Carmen Lasceski-Custers

A diverse and engaging performer, Toronto-based violinist, vocalist and pedagogue Carmen Lasceski-Custers has worked in numerous settings with a repertoire that spans many genres. She holds a masters degree in violin performance and literature from Western University (M.Mus.), a bachelors degree in violin performance from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (B.Mus. Honours) and completed additional coursework in drama and voice at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. Her primary teachers include violin: Jaime Weisenblum, Annette-Barbara Vogel and Klara Fenyö Bahcall, voice: Barbara Burdick, Rebekah Demaree and Ron Shetler and drama: Mike O’Brien, John McCaslin-Doyle and Bob Luke. She has taken additional pedagogy lessons with violinist, Melvin Martin. A skilled and dedicated teacher, Carmen has developed a formidable reputation as a violin pedagogue. She is a Certified Advanced Specialist with the Royal Conservatory of Music (violin), has taught at music schools throughout the United States and Canada, worked as a graduate teaching assistant, adjudicated for music festivals and competitions, worked as a summer festival clinician, given orchestral workshops in both primary and secondary school settings, presented university masterclasses, and had four of her pedagogical articles published. Her students have been accepted into performing arts high schools around Toronto including Claude Watson School For The Arts and Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, held principal section and concert master positions with Santa Monica High School Orchestras (Samohi), University of Toronto Schools and Moordale Youth Orchestras, frequently receive high marks on exams and place well at regional and international festivals and competitions. Throughout her teaching career, Carmen has worked with students of all ages and ability levels. Her finely honed teaching skills give her the ability to guide her students to realize their fullest potential in whatever their goals may be.