Founder, Violin + Viola Teacher

Klaudia Thibault

Klaudia Thibault is an experienced violin and viola teacher in Oakville, who regularly prepares students for the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) examinations, festivals and music competitions. She teaches all levels of RCM violin and viola, leads a unique summer violin summer camp and also conducts orchestra classes. Klaudia discovered over the years of playing and teaching how the posture affects the performance and abilities. Klaudia’s strong emphasis on correct posture and optimal set up makes her one of a kind, dedicated and determined teacher.

Klaudia Thibault, nee Mirossayova, studied in Slovakia with Rozalia Varcholova, Anita Mirossayova and in Canada with Amalia Canzoneri and Metro Kozak. Klaudia successfully completed 10 years of violin study in Slovakia (1984-1994: equivalent to Royal Conservatory ARCT) at the Jan Pöschl School of Music in Presov. Then, she graduated from the University of Prešov (Prešovska Univerzita), Slovakia, in 2001. She holds a Master’s Degree in Musical Education and Social Studies. In the latter part of 2001, Klaudia moved to Canada where she sought to become active and has since become established in the music community. She continues her education at strings workshops in USA and Canada regularly. Her strongest pursuit is perfecting student posture to achieve improved performance.

PERFORMING AND CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE

The daughter of a violin teacher Anita and an engineer Stanislav, Klaudia has been an enthusiastic violin player since five years of age, performing as a soloist and a youth classical music orchestra concertmaster since 1987. The youth orchestra “Orchester Jana Poschla in Presov” performed in Eastern and Western Europe, and obtained high marks at national Slovak competitions and international competitions each year. Most memorable was the competition in Neerpelt, Belgium where the orchestra received the golden medal. Klaudia’s mom Anita Mirossayova acted as a conductor of this highly successful student string orchestra.

In 1993, Klaudia joined the Slovak Folk Ensemble ”Sarisancek” and then “Šarišan”, a national music and dance group, traveling and performing on violin for the next six years in nine countries around the world: in Europe (France, Italy, Czech Republic, Ukraine), South America (Brazil) and North America (USA), Africa (Tunisia) and Asia (Malaysia, South Korea). Klaudia was a founder of music section of children folk group “Rozmarija” in Presov. She successfully lead the group of young musicians to become confident in their performance and traveled with them to Finland, Sweden and many other countries in Europe.

While studying at university, Klaudia won a university violin competition in her first year of study. After this, she was the concertmaster of the University Chamber Orchestra “Camerata Academica” for the next four years. In her graduation year 2001, Klaudia compiled and produced a one-hour orchestral educational program for children about the role of different musical instruments in orchestra; in addition to spoken word, she also conducted this 50-member youth university orchestra which performed her program at the Performing Arts Centre (PKO) in Presov, Slovakia to a 600-member audience. At that time, she also conducted a children’s string orchestra of classical music at the Jan Pöschl School of Music in Presov, Slovakia.

Between 2002 – 2013, Klaudia played with the Oakville Symphony Orchestra and it was the first year she was awarded the Oakville Symphony’s Young Artist Award thanks to Ian Morrison who suggested Klaudia take up this opportunity. Klaudia was given a $1500 scholarship for which she was eternally grateful. She met a lot of new friends and fellow musicians during her years with the Oakville Symphony. Klaudia has performed on violin with the Oakville Messiah Orchestra, Dundas Valley Orchestra, Oakville Chamber Orchestra, community orchestras and internal school orchestra at Klaudia’s Music Studio called MagicK. In June 2005, she became a member of the String Quartet. She performs regularly at weddings and occasions throughout the year.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Klaudia was a member of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra’s Community Outreach Committee from 2005 – 2012. This committee introduced very successful series of mini-concerts and a full-orchestra concert for young people. Klaudia donated a quality student violin for seven consecutive years to the Poster Contest of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra as a main prize and the violin was presented to the winner at the full-orchestra concert each year. Each year, the Studio students perform at Retirement Home Residences in the community.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Klaudia started to teach violin at the Jan Pöschl School of Music in Presov, Slovakia in 1997, and has been teaching continuously ever since. In 2002, she established Klaudia’s Music Studio in Oakville. Klaudia educates young students (3 years of age and up), beginners and advanced students of all ages and also offers lessons to adults. She has been successful in preparing students of all ages and levels of experience for Royal Conservatory of Music exams, and Burlington, Hamilton and Toronto music festivals.

