Winnipeg (Pembina) - Piano Lessons

celia palli (Piano, Voice, Ukulele)

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Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Celia Palli, has over 15 years of teaching and performance experience. A graduate of the Humber College music program, Celia has toured the world extensively as a member of Nelly Furtado’s group (2009- 2017) and has two albums under her own name. As an educator, Celia specializes in early childhood music education (Suzuki method), voice/piano/ukulele, as well as vocal coaching a number of independent Canadian artists (Canada’s Music Incubator formerly Coalition Music). Celia’s goal an as educator, is to inspire and share her love of music with her students.
Celia teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre. Her rate is $32 per half hour.

connor derraugh (Piano, Saxophone)

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Teaching Style: jazz

Connor holds a Jazz Performance degree from the University of Manitoba with a double major in sax and piano. Although his roots are grounded in jazz, Connor embraces many musical styles including pop, rock, blues, funk, soul and R&B.

Connor studied saxophone with such amazing mentors as Craig Bailey – who spent 16 years in Ray Charles Band – Contemporary Jazz great Walle Larsson and the '96 winner of the prestigious Thelonius Monk Competition, Jon Gordon.  As well, Connor studied piano for many years with 2022 Jazz Album of the Year Juno winner Will Bonness.

Connor’s performed at countless events over the years including many Winnipeg Jazz Festivals, Mardi Jazz, Music and Mavens, the Assiniboine Park’s Jazz in the Garden and Summer Concert Series and plays regularly with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra.

As an educator, Connor’s worked as an Educational Assistant in the band program at Oak Park and Shaftesbury High Schools, was the Assistant Director of the U of M’s High School Jazz Collective, worked at IMC and U of M Jazz Camps, and is in demand as a clinician.
A writer and arranger as well as a performer, Connor released his debut album in 2023 with vocalist Cordelia Donovan, Connor & Cordelia ‘Acceptance’ which was produced by Juno nominee Larry Roy.

Connor teaches piano and saxophone at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre. His rate is $29 per half hour.

dhiego costa (Piano)

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Dhiego Costa was born in Brazil and has been playing piano for over 20 years. He attended the University of Manitoba on a full scholarship for the Master Degree in Jazz Piano program. While taking his master degree, he worked at U of M as a teacher assistant for the piano laboratory class (undergraduate students). He also holds a post baccalaureate degree in Music Education - Lato Sensu Graduate Program (Candido Mendes University - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil), Bachelor of Arts in Music (Piano) and Licensee in Music Education at the Federal University of Paraiba with “Academic Honours Distinction in Undergraduate Studies” - Brazil. Dhiego also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music (Baptist Theological Seminary of Northern Brazil). He was the pianist for the University choir (Federal University of Paraiba) for four years. He played for the UMJO (University of Manitoba Jazz Orchestra). He has travelled extensively and has played with Campbellsville University Jazz Orchestra (U.S.A), Brazilian Jazz Combo (U.S.A), Dhiego Jazz Trio (New Zealand), performed at the CPIT Jazz School (Christchurch - New Zealand), has led Brazilian music and Jazz Improvisation workshop in many places ( Dourados Music Festival - Mato Grosso do Sul). He has performed with Marco Castilo (Brazilian-Canadian artist) and his Brazilian Beats. Recently he played with the WJO (Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra). Dhiego has many years of teaching experience, and teaches all levels and all styles (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Gospel, Brazilian Music and Latin Music). Dhiego offers piano lessons at our Winnipeg (Pembina) location.
His rate is $33 per half hour.

eric nordquist (Bass Guitar, Clarinet, Drums, Guitar, Piano, , Ukulele)

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Eric is an experienced teacher and multi-instrumentalist who began music training at age 5 and began winning competitions at age 6. He has been involved with many groups that have received radio play, and has performed in other countries and large venues throughout Canada. His experience also includes studio recording and composing. Eric's years of teaching have enabled him to adapt to each individual and assist students in the way best suited to them, whether it's leisurely learning favorite songs or more intense personal skill development. Eric teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre.
His rate is $30 per half hour.

gage salnikowski (Strings, Violin, Cello, Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Guitar, Woodwinds)

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Multi-instrumentalist Gage Salnikowski plays over 50 different instruments, and has used his skills as performer, composer, educator, and multidisciplinary artist, to produce and perform a wide variety of material. From experimental orchestral and jazz, to ambient pop, indy rock, funk, and technical metal, Gage has equal experience performing the avant-garde in art galleries and concerts halls as he does touring with local acts.
Notably, Gage's work was recently featured on CBC television, CBC radio, City TV, and CKUW for recording classical symphonies as a one man orchestra, playing every instrument himself.
Gage teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre.
His rate is $32 per half hour.

kevin curtis (Composition, Guitar, Piano, Theory)

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Kevin has a 30 year history as a professional musician and composer, and has been a dedicated teacher for over 15 years. He has also appeared broadly as a clinician and as a guest lecturer. Kevin was recently honoured (in 2023) by The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching & Learning at the University of Manitoba, “For Significant Contribution To Excellence In Teaching”.

