie was a member of the RCM College of Examiners and has founded RCM Examination Centres in Boulder, Colorado and Charlottesville, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Marie is a registered instructor in the complete series of Suzuki piano pedagogy by training with Mary Craig Powell at The Ohio State University and Capitol University. Marie is a certified Music Together teacher and serves on the board of the Charlottesville Music Teachers Association, as chair of its student recitals. She began teaching at the age of seventeen and loves to impact her lifelong love of music to students of all ages in Charlottesville.
US - Southern California
Kathleen Kranz has been President of La Jolla Conservatory of Music for sixteen years. She is a legacy examiner with the RCM College of Examiners and was the second woman to achieve the Ph.D. in music theory at UCSD in 1985. Kathleen was fortunate to study with Aube Tzerko, head of UCLA Piano Department for eleven years, and Leonidas Lipovetsky of FSU for her M.Mus. in piano performance; she was also advised by composer Robert Erickson for six years at UCSD. She is a nationally certified teacher of music with MTNA and was a featured Lifetime Achievement Award winner from Albert Nelson Marquis.
US – Southwest and Northwest
Annette M. Freston, NCTM, has been teaching, performing and accompanying on the piano since high school and has played harp since 2002. A Uintah Basin native, Annette studied music at BYU Idaho, BYU and Dixie State University, holding an A.S. from BYU, B.S. from USU and M.A. from NAU. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher with Music Teacher’s National Association, a member of UMTA and founder of Music for Life, music studios in Kingman and Arizona and Vernal, Utah. Her studio was honoured as Arizona’s first and one of only three founding schools for The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program and Kingman’s Business of the Year in 2015. She is Centre Representative with centres in Kingman and Vernal, participating since 2012 with students receiving centre/state awards. Annette served as faculty at Tuacahn School of Arts, Northwestern Community College, Mohave Community College and Terra Academy in Vernal.
- 2018 Teachers of Distinction
ALBERTA
Kathy Dornian
A nationally respected pedagogue, chamber musician, adjudicator and examiner, Kathy has been on Faculty at Mount Royal Conservatory for forty years. Known as a kind, inspiring and imaginative educator who fosters curiosity in her students, she is one of Calgary's most sought after teachers. Her students are frequent award winners in festivals and competitions. They consistently achieve high results in examinations, and many have been accepted into programs such as MMB. Many of her former students have forged on to create successful careers of their own in the music profession, although she is equally proud of those who have chosen other fields but maintain their passion for music and continue to show support for the arts.Thomas Schoen
Violinist and teacher Thomas Schoen (B. Mus U.B.C) teaches students of all ages and levels from Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes for parents and children (0-3 yrs), to violin and viola students from 4 to adult. Teaching positions include Augustana Faculty of U. of A., Society for Talent Education in Edmonton, and privately in his home studio. Mr. Schoen is also director of the Alberta Suzuki Summer Institute in Edmonton AB. Residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Thomas enjoys a busy and varied performing career performing on both modern and baroque violins. He has subbed frequently with the Edmonton Symphony and has performed professionally with orchestras across Canada. He performs regularly throughout Canada with the Schoen Duo, who have been broadcast on the CBC.ATLANTIC CANADA
Noreen Greene-Fraize
Newfoundland musician Noreen Greene-Fraize is the Music Director of St. Teresa's Church and Greene-Fraize Music Studio and is an RCM Certified teacher in voice and piano. A retired choral/classroom music educator, Noreen has served in numerous positions: Vice Commissioner of the Teacher Allocation Commission, Regent of Memorial University, past president of the NLTA Music Council and is currently a director of NLRMTA. She holds a B.A. from U.N.B, a B.M/B.M.Ed. and M. Phil. in Humanities from M.U.N. with a thesis topic of "Music as a Manifestation of Truth". Noreen and her husband Tom have three daughters, Lara, Kalli and Alanna and a granddaughter Scarlett.Cheryl McCarthy
Cheryl McCarthy earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Education from the University of Toronto, graduating with ARCT diplomas in both Voice and Piano as well as certification in the Carl Orff Method of Music Education for Young Children. Her teachers at that time included Patricia Blomfield Holt, Helen Simmie, Doreen Hall and Bernard Diamant. After teaching in Toronto and Ottawa where she raised two sons,, Cheryl re-located to Halifax in 2000 and began teaching at Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts where she served as Dean of the School of Music for five years. Her long involvement in teaching has included choral conducting, festival adjudication and leading workshops for both students and colleagues. She continues teaching a full studio of all ages.BRITISH COLUMBIA
