Music School faculty

Sasha Yep-Toumayan is a euphonium, bass and trombone player and teacher based in Montreal. He is a graduate of Vanier College and McGill University where he studied with Michael Wilson and Trevor Dix. He is currently playing in the Griffon Brass Band, the Jean Lessard Big Band, and working as a musician in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in the Fusiliers Mont-Royal unit. 

Sasha has been teaching privately since 2018 and has also led low brass masterclasses in Lower Canada College and Trafalgar High Schools. He is also instructing euphonium for the CAF at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre for all new recruits. 

Canadian trombonist Matthew Russell is an engaging performer, acclaimed for playing of great beauty, rich sonority, and technical mastery. He is a versatile artist, equally comfortable performing solo, chamber, contemporary and orchestral music. He has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Sarasota Opera, the Savannah Philharmonic, the Youngstown Symphony, and the Niagara Symphony, to name just a few. As a soloist, Matthew was twice a finalist in the Concours Prix d’Europe (Montreal) and was a laureate at the Concours OSM Standard Life. He was also a finalist in the Canadian Music Competition on multiple occasions. A passionate advocate of new music, Matthew has performed on many occasions with NO HAY BANDA, including a tour through Québec Musiques Parallèles and a performance at Festival International de Musique Actuelle Victoriaville. He was also a fellow at the 2019 Bang on a Can Summer Festival. In 2022, Matthew received his DMA from Rutgers University. He obtained his MMus from Carnegie Mellon University, an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School, and his BMus from McGill University. His principal teachers were Weston Sprott, Peter Sullivan, David Martin, Gordon Wolfe, James Box and Vivian Lee.  Matthew is intensely committed teaching musicians of all ages and levels. He has taught trombone and piano privately for his entire career, as well through Rutgers Community Arts and Marianopolis College. 

Guitarist and educator Enzo Sciortino has played in numerous pop and Latin bands, and boasts an extensive classical repertoire as well. He has performed professionally and freelance for over 20 years with such artists as Sandra and the Latin Groove, Brigitte Pace and Robert Michaels (Juno Award Winner). He has also worked as a session musician and composed music for jingles and documentaries. Mr. Sciortino completed a Bachelor’s degree with Distinction in Music at Concordia University. He went on to do courses at McGill University toward a Bachelor of Music Education. He studied extensively with Dr. Garry Antonio (Guitar Area Chair at McGill). Other teachers include Pierre McNicoll (Berklee) and Michael Strut (McGill). Mr. Sciortino is a member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and the Societé de Guitare de Montréal. His teaching experience spans over two decades in and around Montreal and Laval. Since 1999, he has taught at the McGill Conservatory of Music. Many of his students have gone on to successful music careers. Mr. Sciortino teaches a wide variety of styles, including classical, acoustic, fingerstyle, and electric guitar. His method is personalized to each student’s needs. He determines their current level, discusses their musical goals, and uses their interests to help them achieve their desired playing level. Mr. Sciortino is fully bilingual and offers lessons in French and English. 

José Brites holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with specialization in Jazz Studies, from Concordia University (Montreal), where he was mentored by musicians like Greg Amirault, Robin Chemtov and Sage Reynolds. He began his Jazz Guitar journey through private lessons with Serafim Lopes (Middlesex University, London) and carried on with live performance and self-guided study. He also has a background in Classical Guitar, which he studied at Coimbra’s Conservatory (Portugal) still at a young age. José has 10 years of teaching experience and more than 15 of live performances on the Guitar, the Bass and several other plucked-string instruments (like the Ukulele, the Cavaquinho and the Portuguese Guitar). He has worked in studio recording settings, production and arrangement, and he is at home in genres as diverse as Rock, Pop, Folk, Jazz, Swing, Funk, Fusion and Electronic. He performs regularly with several musicians from the Montréal scene such as Suzi Silva, Victoria Malenfant, Ultrafox and others. 

