Founder, Violin + Viola Teacher

Klaudia Thibault

Klaudia Thibault is an experienced violin and viola teacher in Oakville. When you take lessons with her you can expect dedication, attention to details and consistency. All levels, all ages. Because she is also managing the entire music studio, you can expect a substitute teacher approximately once a month during her teaching year. Also, she is often called in to play with the local professional and community orchestras. Her lessons are engaging. She is using music backing tracks and modern technology aids, as well as musical games. Students play in group settings to gain important orchestral experience early on. Many of Klaudia’s past students became members of the Oakville Youth Symphony Orchestra which requires level 5 and up proficiency, and continued on their violin studies at university level. She has taught hundreds if not thousands of students over the years.

Klaudia 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, Masterworks Oakville, community orchestras and internal school orchestra at Klaudia’s Music Studio. 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’s most recent success with student is Level 10 Level violin exam achieving high mark of 81% in June 2023. Student is now in ARCT level and continues to study with Klaudia. In the past, successful exams marks were in high 80% to 90%. Klaudia teachers newly established group violin beginner classes since September 2023. One is for children, one is for adults. Advanced experienced students of studio are part of Orchestra Apollo 11 is the mixed levels mixed ages all-inclusive student orchestra established in April 2023, performing with great success.

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). She has been successful in preparing students of all ages and levels of experience for Royal Conservatory of Music exams, and 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 designed to inspire. She takes immense joy in all its achievements at concerts, competitions and festivals.

Piano Teacher

Sue Barbour

Sue 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.

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.

Guitar Teacher

Warren Nicholson

Guitar teacher of excellence, joined our studio in 2021. He brings his vast knowledge of teaching to all students. Mr. Warren teaches all types of guitar: classical, acoustic, electric. His teaching approach is based on proper technique, reading notes and knowing what you are playing. Whatever age you are, you will enjoy lessons with him.

Warren Nicholson won the 1997”Artists International Auditions” in NYC, leading to his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1998.As an active soloist and chamber musician, he has been invited to play for: The Riverside Church Sunday Chapel Series (NYC),Composer’s Concordance( NYC),Mac Master University’s Visiting Artist Series, “Music Mondays” (Toronto),The Great Lakes Guitar Society, “Guelph Connections Concerts,” St Luke’s Recital Series (Ottawa), “Guitar Movement”, (S.P. Brazil), among others. He has collaborated with: Etobicoke Philharmonic, Oakville Symphony, Mississauga Children’s Choir, The Oakville Chorale Society and Toronto Children’s Chorus, He has premiered works by: Gene Pritsker, John Cuciurean, Jeff Johnson and Arthur Kampela. Warren Nicholson studied guitar with John Donovan, Lynn Harting -Ware, Peter Mac Allister,(Mc Master University BM91) Norbert Kraft and Mark Delpriora (Manhattan School of Music MM94).

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.

Double Bass Teacher

Tyler Belluz

Tyler Belluz has been privately teaching double bass for over 15 years. He prides himself in building students technical skills up from the beginning to eventually landing them into Universities. Tyler is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Upon graduation, for a few seasons he played regularly with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Since then, Tyler has played on some of the world’s finest stages, collaborating with numerous Grammy, Juno, Academy, and Emmy Award winning artists. In the studio, Tyler has played on a plethora of albums including 2 recent Polaris Prize nominated albums, along with a nomination for the SOCAN Songwriting Prize. Tyler can be heard on CBC radio 1, 2, 3, as well as a contributor to Bravo television and North Face documentaries. He has been interviewed and performed on CBC Q with a few acts including Del Bel and Bry Webb.

Tyler has licensed music for internationally distributed short and full length feature films, with a recent song placement on USA prime time television show Charmed. He has recently dabbled in directing and scoring his own short film series that is currently in production.

Beyond performance duties, Tyler has been a regular juror for the Juno Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards and the East Coast Music Awards. He runs his own music label in Guelph, Ontario, and has been a recipient of a dozen Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council grants for recording and writing original music.

Tyler resides in Guelph, Ontario and is looking forward to returning touring the globe with a few active projects Adrian Raso + Fanfare Ciocarlia, Sombras and local cover band the Flamingos.

