Bio

I have been active in Edmonton’s music scene since graduating from the University of Alberta in 1995. Upon completion of my studies, I moved to London, England for two years and studied informally with Tessa Uys and Nigel Clayton.

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My piano and vocal studio flourishes in my McKernan home. I provide a supportive, nurturing environment where students are guided towards musical fulfillment on the piano and vocally. My students have consistently been awarded medals for high achievement through both Conservatory Canada and the Royal Conservatory through Toronto.

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My intent is to find creative and constructive solutions to teaching fundamentals of technique and musicianship to students of all ages.. My teaching style is gentle and supportive with a purpose to draw out student’s musical personality through encouragement and exposure to a variety of styles.

Teaching Info

Singing, in addition to piano, has been a continuous thread for me. I began voice lessons with Carol Dyck at the age of 19, then with Eva Bostrand for a number of years. I was active as a choral singer throughout the 1990’s. I sang with U of A Madrigal Singers throughout my undergrad, and a number of years singing with Pro Coro Canada. This experience opened up opportunities for me in England to work in a number of churches, singing masses as well as participating in a number of choral performances in London. Following this, my focus switched to opera and the performance and interpretation of Art Song. I studied with Cory Miller, Heather Meyers and Shannon Hiebert from 2009 -2013, a part of the Vocal Arts Institute which functioned out of Calgary and the Leduc School of Music at that time.

I now work occasionally as an accompanist for singers and instrumentalists. I am employed as the section alto lead at Robertson Wesley United Church, where I work closely with one of Canada’s finest and esteemed choral composers, Dr. Allan Bevan as musical director. This affords me regular opportunities as a vocal soloist as well as a pianist.

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My students have consistently received awards and medals through Conservatory Canada and Royal Conservatory in exams, and recognition at both local and Provincial levels in Festivals. I will ensure each student a solid technical foundation, an understanding of musical styles and their interpretation, knowledge of composers, a solid grounding in keyboard theory as well as and an introduction to improvisation and composition.