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Jim Bland is a Montreal-based guitarist and educator who has been an active member of the local music scene for over 20 years. He is a respected and supportive teacher with experience instructing a wide range of ages and levels. Jim has been teaching at the post-secondary level for over 10 years as part of the music faculty at Vanier College, where he teaches electric guitar and ensembles. He is versed in a range of styles, including jazz, blues, rock, and pop and has played in many groups over the years, performing in clubs, festivals, and theatres all over Canada, as well as in Asia, South America, and Europe.  His musical education includes a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from McGill University and a Master of Music in Jazz Performance and Composition from Université de Montréal.  

Louis Perron an accomplished electric guitarist and bassist who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Performance from Concordia University. He was awarded the Oscar Peterson Jazz Scholarship for his studies. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, Louis also has a DEC in Music from Vanier College in Professional Music and Song Technique. He has performed at prestigious events such as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Ottawa Folk Fest, showcasing his skills in jazz as well as other genres such as funk, rock, blues, and country. Louis has been teaching students of all ages since 2009. His lessons focus on the practical application of instrumental technique, reading music, theory, rhythmic exercises, and playing along to students’ favorite tracks. In addition to his expertise on the electric guitar, Louis plays acoustic guitar, piano, and mandolin. He also creates soundtracks for video games.

Matt McCormack is a professional bass player, performer, producer and teacher based in Montreal, Qc. Matt is currently busy playing the Montreal circuit with Bud Rice and New Ministry, a working man’s funk and Rock n’ Roll outfit. Matt’s teaching style focuses on fundamentals.  As a bass player, he believes in the importance of perfecting the simpler aspects of the bass role.  Having studied Jazz and popular genres, Matt has a vast array of tips and tricks for becoming a well-rounded musician.  With a strong emphasis on enjoying music, Matt incorporates important theory and exercises for making bass playing as accessible as possible.  As a sideman, Matt has been a part of groups led by Avery Raquel, Becca Tg, Dhaivat Jani, Kashka Matoga, Callahan (and the Woodpile) and Matt Greenwood. Along with joining the progressive metal band, Bird Problems, Matt covers many styles.  Matt has even recorded bass on South Korea’s own 1415 (Universal Music Korea).  Once a month, along with fellow Vanier graduates, Matt hosts MTL Anime Night at Turbo Haüs on St-Denis as a member of Shonen Funk.  As an artist, Matt has released two EPs of original music with his own group, Hector Hektor- both instrumental and vocal compositions. Matt graduated from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music in 2021. He is currently completing his graduate studies at McGill University. 

Classical guitarist Patrick Kearney represents a rare balance between sheer technical virtuosity and intense musicality. A true artist, he consistently spellbinds audiences through his deep musical insight and natural dramatic flair, interspersing his performances with narration and anecdotes discovered through deliberate research into the guitar repertoire. Born in Montreal, Canada, Patrick Kearney discovered the classical guitar early on in life. Having won his first national competition in Ottawa at the age of ten, he pursued his studies first under Daniel Boyer and then with Jacques Joubert at Vanier College. Convinced that music was his true calling, Patrick went on to complete his Superior Diploma in Performance at the École Normale de Musique de Paris, where he received the highest honours under the direction of Rafaël Andia and Alberto Ponce. Upon his return from France in 1993, Patrick began his professional career as an international competitor and touring artist, winning top prizes in several international competitions. Patrick has performed in concert and conducted master classes on numerous tours throughout Europe, the United States, Mexico, and Canada. He has appeared as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Orchestre Philharmonique de l’Îsle, the Shenandoah University Orchestra, Montreal’s I Musici, and the Ensemble Appassionata. In 1997 he completed his Master’s Degree under the guidance of Peter McCutcheon. Never content to remain confined within the standard guitar repertoire, Patrick has taken steps to contribute significantly to the world of art music. He has commissioned and premiered several works by contemporary composers such as Harry Stafylakis, Andrew Zohn, Atanas Ourkouzounov, Jay Kauffman, Ginette Bellevance, and Robert F. Jones, and has inspired composers such as Daniel Boyer and Claude Engel to create and dedicate new works to him. Patrick Kearney has released four guitar albums: Bouquet (1997); Stringendo (2002), which is a tribute to contemporary Montreal-related composers and was nominated for the prestigious OPUS Prize; the powerful Diabolico (2004), in which the listener follows a musical timeline between ambitious youth and understated maturity; and recently the acclaimed Impressions (2009), featuring the works of M.M.Ponce, on the ATMA classique label. Before the end of 2019, Novae, Patrick’s latest album, will see the light of day on the Spanish label, Contrastes Records! Mr. Kearney has been newly appointed (summer of 2019) to teach classical guitar at McGill University in Montreal. As well, Patrick teaches guitar at Concordia University in Montreal and Vanier College. He is the founder and director of the Montreal International Classical Guitar Festival and Competition, which is hosted by Concordia Music. 

