Svetlana Alexeeva began a musically infused education in Russia at the age of 5 by attending a local music school and House of Pioneers. She studied theory, piano, dance, singing, and regularly performed on stage since, including with her elementary school choir. She has won numerous awards at talent shows and at the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival. In 1999, under the instruction of Inga Lipkov, her grade 10 piano RCM was completed with honors. Afterwards, she worked for Alberta Ballet School of Dance relying on improvisational skills to accompany ballet classes. Having grown up in a household with a parent teaching piano, Svetlana started to teach students of her own and has been doing so for the last 6 years.­

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Stephen started learning the piano at the age of 10 and reached grade 7 before finally discovering the guitar at age 14. Playing guitar quickly became his life. Stephen has played in many different bands and has played on the same stage with bands such as MUSE and Reef. Stephen has a degree in Electronics and Sound Engineering and is also a qualified school teacher. After a brief time in English Marines he went on to become a Music teacher before moving to Canada 3 years ago.

­Stephen has a very relaxed style of teaching and is a very patient guitar mentor, letting pupils learn at their own pace. He is a big fan of classic rock but mainly grew up on the influence of Guns N' Roses and Metallica. Blues, Rock and Metal are his favourite genres to play and to teach.

Matthew Blackburn began piano studies at age 7 growing up on northern Vancouver Island. In 2007 Matthew completed the Victoria Conservatory of Music diploma program and received an Associate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music in both piano performance and pedagogy. He also received a piano performance ARCT the same year, while studying with Jamie Syer in Victoria.

In 2009 Matthew finished his Bachelor of Music at the University of Lethbridge. Matthew maintains a busy performing schedule which has recently included a performance with the Lethbridge Symphony after winning their young artist competition, as well as performances in the Fort Macleod International Festival and the Kelowna Pianoforte Festival. He has been teaching private lessons to all ages and levels for the past 6 years. Currently Matthew is working towards his Master of Music degree at the U of C with the instruction of Marilyn Engle.

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Carrie Kalmykov obtained her Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University in Manitoba with a focus on piano pedagogy and a minor in theatre. She continued on to complete Suzuki Piano Pedagogy studies at Mount Royal College in Calgary.

Carrie’s passion and love for music is apparent in her teaching. Her primary goal is to cultivate a lifelong enjoyment of music for all. Carrie’s students achieve high marks in music examinations and frequently win festival scholarships and awards; some have gone on to pursue music as a career. ­

Carrie is an Alberta Registered Music Teacher. She is the Chairperson for the Calgary Contemporary Showcase Festival and is an active member of the Alberta Piano Teachers’ Association. One of the benefits Carrie enjoys of being co-director of Chinook Studio of Music is the opportunity to meet the wonderful students and families and follow their musical growth.

Minnie performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 1997 and again in 2001. She has also toured with the Oberlin Conservatory Orchestra in 2006 and the Yale Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008 to China and Korea.

In 2006, she got her Bachelor of Music degree at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Masters degree at the Yale School of Music in 2008, both on full scholarships. After graduating, she joined the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in the fall of 2008. ­

As well as being an avid performer, Michelle Minke is one of Canada’s up and coming Vocal Pedagogues, sought after for her teaching, master class and adjudication abilities. Michelle has been on the teaching faculty at the University Settlement Music and Arts School and Merriam School of Music in Toronto, Ontario, Rocky Mountain College and Chinook Studio of Music in Calgary, Alberta, and Thames Valley University and The Merton Music Foundation in London, England. As an engaging lecturer she is a frequent guest in Yellowknife, NWT to teach and direct master classes for the Yellowknife choral society.

­Most recently, Michelle worked with Calgary Opera to help lead their Summer Opera Camp for the girls and boys club and was an adjudicator for the Celebration of Music Festival in Calgary, Alberta. Michelle is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto where she received her Masters in Voice Performance specializing in Vocal Pedagogy, with the support of the Richard Bradshaw Graduate Fellowship in Opera. While in pursuit of this degree Ms. Minke was the teacher’s assistant for the music education undergraduates. Further academic achievements include her post graduate diploma from the Opera Course at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto and a Vocal Performance Diploma from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Michelle currently teaches at Ambrose University and is happy to be returning to the Chinook Studio of Music in Calgary, Alberta.

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Kristina began studying piano in high school under piano instructor Marilyn Newbury, and with a little determination and a lot of encouragement from her teacher, was able to gain entrance to the music program at Ambrose University College in Calgary. At Ambrose, Kristina participated in all three of the university’s choirs, accompanied vocal students, conducted choirs and orchestras, and had the privilege of continuing her piano studies under Professor Edwin Gnandt. In her final year of university, Kristina performed Gershwin’s piano concerto ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and was named the recipient of the Ambrose Music Trophy.

