OUR TEACHERS

DRAGOS CALIN – see details in ABOUT – https://kanatamusicacademy.com/about-us/

ANAMARIA CALIN
Anamaria is Ph.D. in Music and a teacher with a lot of experience.
Master Degree at the National University of Music in Bucharest, Europe, she is a Professor at this institution for over 20 years. She has given piano recitals and concerts in Europe, the United States and Canada, taught piano and the history of music, music aesthetics and musicology, has written numerous books published in Europe and Canada, articles and studies in prestigious journals.
Anamaria is the Music Manager of Kanata Music Academy and she is teaching piano.

GREGORY ALAN SCHNEIDER

Doctor of Musical Arts, composer, guitarist, and educator Greg holds degrees from Indiana University and the University of North Texas, U.S. His compositions have been performed in Canada, the U.S., and Europe. He held three separate positions at the Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, New Mexico) – as orchestra member, Audio Engineer, and Artist in Residence.
Dr. Schneider taught at the College of Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos, where he taught many subjects including music technology, guitar, composition, music appreciation, and introduction to opera, as well as maintaining an active private studio teaching guitar, electric bass, ukulele, and composition. He has had students who ranged in age from newborn (yes, really) to 75+. In 2018, Dr. Schneider immigrated to Canada and began teaching at the Kanata Music Academy. As of January 2022, he is the Director of the Ottawa Guitar Society’s Guitar Orchestra. His composition teachers have included Samuel Adler, Robert Morris, Cindy McTee, and Joseph Klein. His guitar works are published by Bergmann Edition.

GEORGE (JORGE) PERAL

Jorge Rodrigo Peral was born on February 5th, 1985, in Mexico City Mexico, and immigrated
with his family to Canada in 1995. Born into a highly artistic family, Jorge Rodrigo demonstrated a natural ability for the arts since a very early age.
In 1999, Jorge Rodrigo entered the visual arts program at Canterbury High school in Ottawa, ON, Canada.
During this period, Jorge Rodrigo also developed his musical skills and studied Theory, harmony, and composition with world-renowned Composer Dr. Maya Badian, RMT; and piano under Dr. Dragos Calin, RMT. During this time through perseverance, and discipline, Jorge Rodrigo achieved very high results in his Royal Conservatory of Music exams and published three compositions located at the National Library of Canada. In 2004, Jorge Rodrigo studied composition at McGill University in Montreal Quebec, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music in 2011.
Jorge Rodrigo is teaching piano at our Academy

MATTHEW RIECKENBERG

Matthew began studying piano at the age of six and earned his ARCT in Piano Performance in 2019. He has also studied the pipe organ, including accompanying some church services at St. Andrews in Orillia, ON. In addition to music, he is currently pursuing a Master at Carleton University.

ORLANDO CORABIAN

He is native from Cluj-Napoca, capital of the important Romanian province of Transylvania. His passion for music began in the early stages when he enrolled in the music program at one of the most prestigious music schools in Cluj-Napoca. He was just 10 years old at the time, studying piano and bassoon.

After his graduation, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance at the Gheorghe Dima National Music Academy.  Immediately after earning his Bachelor’s degree, he won the audition for the Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra’s bassoon section where he served as the principal bassoonist. With his orchestra, Orlando Corabian toured almost all the European countries and Asia, playing with great artists such: José Carreras, Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Erich Bergel and many others. During the fall of 2000, the Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of the British conductor Paul Mann attained an European tour together with The Deep Purple, on the occasion of releasing, after 30 years, the Concert for Rock Group and Orchestra by John Lord. The concerts took place in big cities of Europe, such as: Kongresszentrum Hamburg, Globe Arena Stockholm, International Congress Center Berlin, Palais des Congrès Strasbourg, Festhalle Frankfurt, Schleyerhalle Stuttgart, Madrid, Filaforum Milano, Palais des Congrès Paris, Stadthalle Wien, Westfallenhalle Dortmund, Olympiahalle München.

