Faculty
DEPARTMENT OF PIANO STUDIES
All levels
Kui
Min, D.M.A., M.Mus., B.Mus.
Antonia de Wolfe, M.Mus. (University
of Toronto), B.Mus., D.Mus.
Nadia
Boucher, M.Mus. (Eastman), M.A., A.R.C.T.
Daniel
Mullin, ARCT (RCM), B.Mus.
Introductory and intermediary levels
Olga
Polikarpova, M.A.
Mariana
Dhima, M.Mus.
Alexander
Tikhonov, M.Mus., M.A.
DEPARTMENT OF WOODWINDS AND BRASS INSTRUMENTS
Leonid
Sprikut,
Ph.D. candidate
Mary
Ann DeLorey, M.Mus.
DEPARTMENT OF VOCAL STUDIES
Helena
Holl, M.Mus.
Mao
Ke,
M.Mus., B.Mus., D.A.
DEPARTMENT OF STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
Jean
Blanc, M.Mus.
Alexander
Gangurean, D.Mus.
Teimour
Sadhykov, M.Mus., D. Perf.
Samuel
Bisson,
M.Mus., B.A.
Mary
Ann DeLorey, M.Mus.
Joseph Burke, B.A.
John Platanitis, M.Th., B.Th.
DEPARTMENT OF CONDUCTING STUDIES
Kristian Alexander, M.Mus., M.A., D.E.S.S.G.O.C.
Leonid
Sprikut,
Ph.D. candidate
Woodwinds and Brass, Music history and Theory
Mr.
Sprikut holds a MMus in Music Education from the
Teimour
Sadhykov, M.Mus., D. Perf.
Cello Studies, Music Theory
Cellist
Teimour Sadykhov began his musical education at the age of seven at the
Central Music School for Gifted Children.
In 1995, Mr.Sadykhov graduated from the State Conservatory of
Azerbaijan with a Master’s degree in Cello Performance.
While at the Conservatory, he began his professional career as a
member of the State Philharmonic
Orchestra and State Chamber
Orchestra of Azerbaijan. In 1992 Mr. Sadykhov became a Principal
Cellist of the Gaya Chamber
Orchestra. The following
year he was invited to join the Baku
String Quartet with which he performed until 1995. Mr. Sadykhov
pursued further studies at the Glenn
Gould School, Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where he completed a
Diploma in Cello Performance. Mr. Sadykhov has performed with many theatre
production companies and orchestras, including the Ancient Comic Opera Company, Livent’s production, Canadian Children’s
Opera , West Side Theatre, , Northumberland
Symphony, Sudbury Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Niagara Symphony, Ontario
Philharmonic Orchestra and Sinfonia
Toronto. In 2003, he worked as a Principal
Cellist in Residence with the Sudbury
Symphony Orchestra and Sudbury
School of Music. In addition, Mr. Sadhykov is a member of
Madison piano trio, former member of Gould
string quartet and a co-founder of the Village
Rhapsody chamber music series in Toronto where he regularly performs.
Mr. Sadykhov had appeared on music stages in collaboration with such
renowned Canadian performers as
Robert Silverman, Arthur Rowe, Peter Tiefenbach, Atis Bankas, Shoko Inui.
He had several appearances as a member of the celebrated Quartetto
Gelato, the Music Niagara
Festival, the Hart House Music
Series at the University of Toronto, and Armadillo
string quartet for the Princess
Cruises around the world. Mr. Sadykhov
enjoys versatility in his cello career. Besides his strictly classical
performances he had also worked and has been featured on the CD recordings
with a number of musicians and songwriters such as Sarah
Burton, Marianne Baker, bands
Kahana and loveson. Mr.
Sadykhov's last CD is the world premiere recording of Tchaikovsky’s Seasons
arranged for Piano Trio, which was released by Phidelis Records.
Kui
Min,
D.M.A., M.Mus., B.Mus.