After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Music in the spring of 2009, Kristina joined Chinook Studio of Music and discovered a love for teaching. Kristina believes that students should learn to play the music they love and enjoys watching her students grow and develop their piano skills.

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­Robert Motchalov began his musical studies at the age of five at the Novosibirsk Academy for Arts in Russia. He continued his musical studies on the piano, violin and clarinet and completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Victoria. Robert continued his education at the Indiana University in Bloomington, where he was granted the Master of Music degree with distinction, in piano performance.

­­Robert frequently performs both as soloist and collaborative artist. He has performed in master classes given by renowned pianists and musicians such as the famed performer and pedagogue Gyorgy Sebok, as well as Lev Vlasenko and Enrica Cavallo Gulli.

Today Robert enjoys a busy teaching schedule as well as his position as a director of Chinook Studio of Music.

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Susannah Blary began her music education by taking piano lessons at the age of four. She continued with lessons and recently completed her Royal Conservatory Grade 10 Examination in June of 2007. Susannah studied the french horn with Laurie Matiation and Kurt Kellan and played as part of the Calgary Stampede Show band, Alberta Honour Band, Alberta Wind Symphony, University of Calgary Wind Ensemble and University of Calgary Orchestra among other ensembles. Susannah studied music performance at the University of Calgary from 1997-2000.

Susannah has been teaching piano privately for over 10 years to studen­ts of all ages. Her students have achieved top honours in examinations and at music festivals. She has also taught group classes for several years in music theory, and harmony.­

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­­Tom was born and raised in Alberta and has been involved in the Calgary music scene since the age of 11 years when he started studying classical and steel string guitar styles.  At the age of 16 he began classical vocal studies with Elgar Higgin and Marilyn Perkins.  He has played professional bass guitar since the age of 19 and has had a long and varied career involving theatre, radio, recording and free lance performances.  Tom is looking forward to his 4th year of teaching at the Chinook Studio

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Andrea has been teaching at Chinook for a year now, and I am so proud to be a part of such a great team of musicians in this excellent school. It is my mission in life to instill a life long love of music and performance artistry in people, from all walks of life, ages, genders and levels. It is also a great privilege to be the Musical Theatre Club Director at Lycee Louis Pasteur. My students are my priority and I try to connect with each and everyone of them through sharing, learning and a verve for singing & performing. It is my goal to pass along my knowledge of music and vocal abilities, which I have obtained from school, College (LCC), University (U of L), Musical Theatre projects over the past few years, and intense vocal training from some of the most distinguished professionals in Alberta. Thank you to my students, past and present, for your continued support and enthusiasm! ­

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­Kristin Clements is currently a second year student in the University of Calgary music performance and    education program, studying flute with Glen Klassen of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and piano with Dr. Vladimir Levtov. She has participated in vocal  jazz, instrumental jazz, afro-cuban, wind ­and symphonic band ensembles through the university, as well as in many private recitals and workshops.

A private teacher for four years, Kristin enjoys working with all ages, including adults. She believes that music is an important part of any individual's life, and that no matter what age or level, everyone can benefit from experiencing and learning about music.
She is very excited to be beginning her first year with Chinook Studio of Music

Michael began piano lessons when he was six and since then has had the opportunity to work with such artists as Paul Badura-Skoda, Emanuel Krasovsky and Richard Raymond. In 2005 and 2006 he attended the Académie Musicale Internationale "Barbara Krakauer" in Vaison-la-Romaine, France, and more recently was featured as a soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

Michael completed his Bachelor’s of Music at the University of Calgary in 2006 and currently enjoys  freelancing in Calgary.­­

