Calgary Chinook

Nikol Popovics

amilia hildahl (Violin)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Friday

Amilia Hildahl has been playing the violin since the young age of 3. A well-seasoned performer as well as teacher, she has performed as a soloist throughout North America—most notably at the world famous Carnegie Hall in Manhattan—and as an orchestral ensemble member with the Calgary Youth Orchestra in countries across Europe. Alongside performing, she is also an experienced music teacher who has worked with students of all ages hoping to learn everything from Bach to Irish fiddling. Likewise, while Amilia is classically trained, she is able to work with a wide variety of genres, and is always happy to work with the student to create an individual style of playing. She hopes that her love for the instrument will be passed down to all of her students, who she hopes will share a love for music, and a passion for creativity. Amilia offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

andrzej ryszka (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

Family considerations brought Andrzej from Poland to Calgary in 1990, and he has maintained a thriving playing career on both continents ever since. His European work has won gold records, and in Canada he has toured with the Roadhammers, Tom Jackson, Lisa Brokop and Patricia Conroy. Andrzej is sought after as a studio musician, performer and teacher, and we are thrilled that he will be offering instruction through our studios. Andrzej offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

austin latta (Piano, Theory, Brass, Violin)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Austin is an experienced piano, brass and theory teacher who believes that fun is an important ingredient in developing a love for music! He has taught all ages of students in many places around the world in various languages — including Swahili in Kenya and Portuguese-Creole in the Cape Verde islands — and just can't help teaching music wherever he goes! He has studied music at the University of Toronto and Ambrose University in Calgary and has performed with his trombone across Canada. He enjoys playing jazz with Calgary's own Prime Time Big Band. With a love of teaching children and an easy-going teaching style regardless of age, one of Austin's greatest priorities is creating a meaningful, personal connection with each individual student. Austin offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

carlos cruz -b mus (Guitar, Ukulele, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

As a versatile musician, he has devoted his life to music, teaching and performing in bands with different styles of music. Carlos Cruz has a Bachelor's degree in music education and winner of Rock recording of the year YYC Music Awards 2020. With over 10 years of teaching experience, he is eager to pass on his passion for music to all his students in a way that motivates them to meet their needs and goals. Carlos offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

carlos tinoco -mmus (Saxophone, Clarinet)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Calgary native Carlos Tinoco is in his second year at UOttawa in the PhD interdisciplinary research in music program. Throughout his bachelors and masters in saxophone performance at the UCalgary, Carlos had extensive performance experience both as a member and as a soloist, performing in 4 different countries and winning 3 international competitions. As a performer who experienced some of the challenges of maintaining efficient and healthy performance practices, Carlos’ focus shifted to include musicians’ health and wellness. Through his studies and teaching, Carlos is aiming to increase health literacy and promote health practices with his students and peers.Carlos offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

chrysanthema pashunkova - b mus, dma, rmt (Violin, Viola)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Saturday

Chrysanthema has an extensive background in teaching and playing violin. She has her DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia and has studied all over the world. She is currently involved in the Vancouver Early Music Programme and is an executive on the Board for ARMTA. Chrysanthema offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

connor wilson (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz, rock

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Connor first picked up the guitar at the age of 7 and has been playing ever since. Over his musical career, Connor has grown familiar with all sorts of styles including rock, blues, jazz, latin styles and especially classical. Following his RCM exams in high school, he studied classical guitar at the University of Calgary under Ralph Maier and is currently finishing his BA in music. Connor has been teaching for 7+ years and has experience in group and solo performance. With his help, students have found success in Royal Conservatory exams and at recitals. Connor believes that finding one's own individual voice in music is the key to success and encourages all his students to explore the music they're most passionate about. He also emphasizes the importance of ear-training, theory and other fundamental skills so that the student doesn't just grow as an instrumentalist, but as a musician too. Connor offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

conor ronaghan - jazz diploma (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz, rock

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Conor is an up-and-coming, enthusiastic member of the Calgary music community. He obtained a diploma in Jazz Music Performance at Mount Royal University in 2014 and continued on to achieve a Bachelor of Music at Ambrose University in 2017. Conor has experience playing a variety of styles of music including jazz, jazz-fusion, rock, pop, blues, funk and Latin. Conor looks forward to meeting and working with students of all skill levels. Conor offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

daniel siqueiros (Guitar, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Saturday

Daniel was born and raised in Mexico, right at the border with Texas. Because of this unique geographical location, he has developed the love for all kinds of music: From Latin American and Spanish Flamenco flavors to Southern Blues and Country, Classic and Modern Rock and everything in between. He has been performing, recording and giving lessons since the year 1990 and his main goal: To help and guide all of his students to find their fingerprint in this magical sonic journey. Daniel offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

dean lauderdale - b mus (Voice, Piano, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz, rock

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday

Dean holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College and a Diploma in Classical Voice Performance from Mount Royal University. With over 8 years of teaching experience, Dean's passion for music and performance greatly reflects that upon his own students. He understands how important it is to discover what motivates and inspires an individual, and does so in a fun & friendly manner. Dean works with many styles of music including pop, rock, jazz, classical, and musical theater. He has been successful in preparing his students for public performance, auditions, recording projects, and recitals. Dean offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $31 per half hour.

