Vancouver

anna kuchkova (Cello)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Sunday

Anna started her cello studies almost 20 years ago, following her piano and theory certification in Russia. She is currently working towards ARCT in cello performance. She is a member of the West Coast Symphony Orchestra and an active chamber and solo musician. Anna has performed in musicals, university graduate productions, experimental projects, rock and metal shows, including her own project Alchemy Chamber, as well as Canucks games at Rogers Arena. She has done session work for many local artists and vocal ensembles such as Belle Voci and Phoenix Choir. Anna strives to keep the learning fun while also providing students with structured and methodical routines to improve their skills. Anna has prepared numerous students for the Royal Conservatory practical and theory examination, all of whom achieved First Class Honours standing or higher. She is dedicated to developing her students' abilities to help them become well-rounded musicians who excel technically as well as have adequate theory knowledge. Her rate is $33 per half hour.

bryan binnema (Piano, Theory, Composition)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Thursday

Bryan has been playing piano for as long as he can remember. He holds a degree in Jazz Performance from Humber College in Toronto and has been teaching and tutoring since the age of 15. He has spent several years playing on cruise ships; as part of Top 40 cover bands, as a music manager and director, and as a solo pianist. He has recorded 3 EPs of original music, and has played on many sessions for various projects. His rate is $32 per half hour.

christopher giles (Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday

Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Chris is a guitarist and composer who received his early musical education taking guitar lessons as a child, focussing on rock and metal genres. Later, Chris also studied formal classical performance with Canada’s Royal Conservatory of Music.
In addition to guitar, Chris’s passion for music inspired him to study composition at Simon Fraser University where he was awarded the “R. Murray Schafer Soundscape Award” and has had instrumental and electronic works performed at SFU’s School of Contemporary Arts.
Chris is currently focusing on performing at local events and teaching both a variety of contemporary styles as well as classical music. Chris’s teaching style draws from his diverse experience to create a individualized approach that is fun and productive for each student.

conrad shynkar (Guitar, , Mandolin, , Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

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

Conrad is a multi-instrumentalist focussed on stringed instruments. He uses a blended teaching style which emphasizes mechanical technique, ear training, adaptive playing, as well as music theory. He believes that music and lessons should have a strong curiosity-lead element to allow each student to learn to play the style and content that interests them most. Conrad is also a professional musician who has been performing for 20 years, and touring in Canada and internationally for over a decade. Conrad's Rate is $30 per half hour.

cordelia donovan (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Cordelia Donovan has been captivating audiences as a professional vocalist for over a decade. With a wide-ranging musical background, she wears many hats: bandleader, backup singer, vocal coach, event coordinator, bassist, and percussionist. Her notable performances include taking the stage at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival with her original jazz project Connor and Cordelia, playing percussion at the Vancouver Jazz Festival, headlining Emo Night at the Rickshaw Theatre, and performing at the historic Fort Garry Hotel.
As a vocal coach, Cordelia is passionate about helping students develop healthy vocal techniques that promote sustainable singing. She tailors lessons to each individual’s unique interests and goals, with the aim of unlocking the confidence to truly enjoy the art of singing. Whether it's jazz, pop, soul, classical, rock or even experimenting with vocal effects, Cordelia embraces all styles of music.
Cordelia holds a background in classical and jazz voice, as well as classical percussion, from Brandon University. She continues to evolve as an artist, studying extended vocal techniques with various vocalists. A fan of improvisation and artistic exploration, she runs local jam sessions and loves pushing the boundaries of sound in creative ways. Cordelia’s rate is $30 per half hour.

darya chalubeyeva (Violin, Viola, Fiddle)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Darya is a dedicated musician with over a decade of teaching experience. Her teaching method and style are flexible and suited to every student. Darya studied violin and viola performance at Douglas College, TRU (Vancouver Academy of Music), and Astona International in Switzerland. She is fluent in English and Russian. Her rate is $33 per half hour.

dave say (, Clarinet)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday

Dave is a well known and sought after local musician who has worked with artists like Michael Buble, Soulstream and the Supremes. He has been a professional musician for over 25 years and is versatile in all styles. His rate is $32 per half hour.

doug gorkoff (Cello)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Doug is a dedicated musician, educator, and performer. He has studied privately with members of the VSO and Vancouver Opera as well as in the music program at Douglas College. Currently, he plays with four different orchestras and ensembles, and has also worked with a wide range of artists including Sting, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Johnny Mathis, Tambura Rosa, and many more. His rate is $34 per half hour.

dragana hajduk (Flute, Group: Flute Ensemble, Group: Young Music Explorers (Orff))