Shahriar Adelpilehroud has dedicated his entire life to music learning. He holds a certificate in Music Therapy from Shahid Beheshti University of Iran (2003-2004) and simultaneously studied the classical guitar at Khosh Nahad Peyman Conservatory of Iran. He subsequently graduated with a bachelor’s degree of Instrumental Performance (Classical Guitar) in 2010 from Komitas Conservatory of Armenia and, in 2011, he received his Master’s degree in the same discipline from the same institution. Shahriar is a renowned and experienced performer and teacher. In 2006, he was awarded second place in the National Song Competition in Intercultural Festival in Armenia, and has given numerous solo and duet performances. In 2015, he was recognized as an excellent teacher in International Gyumri Guitar Competition and was a judge for the Classical Guitar Competition in Art Music, Armenia from 2012-2016. Three of his students became the champions in their respective category in Gyumri Guitar Competition between 2011 and 2016. Shahriar has given private lessons in Montreal since 2016. He also has substantial teaching experience at several schools and as a private teacher of classical guitar in Armenia before coming to Quebec. H has organized many contests and concerts for his students in solfeggio, classical guitars and is also a skillful teacher of solfege, music arranging, and music theory. He is also a polyglot, fluent in English, Armenian, Persian, and conversant in basic French and Russian. The love for his subject, natural way of communicating complex matters, and passion for teaching have made him a teacher in demand. 

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Known for his passion for music and ability to connect with audiences, Razvan Bezna is a dynamic, inspirational, and technically impressive guitarist and pedagogue. Razvan has performed throughout Canada and the southern United States, with more than 15 years of performance experience and over five years of teaching experience.  

Razvan holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied under Professor Adam Holzman. In 2020, he completed a Master of Music Degree in Classical Guitar Performance at Florida State University under the direction of Professor Bruce Holzman. Razvan is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree at McGill Schulich School of Music under the supervision of Professor Patrick Kearney, focusing on discovering, cataloging, and performing classical guitar compositions by Canadian women.  As a universal language, studying music provides students with several opportunities to create unique experiences and memories and to learn about diverse languages, cultures, and religions. Expanding and learning various styles and music history expands perspectives and contributes to a broader appreciation of music and continued exploration of knowledge. Music lessons enable students to develop skills and habits that apply to everyday life and allow individuals to pursue a hobby or passion they can share with others. In Raz’s words “I tailor each lesson to the student’s learning style, general level and understanding of musical and technical concepts, and weekly preparation. Whether students are new to music or have years of experience with their instrument, my purpose is to provide students with a positive, rewarding experience. During lessons, my goals are to help develop and expand a student’s musical and technical understanding and proficiency by sharing the knowledge I’ve accumulated over twenty years of music studies in North America and Europe.” 

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Patience is the Promptest Path to Progress. 