Piano Studies, Music Theory
Dr. Min, a highly praised performer, teacher and scholar is a recipient of many awards and honors, including the first prize in the First China International Piano Competition Southwest Division, Outstanding Performance Certificate in the Dorothy A. Anderson International Piano Competition, the winner of Concerto Competitions at the Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Notre Dame, and recently the winner of Beethoven Competition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music. Dr. Min has been heard in may concert halls in Canada, USA, Japan and China. Dr. Min has toured with The Canadian Consort let by Maestro Chosei Komatsu, representing Canadian government, performing in 14 cities in Japan including solo performance for The Imperial House of Japan. With over 18 years of success in teaching piano to all ages and levels from young beginners to piano majors in universities in Canada, USA and China, Dr. Min has developed an innovative pedagogy that combines Eastern and Western schools. As the result of his dedicated and effective teaching, Dr. Min’s students have received top honors in regional and national competitions, such as top prizes in the provincial and national competitions in Canada, and first prizes in the 4th Annual Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition, the 2008 Madison Symphony Orchestra Bolz Young Artist Competition, the 2009 Fox Valley Symphony Young Artist Festival and the 2009 Midwest Young Artist Competition in the USA. Dr. Min started his piano lessons with renowned piano pedagogue Daxin Zhen at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. After graduating from the Middle School of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music with highest honours, he came to North America and with full scholarships, earned his Honours Bachelor of Music at the Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, two Master of Music degrees at the University of Notre Dame and Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music in the USA. Dr. Min has taught at the University of Notre Dame Music Department and University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, and has served on the faculty at the Rhapsody Arts Center and Einstein School in Wisconsin. Dr. Min owes much of his success to several outstanding teachers, including Daxin Zhen, James Parker, Christopher Taylor, John Blacklow, Samuel Howard, Jessica Johnson and Gary Amano. Dr. Min is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 62980).
Antonia
de Wolfe, M.Mus.
Piano Studies and Interpretation, Music Theory
Ms. Antonia de Wolfe has graduated with a degree in piano performance from the George Enescu Institute of Music in Bucharest, Romania and, later, with another degree from the Central School of Music affiliated with
the P. I. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory in Moscow. She has also graduated from the Academia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome,
where she studied with Sergio Perticaroli, and is currently pursuing a Master in Music (piano performance) degree at the University of Toronto. In addition, Ms. de Wolfe has studied with Maestro S. Petricaroli at Mozarteum Hochschule für Musik in
Salzburg (Austria). Ms. de Wolfe has given several recitals and concerts in some of the finest concert halls in Bucharest, Moscow, Rome, Paris, Salzburg, and Toronto. She has also taught piano at the Columbus Centre, Cosmo school of Music, and Koffler Music School. As a collaborative pianist and accompanist, she has been in great demand for several productions of the Centuries Opera Association, Toronto Opera Repertoire, Palestrina Choir, Ethobicoke Centennial Choir, and others. Ms. de Wolfe is a registered teacher with Royal Conservatory of Music
(RCME 44667).
Vocal Studies and Interpretation
Mrs.
Holl began her vocal studies at the Moscow Gnesins Musical Academy,
followed by a private class with the legendary Boris Pokrovsky of the
Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. She has performed in numerous productions of
the Moscow Operetta Theatre, Stanislavsky Opera and Ballet Theatre, Xanten
Arena Theatre in Germany, Bromberg Opera Nova
Theatre in Poland and several opera theatres in France, Austria,
Holland, and Switzerland. In North America, Mrs. Holl has performed at the
Ford Centre for the performing arts and CBC Glenn Gould studio in Toronto,
Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, the Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver, Arlene
Schnitzer Hall in Portland, Cerritos Centre in Los Angeles, Copley
Symphony Hall in San Diego, Chrysler Theatre in Windsor, among others. As
a dedicated vocal pedagogue, Mrs, Holl has been a member of the Faculty at
Columbus Centre, Bravo Music School, and the International Music Academy.
She is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME
62274).