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Bryndan is a fourth year Vocal performance Major, and Dance minor, at the University of Calgary. Bryndan’s musical education began when she was five years old, when she began studying flute with Liane Galyer. She completed grade 8 RCM in flute at age 13, in addition to many awards and scholarships. Bryndan attributes many of her successes as a musician to the Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts (Edmonton), which she attended for seven years. Her vocal training began with classical work with Gerhard Kruschke, and vocal Jazz with Kelly Collins, and Bruce Cable. Due to the extensive Musical Theatre program at Victoria School, Bryndan began experimenting, and subsequently falling in-love, with Musical theatre. There have always been two constants in Bryndan’s life, music, and dance. The Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts provided her with numerous opportunities in both genres, such as singing with Pro Coro, The Richard Eaton Singers, The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and Edmonton Opera. Victoria School sent her to the National High School Dance Festival, in 2006, where she participated in workshops with world-renowned teachers from Miami Center for the Arts, Jacobs Pillow, The National Ballet School, and Juliard to name a few. Following her high school graduation, Bryndan enrolled at Concordia University College of Alberta, where she studied voice with Eva Bostrand of Sweden. Bryndan was drawn to the University of Calgary’s Music faculty due to the residency of world-renowned baritone, Professor Donald Bell, with whom she currently studies. Upon the completion of her Bachelor of Music degree, Bryndan plans on entering the Masters of Teaching program at the University of Calgary, with the intention to teach at the Secondary level. “I’ve been blessed to have had some of the most remarkable experiences, with some of the most incredible teachers. For me, there is nothing more rewarding then inspiring children, by doin­g what I love.”

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Leah Craig­ started her music education with her mother at the age of four.  She has studied music at The Kings University College and the Alberta College in Edmonton.  Leah has been teaching piano for 15 years to all ages and levels of students and really enjoys the interaction and personal relationships she builds with her students.  Through teaching Leah is able to share her love of music and hopefully inspire students to continue playing throughout their life, whether in structured practice or just for enjoyment! 

­She believes that everyone can learn and enjoy to play even if they think they are not “musically inclined.” In addition to piano, Leah has played the flute for 19 years and played in the Festival City Winds (Edmonton) for 3 years.  Guitar and Saxophone are also an interest, although still a beginner, she  enjoys the challenge they present.  Relatively new to Calgary, Leah moved from Rocky Mountain House in July 2008 and looks forward to meeting new people and exploring the diverse musical culture that Calgary has.

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­Steve took an interest in percussion at a young age, using his very patient mother's cooking utensils as instruments. Since then, he has enjoyed expanding his musical horizons. His musical performance experience has included performing in such as productions as the Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, as well as various marching bands. Steve has played in swing ensembles and most recently with a theater group called Horse Raven. Steve was the lead drummer for the critically acclaimed Hedwig and the Angry Inch which had a very successful theatrical run.

Being a versatile performer gives Steve the opportunity to collaborate with many local artists. He plays Jazz, Roots, Folk, Rock, and Country music. Outside of percussion, Steve is a well rounded artist. His gift for painting and sculpting keep him in high demand as a prop designer for theatre companies worldwide. Steve's philosophy of teaching is to inspire students of all ages to enjoy the life enhancing pleasures and nuances of music.

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Patricia Higgins has a tremendously positive spirit! Her outgoing and encouraging personality bring much joy to the music learning environment. With a Masters degree from the Music Conservatory of Quebec, Patricia is skilled at both the violin and viola.

She has performed with various orchestras in Quebec including the Quebec Symphony Orchestra. In Alberta she performs with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra. She is also the violist for the Lily String Quartet who perform regularly all across Canada. Patricia is fluently bi-lingual and enjoys teaching in both school and private lesson settings.­

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­A native of Calgary, Margaret Dahlberg Kavanagh became inspired to create the Music Kids program after having children of her own.    Trained as a classical pianist, Ms. Kavanagh studied at the Mount Royal Conservatory, the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Calgary.  She has been on faculty at the Mount Royal Conservatory as a chamber musician and coach and has performed throughout Western Canada and the United States.  Ms. Kavanagh injured her hand in 1998, bringing her performing career to a halt.  She then combined her musical knowledge and her love of children to create a music class for pre-school aged children.

­Jack Keys has had a deep love of music his entire life, and came to iterate that love through guitar six years ago. Since then, he has been writing and playing music of varying, dynamic nature, coming to understand more and more through experience. Jack has one year teaching experience, and wishes to share this experience, and an appreciation for music and guitar, to his students. He believes in approaching the study of music with an open mind.

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­Barbara Lorenz has recently moved to Calgary from Lloydminster, Alberta, where she was Woodwind instructor for Lakeland College.  She taught Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe and Bassoon, Saxophone Quartet as well as theory, and was conductor of the Adult Band.  During her time in Lloydminster she also taught Grade 6 Band.

Playing in Saxophone Quartet, Jazz ensemble and Concert Band have been a large part of her musical career.  She is currently very active playing in a duo throughout the Calgary area.

She graduated from Dickinson State University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts.

Barbara is currently teaching at Chinook Studio of Music, offering priv­ate woodwind lessons.