Jesse Shallcross is a passionate and committed musician. Originally from Montreal, his musical interests were cultivated early on at Vanier College and Concordia University, while his technical abilities and performance practice were refined by masters Patrick Kearney and Tariq Harb. The last year of his bachelor’s degree took him to Japan, where he had the opportunity to study with Yasuji Ohagi. In 2018, Jesse received the Phil Cohen Music Award for his contributions to new music. Returning to his native land, Canada, he completed his Master’s degree in classical guitar performance under the direction of Jeffrey McFadden at the University of Toronto. He is currently a freelance guitarist, teacher and composer, always in pursuit of new projects to challenge and develop himself further as a musician. 

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Born and raised in Laval to a musical family, Jonathan DiLalla began playing the drums at the age of 11, starting with four years of local private lessons. He became active as an aspiring professional musician in high school after playing his very first gig at the age of 14 in Montreal. Jonathan graduated from Vanier College from the three-year professional music program in 2017. He graduated from the jazz studies program at Concordia University in 2022. During his time at Concordia he studied jazz drums and percussion under Jim Hillman and Jim Doxas.  Over the years, Jonathan has performed in a variety of different groups across Quebec, Ontario, and the United States. He is also a winner of several academic bursaries and awards, including the Louis Contant interim drum scholarship at Vanier. His performance experience spans as wide variety of genres and ensembles such as rock, pop, funk, RnB, metal, small and large jazz ensembles, and classical stage/concert bands. Jonathan currently teaches private lesson, records at occasional studio sessions, and plays drums in several cover bands and original projects, including one with his brother Chris on guitar. 

Bob Slapcoff is a well-known musician/educator who has performed, recorded, and toured with many of the major ensembles in Montreal and the surrounding area. Among these, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, L’orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens, several Broadway touring companies and many more such celebrated groups. He has taught percussion and drum set for many years and at all levels including more than 30 years as head of the percussion area at CEGEP Vanier.  Lessons are available in English or French . 

Concert pianist of Ukrainian origin, laureate of the international competitions, graduated from the St. PetersburgRimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, graduated from postgraduate studies at the Moscow Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky, piano teacher at the Moscow Gnessin School of Music, Co-Founder of Ars Nova School of Music and Arts –  the first art and music school in Kommunarka, new, emerging district of Moscow, piano teacher at the Letovo InternationalSchool, which topped the international ranking of IB Schools at 2022. She gave solo concerts in Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Italy,Mongolia, was repeatedly invited as a jury member of children international festivals and competitions. Students of Olga Kudriakova became winners and laureates of Russian and International music competitions. In 2022, a graduate of Olga Kudriakova entered a bachelor's degree program in piano at the Universityof Southern California. Olga Kudriakova has a publication of an article "TheCrisis of Internal Auditory Images of a Musician-performer" and participated in the All-Russian Scientific Conference "Music Education in the 21st Century", 2021. In August 2022 Olga moved to Canada, Montreal in protest against the Russianinvasion. Here, in Montreal, Olga restored  her performing activity and organized a charity program for the children of Ukrainian refugees "Tune of Childhood". The program helps young musicians continue their musical education interrupted by the war.

Chad Linsley is one of Montreal’s most sought-after collaborators “in the service of the songs.” Described as a “discreet and delicate pianist” with “layered poignancy,” he has distinguished himself as a “wide-open musical partner” on the stage with Grammy award winner Jennifer Gasoi; Juno award winners Deborah Cox, Lorraine Klaasen, and the legendary Ranee Lee; Félix award winner Natalie Choquette; and flautist Carolyn Christie of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. In the studio, he appears on Sophie Day’s 2021 Juno-nominated Clémence and Mike Rud’s Notes on Montreal with vocalist Sienna Dahlen, winner of the 2014 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Other accolades include his performance at the 2009 Festival international de jazz de Montréal, where he was nominated for both the General Motors Grand Jazz Award and the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award for his debut album of original compositions titled Slideshow. As an accomplished arranger, Chad has contributed well over a hundred pieces for Musicnotes.com, the world’s leading digital sheet music retailer. As an educator, he received a teaching award from McGill’s Schulich School of Music where he studied with Jan Jarczyk, Tilden Webb, Wray Downes, André White, and Tom Plaunt. Originally from Outlook, Saskatchewan, he is now based in Montreal with his wife, Marie-Claire Saindon, an award-winning composer.  