Daniel
Mullin, B.Mus., ARCT
Piano Studies, Music Theory
Mr. Mullin
has earned an Honours Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Toronto and A.R.C.T
(Piano Performance) diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Mr. Mullin
possesses a wide variety of musical
skills, in addition to extensive experience in classical, jazz, contemporary, and church music, having served as Assistant Worship Director and Director of Worship in
two Greater Toronto Area churches. In addition, Mr. Mullin has performed and toured with several jazz and gospel music groups over the past 10 years. He believes that musical education should inspire and encourage people of all ages on their way to musical excellence.
Mr.
Mullin is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME
No. 63623).
Nadia
Boucher, M.Mus., M.A., A.R.C.T.
Piano Studies, Music Theory
Collaborative pianist Nadia Boucher holds a Master of Music Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Ottawa and an A.R.C.T. Performer's Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada). Ms. Boucher has studied with many great pianists including celebrated Canadian pianist Jean Desmarais, director of the Piano Wellness Seminar Sheila Paige, and American pedagogue and collaborative pianist Anita Pontremoli. She has also worked with vocal coaches Dalton Baldwin, Warren Jones, and Linda Jones, as well as with chamber music coaches David Cerone, Peter Salaff, Paul Katz, Shauna Rolston, Mark Fewer, Roman Borys, and Virginia Weckstrom. Ms. Boucher is at home in a broad range of musical styles and performs regularly with vocalists and instrumentalists alike, including renowned Canadian mezzo-soprano and host of CBC Radio 2's Tempo, Julie Nesrallah and as a member of the Passport Duo with cellist Samuel Bisson. She has also performed at festivals throughout Canada and the United States including the Banff Summer Arts Festival, Scotia Festival of Music, the Toronto Summer Music Festival and the Piano Wellness Seminar. Ms. Boucher has also been a guest of the Toronto Arts and Letters Club, the Midday Music with Shigeru concert series in Barrie (Ontario), and numerous embassies in the Ottawa area. Aside from her performances in concert she has also been the recipient of many awards both as a soloist and chamber musician. During the summer of 2009, Ms. Boucehr held the position of opera coach/rehearsal pianist for the Banff Centre's Opera as Theatre program where she worked alongside tenor Richard Margison, soprano Tracy Dahl and opera coach Robin Wheeler. She maintains an active performing career in Canada and the United States, and frequently volunteers her time and talent to various organizations including hospitals, homes for the elderly and religious institutions. Ms. Boucher is a register teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 62814).
Jean
Blanc, M.Mus.
Violin Studies (Suzuki emphasis)
Mr. Blanc has earned an M.Mus. degree in Violin instruction and performance from the University of Bucharest, an ARTC from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and a complete Suzuki training from the Suzuki Institute in Kingston. Mr. Blanc is a Member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Member of the Royal Conservatory of Music, Member of the Affiliate Teacher Network in Toronto, Member of the Toronto Suzuki Association, Member of the Ontario Suzuki Association, Chairman of the Beethoven Society for Pianists (Greater Toronto Chapter), and Member of the Faculty at the Summer Music Festival in Kingston. A committed music educator, Mr. Blanc has brought to the International Music Academy 30 years of experience teaching children of all ages and skill levels. His sense of humour makes his students look always forward to their lessons. His commitment to music education is what instills the spirit of the Suzuki philosophy and method into every student. Mr. Blanc is also a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 34654).
Mao
Ke,
M.Mus., B.Mus., D.A.
Vocal Studies and Interpretation, Drama
Samuel
Bisson,
M.Mus., B.A.
Cello Studies, Music Theory
Samuel
Bisson has earned a Master of Music in Cello Performance degree at the
University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Music degree with double major in
Cello Performance and Composition from the University of Ottawa. Mr.
