Place des Arts has an abundance of exceptional teachers on our music faculty who offer classes and private lessons for all ages during the day, after school, in the evening and on weekends, both online and in-person. Our welcoming facility boasts well-equipped studios and performance spaces that enhance learning and encourage music-making.

Offering In-Person Lessons on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Aleksandra received her bachelor’s degree in cello performance from The Academy of Music in Poland. She has performed in various orchestras and chamber groups and has given numerous solo performances throughout Europe, South Africa and North America.

Now living in Vancouver, Aleksandra is an active freelance musician with many of the region’s orchestras and chamber groups. She was the principal cellist for the BC Chamber Orchestra, Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and New Westminster Symphony Orchestra. Currently she is a principal cellist for the Vancouver Camerata and Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra and is a founding member of the Classical String Quartet.

Aleksandra has had over 20 years of teaching experience. Many of her students have made great achievements in RCM exams (highest marks in the province) and have received gold and silver medals in various music competitions.

Offering In-Person and Online Lessons on Thursday

Rosalie (Rosie) Carver is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association (BCRMTA). She joined the association in 1997 after receiving her Associate for the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) diploma. Three years prior to that, she was a member of the Student Teachers Auxiliary to the BCRMTA.

Rosie uses a positive approach to teaching. Her lessons focus on posture, intonation, timing, dynamics, dexterity and a beautiful tone. Rosie believes that with proper training and musical awareness, a student can venture into classical, baroque, romantic, contemporary, fiddle, gospel, jazz or whichever style they choose. Many of her students have achieved high marks for their examinations including silver medals for the highest marks in BC.

Rosie is the associate director with the Vancouver Corelli Strings (VCS) under the direction of Ona Cropper. She began her affiliation with the VCS at the age of 10 after two years of studying with Ona. She worked her way up the ranks to the position of concert master and has been featured as a soloist at many concerts throughout the years. She was also a member of the Vancouver Junior Philharmonic String Orchestra under the direction of Douglas Stewart.

Rosie has been a member of the Celtic group Blackthorn for over 20 years. In that time, she recorded four albums with them which include a number of her own compositions. Rosie also performed and recorded with The Carpenter’s SonSquid Jiggers, Sunshine and You, The Streels, The Halifax Wharf Rats and Triskellion.

Rosie has attended fiddle workshops, including one with the well –known Irish fiddler Kevin Burke, and plays in sessions regularly in Vancouver. She runs her own fiddle workshops throughout the Lower Mainland as well as through the Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop and The Moveable Music School.

Visit Rosie’s website here.

Offering In-Person and Online Lessons on Thursday

Rosalie (Rosie) Carver is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association (BCRMTA). She joined the association in 1997 after receiving her Associate for the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) diploma. Three years prior to that, she was a member of the Student Teachers Auxiliary to the BCRMTA.

Rosie uses a positive approach to teaching. Her lessons focus on posture, intonation, timing, dynamics, dexterity and a beautiful tone. Rosie believes that with proper training and musical awareness, a student can venture into classical, baroque, romantic, contemporary, fiddle, gospel, jazz or whichever style they choose. Many of her students have achieved high marks for their examinations including silver medals for the highest marks in BC.

Rosie is the associate director with the Vancouver Corelli Strings (VCS) under the direction of Ona Cropper. She began her affiliation with the VCS at the age of 10 after two years of studying with Ona. She worked her way up the ranks to the position of concert master and has been featured as a soloist at many concerts throughout the years. She was also a member of the Vancouver Junior Philharmonic String Orchestra under the direction of Douglas Stewart.

Rosie has been a member of the Celtic group Blackthorn for over 20 years. In that time, she recorded four albums with them which include a number of her own compositions. Rosie also performed and recorded with The Carpenter’s SonSquid Jiggers, Sunshine and You, The Streels, The Halifax Wharf Rats and Triskellion.

Rosie has attended fiddle workshops, including one with the well –known Irish fiddler Kevin Burke, and plays in sessions regularly in Vancouver. She runs her own fiddle workshops throughout the Lower Mainland as well as through the Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop and The Moveable Music School.

Visit Rosie’s website here.

Offering In-Person Lessons on Sunday and Monday

Jason has a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Victoria where he grew up playing in the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and a variety of Jazz, Blues, Rock, Punk and Ska bands.