Born in Moscow, Russia, Tatiana graduated with Distinction from Tchaikovsky Conservatoire (class of prof. A. Mndoyants), Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK (M.Mus. and AdvPGDip, classes of M. Wilson, M. Racz and J. Humphreys) and McGill University (D. Mus, class of prof. M. Mdivani). She has been a 2nd prize winner of N. Rubinstein and FLAME International Piano Competitions in France, Top prize winner of the Grand Konzerteum competition in Greece, winner of Leamington Music Prize, Birmingham Symphony Hall Prize and 2nd prize of the Brant Competition in the UK. Tatiana has appeared in master classes with top world musicians such as Stephen Hough, Peter Donohoe and Malcolm Bilson. Tatiana actively performs as a soloist and as part of Peletsis-Dardykina Piano Duo that has toured in the UK, USA, Canada and Russia.  She performed at the Buxton Festival, Spring Sounds International Music Festival, Birmingham Town Hall (UK), Halls of Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in Moscow, Chapelle Historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal among others. Tatiana is a devoted teacher: she has been on the faculty of the Keyboard and Junior Departments of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK (2009-2011); Adams Grammar School, UK (2010-2011); Mozart Music School, Moscow, Russia (2012). She also taught piano and piano ensemble courses at McGill University (2013-2017). Her students have passed RCM and McGill Conservatory exams with First Class Honours and have entered leading Canadian Colleges and Universities as music majors. Tatiana’s teaching goals are to build a healthy technique, develop musicianship and understanding of music from early steps and cherish the love of music at any age and level in a warm and welcoming environment.

In the words of the legendary Russian pianist Lazar Berman, “Minna Re Shin and her great talent.” This versatile Canadian pianist has won enthusiasm for her diverse repertoire, ranging from Baroque to innovative contemporary works. Winner of numerous prizes in national and international competitions and recipient of many awards, fellowships, and grants, she has excited and captured the hearts of audiences around the world with her virtuoso technique, mature artistry, stage personality, and rare sensitivity. Critics have raved her performances as “intense,” “inspiring,” and “powerful.” Born in Montreal, Minna Re Shin began studying piano at the early age of six. Having completed her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto with the highest honours, she received the A.R.C.T. (Associateship of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) diploma, the gold medal, and the Helen Tough Murray Scholarship. She also holds a Doctorate of Music in performance from Université de Montréal, specializing in twentieth-century repertoire, and a Ph.D. in music theory from McGill University, with emphasis on nineteenth-century music. Since her solo début at the age of ten with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, this versatile artist has performed in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia and has received high praise as recitalist, chamber pianist, and soloist in concerts with major orchestras such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Chamber Orchestra, and with distinguished conductors like Charles Dutoit, Jacques Lacombe, and Timothy Vernon. Minna Re Shin is also a recording artist of the ombú productions label. She has been invited to give master classes at major universities and specialized performing art schools in Canada, Australia, and China. Minna is fluently bilingual.

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A graduate of McGill University, Sylvie was on staff at McGill Conservatory from 1985 to 2004 as a violin teacher and conductor, as well as holding the post of String Area Chair. Ms Allaire is a violin teacher of repute in the greater Montreal area where her students have won many prizes and honors. She has been on staff at Vanier College, teaching violin and chamber music, since 2005 and also teaches at École des Cèdres for La Commission Scolaire de Laval since 1999. After the successful performance of l’Orchestre de l’École des Cèdres in 2002 at Les Orchestrades in Brive La Gaillarde, France, Ms Allaire was invited to conduct the string orchestra as well as the massed orchestras at the closing concert for the festivals from 2003 until 2006. 

