Accomplished Instructors of Our Beautiful Arts & Music School

Superb Teachers,  Beautiful Academy, Multicultural Community, Affordable Classes!

Anna vanesyan

Co-Founder, Director, head teacher

PH.D, ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC AFFILIATE
Anna was the recipient of Carnegie Foundation Teaching Award in New York City for 2 years in a row (2017 and 2018)!
Anna has played the piano since the age of five, and graduated from the special school for gifted children with honors.  Afterwards, she entered the Komitas State Conservatory (one of the most prestigious Universities of USSR).

​In 2006 Anna started Doctoral program in Piano Performance at BSU School of Music with Piano Chamber Music/Accompanying as the secondary emphasis.  She was studying with well-known music professors Dr. James Helton (piano performance) and Dr. Lory Rhoden (piano pedagogy), and working in the studio of a distinguished percussion professor Dr. E. Mueller, as an accompanist.

​Currently, Anna Vanesyan is an affiliate at the Young Artists Performance Academy at the Glenn Gould School (The Royal Conservatory of Music) and  running a busy studio in Toronto.
Read more about Anna here.
Read articles by Anna here.

Vahe Vanesyan

Co-Founder, Head of Communication
Dr. Vahe Vanesyan is a recognized Communication expert.  Vahe has obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yerevan State University, as well as an Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) in Educational Leadership from Ball State University, USA.
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What's unique about Dr. Vanesyan, is that his experience encompasses teaching in university as well as working in the industry, including as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Ontario Ministry of Education in Canada.
Vahe's passion remains in teaching Communications skills to everyone from beginner level to advanced level, all ages.

TAMARA HARUTYUNYAN

HEAD TEACHER OF ARTS
Tamara Harutyunyan is a Canadian Artist.  She has studied at the world renowned Saint Petersburg Art Academy in Russia, where she obtained her graduate degree.  For the past 20 years, Tamara has been a full-time artist.  

Artist Statement
“My art has been significantly influenced by music and my previous musical background. I always felt a strong connection between jazz rhythms, improvisations, and counterpoints with the way I paint. While studying in Art College and the Academy of Art I learned many different techniques, such as watercolour, oil, acrylic, painting on silk and ceramic, and many others, which I constantly apply in my art.”
Her works can be found in private collections in Europe, USA and Canada.  To this day, Tamara remains an active member of the St. Petersburg Art Academy of Russia.

Artashes Hovhannisyan

head teacher of music history, theory, harmony

What does Artashes teach so well? 
Composition, Music Theory, Music History and Piano
What Scores to his students receive?  
Some of the recent examinations scores are 93/100, 96/100, 98/100!
Artashes had an amazing education and career.  His career started in Komitas State Conservatory with the renowned Edward Mirzoyan.   After, he continued his career in France, studying with the amazing Yoshihisa Taria at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and finally, Artashes studied Ethnomusicology at the University Paris IV – Sorbonne (France), under the direction of Mr. François Picard.

Since 2005, Mr. Hovhannisyan has been living in Toronto continuing his career of composer and successfully preparing students for all the levels of RCM theory and history examinations, including the ARCT theory and composition programs. The students of Mr. Hohnannisyan often get certificates of first class honours and first class honours with distinction on their RCM theory exams.

Leonid sprikut

Instructor of Saxophone, Trumpet, flute, clarinet, recorder, trombone, tuba, baritone, piano, music theory

​Leonid holds a PhD and MA in Music Education from the University of Toronto, as well as Master’s Degree in Music Performance cum laude from the Moscow P. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance cum laude from Moscow State Conservatory Music College. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Wind Ensemble Conducting and Wind Pedagogy from Moscow State Conservatory Music College.
Leonid served as assistant and principal clarinetist of the Moscow State Ministry of Education Symphony Orchestra, Moscow State Academy of Music Opera Theatre, New Jerusalem Symphony, Israeli Operetta Theatre, and was a member of a Moscow State Conservatory Woodwind Quintet.

​Leonid prepares students for RCM examinations at all levels. His students regularly win local and international music competitions, hold principal positions in students’ and professional bands and symphony orchestras, and participate in a variety of musical activities in Canada and abroad.  Leonid possesses strong knowledge and skills for teaching the classical style, as well as the jazz, folk, and music of modern composers. 

Armine Shaghoyan

voice teacher

Armine is a trained and experienced Opera teacher, with years of experience.  She graduated from the Komitas State Conservatory, a prestigious school in USSR.
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Armine loves to not only perform but to also sing.  She teaches every genre of music from jazz to pop to opera and more!

Shirley chen

group piano instructor

Languages: English, Cantonese
Instruments: (RCM) Piano, Ukulele, Clarinet, Bassoon
Style: Classical, Pop, Jazz
Music has always been an important part of Shirley’s life. She began her private studies on the piano at age 10. Upon receiving her ARCT Diploma at the age of 15, she planned to pursue a career in music. Shirley has completed a Bachelors of Music in Piano and Bassoon Performance at the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education at York University.


For the past 6 years of her teaching career, she has dedicated her time developing an interactive curriculum for young children. She wishes to share the love of music and inspire students of all ages to one day become extraordinary musicians. Shirley’s approach to teaching is that music should be learned in a fun and interactive atmosphere. She loves teaching students of all ages and looks forward to sharing her energy and passion for music.

francis law

guitar teacher
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Instruments: (RCM) Classical Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele, Bass
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Hong Kong Baptist University
Style: Classical, Rock, Pop, Folk
Francis studied classical and electric guitar at the age 6 in Hong Kong and won the Hong Kong Music Festival Classical Guitar Champion in 1984. He graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University with Bachelor (Honours) of Music (Major in Composition / Guitar) in 1992.  Francis' students have won RCM Regional Silver Medals (2005 - 2008); successfully admitted to Music College programs majoring in Guitar performance (with full scholarships), including University of Toronto; Humber College. He joined ORMTA since 1995 and was commissioned by RCM to review the Guitar Syllabus launch in 2004 and 2011.

ARTAK KOSHTOYAN

TEACHER OF COMPUTER CODING

Artak's teaching methodology is based on both theory and the practice he has gained throughout his rich career. He is not only extremely knowledgeable and experienced, but also loves to share what he knows.
Artak is the founder and director at Koshtoyan IT Consulting providing Consulting and Advisory Services to a number of corporate clients including Archronix Corp., Toyota Motor Manufacturing (North America), Tyco Security Products, Toronto Electric and etc.
 
He has over 10 years of experience working in the IT industry as a senior developer (previous companies include Synopsys, CQGI MA, Affinity eSolutions and Innovative Scheduling) and holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and Mathematical Modeling from Yerevan State University.

Christopher Burton

TEACHER OF MUSIC THEORY, HISTORY, PIANO
Chris served as Musical Director: for Opera Lirica Italiana’s productions of Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly and Tosca,  and conducted Le Nozze di Figaro for Brampton Lyric Opera.
Chris had an amazing education and career:  He studied both violin and piano at the University of Ottawa, receiving his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance.  Chris then received a Master of Music in Piano Performance from McGill University, and proceeded to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music from the Eastman School of Music.