Since finishing his degree and moving to Vancouver in 1996, he has played, recorded, and toured internationally with many groups of note. He is the musical director for Uzume Taiko, a drum set soloist with OLAM and percussion section leader for the Band of the Fifteenth Field Regiment RCA.

Jason has a great deal of experience playing for musical theatre productions. These include Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oklahoma, The Wiz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver Twist, Urinetown and several award winning independent productions.

Jason has also played drum set and percussion in a multitude of west coast funk, rock, blues, punk, and ska bands, notably DOA, the Hounds of Buskerville, The Colorifics, The Harpoons and the Juno award winning bluesman Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne.

Jason has studied with some of the world’s great masters, and has taught drum set, hand drums, percussion and taiko to people of all ages locally, nationally, and internationally.

Jason’s other love is martial arts, and he has his Sandan (third degree black belt) in Shotokan Karate-do and travels regularly to Japan with his Sensei to study Budo.

Offering Online Lessons on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

Jimmy is an extremely versatile modern guitarist who was born and raised in northern British Columbia. Although primarily self-taught, he moved to Vancouver in 2005 where he was offered a scholarship to study Contemporary Jazz Guitar at Vancouver Community College’s (VCC) School of Music. In June 2007, Jimmy was selected as valedictorian of his graduating diploma class.

In 2009, he earned a Bachelor of Applied Music Degree at VCC. While studying there, Jimmy received numerous scholarships and awards including the Dave Greenall Leadership Award, AJ Bay Memorial Scholarship and a National Millennium Excellence Award. He spent two years with the VCC Latin Jazz Ensemble and another two in the guitar chair of the VCC jazz fusion group Short Fuse.

As a member of Jarimba, Jimmy uses his wide range of influences to contribute to the exciting and eclectic sound of this Afro-funk/world fusion group that released their debut album in May 2008. Jimmy is also the Assistant Guitar Instructor at the Sarah MacLachlan Music Outreach and a private guitar/music theory teacher.

An experienced sideman, Jimmy has most recently been working with South African Munkie Ncapayi’s Nine and a Half Band, country singers Sandra Laratta and AJ Woodworth and Canadian jazz guitar great Stephen Fisk.

http://www.jimmybaldwin.ca/

Offering Online Lessons on Tuesday and Thursday

Katrina [Kat] Gillis began playing the piano at the age of 6 and has taken Royal Conservatory Piano up to Grade 10. She started singing at the age of 10 and discovered the fun and beauty of combining singing while playing the piano. She composed her first song at age 12! As a child, she competed locally and internationally in festivals in both voice and piano categories. This led her to combine her passions of piano and singing during post-secondary studies at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, where she studied Opera and Vocal Performance. Throughout university, Kat continued to play the piano by accompanying vocalists, playing in bands and acting as band director for school productions.

Upon moving to BC, Kat attended Malaspina University (now called Vancouver Island University) for Jazz Performance. It was then she started creating original compositions, working with bands as a backup singer and keyboard player and as Musical Director for various musical productions on the island. She has performed her original work around Vancouver.

Kat is excited to use her broad range of education and knowledge to share her passion for singing with her students at Place des Arts.

Offering Online Lessons on Tuesday and Thursday

Katrina [Kat] Gillis began playing the piano at the age of 6 and has taken Royal Conservatory Piano up to Grade 10. She started singing at the age of 10 and discovered the fun and beauty of combining singing while playing the piano. She composed her first song at age 12! As a child, she competed locally and internationally in festivals in both voice and piano categories. This led her to combine her passions of piano and singing during post-secondary studies at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, where she studied Opera and Vocal Performance. Throughout university, Kat continued to play the piano by accompanying vocalists, playing in bands and acting as band director for school productions.

Upon moving to BC, Kat attended Malaspina University (now called Vancouver Island University) for Jazz Performance. It was then she started creating original compositions, working with bands as a backup singer and keyboard player and as Musical Director for various musical productions on the island. She has performed her original work around Vancouver.

Kat is excited to use her broad range of education and knowledge to share her passion for singing with her students at Place des Arts.

Jenneka began taking group music and piano lessons at the age of three. She later switched to private piano lessons with Darlene Brigidear, with whom she studied for 12 years.

