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!
SHIRLEY NHAM
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.
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.
KEVIN WON
Piano and Theory Instructor
Kevin is an experienced pianist and composer for media including video games, film, and TV. He holds a BMus in Music Theory and Composition as well as an Artist Diploma in Piano Performance from Western University in London, ON. Under the instruction of Tina Yanchus, he was able to perform at the highest level alongside many other talented pianists. Kevin believes music can have a strong and lasting impact on a child’s development, regardless of whether they continue to pursue it later on. He also believes that music can help children create good habits and work ethic that they can apply into their future.
In addition to teaching, Kevin continues to be a freelance composer for video games. He also earned his Master’s in Composition for Film, TV, and Video Games from Berklee College of Music, Valencia Campus, in Spain. He has written music for various soundtracks for video games as well as recorded and conducted his works with professional orchestras in the U.K., Spain, and Hungary.
Check out his music here!
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.
Her musical background begins at age 4 and includes completing RCM exams up to the advanced level as well as achievements and scholarships from the local piano competitions and festivals.
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.
CALINDY TYCHOLAZ
Piano Instructor
Calindy is a patient, caring, and compassionate teacher with an immense passion for music of all kinds. Growing up in a music-loving family, she began learning piano at the age of five. Her love for music inspired her to pursue a career in teaching and she hasn't looked back! Calindy believes that music is for everyone, and strives to share her love and passion for music with her students. She strongly believes in achieving excellence through kindness and fun and incorporates many music education games and stories into her lessons. She welcomes students of all ages and abilities, especially those with ADHD, Autism, and other neurodiverse gifts.
Calindy strongly believes in meeting students where they are at and helping them progress at their own pace. She is familiar with a wide range of music and is more than willing to teach anything you are willing to learn!
Calindy is working towards her Level 8 RCM and has completed all theory requirements up to Level 9 RCM. Her ultimate goal is to obtain her ARCT in Piano Pedagogy.In her spare time, Calindy can be found playing the Flute and Piccolo in the Westwinds Music Society's concert bands. She also enjoys playing video games, crafting, and reading Harry Potter.
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.
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.
ASHLEY TRAN
Guitar & Piano Instructor
More info coming soon!
LUCIA FU
Piano Instructor
More info coming soon!