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.
POLINA KEMP
She has been playing and teaching cello for 25 years and it is still something she absolutely loves doing! She has a Doctorate in music performance and has accumulated vast experience of teaching students of all levels and ages. All her beginner students receive a thorough introduction to basics of playing the cello and their natural abilities are developed – the musicality and creativity grow and blossom. If you already play the cello and wish to further your performance, she will take you to the next level by expanding on what you know and encouraging you to work towards new goals. She has great experienced with training students for ABRSM and TrinityColleage music exams as well as music theory.
Her teaching philosophy: everyone is unique and different and personally tailored approach is needed for every student. She is a dedicated and hands on teacher that will challenge and inspire you and make the lesson an interactive learning experience designed to make you a part of a wonderful world of music!
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.
KURTIS PUHARICH
Kurtis is a guitarist studying classical guitar performance at University of Ottawa. Kurtis has studied under both Philip Candelaria and Patrick Roux. In the last three years, Kurtis has finished first in the Ottawa Kiwanis Guitar Class competitions for RCM Grades 8, 9 and 10. Kurtis has also completed his Grade 8 RCM exam with honours in 2017. He is a guitar and saxophone teacher.
TONY ALEXANDER
Tony has been playing the piano from an early age. He is particularly fond of the composer Johann Sebastian Bach, but has also explored the repertoire of Chopin, Debussy, and Satie. He has been teaching piano to young children since 2014. Since 2018, he has worked as a supply teacher for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. In addition to his teaching degree, Tony has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Ottawa, and a Level 9 in Piano & Theory from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He is a piano teacher.
ANNIE KECHEN
Annie is a piano/voice teacher and an early childhood educator. She teaches young children to senior adults in private, semi-private, and group settings. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the music education program of Southwest University located in Chongqing, China. Meanwhile, she has an Ontario early childhood education diploma from St.Clair College. Naturally, she combines her knowledge in music education with her experience in childhood education and provides age-appropriate instructions and positive learning experiences to both students and parents. She believes that every student is unique- a deep understanding of the students’ developmental stages and ways of learning can motivate them in music learning and creativity. A teacher’s responsibility is to understand the students’ interests, abilities, ambitions, and learning styles and implement the music curriculum based on these factors.
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.
JIMIN PARK
A native of South Korea, Jimin Park started studying violin at the age of 5 years old, followed by piano at age 6. She has many years experience performing as a member of Yangsan Youth Orchestra. She studied music composition and music theory at Busan High School of Arts. Jimin has been teaching in South Korea, Calgary, and Oakville – Canada. Her goal as a music instructor is to help students to build a solid foundation from the start in a fun and engaging environment.
MARY LISA NEFEDOVA
Mary Lisa Nefedova is a Carleton University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies and a Minor in Music. She has years of classical RCM training singing in German, French, Italian, and Russian. She performed Classical and Musical Theatre pieces in Kiwanis Music Festivals and performed as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family musical, for which she was nominated Best Lead Actress. While her training was extensive in Classical voice, she’s had a life-long passion for pop vocals, has performed in multiple events on stage, and continues to learn trending songs for fun. She has also written some original pop songs and won district winner for her very first original “The Strength of Her Reflection” in 2016. Her extensive classical vocal training and mentorship by her private vocal teachers has helped her develop her own pop vocal program to teach the techniques needed to master pop songs while maintaining a healthy voice.
JOSIAH MAK
Josiah is both a classical pianist as well as a classical violinist. He has achieved a LCTL (University Equivalence) degree with Trinity College as well as a grade 8 ABRSM violin degree (RCM Level 9/10 Equivalence). Josiah is currently studying music theory and music composition at Carleton University. He is able to teach in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
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.
RIAN CLARKE
Rian is a classically trained pianist who teaches piano as well as the Talent Quest program. He has been playing piano for over a decade, teaching for 5 years, and is currently pursuing his ARCT in piano performance. Aside from music, he is currently pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science at the University of Ottawa.
EDISON SANDOVAL
Edison is a drum teacher at Kanata Music Academy and has played for over ten years. He was considered to be a prodigies student when he was young. He also has experience leading as a choreographer, lighting designer, multimedia content producer for live stage music. Edison also is a classically trained pianist who completed RCM Level 10.
LARA JIMENEZ
Originally from Mexico but grew up in Canada. She is in the 3rd year of saxophone performance at Ottawa University, where she is currently studying under Victor Herbiet, Canadian saxophonist, and composer. She also spent time studying under Frank Lozano in Montreal. She also play and teach Clarinet. She speak and teach in both Spanish and English.
AMRITA CHHABRA
Amrita was introduced to the piano at the age of 5 and has been pursuing classical music ever since. She recently completed their Grade 7 piano exam from Trinity College London (RCM Level 9 equivalence) with distinction and is preparing for their final Grade 8 exam (RCM Grade 10 equivalence). In the future, she want to continue their music studies and become a performer.