Jenneka’s education includes Piano Teacher’s and Piano Performer’s Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music and all levels of teacher training from Music for Young Children.

She has taught piano lessons for over 20 years and has been an MYC teacher since 2007.

Jenneka enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels and has prepared many students for piano festivals and exams. Her main goal as a teacher is to help each child develop their own lifelong love of music, and she feels the MYC program is a wonderful way to begin this journey.

Jenneka began taking group music and piano lessons at the age of three. She later switched to private piano lessons with Darlene Brigidear, with whom she studied for 12 years.

Jenneka’s education includes Piano Teacher’s and Piano Performer’s Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music and all levels of teacher training from Music for Young Children.

She has taught piano lessons for over 20 years and has been an MYC teacher since 2007.

Jenneka enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels and has prepared many students for piano festivals and exams. Her main goal as a teacher is to help each child develop their own lifelong love of music, and she feels the MYC program is a wonderful way to begin this journey.

Jenneka began taking group music and piano lessons at the age of three. She later switched to private piano lessons with Darlene Brigidear, with whom she studied for 12 years.

Jenneka’s education includes Piano Teacher’s and Piano Performer’s Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music and all levels of teacher training from Music for Young Children.

She has taught piano lessons for over 20 years and has been an MYC teacher since 2007.

Jenneka enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels and has prepared many students for piano festivals and exams. Her main goal as a teacher is to help each child develop their own lifelong love of music, and she feels the MYC program is a wonderful way to begin this journey.

Charlene is a long-time music educator with over 42 years of work experience and has a passion for teaching music to people of all ages.

Sharing her love of music with her students moved Charlene to teach MYC. For 21 years she has been devoted to teaching the MYC program because of its amazing holistic blend of fun and learning.

Her varied and extensive work experience and specialized training (particularly her degree in Music Therapy) have greatly enhanced her teaching techniques.

While growing up in a small rural community in the heart of Alberta, Charlene’s life was enriched with piano, voice, guitar, drum, recorder and ukulele lessons. At a young age, she passionately participated in numerous music festivals, talent shows, Christmas pageants, choral groups (female choirs, high school madrigals, mixed choruses) and musical productions.

As an adult, Charlene taught in schools and institutional settings throughout Alberta and British Columbia.  She has had experience with community musical theatre production groups, community choirs and jazz ensembles, and has been the accompanist for several local churches. While operating her full-time music studio, she was also the choir director for the Beacon Unitarian Church (2013-2017).

Education

In her teens, Charlene completed her Royal Conservatory of Music voice (Grade 10, 1977) and piano (Grade 9, 1987) and, during the past 30 years, she has enhanced her music education with various specialty courses and studies at several colleges and universities.

• Rural Small Business Management (Olds College, 1992)
• Early Childhood Development Certificate (Keyano College, 1995)
• Music Certificate (Keyano College, 1997)
• Music for Young Children Certification (MYCC, 1999)
• Bachelor of Music Therapy (Capilano College, 2004)
• Music Certificate in Conducting (Capilano University, 2015)

Jenneka began taking group music and piano lessons at the age of three. She later switched to private piano lessons with Darlene Brigidear, with whom she studied for 12 years.

Jenneka’s education includes Piano Teacher’s and Piano Performer’s Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music and all levels of teacher training from Music for Young Children.

She has taught piano lessons for over 20 years and has been an MYC teacher since 2007.

Jenneka enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels and has prepared many students for piano festivals and exams. Her main goal as a teacher is to help each child develop their own lifelong love of music, and she feels the MYC program is a wonderful way to begin this journey.

Yurgen (fondly known as “Mr. I”) has taught at Place des Arts since 1981. He also teaches music at two Montessori preschools, instructing over 300 children per week. With a Diploma in Flute and Voice from VCC, he also has instruction in the Kodàly methodology from John Alfred Young and has attended summer programs on Kodàly pedagogy at the University of Calgary and the University of Washington. An accomplished guitarist, he also plays various other instruments and performs at many children’s concerts throughout the year. Visit his website at www.childmusicMRI.com for more info.

