MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Our teachers are passionate pianists' and performers who make lessons engaging and fun! You will be surprised at how quickly you can learn to become a musican yourself. Write to us below to begin your musical adventure!
KYOICHI TSUTSUI
Co-Director, Piano & Theory Instructor
Pianist Kyoichi Tsutsui began his musical studies at the age of 6 years old. A student of Johanna Kwan in his early studies, he enjoyed a strong affection for music as a beginner and would successful reach the advanced level through the Royal Conservatory of Music in his training.
With a firm belief in ongoing education development, Kyoichi continues his ongoing studies under Canadian pianist Derek Zhi Guang Chiu. While also maintaining repertoire at the ARCT level, Kyoichi has a passion for teaching that has led him to receive his Elementary Piano Pedagogy certification with the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Believing in the benefit of a wide variety of interests and experience, Kyoichi nurtures many activities. A current student at the University of Calgary he is continuing his musical studies at the post-secondary level as well. He also enjoys are skiing, motorsports, soccer, and boxing.
Kyoichi’s teaching philosophy is to prioritize the understanding and enjoyment of music. Playing and skill development is essential, but he believes that by having a strong foundation in deeper understanding of music can motivate each student to pursue their own unique musical goals! He believes that understanding music is something that will make you enjoy and appreciate it forever, no matter what your future studies may be.
SHIRLEY NHAM
Co-Director, Piano & Theory Instructor
Shirley Nham began her classical training at the age of 6 years old and since then, she has internalized a core lesson on the correlation between distilling passion in musicians while helping them effectively develop proficiency and musicality at their instrument as an instructor. During her years of study, she successfully completed the requirements in the Royal Conservatory of Music examinations all while performing in local competitions and piano festivals. She continues to develop herself as a pianist and teacher as she pursues the ARCT in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance. She is also working towards a BA in Music from the University of Calgary.
Over the years, Shirley has established a reputation as a highly versatile and creative teacher for students of all levels – from young children through to adults. Shirley believes that learning begins with the creation of a positive environment and it is this knowledge that has allowed many students to thrive under her instruction. With a tailored plan to each student’s goals, she excels with helping students prepare for RCM examinations and competitions but also loves teaching students who want to learn recreationally and for the pure enjoyment of music.
EDDISON LY
Piano and Theory Instructor
Eddison has been passionate for music since he started piano at the age of 8 years old. To this day, he continues his musical studies in both practical and theoretical components. Eddison has completed all of the RCM exams up to level 10 and he has also completed music theory up to advanced rudiments, intermediate harmony, and history 2.
Eddison is well versed in teaching a wide range of students regardless of age, level, or style. His goal is to help each student understand what music means to them, and to make it a new enjoyment in life. His philosophy is to build a strong foundation for sight reading, as he believes it is a significant challenge young students face.
Aside from piano, Eddison has been singing in a choir group for the elderly and hospital patients to help them find comfort in music. On his spare time, he likes to watch movies and play board games with friends.
SAMMIE TRAN
Piano Instructor
Coming from a musical family where many have played and taught piano, music was always a part of Sammie’s life. Her formal piano instruction began under the instruction of Sonia Poon. Under her tutelage, she has been awarded with numerous scholarships and awards from Local competitions and festivals all throughout Calgary. Sammie’s musical journey continues as she regularly performs in recitals and in the Calgary Performing Arts Festival.
Sammie excels in tying musical elements into her pieces and continues to develop as a musician as she works towards her Grade 10 RCM examinations and the corresponding theory components.
CARMEN THIEN
Piano Instructor
Carmen is an intelligent, caring, and kind teacher who is able to adapt her methods and techniques to each student's unique learning style. Carmen is experienced in teaching students of all ages, playing levels, and students with special needs. In the past, she has taught students as young as 3 years old. Aside from her musical endeavors, she is finishing up her final year studying Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at the University of Calgary.
Carmen's first priority as a teacher is to see her students have fun and enjoy creating music and playing the piano as much as she does!
GLORIA HUA
Piano Instructor
Gloria began her musical education at the age of 4. Excelling and showing great promise as a young student, she consistently received recognition during her early studies, winning numerous awards including scholarships through music festivals such as the Calgary Performing Arts Festival and Calgary APTA Festival.
By performing regularly in recitals and school shows, Gloria stays active in piano performance. Throughout high school she participated in the school concert band as a trumpet player and the school jazz band as a pianist. With her local concert band, she has often competed in music festivals and toured across Canada and in Nashville, Tennessee. She has also had the opportunity to teach younger kids to play the trumpet and jazz piano through band workshops.
JAKE BRANCHAUD
Guitar Instructor
JAKE BRANCHAUD
Guitar Instructor
Jake is an experienced and passionate guitarist who has played for over 15 years and had numerous years of teaching one-on-one and group lessons for acoustic, electric and bass guitar. He loves working with kids in all aspects as he is not only a guitar teacher in the evening but an aspiring elementary school teacher during the day. Many adult students have also done lessons with Jake, and they have been impressed by his ability to be flexible and accommodating to their needs. Jake's ability to play many genres has been an asset to this school!
On top of teaching, he is also an experienced performer and can be found doing local performances in the country/rock scene. Jake is well known by his students for his fun and kind teaching style and when combined with his knowledge of the guitar, he is able to masterfully create a learning plan that is special to each individual student.
TAKAFUMI TAN
Violin and Piano Instructor
Takafumi studied both violin and guitar under the Royal Conservatory of Music. He also graduated from the Bachelor of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge. While in Japan, he was able to find success in joining his local symphony. He loves to perform and continues to do so in Calgary while sharing his methods to younger students.
He believes that music is a universal connector of culture, as it helped him bridge the difference between Japanese and American backgrounds. He would like his students to explore many cultures, acquire new knowledge and find new ways to understand who they are and who they can become!
CLAIRE DAVIDSON
Piano & Theory Instructor
Claire is currently studying for her ARCT in Piano Performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has enjoyed participating in local festivals and competitions for classical music as well as for piano and orchestral composition. In her teaching, Claire loves connecting concepts and theory alongside the enjoyment of music. She believes that when you figure out the “why” and “how” of music, it further broadens the students own enjoyment. Because of her extensive knowledge, Claire is confident in teaching students of all levels and backgrounds.
Claire recently completed a BSc. in Immunology and Infection. She currently continues her education at SAIT. Eventually, her goal is to work in the Science field while continuing to share her passion for music!
CYNTHIA CHIU
Piano Instructor
Cynthia Chiu developed a passion for music at the age of 6 years old and completed the advanced level at the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2013. Besides her passion in music, she has an extensive history in teaching piano with over 6 years of experience working with students as young as 4 years old to mature adults. Cynthia believes that an important aspect of being a piano teacher is her ability to communicate effectively with the student themselves, alongside with their parents in the background, and to make sure every student is having fun during their lessons.
Cynthia strongly believes that every student is unique, and everyone has their own way of learning. She enjoys being creative and flexible in her ways of teaching to make sure all of her students can acquire the skills to play the piano proficiently. Cynthia excels with teaching beginners the fundamental skills, continuing to develop their skills and passion for music, and to help students prepare for their Royal Conservatory of Music examinations.
