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.
​
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.

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.
​
Armine loves to not only perform but to also sing.  She teaches every genre of music from jazz to pop to opera and more!

Steve Bravatti

GuItar teacher

Steve attended York University in Toronto for classical guitar performance, and graduated with a BFA in Music with Honours in 2015. 
​Steve works with students to ensure that their lessons are a fun and rewarding experience. Using a well-rounded approach, students learn to play, read, and better understand the music that they love- while discovering new music along the way! 

The way Steve's students look forward to their lessons is really a testament to Steve's teaching ability!
His classical guitar students have achieved First Class Honours in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) guitar exams. 

Noelle Oberding-Parodi

Art Teacher

Noelle is a beloved and experienced teacher, who not only teaches art but also encourages students to venture into painting, tie dying, masks, bookbinding, papermaking and bead work.  This ensures that Noelle's students not only learn the fundamentals and master them, but also learn how to think creatively, how to apply their knowledge in a different realm and how to develop the confidence to do so!

Mary Avagyan

Piano teacher
Mary has an incredible 35 years of experience teaching and accompanying piano!!! Many of her current students have started with her at the young age of 5, at the beginner level, and are now at the advance level of performance having studied with Mary for 10 years or more! 

Mary sparks love in music as well as performance in her students.  It is incredible to see how much Mary's students love attending the weekly music lessons, and how from one performance in our concert hall to the next they grow in their technical ability and musicality!

Brett Leier

Guitar teacher

Humber Jazz Graduate Brett Leier has been teaching professionally for over a decade. With years of live performance experience under his belt Brett has released numerous records, played in many bands, Toured United States and Canada, taught Rock Schools, Played weekly cover gigs, hosted jam nights, and is well versed in many musical situations. A dedicated and enthusiastic musician,  Brett teaches private guitar and bass lessons, rock band format, performance preparation, & RCM Classical Guitar

Ryan Shen

Violin teacher
Ryan is currently finishing his degree from the University of Toronto in Music Performance.  He is not only a musical and incredibly technically strong performer, but also a meticulous instructor, taking his time to connect to students and explain concepts, as well as spark love for music!

Brendan Rogers

Cello Teacher
Brandon comes to us from the Yamaha Music in Toronto, ON.  He is not only knowledgeable in teaching and superb at performing, but also has great passion and understanding of musical instruments due to his experience at Yamaha.

Austin chao

Cello, piano and flute

​Austin is a graduate of the University of Music, Faculty of Music, as well as the Mannes School of Music with a Master's degreen in Cello Performance.

Austin has been teaching piano and cello since 2011, and now has 8 years of experience! We are delighted to welcome another instructor with absolutely impressive technicality in performance and a superb ability to connect to the audience through music, which he is able to teach to his students!

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. 

Ace paul

guitar teacher

Ace is a York University graduate in studies of World Music and Classical Music. With over 15 years of experience, Ace has adapted many styles of music into his repertoire. These genres include Classical, Jazz, Blues, Klezmer, Flamenco, Rock and Heavy Metal.

During his time at York, Ace studied with two renowned guitarists. He studied Classical guitar Klezmer and Jazz guitar (continues too) with Brian Katz and Flamenco guitar with Roger Scannura (who he also recorded three tracks with).
In December 2016, Ace released his first full-length album with his band Ace & Andy, which he recorded and produced. The musical style on the album consists of a fusion of Hard Rock, Blues and Flamenco.

Ace is an independent artist. He regularly composes records and performs (at local venues and private events). He is a versatile musician and can adapt too many styles of music (also attempts to play genres which he is unfamiliar with).

Ace has been teaching guitar for nearly 6 years. He has taught individuals of many ages. Ace strives to give great experiences to individuals studying with him.

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.