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical

Teaching Day(s): Friday, Saturday

Dragana is an active musician and dedicated teacher for over 20 years to all levels and ages. She is the Principal Flutist with the Richmond Orchestra and Choir, and was the Principal Flutist with Sombor Philharmonic Orchestra (Serbia). She loves to explore different genres of music, having composed electronic music for video productions as well as playing folk music from the Balkan region. Dragana is also a Certified Early Childhood Music Educator promoting the Orff method of teaching music to young children through body movements, folk songs, rhymes, and playing a variety of percussion instruments. In addition to music, she holds a BA in Psychology and postgraduate studies in Body Psychotherapy with focus on bettering emotional expression in performing. Her rate is $32 per half hour.

eliot doyle (Drums, Theory)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz, rock

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Saturday

Eliot is a freelance musician from Vancouver; he received his start in music with piano lessons at the age of five and later starting on the drums at the age of ten. He is an alumni of Capilano University's Jazz department of music where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies, Majoring on the drum-set.
He has been teaching drums for over a decade as well as performing in various groups around Vancouver, most notably, the Modern Day Warriors: A Tribute to Rush, The Hard Rubber Orchestra, Mike Allen's Space Elevator, and his own Rock and Jazz Fusion ensembles. Eliot has also written music for a wide variety of genres and ensembles such as the Borealis String Quartet, the Vancouver Mixtophonics festival, the Vancouver Young Composers Ensemble, and his own groups. His rate is $32 per half hour.

emilio suarez (, Cello)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Sunday

Emilio is a local bassist and cellist and is an active member in the Vancouver music scene. His influences stem from his many years of studying classical technique in Calgary with the CPO’S assistant principle bassist, Sheila Garret, and from his degree in Jazz Studies from Capilano University. He can be found performing locally with his solo-cello project, under the name Baconmaple, as well as alongside Vancouver’s finest talent, such as Mathew V, Michaela Slinger, Shruti Ramani, Emmet Hatlelid, and Tamami Maitland to name a few.

With his musical background, Emilio loves to play improvised music/ jazz, pop, RnB, classical, and contemporary music. His excellent playing and friendly demeaner has made him a top call for recording sessions and live performances in town and throughout the globe as he is known to play music for cruise ship lines such as Holland America. Emilio takes pride in creating thoughtful and meaningful lesson plans for each of his students and their individual needs. He enjoys teaching and sharing his experience with students of all levels, from beginner, to advanced. Emilio's rate is $34 per half hour.

emily kelln (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday

Emily Kelln just completed her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Regina. She recently moved to Vancouver to continue her education and will be starting her post-graduate artist music diploma at the Vancouver Academy of Music this fall. She believes that it is important to always be learning and developing her own skills so that she can be the best teacher for her students. Emily also holds a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Grade 8 voice, RCM Grade 6 piano, and RCM advanced rudiments. Her goal as a teacher is to provide students with the technical skills to approach any piece of music. She does so by providing engaging, educational, fun, and rewarding lessons. Emily has taught for a number of years at Long and McQuade in Regina, Saskatchewan and is very excited to join the Vancouver location.
Her rate is $32 per half hour.

gerard satamian (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Friday, Saturday

Gerard has taught in Canada, Lebanon, and L.A. He received his BMus. from the Beirut National Conservatory and his Master's in the former Soviet Union. He is also a local performer and opera singer and is fluent in English, French, Arabic and Armenian. His rate is $33 per half hour.

gord robert (Drums)

Online Lessons:

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

Gord studied world percussion at SFU, and also received his BMUS from UVIC. He has played with artists such as Jann Arden and the Jaydee Bixby. He is fluent in the styles of classic rock, pop, funk, and jazz. His rate is $33 per half hour.

jasmine moore (Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Sunday

Jasmine Moore is a classically trained flautist with experience playing baroque flute, piccolo, clarinet and saxophone in various ensembles from chamber music to large ensembles throughout Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. She has a Bachelors of Music degree, where she studied under Paolo Bortolussi and Mark McGregor. She believes in creating a well-rounded musical experience for her students while allowing them to explore and grow within their own musical interests. Her rate is $31 per half hour.

jesse burch (Guitar, , Ukulele, Banjo, Songwriting)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

Teaching Day(s): Thursday, Saturday

Jesse Burch is a guitar player/singer-songwriter with country, bluegrass and rock infusion. Performing over the last 2 decades at festivals, competitions and local live music venues around the lower mainland and BC. Jesse has been teaching and mentoring young talent for the last 15 years. One on one students and building bands and promoting young talent. Jesse is proficient in Pro tools, editing, recording and producing and has original music on Netflix, CTV and radio. His rate is $32 per half hour.

karla dionio (Violin)

Online Lessons:

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

Karla Dionio is a classically trained musician who is passionate about guiding her students on their journey with the violin. Karla has studied Violin performance at Capilano University, Audio Engineering and Electronic Music Production at Nimbus. Her teaching style is influenced by many methods such as RCM and Suzuki and she welcomes students from kindergarten to seniors at all levels. Her rate is $31 per half hour.

kian jafari (Piano, Theory, Voice, Composition, Conducting)

Online Lessons:

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

Kian Jafari is an award-winning performer and composer with over ten years of teaching experience. He is classically trained and holds a bachelor's degree in Applied Music with a focus on Jazz and Contemporary Piano, as well as a master's degree in English Language Teaching. An active musician in Vancouver’s music scene, Kian has studied piano with Sharon Minemoto and Dr. Emily Morgan, composition with Dr. David Duke and John Korsrud, improvisation with Laurence Mollerup and Chris Parks (a former student of the legendary Barry Harris), and conducting with Gerald Van Wyck.