Jean Ritter
Jean has spent the majority of her teaching years in Abbotsford instructing piano students from beginners to Teachers ARCT, including all levels of theoretical subjects and Piano Pedagogy. Her passion for teaching began at a very early age and with 48 years of teaching behind her she hopes to continue as long as possible. Students of all ages and skill levels are welcome in her studio with the stipulation that laughter must be present in every lesson! Jean is proud to count 3 RCM Gold Medal winners among her students who have gone on to be teachers. They carry on her mandate of instilling a love of music in the hearts of their students with all the knowledge and enthusiasm she has passed on to them.Tina Wang
MANITOBA
April Gibson
April Gibson began her music studies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Her principal teachers were Winnifred Scott Wood, Edward Parker, Susan De Burgh, Alma Brock- Smith and Jean Ethridge. Mrs. Gibson obtained her AVCM and completed the Piano Pedagogy Program through Victoria Conservatory of Music and Camosun College in 1982. April is active as an adjudicator, workshop and masterclass clinician. She has taught Piano, Composition and Piano Pedagogy in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Presently, April teaches at her studio in Killarney, as well as at the Eckhardt-Gramatte Conservatory at the University of Brandon. April is on faculty for the "Kick Start" Piano Ensemble Camp at the University of Brandon.Loren Hiebert
Ever since he was a quiet little boy growing up in rural Kansas, Loren has felt a close connection to music. Since 1980, he has been sharing that rich musical relationship with up to eighty piano students a year. Drawing on his active professional life as performer, recording artist, collaborator, and adjudicator, he has been eager to bring his students into that world of vibrant creative experience. In addition to a university music degree, he holds RCM diplomas in performance and teaching. He remains a key member of the piano faculty at the International Music Camp. In 2012 Loren received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his work with youth choirs, music within the community, and private music instruction.ONTARIO & QUEBEC
SASKATCHEWAN
Janice Elliott-Denike
Working professionally in Regina since 1978, Janice is known for her excellence in the music profession. Her students consistently achieve top results in exams and competitions at local, provincial and national levels. Many have continued in successful music careers of their own, and she remains a mentor to many. Janice performed professionally in numerous concerto, solo recital, chamber music and collaborative concerts, often broadcast on CBC Radio, regionally and nationally. She has adjudicated across Western Canada, given numerous masterclasses and workshops, and been a frequent presenter at Provincial conventions of the Saskatchewan Music Educators and Registered Music Teachers. Janice is a dedicated teacher who makes her students her top priority, helping them to develop their piano skills and love of classical music.Nicole Wilton
Nicole Wilton has taught piano in Saskatoon for 27 years. She now owns Wilton Academy of Music - a large music school with 12 staff and over 500 clients. Nicole has nurtured many students from beginner to advanced through the RCM curriculum. Even at early ages, her students stand out in the music community, known for their quality of tone and dynamic range. Although Nicole emphasizes the learning qualities of the Suzuki philosophy, she has always demonstrated a great balance and respect for the elements and standards of the Royal Conservatory of Music as all her students participate in RCM education and exams throughout their studies Nicole holds a Master of Education degree with an emphasis on early childhood education, an ARCT in piano pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is a Registered music teacher in Saskatoon as well as being the Vice President of her local chapter. This year, Nicole was nominated for a Woman of Distinction Award in the "education"; category as well as receiving the Canada 150th award for her contributions to her community. - 2017 Teachers of Distinction
CALGARY
Colleen Athparia
Colleen Athparia is an internationally recognized pianist, musical educator and recording artist with ten CDs. A faculty member of Mount Royal University Conservatory and University of Calgary, as well as a Senior Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music since 1980, she has toured as a performer and guest educator from Mexico to Taiwan, Russia, India and the Far East. Her background includes a Master of Music degree with Distinction from Indiana University, as well as receiving the Ontario Gold Medal and placing first in the Canadian Music Competition. Heralded by the National Post as one of the top four Canadian pianists of contemporary music today, she was among the top 50 esteemed performers and conductors honoured in Ottawa for her significant contribution to the Canadian Music Scene over the past 50 years. Her studio features many extremely talented students, two of whom have been listed in CBC's top 30 classical musicians under 30. In 2015 she was nominated to the Order of Canada.Sandra (Alexandra) Munn