esteban herrera (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Now living in Canada Esteban was born in Mexico City and began his musical formation very young. He holds a bachelor's degree in Jazz Music Performance and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences. He has 30 years of professional experience as a full-time musician and has performed, recorded and toured with artists all over North America, Latin America, and Europe. He has received numerous awards and grants and was nominated for a Juno in 2022 for Jazz Album of the Year (Group) for the album THE PROPHET by the Esteban Herrera Quintet. Esteban offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

filip vujanovic (Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Filip Vujanovic is completing his Bachelors of Music in guitar at the University of Calgary under the tutelage of Ralph Maier. Filip’s music career started in high school by singing and playing guitar in several rock bands. With 9 years of teaching experience, he is committed to bring out the best in his students development and enjoyment of music and guitar. He utilizes a comprehensive approach incorporating guitar technique, music theory, harmony and history with a learning style that is intuitive, fun and adapts to the student in a unique way. Filip transfers his passion for guitar by believing strongly in the transforming effect that music can bring to each student. Filip offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

georgia korba - b mus (Upright Bass, Bass Guitar, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Theory)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Georgia began playing piano at age 6, and began playing the upright bass at age 14, and in the process, she developed a strong interest in jazz music. Georgia obtained her Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Capilano University in 2007. After graduation, Georgia extensively toured North America and Europe with numerous Jazz Bands prior to settling in the Calgary area in 2011. With over 10 years of teaching experience, Georgia offers a flexible, fun and professional approach to music teaching that will help anyone achieve their musical aspirations. Georgia offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

jaci simpson - b mus (Guitar, Ukulele, Brass)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday

Jaci returned to Calgary in 2005, after completing a bachelor of music degree at the University of Toronto. Jaci has studied guitar with Jeffrey McFadden in Toronto, and Ralph Maier in Calgary. She has also performed & recorded with the University of Calgary guitar ensemble. Jaci enjoys teaching all ages and levels, and believes that every student is capable, given individualized instruction. Jaci offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $32 per half hour.

liam epp - b mus (Cello, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

Liam Epp has had the pleasure to play in a variety of styles and genres. Performing in Front Row Centre Players production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" after just over a year of playing cello Liam is known for his drive and passion for music. Growing up in Calgary, Liam first studied cello with Christine Williams. After intense study with Christine, Liam went on to study under Pamela Highbaugh-Aloni of the world-renowned Lafayette String Quartet at the University of Victoria where he received his Bachelor of Music.
While in Victoria he played in professional groups like the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and student groups like The University of Victoria Symphony Orchestra and The Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. Liam is also known for his intense attention to detail performing challenging pieces like Elisabeth Lutyens' "Triolet 1 Op. 160" live with members of the Victoria Composers Collective.
Liam hopes to share what he has learned with his time on the west coast and hopes to inspire a new generation of musicians to foster a sense of confidence and self-expression. Liam offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

nicole niewinski (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Thursday

Nicole has been teaching since 2018 and has over a decade of experience playing drums, performing, and recording with bands. Utilizing skills gained from her BSc in Psychology and MSc in Neuroscience, she is passionate about teaching and applying the fundamental principles of learning and memory in a way that benefits students both in and outside of music lessons. Her lessons focus on the aspirations and needs of the individual with an emphasis on developing the passion/excitement that gives rise to intrinsic motivation and thus long-term success. Nicole offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

ryan milliken (Drums, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Friday, Saturday

Ryan Milliken started playing drums and guitar at age 5. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Music from Humber College and has been teaching group and private lessons for over a decade. Ryan believes in a balanced approach to all aspects of music literacy. Ryan teaches at the Calgary Chinook store. His rate is $30/half hour.

ryan nolin (Piano, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Saturday

Ryan, a born and raised Calgarian holds an ARCT in piano performance and bachelor of music in vocal performance from the University of Calgary. Over his career he has had the opportunity to work with groups such as Alberta Ballet, Decidedly Jazz Dance, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and The Young Canadians. Ryan looks forward to sharing his experience and passion while helping foster a deep love and appreciation for all music. Ryan offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store. His rate is $31/half hour.

stewart evans (Violin, Viola)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

Stewart has played Viva!, with the Ambrose University Orchestra, the Regina University Orchestra and the Harmony West Band. Stewart learned on the Suzuki method and has completed RCM Grade 8. He has over five years teaching experience. Stewart offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

tia gibson (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Tia Gibson is an experienced pianist who has taught all ages. Her gift is that she can adapt her method of teaching to suit your learning style. She believes that all people are capable of learning music and she thoroughly enjoys walking through the learning process with her
students. She has earned her Level 8 Royal Conservatory of Music certification, with First Class honors. She has also participated in many music festivals across Canada, and earned several 1st and 2nd place awards, including for original composition and quick study. Tia is known for her warmth, care and patience. Tia teaches piano at the Calgary Chinook store. Her rate is $30 per half-hour.