Kian has played with various bands in styles such as Jazz, Pop, Rock, Iranian music, Prog Rock, and Prog Metal, both locally and internationally. He offers instruction in piano, voice, keyboard, theory, improvisation, and composition across multiple styles, including Jazz, Classical, Iranian pop music, and Rock. Kian also teaches group lessons “Introduction to Improv” and “Harmony from Scratch,” and leads the L&M Chamber Music Ensemble.

Fluent in English and Farsi, Kian’s rate is $37 per half-hour session

kira bennett (Violin, Piano, Fiddle)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday

Kira Bennett is a classically trained pianist, violinist and Celtic fiddler, as well as an avid composer. Having studied music composition at SFU, Kira is now completing a degree in education, also at SFU. For nearly ten years she has passed along her love of performing to young music learners, with special focus on early years instrumental lessons. Kira can teach in English and Spanish and she is certified in ORFF, Suzuki, and O’Connor Methods, as well as using the RCM, Bastien, and Faber curriculums. Her rate is $30 per half hour.

lynn stewart (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Friday

Lynn Stewart is a versatile musician who's been in the Vancouver music scene for over a decade. She has performed both nationally and internationally in styles such as folk, swing, R&B and Afrobeat, as well as performing her original compositions. Lynn holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree from Vancouver Community College where she studied contemporary piano, composition and voice. She has completed her grade 8 Royal Conservatory piano. Lynn also holds a Bachelor’s of Psychology from Simon Fraser University and has been working with children for over two decades. Lynn teaches all ages, styles and abilities, with a focus in classical, jazz and popular styles, providing students with a solid basis in music theory. She adopts a holistic and mindfulness-based approach to teaching, believing in the natural musical potential of students while meeting them where they’re at. Lynn finds great fulfillment in sharing her knowledge and believes in the transformative power of music.
Her rate is $33 per half hour.

michael ferraro (Guitar, Ukulele, , Songwriting)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Michael Ferraro has studied at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles and has more than 6 years teaching experience. He is well versed in Rock, Pop, Jazz, and folk style guitar and is comfortable teaching students of all ages and experience levels. Mike has developed his own musical career with his band, Candelora. He has released two albums that he showcased and toured across North America. His rate is $33 per half hour.

nebyu yohannes (Trumpet, Trombone, , Euphonium)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Sunday

Born in Vancouver, Nebyu Yohannes began playing guitar and drums in church, eventually moving to the trombone in the seventh grade and pursuing through to post-secondary where he moved to Toronto to complete his Bachelor of Music at Humber College.

From being exposed to Motown, rock, and traditional Ethiopian music as a young boy, to discovering jazz, R&B, and classical in his college years, Nebyu has digested a diverse artistic palette from which to draw. In June of 2016, he released his first project entitled Nebyu Yohannes EP, a work dedicated to three original contemporary jazz compositions. In 2017 he released an original chamber piece Heaven on Earth, and two indie-r&b songs, "Danger" and “All These Years" in 2019, revealing his abilities as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. In April of 2021, Nebyu released "Silhouette of Yesteryear," a 3-track EP diving into his most vulnerable moments of 2020. He has recorded with various artists such as Sean Jones, Glutenhead, Rahael, Shakura S'Aida, and performed alongside many great Canadian and international musicians including Take 6, Michael McDonald, Martha Reeves, Narcy, and Vox Sambou.

Nebyu believes in a personalized teaching approach with a focus on fundamentals, helping students to become well-rounded musicians while still enjoying the music they're playing. Nebyu's rate is $32 per half hour lesson.

niloofar farzadshad (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Sunday

Niloofar Farzandshad is a highly accomplished piano instructor with a wealth of musical expertise. Holding her L.T.C.L Performance Licentiate from Trinity College London and a diploma from the Tehran Conservatory of Music, she brings a unique blend of international training and local artistry to her teaching. With an impressive 13-year tenure at the Tehran Conservatory of Music and over 31 years of combined academic and private teaching experience, Niloofar is dedicated to nurturing the musical talents of her students.

