Teachers

ALAN LOK

Alan began his piano studies at the age of 3. Throughout his childhood, he had a passion for music performance, composition and digital music. He attended Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts where he majored in music. He furthered his studies at the University of Waterloo, taking courses in performance, music history and theory. Alan completed his ARCT in Piano Pedagogy studying with James Fraser at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Alan was also a music pedagogy student of Boris Berlin.

Alan enjoys performing a wide range of genres, including classical, jazz and contemporary music. He is an avid composer and arranger and enjoys working with individual students as well as ensembles.

Alan is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME #104401) and is an RCM Certified Teacher (Advanced Piano).

ELVIS WONG

Elvis is a classically trained pianist and has obtained his undergraduate degree from Western University with Honours in Piano Performance. He studied piano with James Hibbard, and enrolled in courses where he learnt many aspects of music such as music theory, history and piano pedagogy.

Elvis is a composer and is well versed in the style of Japanese pop music. From the age of fifteen, he has begun to learn songs by ear, and has now developed his own style of pop accompanying for piano. Elvis produces music using Cubase, where he arranges music for rock band with strings, brass, and synthesizers.

FLORENCE LEE

Florence Lee (BMus) is one of our vocal / piano faculty at Heritage Music Academy. She has worked with our vocal students and assisted them with performances and RCM examinations. In her spare time, she participates in the OCMS Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Florence is currently on sabbatical and not accepting students.

JANICE YALE

Janice Yale is a professional pianist, guzheng player, flutist and composer. She is a classically trained musician and has obtained a fine arts degree with honours from York University majoring in Music.

Music has always been Janice’s favourite subject in which she met some amazing new friends and together, they composed and played different genres of music including new music, jazz, classical and pop. It was a perfect opportunity for Janice to meet other musicians and perform as a group. Some of the mentors Janice met in this period include Christina Petrowska Quilico, a world-renowned pianist, and Matt Brubeck, a world-class cellist famous for new music and cello playing.

Janice is highly recommended by her students and their parents with her patience and musical knowledge. Janice has helped many students prepare for their RCM piano exams and solidify their music skills by teaching them different reading and playing music techniques. She would also analyze the student’s strengths and weaknesses and use different methods to teach accordingly. Janice enjoys teaching music and working with children. She works extremely hard to accomplish her goals which include teaching students and helping them to develop interests and skills in enjoying the art of music.

JASON LEE

Jason Lee achieved his undergraduate degree under Professor Mel Martin. He also enjoyed master classes with James Ehnes, Jonathan Crow and Nancy Di’novo. He completed his ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2008 under Zhao Qian.

JOANNE WANG

Joanne Wang is an experienced and dedicated piano teacher based in Toronto. With over five years of teaching experience, she has honed her skills in guiding students of all ages and skill levels on their musical journey.

Joanne’s own musical journey began in childhood, where she developed a deep love and proficiency for the piano. Her exceptional talent and dedication led her to pursue higher education at the renowned Tianjin Conservatory of Music, where she was admitted with outstanding grades. Under the mentorship of esteemed professors such as Professor Hu Ya and Professor Fang Jianjun, Joanne received rigorous training in music education and music theory.

As a piano teacher, Joanne takes a patient and personalized approach. She believes in nurturing the unique talents and aspirations of each student. Whether teaching beginners or more advanced students, Joanne tailors her lessons to their individual needs, focusing on technique, musical expression, and repertoire development. Her goal is to foster a love for music and help her students grow both technically and artistically.

Fluent in both English and Mandarin, Joanne effectively communicates with students from different cultural backgrounds.

JOSHUA CHAN

Joshua started out on piano at the age of 6 and grew to become a piano teacher, graduating from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music (BMus). He has completed Grade 10 of RCM, and played in various smaller performances in churches, long-term care centres and community centres.

Additionally, he has acquired substantial vocal training and ukulele training to assist with teaching. Currently, he is learning both music and health care to expand his field of teaching.

