EANN CHAO
Eann is an experienced and dedicated piano teacher based in Toronto. With over five years of teaching experience, she skillfully supports students of all ages and skill levels in their musical journeys. She was originally from Taiwan and raised in Vancouver, Canada. Eann holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Toronto, majoring in piano. She also has an RCM Level 10 certificate, with an Associate Diploma (ARCT) in Music theory and History. She has successfully guided numerous students through RCM examinations and various provincial competitions in Ontario, helping them achieve excellent results.
Eann values enjoyment in the learning process and fosters a positive, engaging atmosphere for her students. Many of her students have achieved excellent results in RCM examinations and provincial competitions in Ontario.
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.
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 for 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.
JENNY LAU
Jenny Lau began her musical journey at age 4 and holds ABRSM Grade 8 qualifications in piano, flute, and theory, as well as a distinction in the ATCL performance diploma from Trinity College London. With experience teaching diverse age groups, Jenny prioritizes engaging and interactive lessons, which form the foundation of her teaching approach. She emphasizes exploring music’s depth, expression, and background, helping students find joy in their learning journey. Jenny customizes lessons based on each student’s personality and musical interests, nurturing a lasting love for music. In 2022, she further pursued a course of piano pedagogy to enhance her teaching skills.
JESSICA PENG
Jessica Peng is a passionate and experienced piano teacher with over four years of teaching experience and more than 20 years of piano training. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Management dual degree from the University of British Columbia, where she specialized in piano and music studies.
As an RCM registered teacher, Jessica has guided all her students to achieve excellent results in RCM piano exams, with scores of 80% and above—some even reaching 92%. She offers bilingual instruction in both English and Mandarin, and her teaching style is known for being patient, encouraging, and adaptable to each student’s unique learning needs.
Jessica believes that music is not only a skill but also a way to connect with others and express oneself. She strives to create a supportive learning environment that inspires students of all ages and levels to enjoy music and grow confidently.
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 each student’s unique talents and aspirations. 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.
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 has over 8 years experience teaching students of all ages and levels. She combines an engaging and compassionate teaching style with a solid understanding of the piano’s wide repertoire and a rigorous focus on technical skills and historical style. Rina also teaches music history and theory to help her students become well-rounded musicians.
Rina has been passionate about classical music from an early age. She began her piano studies in Russia and completed them upon moving to Canada. Completing her post-secondary studies as a mature student has allowed her to analyze her learning experiences and challenges in a way younger students seldom do. As a result, Rina is particularly adept at getting to the core of a students’ difficulties and coming up with unique solutions to help them play to the best of their ability.
Rina also enjoys singing and playing the harpsichord. She is particularly fond of music from the Baroque and Classical periods.
Rina has an Honours Bachelor of Music and Advanced Certificate in Performance from the University of Toronto. She is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music and has successfully guided many students through RCM exams.
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.