Klaudia presents recitals bi-annually in winter and summer, giving parents the opportunity to enjoy their child’s musical progress and allowing students to perform in public thereby building stage-performance skills and confidence. She also organizes teachers concerts each year, designed to inspire. Since forming of String Orchestra MagicK at her school in 2006, she has been an artistic director and co-conductor. She takes immense pride in all its achievements at concerts, competitions and festivals.

Piano Teacher

Sue Barbour

Susan has an extensive background in teaching piano since 1995. She has completed her Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Level 9 and has taught private and group lessons for many years. She has detailed knowledge of Royal Conservatory piano program in all piano levels.

She has also trained many new teachers and has experience teaching children with special needs. Her approach is both genuine and results oriented while making learning fun for the children. She teaches group piano classes and one-on-one private piano classes. Susan has seen many children through their exams, competitions and concerts and earned great respect from her colleagues, parents and students. She looks forward teaching piano to children of all ages.

Violin + Viola Teacher

Alexis Brett

Alexis Brett teaches the violin, viola, theory and she conducts our orchestra classes. She is very successful at preparing students for all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Violin Exams. Alexis is very personable and works well with young children, tees and adults alike. Her easy, friendly and non-threatening approach earned her a great reputation at our Studio.

Alexis holds a Bachelor of Music degree from McGill University, where she studied with Brett Molzan and Chantal Rémillard. She also has a Master of Music degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, where she studied with Simon Standage. She is a sought-after freelance performer, and has performed with ensembles throughout Europe and Canada.

As a teacher, Alexis has several years experience teaching students of all ages and skill levels. She believes in helping students work to the best of their abilities, but also that learning the violins should be first and foremost a fun experience, and that parental involvement is key. Alexis tailors her lesson approach to meet the individual needs of each student.

Alexis teaches all 10 RCM levels of violin, viola and has an extended knowledge of music theory. She can help students of all string instruments with their theory co-requisites for the Royal Conservatory Exams, including music harmony and history to ensure a well-rounded musical education.

Guitar, Drums + Piano Teacher

Andrew Brophy

Andrew Brophy teaches guitar, drums, composition and beginner piano lessons. He is a professional teacher who knows how to inspire his students. Andrew has a dedicated, personable and friendly character. His skills and thorough musical background provide him with tools to give the best lessons. His students really like to come to his lessons.

Andrew completed a three year applied music program at Mohawk College where he studied classical guitar under Johnathan Earp. He has had over twenty years experience in writing and performing in rock, hard rock and heavy metal bands as a guitarist, drummer and vocalist. He also was part of a classical guitar ensemble for a number of years.

Andrew has ten years experience teaching students of all ages. His relaxed approach inspires student’s to explore music, develop their playing skills and have fun. His lessons focus on all aspects of music, specifically rhythm, technique and music literacy. Andrew has developed a unique approach to technical efficiency, as well as encouraging each student’s personal creativity. He has collected a large repertoire in guitar music ranging from popular, easy listening, to all genres and era’s of rock, hard rock, and metal music, as well as classical guitar music.

Violin Teacher

Linda Choy

Violinist Linda Choi was born in Toronto and started playing the violin at age 5. At the age of 10 she was accepted as a scholarship student at the Young Artists Program Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. There she studied with Victor Danchenko, and Atis Bankas. She graduated from McGill University in Violin Performance and went on to do her graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Linda plays with orchestras all over Ontario, was a Mentor for the National Academy Orchestra (Brott Music Festival) and is currently a Mentor for the Young Artists program with the Oakville Symphony.

With a passion for teaching, Linda has over 20 years of experience in private and group settings with students of all ages. She strongly believes that all children have the potential to develop musical ability and love for music, given a nurturing and positive learning environment.

Piano + Theory Teacher

Deborah Henry

Deborah received her B.Sc. from McMaster University. After further study, she received both her B. Mus. and M.A. in music criticism from McMaster University, and an M.A. in music theory from Western University. She received her Doctorate from York University in music perception.

Deborah has enjoyed an active career as both Organist and Choral Director. She is the Music Director at Maple Grove United Church in Oakville. Currently she is a piano and theory teacher, as well as our string orchestra accompanist at Klaudia’s Music Studio. Deborah is a theory and history examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is passionate about music and music education. Learning music theory and history add depth to the enjoyment of practicing, performing, teaching, and listening to music.