In 2002 Orlando Corabian came to Canada and started his Master Degree at Ottawa University in music performance and completed the program within two years. In 2004, he was hired as a piano teacher at Kanata Music Academy. Over the next sixteen years, he guided and mentored numerous students, helping them achieve great results in piano performance and Royal Conservatory exams. His extensive teaching experience also provided crucial support to students with special needs, fostering their dedication and passion for music education over the years.

LISA DUBOVKO

Lisa began her musical journey at the age of 7, focusing on both violin and piano. She has performed with orchestras in Ukraine, France, and Canada, and has participated in numerous concerts in cities such as Montreal and Paris. She is a laureate of national competitions in Ukraine.
Lisa has teaching experience in both Ukraine and France (Paris), where she has worked with students of various ages and skill levels. Her teaching combines a solid academic foundation with a creative, student-centered approach tailored to each learner’s needs. Lisa remains actively involved in the musical community, continually refining her performance skills and sharing her knowledge and passion for music with others. Lisa believes that music is a universal language that develops not only technique but also sensitivity, creativity, and self-confidence.

DARYA MALINOVSKAIA

She started playing the piano at the age of 5. She participated in various festivals and competitions, including the Kiwanis Festival and Ottawa Music Festival, where she received many first places over the years. She has been a part of multiple music clubs, and currently performs at the Laurentian music club. She is pursuing a degree in piano performance at the University of Ottawa under David Jalbert.

FIONA CAMBELL

Fiona is one of the most highly regarded teachers at our Academy. She has completed the entire RCM program and has been working at Kanata Music Academy for over four years. Extremely attentive to her students, Fiona stands out for the exceptional patience with which she guides them, her gentleness, and the high quality of her teaching.

DOUG MARTIN

As a native of Windsor, Ontario, Doug was not immune to the barrage of music crossing the border from Detroit, USA. During his formative years he was immersed in the sounds of early rock ‘n’ roll, Motown, psychedelia and jazz. Being a budding saxophonist, he was strongly impacted by the playing of Stan Getz and Paul Desmond.
Years later, while enrolled in the jazz program at Toronto’s Humber College, he began composing and was drawn to the distinctive writing styles of Wayne Shorter, Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk. As a performer, he has plied his trade in Canada and the US, playing all manner of music from rock ‘n’ roll to big band jazz. He has played at numerous festivals in both countries. In 2014 he performed for the first time at the Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza in Havana, Cuba and has done so several times since. As a leader, he has released four albums, the last three containing his own compositions entirely. His music has received critical acclaim in such competitions as the UK Songwriting Contest (semi-finalist) and the West Coast Songwriters Competition (honourable mention). Tracks from his albums have
received airplay worldwide on the internet, as well as terrestrial radio in the US, Europe and Canada (most notably CBC, Radio-Canada, and JazzFM91 in Toronto). Presently, Doug lives in the Ottawa area where he teaches, composes and leads several small jazz ensembles.

ALEXEI KOROLEV

Alexei received his Master Degree in Music at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia. He taught guitar at various music schools and at his private studio. Alexei was a member of the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Capella Symphony Orchestra. He was chosen to represent the St. Petersburg Conservatory in the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra European Tour. Alexei also performed with the Szczecin Opera Orchestra in Poland and the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.

MARKUS BOEKHOVEN

Starting on the piano at the age of 9, music has always been an integral part of Marcus’ life. Having travelled extensively as a child, music and art have been everywhere in his life. Around the age of 12, while living in Syria, he found the Djembe, playing in drum circles to establish a sense of rhythm. Shortly after, he found the drum set. Since middle school, music has been included in every school he has gone to. This eventually led to becoming a graduate at Algonquin College in 2023 – in the Music Industry Arts program.

Since then, Marcus has played in multiple shows and festivals across Ontario and kept up with a few different instruments. A passionate musician, producer, and writer, he has a deep love for several genres including Hip Hop, Rock, Jazz, and Blues.