My name is Shannon Magee. I grew up in the small town of Warner Alberta, moving to Lethbridge Alberta in Gr. 6. I began piano lessons first with my parents around age 5 and when I was 6 I began private lessons with Lut Berghmans in Lethbridge. I continued with her until her health and age hindered her from continuing to teach me, and from Gr. 8 on I continued my lessons with Linda Dickey until Gr. 12 when I completed my ARCT with the Royal Conservatory of Music.

I became involved with singing first in a children’s ch­oir at my church in Warner and continued to be involved with choir throughout junior high and high school, beginning private lessons with Kade Hogg in Gr. 10.

I participated in the Kiwanis music festival in Lethbridge from ages 10-17, and I have traveled to Ottawa, Quebec, the Maritime Provinces, and most recently Ireland and Scotland on choir tours. After ­high school graduation I moved to Calgary Alberta where I am currently going into my fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts program in Music at Ambrose University College, where I have been studying piano with Edwin Gnandt and voice with Nadya Blanchette.

Chad Meda has been involved with music from a young age. He started playing the piano in his early childhood, which helped foster his    astute ear for music. Since then, he has moved on to learning and playing guitar. Chad is part of the local music scene in Calgary, collaborating with many of the cities’new and emerging artists. He enjoys listening to old records and having impromptu open jam sessions with other musicians.

­Chad plays various styles of guitar, and deeply enjoys helping others develop an appreciation as well as an ear for music. Chad is dedicated to the development of music programs for youth and is currently helping the Cochrane community create new and exciting youth music programs. With several years of teaching experience, Chad’s instructional approach relies on patience and progressing at a comfortable pace for students.

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Ms. Alicia Romero was born in Mexico City, and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Piano Performance from the National University of Mexico. She refined her skills as a performer studying with Dr. Lillian Upright in Edmonton and has received early childhood music education training from Kindermusik Canada, Muiskgarten, and Music for Young Children, and has attended periodically Music Education Workshops in Calgary.

Ms. Romero ample teaching experience includes 12 years teaching piano to young children, teenagers and adults, and 8 years teaching music classes to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Ms. Romero sincerely believes in the value of early childhood music education. Her teaching philosophy is based on the premise of keeping the dignity and integrity of her students intact during the learning process. She guides her students so they get an awareness of their areas of growth, value their strengths and potential, and commit themselves to accomplish their goals and be personally accountable during the process.

In 1997 she became a member of the Alberta Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ARMTA), and in 2003 received a grant from the ARMTA Professional Development Fund to undertake the assessment of the piano curricula for young children developed by Musikgarten.

She has also been deeply involved with the musical community as the Editor of the Impromptu Newsletter, Editor and Publisher of the CFMTA Peak Performance 2005 programme, and as speaker and clinician for CASS fundraising events, and ARMTA Calgary and APTA Workshops.

Currently Ms. Romero serves as the Editor of the Impromptu Newsletter, Editor and Advertising Manager of the Tempo Newsletter and CFMTA The Canadian Music Teacher Magazine, and is a devoted piano teacher committed to share the joy of music-making

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Roberta Romero holds a bachelor´s degree in Music Performance (violin) from the National University of Mexico. She also studied abroad at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She has participated in the Czech Republic International String Festival and the Park City International Music Festival. She served in the first violin section of the Symphony Orchestra Carlos Chavez   and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra.

As a violin teacher, she has a strong technical foundation from  the Russian violin technique school which she acquired from Professor Boris Klepov. She teaches at the National Conservatory of Music and the Artene Music Academy since 2001. She is a former member of the “Soiloist of the National Conservatory” and “Eduvoce”. Her music activities also involve chamber music, symphony orchestras performance and teaching.

Miss. Romero believes that violin students should enjoy every lesson. She keeps them motivated by encouraging them to give the best of themselves and developing self-discipline.

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Ryan is currently finishing his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance at the University of Calgary for classical guitar. In April of 2006, he received the Music performance Diploma from Mount Royal College. Ryan enjoys teaching all types of music such as: rock, pop, classical, folk, acoustic, bass, and flamenco.  Ryan has been teaching for the past four years at Chinook Studio of Music and has also been the guitar instructor of the summer day camp programs during that time. He is enthusiastic about returning to Chinook for the fall and winter semesters.