Bisson has studied cello with Roman Borys, Paul Marleyn, and Julian
Armour, as well as with Janos Starker, Paul Katz, Denise Djokic, Anthony
Elliott, Mark Fewer, and Hans Jorgen Jensen at the National Arts Centre
Young Artist Programme. He has also studied composition with Steven
Gellman and John Armstrong. Mr. Bisson has performed with the Ottawa
Symphony Orchestra, University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, University
of Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, Sneak Peak Orchestra, and L’Orchestre de
la francophonie canadienne. He has also performed at the Shigeru Concert
Series (Barie), New Music Festival (Toronto), Toronto Arts and Letter
Club, Toronto Summer Music Festival, and Scotia Festival of Music. Mr.
Bisson is the recipient of Victor Di Bello Graduate Scholarship, Plettner
Graduate Fellowship, and the Canadian Millenium Scholarship, among others.
As a composer, Mr. Bisson created an original score for a short film
supported by the National Film Board of Canada. He is fluent in English
and French and has working knowledge of German and Spanish languages.
Mr. Bisson is a registered
teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 62520).
Olga
Polikarpova, M.A.
Piano Studies, Music Theory
Mrs. Polikarpova has earned a master degree in piano
pedagogy and history of music in her home country Russia. She has
developed various programmes for children and brings to the International
Music Academy over 15 years of teaching experience. She is also well
respected in the community as a director and conductor of children’s
choirs. She has a versatile approach to teaching children of different
ages and levels and is well known for bringing the best out of each child.
John
Platanitis, M.Th., B.Th.
Guitar studies, Music Theory
Mr. John Platanitis has been playing the guitar for almost 30 years. What began as a “campfire” sing-a-long style of strumming a few basic chords, over time has developed into a passionate desire to learn to play with more skill and understanding. He has played as a Worship-Leader in various churches for most of the past 20 years, and has been teaching the guitar, as a profession, for the last 8 years with emphasis on contemporary, acoustic finger-style, basic theory, chord structure and chord relationships, scales, and solo guitar arrangements. Mr. Platanitis has a substantial experience teaching students from the beginner to the advanced levels, and incorporates style and technique used by Phil Keaggy, Lawrence Juber, Al Petteway, Leo Kottke, and others. He is also a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 63694).
Lili
Imastounian,
D.Mus., B.F.A.
Piano Studies, Music Theory
Mrs.
Imastounian has earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (with Honours) from York
University (Toronto), along with a Diploma in Musicology, a Diploma in
Piano Pedagogy, and a Diploma in Piano Performance. She brings to the
International Music Academy over 25 years of valuable experience teaching
piano and theory to students of all ages and levels. Mrs. Imastounian has
been on the Faculty of New Conservatory of Music, Federal Conservatory of
Music, Scarborough Parks and Recreation, and School for Music and Art. In
addition to a great passion for teaching music she also has a passion for
languages; she speaks fluently English, French, Russian, Armenian, and
Arabic. During the past almost three decades, Mrs. Imastounian has
prepared over 1,000 students for various competitions, recitals, concerts,
and examinations. Mrs. Imastounian is a registered teacher with the Royal
Conservatory of Music (RCME 21006).
Mariana
Dhima*, M.Mus.
Vocal Studies, Piano Studies, Music Theory
Mrs. Dhima is a qualified music instructor with 20 years of experience in teaching piano, voice, and early childhood music education, as well as ear training, sight singing and theory. She has earned degrees in vocal performance and she is a certified teacher with The Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute. She is also a certified teacher in Early Childhood Music Education (including Kodalỳ, Orff, and Dalcroze Eurhythmics methods). She has a proven record of success preparing students for voice examinations, auditions, and competitions for the last 15 years. Ms. Dhima has performed with The Canadian Royal Opera Company, the National Opera in Greece, and for various community and social functions. As a teacher she has been on the staff of Montessori Early Education School, Town Centre Montessori Private School, Toronto School of Music, and Arcadia Academy of Music. Mrs. Dhima is also a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 55757).
* on sabbatical.
Alexander
Tikhonov, M.Mus., M.A.