Alexandra Munn studied at the Julliard School of Music. Her career includes many summers at the Banff Centre as Opera Coach, Academy of Singing, and as one of the founding faculty of the Musical Theatre Division. She has performed as soloist, assisting artist, and host for regional and national programs for CBC Radio/TV and CTV. She has also served as music festival adjudicator form Victoria to Charlottetown to Yellowknife. Alexandra is honoured to be a member of Edmonton's Cultural Hall of Fame, Y.W.C.A. Woman of the Year in the Arts, a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Alberta Music Education Foundation 2012 Recognition Award. A Professor Emerita, University of Alberta, she is faculty member of Alberta College Conservatory of Music, Grant MacEwan University.TORONTO
Marietta Orlov
Marietta Orlov studied in her native Romania with the renowned teacher Florica Musicescu (teacher of Dinu Lipatti and Radu Lupu) and graduated from the Faculty of Music in Bucharest with a BM in Performance and Master's Degree in Performance. Starting at the age of 16, she was active as a soloist for 10 years, and she had the honour of being appointed Romanian State soloist. Over the course of Ms. Orlov's career, she has participated in numerous concert tours across Europe and North America, most notably the Prague Spring Festival and Bromsgrove (England) Festival, among others. Ms. Orlov currently resides in Canada and is a dedicated teacher, renowned for fostering some of Canada's most promising young musicians. She is a member of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music and The Royal Conservatory of Music's Glenn Gould School, and has presented master classes across North America. - 2016 Teachers of Distinction
VANCOUVER
Keiko Parker
Keiko Parker is a much-admired theory teacher who has taught generations of students from a classroom in her Burnaby home. Among her students were internationally acclaimed pianists Jon Kimura Parker and Jamie Parker, who have praised their mother for the many hours spent listening to them practice, and for teaching them everything they know about music theory.CALGARY
Linda Kundert-Stoll
Linda Kundert-Stoll has been a private music teacher for 30 years and has been on the faculty at Mt. Royal University since 2014. She is an active adjudicator and has adjudicated at most festivals throughout western Canada. Ms Kundert-Stoll is a senior member of the RCM College of Examiners, and is an active member of many music teacher associations. She received the Alberta Registered Music Teachers'; Association (ARMTA) Recognition Award in 2006 and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Association (CFMTA) Hugheen Ferguson Teacher of Distinction Award in 2011. Many of her former students have gone on to be prominent musicians, including two who performed at Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center in 2011.Elaine Case
Elaine Higgin Case is a third generation singing teacher who has devoted her life to musical education. Her fifty year teaching career began under the watchful eye of her mother and father who were prominent in the musical life of Calgary. Highlights of her career include founding the Mt. Royal Vocal Academy where she served as Artistic Director, adjudicating music festivals throughout western Canada, chairing the Rozsa national voice competition and mentoring voice teachers through vocal pedagogy classes. She has served as President of the Calgary Registered Music Teachers Association and as Regional Governor of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Her students have gone forward in international careers in opera and in musical theatre. Elaine is married to Allen and together they enjoy their two daughters with their husbands and four lively grandsons.TORONTO
Linda Fletcher
Linda Fletcher has taught voice and piano privately for over 40 years and has been Music Director at Walton United Church for 35 years. Her students have won many provincial and international awards and numerous RCM Silver and Gold Medals. Linda has adjudicated major music festivals across Canada and is co-founder and President of the Oakville Vocal Arts Festival. She was a featured composer in the 2002 Canadian Composer's Calendar. In 2006, Linda received the Pauline McGibbon Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award and in 2012, the ORMTA Special Teacher award. Linda was part of the creative team for the 2012 RCM Voice series. Some of her songs are included in the syllabus.Judy Hunter
Judy Hunter has influenced countless students, teachers, and fellow musicians in Milton and surrounding communities. She has been an active participant in all musical activities in and around Milton and particularly as the founder of organizations central to the local musical community: the Milton Choristers and the Milton Music Teachers' Association. Judy taught music at Milton District High School and Mohawk College and was organist and choir director at St. Paul's United Church for 40 years. Judy presently teaches piano at McMaster University, plays cello in the Milton Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to maintain a longstanding voice and piano studio from her home.