In her spare time, Deborah enjoys cycling, swimming, and running cross country with her dogs.

Dr. Deborah teaches all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music theory examinations. Including advanced history, harmony and couterpoint. She teaches piano to beginner students, with a goal to participate in concerts and exams, or enjoy the music of playing and improvisation on piano for pure enjoyment and fun.

Cello Teacher

Janko Marjanovic

Hon. Sp. Music Ed., Hon. B. Mus. Perf.

Janko graduated from the class of Andre Nevarra, himself a student of venerable Pablo Casals. Janko also studied with Stanislav Apolin, a student of Mstislav Rostropovich, as well as Vaclav Czerny, principal cellist at Czech Philharmony. In summary, he received his education in teaching and performance at the universities of Belgrade, Prague and Skopje.

His first opportunity came as a young cellist with the Children Symphony Orchestra of Radio Belgrade. Since then, he has worked extensively with orchestras in Yugoslavia, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Canada, which made him travel and perform in Europe, Africa and North America. Janko performed numerous recitals as a soloist, was a principal cellist with opera and chamber chamber orchestras and performed on these three continents as their member.

Janko has extensive teaching experience with students from all age groups and levels of performance. His students won gold and silver medals on Kiwanis, Hamilton and Burlington festivals.

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“Teaching students to play an instrument means teaching them to like and understand music from the very first step. An individual approach is a must, since every student is unique. They are expected to make errors during a lesson. The teacher’s task is to make sure they don’t make them on stage. The teacher and parents require mutual support. This is a winning combination. Remember that while playing at home is fun, practicing at home is progress.”

J.M.

Guitar + Theory Teacher

Ruth Guechtal

Dr. Ruth Guechtal is a guitar teacher, composer and performer whose goal is to educate students of all ages by creating a positive learning environment while challenging and respecting students’ individual aesthetic.

Her main focus in private instrumental instruction and ensemble coaching is on music notation, harmony and counterpoint, all of which she believes are essential to properly learning any style of music. She is comfortable teaching all styles of music with a specialization in rock, pop, classical and heavy metal guitar. Her teaching experience spans 14 years of private and studio guitar instruction as well as in-class teaching assistant-ships in music theory, composition and history.

Having completed a college diploma and university degree in classical guitar performance, she obtained her doctorate in composition at the University of Alberta.

Violin + Viola Teacher

Dimitre Atanassov

Dimitre Atanassov is a dedicated professional violin teacher. He prepares students for all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Violin Exams and his students keep winning music festivals and competitions across the community. His vast knowledge of violin technique and dedication to teaching shows in his results and students’ interest. Dimitre prefers to teach older children and adults.

Dimitre holds a Diploma of Graduation from the State College of Music, Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Master Degree of Violin performing and musical education from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria. During his studies he held the Second Prize in the National Musical Competition for young musicians (The Svetoslav Obretenov) and performed as a soloist for numerous violin concerts such as Lalo-Spanish Symphony; R. Schumann; L. Beethoven; P. Tchaikovsky, with the Plovdiv State Symphony Orchestra and the Sofia Academic Orchestra.

Professional Career:

After his graduation Dimitre won the competition for a prestigious position at the Bulgaria State Philharmonic Orchestra in Sofia, Bulgaria. Later on he became a member of the Sao Paulo State Orchestra in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Traveling and performing around the world including: England, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and many more. In addition he also performed with many famous soloists as a member of the Villa Lobos Chamber Orchestra, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Upon his arrival in Toronto, he immediately sought connection to the music community. Since 2003 he is a part of the Oshawa symphony Orchestra, Brampton Lyric Opera and The York Opera.

Teaching Experience:

2010 – 2013 and 2019 – Present Violin Teacher at Klaudia’s Music Studio

2005 – 2019 Violin/Music Coach, New Conservatory of Music, Scarborough, Toronto, ON and Tisho’s Music Academy, Toronto, ON. Provided integrated musical training: individual and group lessons, chamber ensemble training, orchestral training, solfege, and music rudiments to young students aged 7 to 19. Made extensive use of individual and group teaching methods including Suzuki violin method. Preparing students for Royal Conservatory of Music examinations.