Kevin is highly adaptable to the individual needs and interests of his many students, beginner to advanced, and welcomes students of all ages and abilities. Lessons are focused, not just on technique and the learning of pieces, but also on the psychology of performance. Consequently, his students tend to perform at a high level, and some have gone on to pursue careers in music themselves. For those students interested in composing, improvising, or songwriting, Kevin is particularly adept at stoking individual creativity. (Some of his students have performed their own original pieces on recitals, even at very young ages.) He also takes a rigorous approach with students wishing to pursue a course involving theory and practical examinations through the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Prior to becoming a teacher Kevin spent many years touring as a professional musician, and is known locally for performing with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Papa Mambo, Marco Castillo’s Brazilian Beats, and many, many other ensembles. He regularly performs as a soloist, with his own trio and quartet, and with his 7-member classic jazz ensemble Sunny Roseland.

Kevin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from the University of Manitoba and a certificate in Teacher Professional Development from the Royal Conservatory. Kevin teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre. His rate is $30 per half hour.

liudmyla boukhanets (Piano, Theory)

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Liudmyla Boukhanets, a piano instructor with more than 20 years of experience in the field, was born in small town Kirovograd in Central Ukraine, where she attended music school, which she completed with distinction. While studying, she won a piano competition between all students from different music schools in honour of H.H. NeuHaus. Later on, she went to Music College and graduated with distinction in Piano and Concert Meister. Additionally, she graduated from Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University.

Upon completion of her education, she migrated to the United Arab Emirates with her family where she began her teaching career. She helped students prepare for ABRSM, Trinity and RCM exams. Numerous former students that she taught in the past have graduated with excellence and achieved performer diplomas. Additionally, those students participated in many international piano competitions.

Liudmyla has been invited many times to be an examiner on behalf of London Academy of Music and Art (LAMA). In UAE, she was a director of her own Music Studio “Music Theory and Practical Support”.

In summer of 2022, she moved to Winnipeg, Canada, where she continues her pedagogical career as a piano and music theory teacher. Liudmyla teaches piano and theory at our Winnipeg (Pembina) location. Her rate is $33.00 per half hour.

lucy nam (Piano)

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Teaching Style: classical

Lucy Nam is a highly experienced piano teacher with over 15 years of expertise in both piano performance and music theory instruction. She holds a Grade 10 certification in piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music and has been immersed in music since the age of six. Lucy has performed extensively, including serving as a choir accompanist for many years in South Korea.

At the age of 16, Lucy earned top honors in various music competitions, showcasing her exceptional talent and dedication. In 2016, she performed at the prestigious Winnipeg Music Festival, further establishing her presence in the music community.

Lucy’s passion for education extends beyond music. She previously worked as an English teacher in South Korea, during which she honed her ability to assess and nurture each student's individual strengths. Since relocating to Winnipeg in 2011, her love for music has only grown, leading her to pursue a degree in the Faculty of Music at the University of Manitoba.

She offers instruction in a wide range of musical styles, including classical, pop, folk, church music, movie soundtracks, and cartoon theme songs. Fluent in both English and Korean, Lucy enjoys teaching students of all ages, from young children to adults. Her personalized teaching approach ensures that each student receives tailored guidance and support.

Lucy is eager to share her wealth of knowledge and skills, and looks forward to inspiring her students on their musical journey.

Lucy teaches violin lessons at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre.
Her rate is $30 per half hour.

nicole thielmann (Piano, Theory)

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Nicole enjoys teaches Piano & Music Theory. Growing up in Germany, she started piano lessons at the age of 3. Relocating to Paraguay, South America, she completed the Level 10 Piano Exam Program (MEC), with distinction. She received both The Certificate of Elementary Piano Teaching (2012), and the Certificate of Advanced Piano Teaching (2016). Currently she is finishing her bachelor’s degree in Classical Piano at the University of Manitoba, studying piano with Dr. David Moroz.

She has participated in numerous recitals, both solo and collaborative, as well as local and national choir and piano competitions in Paraguay and Canada. She is very interested in developing and teaching various piano techniques & feels very inspired by the works of J. S. Bach. Nicole teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre. Her rate is $29 per half hour.

sherry edwards (Voice, Piano)

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Sherry majored in voice at Crouse College of Music at Syracuse University in New York and at the University of Manitoba School of Music and earned a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education. She taught at the St. James Assiniboia School Division at the K to Grade 6 level for many years with numerous award winning choirs at the Winnipeg Music Festival. Sherry was a broadcast music director, and on-air host for the Woodsmoke & Sweetgrass TV show from 1973-1994. She has composed and arranged many pieces for children including Skydance that debuted at the International Orff Festival. Sherry teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre.
Her rate is $30 per half hour.

victoriya savchenko (Voice, Piano, Theory)

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Victoriya Savchenko is a native of Ukraine and is residing in Winnipeg.
She holds a Diploma in Piano Performance and Choir Conducting from the State School of Music in Ukraine, a Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education and a Masters Degree in Voice Performance from University of Manitoba, Canada.
Victoriya is the recipient of numerous awards, scholarships and distinctions and is an accomplished concert performer.
As well as teaching piano, music theory and voice for the past fifteen years, Victoriya has taught general music (including Orff and Recorder), choir and band in the public school system.
Every year her students participate in local concerts and festivals, and complete the Royal Conservatory requirements at different levels.
Her philosophy is to keep students interested and challenged while having fun learning.
Victoriya teaches at our Winnipeg (Pembina) lesson centre.
Her rate is $32 per half hour.