KENNEDY LIU

Meet Kennedy Liu, a versatile musician and educator with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Humber College. Kennedy’s technical proficiency on the guitar and deep understanding of music theory make him a valuable teacher for students of all genres, including rock, funk, pop, and electronic music.

Kennedy’s experience as a performer at prestigious venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Centre Shanghai, JZ Club Shanghai, and RootsHouse Shenzhen has given him a well-rounded perspective on music education. He understands the importance of collaboration, improvisation, and creativity in all genres of music and strives to instill these values in his students.

As a patient and supportive teacher, Kennedy is dedicated to helping his students achieve their musical goals. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, Kennedy can help you improve your technique, learn to read music, or develop your improvisational skills.

KEVIN CHEUNG

Kevin Cheung is a music educator and piano teacher who received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto. He has been teaching piano for over a decade and is an Ontario Certified Teacher working for the Toronto District School Board. In 2014, He was the recipient of the Healey Willan Memorial Scholarship and Arthur Plettner Scholarship for demonstrating outstanding musical and academic achievement. He also teaches music theory, and occasionally accompanies for RCM instrumental music exams. Kevin has taught music grades 9 – 12 in high school, ranging from band, choir, music technology, composition, ukulele, and more.

Kevin enjoys exploring and discovering the learning environment of music with students, engaging in the context of music and differentiating instruction to the strengths of each student. Whether Kevin is preparing students for RCM exams and performances or learning their favourite pop songs, he strives for student-centred pedagogy in order to encourage a lifelong pursuit of music. In his spare time, he can be found rehearsing with the Markham Village Voices, learning jazz, programming, or playing the saxophone and bass guitar.

MASSIMO GUIDA

Massimo Guida is a Toronto-based Italian-Canadian composer, guitarist, educator, theorist, and copyist. Born in Italy, he later completed his doctorate in composition at the University of Toronto in 2019, under the supervision of Professor Christos Hatzis. He previously also completed his undergraduate and Master’s studies in composition at the University of Toronto, studying classical guitar under Canadian virtuoso Eli Kassner.

As an educator, Massimo has taught instrumental lessons (guitar, bass, ukulele, and beginner piano), musicianship, composition, and music theory for over 15 years, to students of all ages and abilities. He is passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for all genres of music with his students and seeing them grow as musicians. He has experience performing in many different styles as a guitarist, both as a soloist and ensemble player with guitar orchestras, rock bands, big bands, and pit bands.

Described as a composer who writes with “a particularly strong melodic inspiration,” Massimo has won several prizes for his music; his compositions and arrangements have been performed by numerous ensembles in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mississauga Festival Choir, the Odin Quartet, and the North York Concert Orchestra. Massimo is also deeply interested in music theory. He has presented his doctoral research on Giacomo Puccini’s music at the University of Toronto Graduate Music Conference; he has also won numerous provincial, federal, and collegiate academic awards, including a SSHRC CGS Master’s Scholarship and multiple Ontario Graduate Scholarships, for his analytical research on Italian twentieth century music.

MATTHEW TAM

Matthew Tam holds a Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Western. He has performed as a soloist in various venues throughout the GTA including the Glenn Gould Studio and was also recipient of the semi-final award in the 2014 London Music Scholarship Foundation Competition. As a collaborative artist, he is involved in various music festivals and choirs in the community and occasionally gives concerts around Markham. Matthew is also the treasurer for the M-S branch of ORMTA and the GTA Zone representative and Music Writing Competition convener for ORMTA. He has helped many students with auditions and encourages them to explore unique musical ideas.

PETER TUASON

Language spoken: CANTONESE, ENGLISH, TAGALOG

I have been a singing teacher for more years than I can count and have produced many successful students winning numerous local and international competitions, performing for major public and private events.

I am fluent in English, Cantonese, Filipino and some Mandarin too. I am a true believer in using singing as a form of art to inspire students of all ages to reach their personal goals, find relaxation and express themselves through music.