1993 – 2004 Violin / Music Coach, Orchestra Coach, Chamber Music Coach Private Teaching Practice, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Training effort culminated in two annual recitals and large ensemble performances Prepared music students for entrance examinations into higher colleges and universities.

1992 – 1993 Violin / Music Coach, National Institute of Music, Brasilia City, Brazil. Taught individual and group lessons, orchestral, and chamber music ensemble to children aged 8 to 18. Directed the school’s student orchestra and gave three annual orchestra performances which demonstrated mastery of challenging orchestral repertoire.

1991 – 1992 Violin Coach, Bohumil Med Artistic Institute, Brasilia City, Brazil. Taught individual and group lessons, orchestral, and chamber music ensembles.

1985 – 1991 Violin Coach, Private Teaching Practice, Sofia, Bulgaria Taught violin to children aged 12 to 18. Helped prepare music students for entrance examinations into music academies and higher music institutes.

Piano Teacher

Natalia Lepeshkina

Lepeshkina Natalia was born in Moscow, Russia. She graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory named Peter Tchaikovsky. Her teaches were famous musicians as Jacob Milshtein, Boris Berman, Alexey Skavronskiy, Nina Emelianova, Boris Zemlianskiy.  

Her experience as a performer and teacher is more 40 years. Natalia worked as professor in Moscow State Pedagogic Institute by Ippolitov-Ivanov and occasionally in Moscow State Conservatory. 

She had concerts as a soloist and accompanist in different countries: Russia, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Iceland, USA, Canada.

10 years ago, Natalia arrived in Toronto. She continues to teach at the Klaudia”s Music Studio. Her students are winners of many Music Festivals in Great Toronto, such as North York, Davenport, Hamilton, Ukraine and e.g.

Natalia plays recitals at the different stages of the Greater Toronto Area.

She is also an organist in Bonar – Parkdale Presbyterian Church.

Piano Teacher

Heather Olaveson

Heather is a Hamilton-born musician who recently returned to the area after studying at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and the University of Victoria, where she obtained master’s degrees in English and music composition, respectively. She has been playing piano for over twenty years – as the story goes, when she was six she started talking about taking piano lessons and, when her parents finally got tired of hearing about it, they gave in and signed her up at a music studio. Of course, she’s never looked back!

At UVic, Heather completed her master’s degree in music composition under the supervision of Christopher Butterfield and John Celona, and took every opportunity to take part in collaborative performances, including working extensively with two graduate-level vocal performance majors as an accompanist. During her undergrad at WLU, she studied composition with Dr. Peter Hatch and Linda Catlin Smith, studied piano with Leslie De’Ath, and took courses in piano pedagogy and vocal and instrumental accompanying. In fact, Heather has extensive experience as an accompanist, and while primarily a pianist, she also has experience performing on fortepiano, celeste, and organ.

Heather is currently the Director of Music at Carlisle United Church where she plans and leads choir rehearsals and provides music for Sunday and special services. She has previously taught piano in both studio and private settings, and has fulfilled the role of Teaching Assistant for university courses in musical skills, theory, and history as well as poetry in English. She also enjoys and has experience in working with children and youth, whether in a musical setting, in a community group, or in a local library as a literacy worker. Heather is happy to be able to share her passion for music and her love of teaching with students at Klaudia’s Music Studio, and she believes that making learning fun is a major part of what will foster a love of music in children, encourage the progression of their musical studies, and instil good learning habits that are transferrable into other areas of education.

Cello Teacher

Mansur Kadirov

Home of origin: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Age started playing: 8
Languages spoken: Uzbek, Russian, English
Favorite composer: Schumann
Current instrument: 1955 Gaetano Gadda cello
Favorite American food: Steak
Fun Fact: Enjoys cooking authentic Uzbek dishes and horse back riding (even though he broke his hand riding)
Awards/Competitions: Naftzger, Sigma Alfa Iota, KC Musical Club, Uzbekistan National Competition, participant in ‘Carlos Prieto’ Mexico, ‘Dr. Luis Sigall’ Chile and ‘Queen Elisabeth’ in Belgium

Mansur Kadirov was born in 1989 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan into musical family. He began singing at the age of four, and later began cello studies at the age of eight under Novikova Margarita Konstanstinovna at the Reingold M. Glier Music School. By the age of ten, he was regularly featured on radio and television in Tashkent. He was also often invited to perform at government functions. In 2003, Kadirov won his first cello competition, at a competition for young performers in Tashkent.
In 2005, he was invited to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, where he performed the Boccherini and Shostakovich cello concertos. Since then, he has joined this orchestra on many occasions, performing the Shostakovich Cello Concerto four more times, the Lalo Cello Concerto, and the Schumann Cello Concerto. In 2006, Kadirov began studying under the tutelage of Jahangir Ibragimov, where he continued his studies until 2010. In 2007, he was invited to join the Soloists of Uzbekistan Chamber Orchestra, who he continued to perform with until he left Uzbekistan in 2010.