Woodwinds and Brass, Piano studies, Music Theory
Mr. Tikhonov has graduated with a Master of Music degree in performance from the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music and with e second Master of Arts in saxophone performance degree from the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts and Culture. He has regularly performed at the St. Petersburg Musical Theatre, the Conservatory Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Admiralty Navy Band, “Rio” Jazz Band, and others. Mr. Tikhonov is a Laureate of the International Maria Yudina Competition (St Petersburg), as well as of the Chamber Music Competition (Novomoskovsk). He is also the recipient of the Gartow Stiftung Wettbewerb Award. Mr. Tikhonov brings to the International Music Academy over 15 years of teaching experience. He is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 62670).
Alexander
Gangurean, D.Mus.
Violin Studies
Mr.
Alexander
Gangurean has graduated from the Moldova National Academy Music with a
double degree in Violin performance and Violin pedagogy. He has performed
as a principal violinist with the National Opera House of Moldova Symphony
Orchestra, Quartet “Ad libitum”, and lately with the Greater Toronto
Philharmonic Orchestra. He has over 12 years teaching experience in
Russia, United Kingdom, and Canada. He is a registered teacher
with the Royal conservatory of music (RCME 63443).
Joseph Burke, B.A.
Guitar Studies
Joseph
Burke has been teaching guitar for over 10 years. He began his musical
studies at the age of 4 at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Mr. Burke
studied jazz guitar at Humber College under the direction of Ted Quinlin.
He has also studied privately with jazz greats Lorne Loftsky, Frank Falco,
David Occupinti, and John Pelosi. Mr. Burke also studied Musicology at
York University, as well as bass, classical, acoustic, and rock guitar. He
has played with various jazz and rock groups throughout the years
across Canada, and is currently working with Juno nominated producer Jason
Steidman.
Irina
Pechkina,
M.Mus.
Piano Studies, Violin Studies, Music theory
Mrs. Pechkina has graduated from the Moscow National Music Conservatoire. She has earned 20 years of experience working with piano students of all ages. She is currently on the faculty of the Contemporary Conservatory of Music and Arts in Toronto and is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music where she has prepared hundred of students for piano and violin examinations. Mrs. Pechkina’s energetic style and talented personality brings inspiration to her students winning several piano and violin competitions. Herself a performing artist, Mrs. Pechkina has regularly given solo recitals in Canada and Russia. Mrs. Pechkina is also a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 59772).
Mary
Ann DeLorey*, M.Mus.
Guitar Studies Piano studies, Woodwinds and Brass, Music Theory
Mary Ann DeLorey has been teaching guitar, piano, and woodwind instruments for over 20 years. A graduate cum laude from the Wagner Music College in Staten Island (New York), she has received several Awards and Honours, such as Richard Du Pre Award, and Omicron Delta Kappa. Mrs. DeLorey has taught in the Academy of the Arts (New York), Richmond Music Centre (New York), Staten Island Music School (New York), and John F. Kennedy School (New Jersey), among others. In Canada, she has taught at the Ontario Academy of Fine Art and at Wonder Music School (Richmond Hill). Mrs. DeLorey has also had contracts with the Mid-America Productions and The American Federation of Arts (New York) where she worked closely with conductors and artists on performance series at Carnegie Hall. Mrs. DeLorey is a member of the Guitar Foundation of America and is a register teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME No. 62084).
* on a maternity leave.
Inna
Goulevitch,
PhD, M.A.
Piano Studies, Music theory
Mrs.
Inna Goulevitch has graduated from Moscow State University. She brings 20
years of teaching experience and is an expert in the Royal Conservatory of
Music intermediate piano curriculum. She is currently a member of the
faculty of the North York Music School and of the Hensbergen Music Academy
in Toronto. Her vibrant personality, enormous patience with young
children, and valuable sense of humour are integral parts of her
extraordinary teaching style. Mrs. Goulevitch is a registered teacher with
the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCME 61055).