Ms. Allaire is very active as a performer and is a long-time member of l’Orchestre symphonique de Laval, l’Orchestre symphonique de Trois Rivières, l’Orchestre symphonique de la Montérégie, as well as l’Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens. 

Jiwon Kim is a highly accomplished violinist with a passion for baroque and classical music. She holds a master’s degree and an Artist Diploma from McGill University. Her performances are marked by a deep sense of artistry, sensitivity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As a performer, Jiwon has collaborated with numerous ensembles and orchestras in Montreal and across North America. In addition to her regular performances, she has been invited to perform at several prestigious festivals, including the Montreal Bach Festival, the Boston Early Music Festival, and more. Jiwon Kim’s musical education has been shaped by some of the most renowned musicians in the world. She has had the privilege of studying with Kyung Sun Lee, Helene Plouffe, and Elizabeth Wallfisch, all of whom have played a significant role in her development as a musician.  

As Jiwon Kim’s career as a violinist continued to blossom, she began to realize the importance of teaching as a way of giving back to the musical community. She understood that sharing her expertise with students of all ages and skill levels was a crucial part of her role as a musician, and she was eager to become a competent and effective teacher. To that end, Jiwon began to immerse herself in the world of music education, seeking out opportunities to teach students of all ages and backgrounds. As such, Jiwon joined the faculty of the McGill Conservatory as a violin instructor. Currently, she is in the final stages of finishing up her music education degree at McGill University while also teaching at Ecole FACE. 

Associate principal cellist for the Orchestre Classique de Montréal (dir. Jacques Lacombe), cellist Mariève Bock has performed throughout Canada, Europe, the United States, Mexico, Korea, and Japan. As guest cellist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Les Violons du Roy (Quebec City), Ms. Bock has toured extensively and performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall (NYC), Het Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Berliner Philharmoniker (Berlin), and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (Paris). 

Mariève Bock has collaborated with such artists as Joseph Silverstein, James Dunham, Jonathan Crow, and Pamela Franck. A cellist for both Musica Camerata Montréal and the Québec Chamber Music Society, Ms. Bock was also Artist in Residence at the Montréal Conservatory of Music as a member of the Pierre-Mercure String Quartet. 

A modern music advocate, Ms. Bock was a regular soloist with the Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal + and has been featured as a guest soloist with new music ensembles from Vancouver to Quebec City. She premiered *Le Chêne et le Roseau* (for solo cello and flute ensemble) by composer Analia Llugdar for which she received the Prix Québec-Flandre. Ms. Bock has also presented world premieres of concertante works for cello by numerous Canadian composers. 

Mariève Bock was awarded the Prix avec Grande Distinction à l’unanimité from the Montréal Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Professor Denis Brott. She studied with the renowned Professor Norman Fischer at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music (Houston), where she was awarded a Master of Music degree. Ms. Bock also worked as Mr. Fischer’s assistant from 2003-2005. 

Alongside her music career, Ms. Bock has been a devoted cello teacher for over 20 years and has enjoyed watching many of her students go on to become professional musicians themselves. Her passion and recognized proficiency for pedagogy have enabled her to teach in schools throughout Québec and to sit on various juries for national competitions alongside such musicians as Raffi Armenian and Airat Ichmouratov. She currently holds the position of cello teacher at Vanier College. 

Ms. Bock plays the Magnificent Charles Adolphe Maucotel Paris 1849 (Ex: Pierre Fournier) with a Caressa & Français cello bow, graciously loaned by CANIMEX.