In 2009, Kadirov was invited to perform the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the GUNMA Junior Orchestra in Japan. He also was featured on the Takasaki Radio in Tokyo, performing Uzbek national pieces. In the same year, Kadirov won the Uzbekistan National Music Competition, and was accepted into the Muhtor Ashrafiy National Uzbekistan Conservatory, studying under both Mancirev Atham Husainovich and Jahangir Ibragimov.

In 2010, Kadirov was accepted into Park University’s International Center for Music on full scholarship; he has since performed at both the Folly Theater and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. In 2012, he performed in Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. In 2013, he was featured on Kansas City Public Radio, performing Paganini’s Moses Variations. In the same year, he won the Sigma Alpha Iota scholarship auditions in Kansas City. Kadirov was also invited by David Ramael to perform in recitals throughout New York City, where he performed in Queens College and Southampton. In 2014, he joined renowned violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi in performing the Schubert String Trio in Bb Major. Later that year, Mansur Kadirov was the grand prize winner of the Naftzger Young Artist Auditions in Wichita, Kansas.

In 2015, Kadirov was invited to perform the Schumann Cello Concert with the Kinnor Philharmonic at the International Center for Music. The same year he received scholarships from winning auditions held by the Kansas City Music Club and Sigma Alpha Iota.

He has actively participated at a number of prestigious international competitions, including the Carlos Prieto in Mexico in 2016, Dr. Luis Sigall in Chile in 2016, and the First Queen Elisabeth International Cello competition in Belgium in 2017.

Kadirov recently graduated his masters in cello degree at Park University’s International Center for Music with Tchaikovsky Silver Medalist Daniel Veis. Currently, Kadirov has started his studies at Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory while pursuing Artist Diploma from both Hans Jorgen Jensen and Andres Diaz.

“My teaching philosophy is all about making beautiful music. I teach the cello instrument for not only to learn how to play the instrument itself but in order to make a complete musician. I will seek for music lovers and talented young musicians and I would like to help to find their language in music and give them the most necessary abilities to learn the instrument quick and enjoy making beautiful music always!”

Double Bass Teacher

Elizabeth Wallace

Elizabeth studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto with the former TSO principal bass, Tom Monahan, and privately with virtuoso Gary Karr. She has performed as Assistant Principal Bass with the Atlantic Symphony and CBC orchestras in Halifax, Nova Scotia. As a member of the Atlantic Camera Trio, Elizabeth has performed at both provincial and national functions including Royal Family visits.

As well as freelancing with various orchestras she is presently principal double bass with the Rose Orchestra in Brampton. Ms Wallace teachers privately and is also the double bass instructor at Klaudia’s Music Studio in Oakville.

Her teaching involves students who are beginners and up to age 90. Should a student wish to progress through the Royal Conservatory syllabus program, the first exam level would start at Grade 4 and continue on. She has taught from beginner level, then starting exams at the Grade 4 to Grade 10. Three of her students have gone on to University majoring in other musical disciplines but with a minimum of RCM Grade 6 double bass for their minor instrument (depending on university requirements). One student is now working on Grade 10 RCM with a view to auditioning in Performance.

Should a student wish to learn the double bass for enjoyment only, RCM exams are not essential for the pure joy of playing this noble instrument. Adults who want to learn the bass would also be welcome to study at Klaudia’s Music Studio.

See our available employment openings

Positions are currently available for:

• Guitar + Drum Combination Teacher
• Piano Teacher
• Harp Teacher
• Violin Teacher
• Cello Teacher
• Voice Teacher
• Flute Teacher
• Percussion Teacher
• Choir Teacher

Must be professionally trained in classical music, preferably with university degree and familiar with the current Royal Conservatory of Music Syllabus. Also skillful at adapting the teaching approach to suit the individual student’s learning style and personalities.

Please EMAIL US for more information.