Her proficiency extends to preparing students for RCM exams. Beyond the classroom, Niloofar has showcased her musical prowess in numerous classic, baroque, and progressive rock concerts since 1988. She has collaborated with both national and international artists in live performances and recordings, showcasing her versatility and passion for music. Niloofar's outstanding contributions to the musical landscape were recognized when she was awarded the Best Young Artist in Tehran in 1992, underscoring her commitment to excellence in both performance and education. Her rate is $32 per half hour.

peter prihoda (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Peter received his degree in Music Composition and Jazz Arranging from Capilano University in 2008, minoring in Jazz Piano. He teaches jazz theory and varying piano styles. His rate is $33 per half hour.

richard brown (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Sunday

Richard Brown is a veteran drummer currently based in Vancouver. His most recent work has been with popular Canadian band Big Sugar. He co-leads his own band, Mad Riddim. A dub project which melds reggae, funk, jazz and other genres into a popular festival band. Richard has recorded and performed with a number of artists including the legendary musicians Ernest Ranglin, Pee Wee Ellis, The Beach Boys and many other great artists. His film credits include work in films with Mariah Cary, Debra Cox and others. Richard is an enthusiastic teacher who enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with his students, while helping them to develop fun and effective ways to learn. Richard’s rate is $31 per half hour.

ruel morales (Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Ruel Morales, a seasoned performer, educator & YouTuber, boasts over 20 years of professional expertise. From Spanish guitar to 7-string fingerstyle to elaborate live looping, Ruel performs his diverse acts for weddings, celebrations and corporate functions. With a BMus in Classical Guitar Performance from UBC, his teaching blends classical discipline along with studies in blues, jazz, rock, pop, fingerstyle & folk. A dedicated educator, he has guided students to seven gold medal awards from the RCM. Ruel's commitment to personalized instruction creates a transformative experience, inspiring students to discover their unique musical voice. His rate is $34 per half hour.

ryan van poederooyen (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday

Ryan has been teaching drums since 1998. He currently tours the world professionally and records albums for the Canadian band, Imonolith and was the touring/studio drummer for Canadian artist Devin Townsend for 16 years. Ryan has been featured in Modern Drummer Magazine, Rhythm Magazine, Drum Magazine, Sick Drummer Magazine, Drums ETC and many other international publications. He is a guest educator at Drumeo and is also a session drummer who has recorded albums for producers such as Chad Kroeger (Nickleback), Jay Van Poederooyen (Simple Plan, Chris Daughtrey) Brian Howes (Hinder, Hedley) and many more. His rate is $33 per half-hour lesson.

sara hajduk (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz, rock

Teaching Day(s): Saturday

Sara has been studying, performing and competing for over a decade in voice and piano. Throughout the years she has learned valuable skills that broadened her repertoire through studying under UBC professors and various conductors such as Dr. Jim Sparks, Kari Turunen, Lesli Dala, Jacques Lacombe and more. She has competed at the Provincial Music Festival in voice. As a member of the Vancouver Bach Children's Chorus for 13 years, she is also the recipient of two Merdith Murdock music scholarships. Sara is also a recipient of a BC Arts Council scholarship. She has worked with the prestigious BC Youth Choir and with the Vancouver Opera. Sara has worked for the Vancouver Opera in the productions of Turandot (at age 11), A Midsummer's Night Dream and The Magic Flute (both at age 17). Currently, Sara is a member of UBC Opera Ensemble. Apart from Classical art songs and opera, Sara also enjoys singing in musicals and was a lead role in a rigorous musical theatre course in highschool. Sara has also danced for nearly a decade, including classical, jazz, modern, contemporary ballet as well as traditional Balkan dances. She enjoys singing different styles and genres. Music is a language through which people communicate and connect with each other, and Sara believes that by listening to each student's needs and adhering to teaching methods suited for the student, they are able to thrive and develop a love for music. Sara's Rate is $29 per half hour.

tresor otshudi (Voice, Piano, Guitar, Theory, Composition, Conducting)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz

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

Tresor is an award-winning singer, composer and conductor who has more than 20 years of experience performing in 4 different continents. He is also a Band and Choir Educator at École Gabrielle Roy, in Surrey and a Music Director at Tresor Music. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Trinity Western University, in Langley, a Musical Theatre certificate From Choreia, in Paris, France, and a Business Diploma from Pigier, in Lille, France. Tresor teaches all ages, styles and abilities, with a focus in Classical, Jazz and Pop music.
French is his mother tongue. His rate is $36 per half hour.

troy zackowski (Guitar, Bass, Group: Rock Skool)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

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

Troy is a certified recording engineer and completed a Berklee transfer diploma in Music Production and Composition. He also has a diploma in Advanced Music Production from NIMBUS. Strong in rock styling as well as blues, Troy has also done partial RCM theory training. His rate is $32 per half hour.