McKinley James is a cellist studying at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. She soloed with the Filarmónica del Café in Colombia in 2022 and the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017. She has played with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, Middlebury College Orchestra, McGill Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the New England Conservatory Symphony. Mckinley also toured in China with her piano trio in 2018.  McKinley is a founding member of the band Night Tree, which was named the New England Conservatory’s Honors Ensemble for 2016-2017. Awards for this title included a sponsorship from NEC, a headlining performance at the historic Jordan Hall, and a year of working with Winifred Horan, fiddler and co-founder of Irish super-band, SOLAS. Together they toured throughout the US, opened for Solas in Portsmouth Music Hall, and played in Jordan Hall, Caramoor Festival, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Public Library, and Rockwood Music Hall. They released their debut album in 2017 and toured in Europe in 2018. She studied with Yeesun Kim at the New England Conservatory for her Bachelor’s Degree. McKinely was a member of the 2021-2022 Global Leaders Program cohort, receiving an Executive Graduate Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship, Cultural Agency, Teaching Artistry, and Civic Leadership.  

Caitlin Berger is a flutist based in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. She enjoys performing in solo and chamber recitals as well as teaching flutists via private lessons. Connecting with audiences and aspiring flutists about social issues, music, and life itself is her passion. Caitlin recently participated in the multi-disciplinary project “Voyage” with the Tableau D’Hôte Theatre, performing along the Lachine Canal for passersby on boats. On June 10th, she released her debut single, Syrinx, on streaming platforms everywhere. From August 2020 to December 2021, she hosted Caitlin’s Cozy Concerts, a monthly concert series in which she performed a variety of flute works for online audiences. Caitlin also makes up half of Ensemble Camellia along with clarinetist Emilia Segura. Caitlin has always felt a strong connection to the classical music scene in Montreal. She held the position of principal flute for three seasons in the Montreal Youth Symphony Orchestra, and she frequently collaborates with and premieres the work of local composers. In 2019, she also had the opportunity to make her international debut in the first ever Concours de flûte de Paris, where she reached the semi-finals. Caitlin’s higher education degrees come from McGill University and the University of Montreal, where she studied flute performance with Denis Bluteau. Apart from performing, Caitlin has a strong passion for pedagogy and has been teaching flute privately for over six years. She also held the positions of Flute Instructor and Vice President of the Just and Accessible Music School, an online co-operative she co-founded in 2020. Caitlin is very excited to begin teaching at the Vanier Music School, having herself graduated from the CEGEP’s collegiate music program in 2015. She is fully bilingual.

Zaven Zakarian is a graduate of Vanier College and McGill University where he studied with Michael Dumouchel and Emilio Iacurto. He later pursued private studies with Stanley Hasty in Rochester, New York. He has appeared as a soloist with l’Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières (OSTR), and l’Orchestre Metropolitain du Grand Montréal. He frequently freelances with l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, l’Orchestre symphonique de Québec, as well as the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa. 

Zaven has been the principal clarinetist with l’OSTR since 1987, holds the principal clarinet post with l’Orchestre des Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, the McGill Chamber Orchestra, and is also a member of l’Orchestre symphonique de Laval. He has been teaching clarinet and chamber music at Vanier College since 1985. 

Michael Johanscik is a saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and teacher living in Montreal, Quebec since 2009. When he was 11 years old he was given his first saxophone by his grandfather whose deep love for the jazz tradition, especially big-toned swing tenor players like Coleman Hawkins and Chu Berry, would be a lasting influence and inspiration. He is gaining a reputation as a creative and melodic voice on the instrument and as a composer/arranger. Michael recently completed a Master’s degree at McGill’s prestigious Schulich School of Music, studying under Kevin Dean and Joe Sullivan. In his time at McGill he spent 3 years in McGill’s flagship Jazz Orchestra 1 under the direction of Gordon Foote and Joe Sullivan, playing lead alto as well as first tenor. He has studied privately with Jim Brenan in Calgary and Remi Bolduc and Frank Lozano in Montreal, and has also studied under John Hollenbeck, Ralph Bowen, Fraser Hollins, Andre White, Jan Jarczyk, Greg Clayton, and Chris McCann. Over the years he has performed in many of Montreal’s best music venues, including Upstairs, Dièse Onze, Casa del Popolo, L’Astral, and Resonance Cafe. He is currently active as a freelance performer, writer, and teacher in Montreal. He is a permanent member of many different musical groups, including the Laura Anglade Quintet, l’Ensemble Alex Le Blanc, the Oops Kitchen, the Taylor Donaldson Octet and Big Band as a performer as well as contributing composer and arranger. 