Double Bass Teacher

Elizabeth Wallace

Bio Coming Soon

Violin Teacher

Dr. Metro Kozak

Dr. Metro Kozak is a native of Toronto, Canada and studied violin under some of the world’s foremost teachers including: Ivan Galamian, Broadus Erle, Roman Totenberg and Angel Reyes. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (University of Toronto), a Master of Violin Performance degree (Yale University) and a Doctorate in Musical Arts (University of Michigan). Dr. Kozak has had an extensive career as a conductor, performer and teacher and is recognized as one of the leading violin pedagogues in Canada. He is recently retired as a teacher at Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology in Sudbury as well as conductor of the Sudbury and North Bay Symphony Orchestras, and conductor of the Sudbury Youth Orchestras. He is in demand as an adjudicator, and a teacher of master classes and workshops across Canada.
Dr. Kozak has been recognized by the City of Sudbury for his outstanding musical contributions to that city. Recently, he was honoured with the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris International Award. More about Metro Kozak, please read here.

Violin + Viola Teacher

Anita Mirossayová

Ms. Anita is well respected and experienced teacher, native of Slovakia. She teaches violin students of all levels of experience with passion, kindness and expertise. Anita is also a viola teacher and retired orchestra conductor. Her ability to bring most beautiful sound out of large group of students was remarkable and it was valued by numerous awards at competitive festivals and at concerts with standing ovations. Anita’s youth orchestra “Orchester Jána Pöshla v Prešove” recorded memorable piece Namah of contemporary Slovak composer Peter Machajdík. Orchestra won Slovak national awards, as well as awards abroad in Belgium, Czech Republic and Hungary. Ms. Anita teaches violin lessons at Klaudia’s Music Studio to beginners, as well as advanced.

Cello Teacher

Zain Ghadially

Zain Ghadially has been studying the cello for the last 9 years under the tutelage of Janko Marjanovic. He has extensive knowledge of cello technique, methods, and repertoire and is a member of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra. His passions include studying technical works by Popper, Sevchik, Duport and Feuillard as well Baroque and Romantic cello repertoire.  In 2018 Zain was awarded first prize for his performance of unaccompanied and concert selections from the Grade 9 Royal Conservaroty of Music syllabus at the Hamilton Music Festival. In addition to the cello, Zain is also pursuing his piano studies with Natalia Lepeshkina. Mr. Zain is teaching cello to students of all ages with enthusiasm and kind attitude. 

Violin + Piano Teacher

Cordelia Kemp-Furlan

At age 6 Cordelia started studying the violin with Klaudia Thibault, owner of Klaudia’s Music Studio, in summer violin camp, enjoying violin playing with others and continuing violin study for many years to follow. She now became a violin teacher assistant of Klaudia. Her kindness, gentle nature, and extremely proficient violin playing make her a valuable addition to our music school. She is learning the skill of teaching and she motivates students. She shows examples of being a role model to the younger generation by still taking lessons and competing at high levels in violin, piano, and flute.

Cordelia currently studies violin under Metro Kozak, mentor and master teacher from Sudbury, in Level 9/10 Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) repertoire. She competed in Hamilton Music Festival winning 1st prize in one of the categories in 2023 and in 2022 competed in Ontario’s Provincial Music Festival earning an honorable mention. Cordelia has been a member of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra since September 2019.

Cordelia is also talented in piano playing, which she started in 2020, studying under Natalia Lepeshkina, master piano teacher in our studio. She completed the RCM Level 7 Exam and is studying for the RCM Level 8 Exam in January 2024. She competed in the Hamilton Music Festival in 2022 for Level 5 RCM in piano with success.

Cordelia shows musicality by also excelling in comprehensive theory study with Deborah Henry, theory teacher of our studio and examiner for the RCM. Cordelia takes flute lessons, too.

We are happy to have Cordelia interact with students and gain experience in teaching. She is happy to see students succeed!

Piano Tuner/Technician, Owner of JD Pianotech

James Dowbiggin

James Dowbiggin is a Canadian piano technician. After attaining his Honours Bachelor of Music in Keyboards & Composition from Wilfrid Laurier University, James learned the art and science of piano technology from piano technicians across Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia. His business, JD Pianotech (jdpianotech.ca), tunes and repairs pianos for Halton-Hamilton, and connecting communities such as Flamborough, Campbellville, Kilbride, Mount Hope, Binbrook and Grimsby.

Violin Teacher

Caleb Lifeng Tang

**Lifeng Tang: Violinist, Educator, and Music Advocate** Lifeng Tang is a dedicated violinist, educator, and passionate advocate for music. His teaching philosophy centers on encouraging curiosity and exploration, allowing students to engage with music as an exciting journey rather than a mere task.

