Barbara Prins

At age 6, I started piano lessons and have been playing ever since! I attended the Royal Conservatory of Music full time, graduating with three ARCT diplomas in Vocal Performance, Piano Performance, and Piano Teaching (awarded the Adelmo Melecci Scholarship for the highest mark in Ontario). I then studied Piano Performance at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. As a pianist, accompanist, and singer, I participated in several choirs, early music, and contemporary music ensembles. I have worked for RCM Examinations and Frederick Harris Music, and am currently on contract as Coordinator with RCM Certificate Program Services. I volunteer as secretary for the Etobicoke-Mississauga Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association. As a music educator with over 40 years of experience, I have had the privilege of mentoring my piano, voice, and theory students and guiding them to post-secondary/post-graduate accomplishments and professional careers in music. Several of my piano & voice students now hold Master's and Doctoral degrees in Music and many have been awarded RCM National & Provincial Gold Medals for earning the highest marks in Canada & Ontario, including our daughter Hannah (awarded the 2020 National & Provincial Gold Medals for Level 7 Voice). At the 2023 Celebration of Excellence, 3 of my pupils earned National Gold Medals and 5 earned Provincial Gold Medals (Piano & Voice). In the 2024 Celebration of Excellence, 3 of my students earned Provincial Gold Medals and 1 student graduated with the National Gold medal for the ARCT Performers Voice Diploma. As a vocal coach and accompanist, I am involved with regional arts schools, festivals, competitions, and examinations. Our family is blessed to participate in music ministry, as I play piano & sing, my husband Andrew plays trumpet (BMusic Perf), and Hannah plays piano, guitar, and sings.