PARSA MEHRDAD

Parsa is a dedicated guitarist and educator who is currently completing his Master’s Degree at the University of Ottawa. With several years of teaching experience, he has worked with students of all ages, from young beginners to advanced performers, guiding each of them with patience, structure, and artistic insight.

Grounded in solid academic training and refined through extensive practical experience, Parsa combines technical precision with expressive musicianship. His pedagogical approach emphasizes strong fundamentals, stylistic awareness, and the development of confident, independent musicians. As both a performer and teacher, he brings professionalism, depth, and genuine passion to every lesson and musical collaboration.

CHANELLE HOUDE

Chanelle is a passionate and friendly teacher with four years of teaching experience. She has completed two years of her Bachelor of Music degree at Queen’s University and will be completing her studies at Carleton University. She holds her level 10 piano and is currently working towards her ARCT in piano pedagogy. Chanelle has experience with all genres of piano music from classical to pop and jazz. She loves to share her passion for music with others and her main goal is to make piano fun!

KACHUSA SZETO

Kachusa enjoys singing since at young age. She preformed regularly in concerts as a choir member in Hong Kong before she moved to Canada. Having been taking vocal lessons with Polish soprano Maria Knapik for more than fifteen years, Kachusa has been performing both solo and choral singing in Ottawa area. As a member of the Ottawa Classical Choir since 2005, she also performed in Montreal; in Sicily, Italy (2008); in Carnegie Hall, New York City (2010); and in Nation Art Center of Canada, Ottawa (2011). In 2010, Kachusa had participated in the recording of the CD  Messe solenelle de Saint Remi, Messe de la Delivrance (Theodore Dubois) conducted by Maestro Michel Brousseau. In 2019, she performed with Ottawa Choral Society in Nation Art Center of Canada conducted by Maestro Alexander Shelley. Kachusa is one of the Voice teacher at our Academy.

DENIS TANG
Denis is a violin teacher that plays violin with the Kanata Symphony Orchestra since 2016.  He also plays viola with an amateur ensemble in Gatineau.  As a native from Quebec City, he can teach both in French or in English.  With a great passion for music and teaching, he is always happy and ready to help you progress in your musical journey.  Denis is the current President for the Kanata Music Association and he is also a sitting member on the Board of Directors for Orchestras Canada.

SARAH CORBETT

Sarah Corbett is an emerging musician and writer. She teaches piano and flute, and holds a Bachelor of Music from Queen’s University. You can catch her performing as part of the Nepean Concert Band. Sarah likes to write essays about music and culture, poetry, and fictional scenes

JOELLE LEWIS

Joelle is teaching piano at our Academy. She is playing piano since she was 5 years old and now she finished Grade 10 in piano. Teaching, playing piano and sports are some of her favorite hobbies! She also plays the flute and enjoys sharing music through piano with others.

OM KATHURIA

Om is a drummer, performer, and music educator currently completing his Bachelor of Music degree at Carleton University. He holds the certifications in Drum Kit and Rock & Pop Drums from Trinity College London, both completed with Distinction, along with multiple distinctions across earlier Trinity grades. Om has performed in a wide variety of musical settings, including jazz ensembles, bands, live event groups, and contemporary cover bands across Ottawa and Toronto. He is currently a member of the Capital Youth Jazz Orchestra and also performs regularly with local bands and live music projects. Passionate about music education, Om works with students of different ages and skill levels, focusing on rhythm, technique, coordination, musicality, and confidence behind the drum set. His lessons are structured, encouraging, and tailored to each student’s individual goals and interests.

TALLULAH BLAIS

Tallulah is a dedicated violin educator and accomplished musician who has been playing the violin since the age of seven. Trained primarily in the classical tradition, she has also developed an interest in fiddle styles, enriching her musical perspective and teaching approach. Tallulah is passionate about creating a positive and engaging learning environment where students can develop strong technical foundations while cultivating a genuine love for music. In addition to her work as a violin teacher, she is a freelance illustrator, bringing creativity, imagination, and artistic insight to all aspects of her work.