**Teaching Experience** With over a decade of teaching experience, Lifeng has inspired students across Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and throughout China. He has a rich background in teaching students of various ages, cultivating a unique approach that fosters a deep love for music. His dedication to music education continues to leave a lasting impact on his students. 

**Performance Experience** Lifeng holds both a Master of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma from Longy School of Music in Boston. His extensive performance experience includes being a member of Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra and participating in the premiere of “The Green Wood” by composer Innocent Ndubuisi. As a member of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Lifeng participated in the 2024 summer music season and will be join 2024-2025 music season. 

Cello Teacher

Yaxin Sun

Yaxin Sun, M.Mus. was born into a family of musicians, with both parents serving as conservatory professors. Immersed in music from an early age, he developed a passion for ensemble playing through youth symphony orchestras. Before moving to Canada, he distinguished himself in China as a member of the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra, where he performed for three concert seasons after successfully auditioning with top marks. He also participated in the 4th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Xiamen.

In Canada, Yaxin studied with renowned cellists Paul Marleyn, Yuri Hooker, and Dr. Minna Rose Chung, later earning his Master of Music degree at the University of Manitoba on a graduate scholarship. During his studies, he won the University’s Concerto Competition, performing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1, and frequently served as principal cellist of the Symphony Orchestra. He also participated in the First and Second International Cello Festivals.

Following his academic success, Yaxin was awarded an apprenticeship with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, performing throughout its season and gaining extensive professional orchestral experience. A passionate chamber musician, he performs with the Pizzicelli Cello Ensemble and C String Collective, and has collaborated widely across Canada. He has also participated in masterclasses led by Hans Jørgen Jensen, Laurence Lesser, Colin Carr, and Ariel Barnes.

In addition to performing, Yaxin is a devoted teacher whose students have won provincial prizes and earned admission to youth symphonies. His teaching emphasizes both technical mastery and the joy of musical expression, inspiring students to refine their musical artistry and performance skills.

Today, Yaxin maintains a vibrant career as performer, educator, and mentor, with a deep commitment to both stage and classroom.

Piano + Voice Teacher

Csaba Inokai

Csaba Inokai (A.R.C.T., O.R.M.T.A. R.C.M. )is a pianist, teacher, adjudicator, composer and choral conductor. He began his teaching career in 1980 and by 1990 founded the Peel County School of Music, a multi-faceted institution he directed until the spring of 2005. During those years he mentored hundreds of students many of whom participated in RCM exams and competed in local festivals. He has been a member of the Royal Conservatory College of Examiners since 1995. Between 1991-2005 he was a member of the award winning St. Elizabeth Scola Cantorum Choir of Toronto and eventually becoming the choir’s Conductor and Artistic Director by 2003. His two year tenure culminated in his production of the choir’s first and only Christmas CD.In addition to his pedagogical activities, he has presided over numerous festivals, such as Burlington, ORMTA , Davenport, North Toronto and Oakville’s L’art de Musique Festivals to name a few. Between 2007 and 2017 he held the position of Cantor and Organist of St. Elizabeth of Hungary R.C. Church. Currently, he is the honorary Artistic Director of the First Hungarian Presbyterian Church Choir of Toronto, a position he has held since 1994. He is currently involved with private teaching at his studio in Burlington. Aside from continuing his work as an examiner, he is also involved with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, coordinating the English part of the Divine Liturgy for Our Lady of Protection Ukrainian Church of Burlington. His future aspirations concern the continued cultivation, development, and refinement of music and the arts for the youth of today.

Piano Teacher

Shahd Ghozlan

I am a pianist who has pursued music since 2011 and have recently began building experience in teaching beginners about the foundations of piano and music theory. My teaching style is focused on building the solid foundations of musicians by focusing on technique, musical style, and theoretical basics that support a beginner’s journey into music.

I started playing when I was 5 and built my foundations by taking ABRSM examination till 2017, when I joined the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra led by the Maestro Riad Kudsi. I was taught under a program designed by the Premier Music College of Prague, and competed annually at the International Peace Music Festival in Dubai, where I have won 2^nd and 3^rd prize in the intermediate and advanced category. I have also performed with the Emirates Youth Symphony orchestra at locations like Emirates Mall, the Mohammed Bin Rashed Library and at Zabeel theatre, which were attended by figures such as the Sheikh of Dubai, the minister of Defense, and various celebrities. I have also been a runner up for aspiring Young Musician of the Year and Young Musician of the year in Dubai during quarantine. I studied under Mrs. Ruta Vaivade completed my Grade 8 RCM examination and received first class with honors.

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.