Yurgen (fondly known as “Mr. I”) has taught at Place des Arts since 1981. He also teaches music at two Montessori preschools, instructing over 300 children per week. With a Diploma in Flute and Voice from VCC, he also has instruction in the Kodàly methodology from John Alfred Young and has attended summer programs on Kodàly pedagogy at the University of Calgary and the University of Washington. An accomplished guitarist, he also plays various other instruments and performs at many children’s concerts throughout the year. Visit his website at www.childmusicMRI.com for more info.

Yurgen (fondly known as “Mr. I”) has taught at Place des Arts since 1981. He also teaches music at two Montessori preschools, instructing over 300 children per week. With a Diploma in Flute and Voice from VCC, he also has instruction in the Kodàly methodology from John Alfred Young and has attended summer programs on Kodàly pedagogy at the University of Calgary and the University of Washington. An accomplished guitarist, he also plays various other instruments and performs at many children’s concerts throughout the year. Visit his website at www.childmusicMRI.com for more info.

Britney began her musical journey singing in various concert and vocal jazz choirs. She continued her education earning a bachelor’s degree in performing arts and an associates degree in musical theatre. Britney now introduces musical instruments to her students and teaches basic music theory through song and movement. Britney has been teaching The Musical Rainbow program for three years at several preschools and day cares. She is very excited to share her knowledge with her students at Place des Arts!

Yurgen (fondly known as “Mr. I”) has taught at Place des Arts since 1981. He also teaches music at two Montessori preschools, instructing over 300 children per week. With a Diploma in Flute and Voice from VCC, he also has instruction in the Kodàly methodology from John Alfred Young and has attended summer programs on Kodàly pedagogy at the University of Calgary and the University of Washington. An accomplished guitarist, he also plays various other instruments and performs at many children’s concerts throughout the year. Visit his website at www.childmusicMRI.com for more info.

Yurgen (fondly known as “Mr. I”) has taught at Place des Arts since 1981. He also teaches music at two Montessori preschools, instructing over 300 children per week. With a Diploma in Flute and Voice from VCC, he also has instruction in the Kodàly methodology from John Alfred Young and has attended summer programs on Kodàly pedagogy at the University of Calgary and the University of Washington. An accomplished guitarist, he also plays various other instruments and performs at many children’s concerts throughout the year. Visit his website at www.childmusicMRI.com for more info.

A West Coast girl through and through, Joani Bye was born and raised in North Vancouver and still lives there. Joani studied music at UBC, entering as a Concert Piano Major and switching to Voice in her second year.

As well as working live in clubs, at festivals and on theatre stages, Joani became a sought after studio musician, singing commercial jingles as well as background vocals for critically acclaimed artists such as Bon Jovi, Cher, INXS and David Bowie, to name a few. She performs regularly with the bands “Big City Soul” and the “Rhythm and Blues Allstars”.

In 2016, Joani became certified as a SongShine instructor, working on vocal empowerment with people who have Parkinson’s, recovering from strokes, living with other neurological issues or who want to improve ageing voices. She has taught SongShine courses for North Shore Neighbourhood House, John Braithwaite Community Centre, The Parkinsons Society of BC, the Vancouver Brain Injury Association and Stroke Recovery groups.

Offering Online Lessons on Saturday

Marjory began piano lessons at the age of four with her mother Margaret Purdy. She later continued her studies with Robin Wood, Winifred Scott Wood and William Goldenberg.

Marjory’s education includes Performer’s and Teacher’s Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Victoria Conservatory of Music; a Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria; and a Master of Music and Performer’s Certificate from Northern Illinois University.

She also studied collaborative piano at the doctorate level with Martin Katz at the University of Michigan and participated in various summer programs and master classes in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Marjory has been teaching for over 20 years. She adjudicates music festivals throughout British Columbia and is an examiner for Conservatory Canada. As a clinician, Marjory presents master classes and workshops on various topics to teachers, students and the public.

Marjory loves teaching all levels from the very young beginner to the advanced piano student. She considers the benefits of music education immeasurable for a child’s emotional, social and intellectual development.

In her teaching, Marjory encourages and challenges students, in partnership with parents, to strive towards excellence within a kind and supportive environment. She believes all children have an artist within, and she aspires to guide students on their journey of learning and discovery.

Marjory’s students are recipients of numerous awards from local festivals, the Registered Music Teachers, and Conservatory Canada; but what Marjory values most is watching students master the things they thought were impossible, and the privilege of sharing time with children as they grow up.