ALECXANDRIA DIZON

A lifelong music enthusiast, Alecx began studying piano at the age of eight and completed nine years of classical training at Kanata Music Academy under The Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum. Her years of study fostered both a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for music. Combining her musical background with over four years of experience volunteering with children, Alecx creates a warm, encouraging, and engaging learning environment where students can thrive. Having grown up within the academy, she is especially committed to passing on the inspiration, passion, and love of music that shaped her own development as a musician.

SARA LIM

A passionate vocalist and educator, Sara has been singing for as long as she can remember. Her classical vocal training, combined with extensive experience in choirs, vocal ensembles, and solo performances, has given her a well-rounded musical foundation. In addition to performing, she has conducted community and school choirs, further developing her skills as a mentor and musical leader. As a certified elementary school teacher, Sara brings exceptional educational expertise to her lessons, creating a positive and engaging environment where students feel encouraged to learn, grow, and express themselves. She is committed to helping each student build confidence, develop strong vocal skills, and discover the joy of making music.

BRANDEN TYHY

Branden is a versatile multi-instrumentalist whose primary passion lies with the guitar. An active and well-respected member of the local music community, he regularly performs throughout the area, bringing his musicianship to a wide range of audiences and musical settings.

Having begun his musical journey at the age of 11, Branden has cultivated a lifelong dedication to music. Over the years, this early passion has evolved into both a professional pursuit and a personal mission: to share the transformative power of music with others. His experience as a performer deeply informs his teaching, allowing him to connect practical musicianship with solid technical foundations.

As an educator, Branden is committed to inspiring students of all ages and skill levels. His teaching philosophy centers on fostering confidence, creativity, and a genuine love for music, while guiding students toward their individual goals. Whether a student is just beginning or looking to refine their skills, Branden strives to ignite the same enthusiasm for music that has been a defining force in his own life.

VICTORIA GOODMAN

Victoria is a dedicated violin and piano instructor with over 16 years of experience as a violinist. Specializing in both Classical and Celtic violin traditions, she also enjoys exploring and teaching a wide variety of musical styles. Victoria has extensive experience teaching students of all ages and backgrounds, including instruction through the renowned Suzuki Method.

She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Carleton University and is passionate about making music education accessible, engaging, and rewarding for every student. Victoria believes that no one is ever too old to begin learning an instrument and recognizes that each student learns in their own unique way. Her teaching approach focuses on fostering confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music while helping students achieve their individual goals.

JULIA BEAULIEU

Julia is a dedicated voice and piano teacher currently completing her Bachelor of Music degree at Carleton University, with a specialization in Vocal Performance. With a lifelong passion for music and extensive experience studying and performing, she brings a well-rounded, engaging, and supportive approach to both piano and voice instruction.

As a teacher, Julia works with students of all ages and levels, helping them develop strong musical foundations while building confidence, creativity, and enjoyment in music-making. Her piano lessons focus on solid technique, musical expression, reading skills, ear training, and overall musicianship, while her voice lessons emphasize healthy vocal production, breath support, vocal care, and expressive performance.

Although classically trained, Julia enjoys teaching a wide range of musical styles, including contemporary, pop, musical theatre, and beginner classical repertoire. She believes lessons should be both structured and inspiring, adapting her teaching style to each student’s goals, personality, and learning pace.

In addition to voice and piano, Julia also plays flute, guitar, and ukulele, allowing her to bring a broader musical perspective into her teaching. Her warm personality, patience, and enthusiasm help students feel comfortable and motivated as they grow musically.

Outside the studio, Julia remains actively involved in the music community through performances, choir collaborations, and local jazz events, continuously expanding her experience as both a musician and educator.