Tamara Vickerd has gained an excellent reputation in Montreal and abroad over the past 25 years. She holds a BMA from the University of Windsor in Voice Performance (1995). Due to her extensive experience as a voice teacher, pedagogue, and performer she is in great demand. Demonstrating an impressive range in repertoire and style from pop to jazz to classical, she has performed recitals of lieder, opera roles and oratorio as well as jazz and pop in Ontario, Quebec and Michigan. Tamara combines an active preforming career with her passion for teaching.  

Tamara has been the Classical Voice & Music Theatre teacher and chamber music coach at Vanier College in Montreal since 2002. Many of her students have not only gone on to study at some of the most prestigious universities and young artist programs in Canada and the United States, but have flourishing international careers in both the realm of pop and classical music. 

In March 2022, mezzo-soprano Maude Paradis won second place in the London Music Competition (UK), and the Certified Artist Award from CS Music (USA). She also received the Grand Prize of the Musical South Palmyra Competition (Ukraine) and a First Prize of the International Music Competition Amigdala (Italy) in April 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in performance from Université de Montréal. She made her debut with the Drummondville Symphony Orchestra in 2009 at their Christmas concert. Distinguishing herself with her powerful interpretation and her warm and moving voice, she was asked to sing in the films Astro 12, The Collection. She was a semi-finalist in the opera division of the Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition (NY), and at the Bay View Music Festival (MI), where she sang the role of Zita in Gianni Schicchi (Puccini) and Buoso’s Ghost (Ching). She was invited to become a member of OperaOggiNY(NY)’s Lyric Workshop during the 2011-2012 season and was cast in the opera “Suor Angelica” (Puccini). Specializing in character roles, she performed the Countess in Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades” with the Russian Opera Workshop (PA) and Ottavia and Nutrice in L’Incoronazione di Poppea at the Orford Festival. She has been invited to sing solo by various orchestras: Orchestre à vents de Montréal-Nord (QC), Orchestre à vents Péri-Phonique (QC), Arcady Ensemble (ON). She recently gave solo recitals at the Maison Girardin (QC), the Leonardo Da Vinci Center (QC) and La Relève Musicale (QC).  Maude has taught at every level, to every type of students, and most types of music. Her teaching philosophy is to follow the voice and help it become as free as it can be. She never forces the voice into a box or into a technique that doesn’t work. To do so, Maude adapts her lessons to each student. The work is on the repertoire the student chooses, supplemented with practical technical exercises to help everyone achieve their goals, whatever they might be.

Isabella Rachiele has been singing since the age of 5 and has never stopped pursuing her passion. She has been developing her musicianship in various genres such as jazz, funk, soul, R&B, and pop. Isabella is a graduate from the music program at Vanier College. In 2021, she acquired a Bachelor of Music, specializing in jazz voice performance from McGill University. In 2023, she became a certified music therapist after completing her course work in the music therapy master’s program at Concordia University. Isabella has been teaching voice since 2017. Her approach emphasizes building a healthy connection with one’s instrument (their voice), practicing proper vocal technique and care, as well as increasing one’s sense of self-confidence to encourage her students to reach their performance potential. Isabella also has the skills to help students who want to expand their musical creativity through composition/songwriting and arranging.Isabella is a performing musician herself and performs regularly in venues, restaurants, hotels, lounges, and for private events in and around Montreal.

https://isabellahallia.com/