If you are willing to learn how to sing, then, I am ready to give you my best and open your world to great performances.”

SKILLS

Peter Tuason is an experienced performer and vocal coach of over 30years. After attaining a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Business Administration, he coached countless of artists that went on to attaining awards, and post-secondary degrees in music and arts. He is extremely methodical with technique but has a way of balancing it with fun and encouraging vocal activities, as such, many students find his approach to teaching musical and easy to understand, enhancing the learning experience.

Peter was honoured to be featured for his original composition (Just Hold Your Head High) in www.phoenixartsproductions.ca (November issue), 88.5 Jewel FM radio and in radio stations throughout the country.

Peter is also a member of York Region Arts Council.

In 2019, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award from the City of Markham, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Heritage Council for his works with the society and veterans.

Aside from being a vocal coach, he also spends his time in music productions, compositions, and music arrangements.

ACCOLADES

Peter Tuason’s teaching methods focus on techniques and performances. He uses keyboard, piano, or his violin in his teaching method. His students have been very successful in obtaining awards from multiple Ontario and International competitions such as Rising Star, Newmarket talent competition, The Voice just to name a few.

Some of his students have now turned professional. He is looking forward to reaching out to students where he may pass on his knowledge in the art of singing for the next generation.

RINA KHAN

Rina started learning piano at age 5 in Russia. Upon immigrating to Canada, she continued studying piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has sung in many choirs, including the Toronto Children’s Chorus. She has also played violin and flute in school orchestras and the Boreal Orchestra of Toronto. Rina has completed Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Toronto.

Rina is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and has a very varied experience teaching children of all ages as well as mature students. She helps her students become well-rounded musicians by focusing not only on performance skills but also on music theory and history, ear training and sight-reading. She is experienced in preparing students for RCM examinations.

RONALD LAU

Pianist Pui Yan Ronald Lau performs extensively as a solo pianist, collaborative pianist and cross-discipline pianist, performing with dancers. His debut solo album “Hiller and Schumann” was released in 2020 and has received astounding feedback. Besides performing, he has taught piano in both private studio and music schools since 2005 and has students ranging from beginners to young professionals. He believes in encouraging and leading students to an active learning state by stimulating their curiosity, interests and critical thinking in the learning process.

Besides being a concert pianist, Lau is also a professional recording engineer. He has participated in the production of numerous commercial releases, including Hot Tamale Louie: The Story of Zarif Khan by John Rapson; Ich Denke Dein – Songs and Chamber Works of Nikolai Medtner by Rachel Joselson, Sasha Burdin and Scott Conklin; Portuguese Perspectives by Courtney Miller and Minji Kwon; Music for Strings by David Gompper; and Brahms In Transcriptions by pianist Uriel Tsachor.

Lau completed his Doctor of Musical Arts and master’s degree at the University of Iowa under the mentorship of Uriel Tsachor. While at UI, Lau studied in master classes and private coaching sessions with numerous other celebrated artists, including Daniel Shapiro, Asaf Zohar, Roberta Rust, Uri Vardi, Rich Shuster, Jane Solose, Janis Vakarelis, Yen-Tim Timothy Li and Ting Zhou. He received his Bachelor’s degree at the Hong Kong Baptist University under the guidance of pianist Amelia Chan.

SARAH DE NIVERVILLE

Violinist and violist Sarah de Niverville performs and teaches in the Greater Toronto Area, specializing in chamber, contemporary and orchestral music. Sarah has played with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, the Guelph Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, and the Symphony New Brunswick. She also teaches violin to elementary school children in Scarborough as part of Sistema Toronto. Sarah earned her Master of Music in Performance at the University of Victoria under the tutelage of Joanna Hood of the Lafayette String Quartet. She previously earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Université de Moncton, studying with Nadia Francavilla and Isabelle Fournier.

Interested in joining our teaching team? Please visit our career opportunities page.
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