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­Born and raised in Calgary, Nicole Smithanik began her singing instruction as a teenager with the late Blaine Chapman, long-time Calgary voice teacher.  Nicole holds an A.R.C.T. in speech arts and earned a Bachelor's in Music Performance (voice) from The University of Calgary in 2000.  After graduation, Nicole taught for more than a year at the Irene Besse Academy of Music, where she instructed over 40 voice and speech arts students.  She moved to Washington, D.C. in 2001, and pursued graduate studies in opera performance at the prestigious Catholic University of America, where she studied with Sharon Christman, a long-time regular with the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York City.  Nicole has performed with the Calgary Opera Company chorus, the Morpheus Theatre Company, has played Millie in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and performed as a soloist in numerous other venues around Calgary .  Nicole is married and has three young children and has loved teaching at the Chinook Studio of Music over the past year and is thrilled to teach again this year.  It's been a delight to watch the students grow in diligence, confidence and skill.

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­Throughout my musical career I have had the opportunity to work with a
variety of International artists.   These include: Destino Tenors, Bobby
Arvon (Harry James Orchestra), Susan Anton, Howard McCrary (Chaka Khan,
Michael Jackson), The Platters, The Drifters and The Coasters.   I have
traveled extensively in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and
Europe.  In 1999, I had the privilege to play for Prime Minister Jean
Chretian.  I have also recently been working with Canada's most
prolific country artist, Ray Griff.

I have recorded in excess of 100 albums playing a variety of styles.  With
my extensive background in recording and producing, I have the ability to
teach the finer points of studio etiquette, working with a click track,
playing appropriately for the music and the musical expertise required to
work professionally in the studio environment.  I am also putting
together the Canadian Gospel Drummer's Association and am currently
working on a series of drumming instructional dvd's.  My musical
preference would be along the lines of funk, r&b, fusion and jazz. Over the past few years, I
have produced and arranged several projects for various artists.  One such
artist I recently produced a jazz album for accepted an invitation to
perform at both Carnegie Hall and The White House in December of 2006.

Katrina is a piano instructor with the Chinook Studio of Music and also teaches from her studio in Woodbine, Calgary. She has completed a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from Memorial University (Newfoundland) with a major in theory and composition, and a Master of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma with a major in piano pedagogy.  

Katrina enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. She has taught piano lessons, music theory, keyboard harmony, master classes, Music for Young Children, undergraduate level music appreciation courses, and music for early childhood specialists. In addition to teaching, she has worked as an accompanist, an adjudicator, an arts administrator, a music research assistant, and as an interpreter at the Cantos Music Foundation. She is currently a member of the Alberta Piano Teachers Association (APTA), an executive member with the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (ARMTA Calgary), and an administrator with the Calgary Arts Summer School Association (CASSA). Her favourite hobbies include cooking, hiking and rock climbing.

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Brian enjoys playing and teaching guitar music of all kinds, from classical to rock, and blues to bossa nova. Having studied classical guitar for many years and with a grade 8 certification from the Royal Conservatory, he has performed both on solo guitar and in a guitar quartet, as well as in blues, rock and jazz settings. He believes in developing individual lesson plans to help students reach their musical goals while keeping the lessons fun, relaxed and exciting

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Po has been actively teaching advanced theory and piano since 1995. She is presently Manager, Community Engagement for the Honens International Piano Competition and is also active in the music community as General Manager of New Works Calgary, Canada Music Week National Convenor for the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations, and a board member for the Amici Strings Program.

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Tim Young has enjoyed teaching acoustic, electric and bass guitar for several years, and has played the instrument for over twenty-five years. He is currently recording a CD with his band JunG and enjoys performing live.

Tim adjusts his teaching style to meet the needs of each student's ability. He believes that every student is part musician and part performer. As a teacher, Tim tries to find the best of these attributes in each student and bring them to the forefront of their playing. He strives to provide each student with the tools to create and perform as true artists.

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Susan Yule began her pursuit of music at the age of seven with piano and voice lessons. By sixteen years of age, Susan had earned her grade 10 Royal Conservatory in both piano and voice. Susan is a native Newfoundlander who moved to Montreal in 1996 to study voice and now resides in Calgary with her husband and baby daughter. She is a graduate (class of 2001) of McGill University, attaining her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance with distinction.

­Susan's stage life has been varied, performing in opera, light opera, Broadway reviews, as well as solo and collaborative recital work. Some of her past roles include Linfea in the McGill Opera rendition of La Calisto; Eurydice in Jacopo Peri's Eurydice; Elsie Maynard in the McGill Savoy Society's production of Yeomen of the Guard; Chava in TNL's Fiddler on the Roof; Daisy Mae in Li'l Abner; and Tessa in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers. Susan has studied and performed musically in Austria, New York, and Salzburg. In addition to teaching at Chinook Studio, she is a vocal coach for the Cantaré Children's choirs. Susan looks forward to a great year of fun and growth with all her students.

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