88Keys Music and Discovery Centre

Studio Director 

Ms Atefeh is a professional pianist and music educator holding a master's degree in classical music performance majoring piano from The University of Art in Tehran, Iran. She has over 30 years of experience in teaching music and piano to a variety of ages and levels. With her background as a Montessori music teacher, her class management is remarkable. She makes it all joy for the children to learn music and have fun. Her passion for music as a performer and as an educator has brought her success all through as she puts in all she has to give her best to the audience when she performs and to her students when she teaches. She is as well an award winner dancer which is an add up to her musical skills.

Ms. Maryam has successfully completed piano studies at Naghmeh Goshayesh Music School and holds her degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from the University of Applied Science and Technology in Iran. Ms. Maryam has been teaching music for over 10 years to students of various ages. Ms. Maryam has joined 88Keys in August of 2016, after successfully passing the audition, and we are delighted to have such a wonderful addition to our team. Ms. Maryam is currently leading individual lessons for our students, as well as became instrumental in providing Practice Coach sessions for our Yamaha Group students. Being warm and friendly, her teaching style is very inspiring and motivating.

School Administrator

Piano Teacher

With over 7 years of teaching and counseling experience, Ms. Monica provides an enjoyable music experience for her students. As the third generation in her family in the teaching profession, she was determined to become a teacher at the age of six. After the completion of her ARCT in piano performance, Monica has begun her study in piano pedagogy. Ms. Monica has acquired Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours; specialization in Classical Piano at York University

 Ms. Monica has a passion for sharing her music, not only with performances but also through teaching and engaging her students. She utilizes a repertoire of all types of music literature, including traditional and contemporary that are appropriate for all ages and skill levels of students to provide creative and professional music lessons. In her music teaching, Ms. Monica has taught individual piano and theory lessons, group piano lessons, and musical summer camps. Having in-depth knowledge of various teaching philosophies, Ms. Monica`s teaching style is engaging, supportive and motivating.

Ms. Rachel is a pianist, a violinist, and an experienced music educator. She holds a Bachelor of Music honors in Music Education and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario. Her training in the Orff Method, Suzuki Violin, and RCM Piano also allow her to inspire young musicians with versatility and creativity.

Coming from Winnipeg, Ms. Rachel was an elementary school music teacher for over 7 years, teaching music to students in Kindergarten to Grade 8. She was also an instructor at the Canadian Mennonite University conservatory. Her students participated in youth orchestras, music festivals, RCM exams, and performances with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

In addition to being a music teacher, Ms. Rachel enjoys playing the violin in the Mennonite Community Orchestra as well as the World Civic Orchestra. Ms. Rachel is delighted to be joining 88Keys and bringing a love of music to the community.

Alexei Severinets is a jazz/fusion/world music guitarist based in the Greater Toronto Area of the Province of Ontario Canada who is known as a music teacher, session player, improviser, and composer.

All formal music education Alexei received in Minsk Belarus where he was influenced not only by the music of the region of Eastern Europe but also by so many other styles including but not limited to jazz, rock, fusion, blues, classical, and country.

He is a music educator, session player on the local and international scene as well as an inspiring composer.

Resent associations include: Cates Fomin Project, Papa Duke Band, Grove Presidents Band, and many others.

Alexei endorses Godin Guitars.

Alexei became an ACTRA Toronto member for his appearance in Lone Scherfig’s “The Kindness of Strangers” movie as a band member.

Piano and Voice Teacher

Ms. Alondra is a composer, performer, and teacher residing in the city of Toronto, Canada. Her pieces have been performed across Canada, the United States and reaching as far as Milna, Croatia.

She graduated from her MMus in Composition from the University of Western Ontario in June 2015, and since then has been actively striving to promote new music. She has been teaching Yamaha Program since 2013. In 2016 she organized and performed a Call for Scores concert called Glimpses that included eleven pieces by upcoming Canadian composers. In 2017 her New Music Drama In Wonderland showcased and premiered pieces by composers from around the world. Ms. Alondra has very energetic, loving and caring personality, and enjoys teaching in group settings.

Violin Teacher

Mr. Kristian : A violin teacher at 88Keys, he is a graduate of the Suzuki Violin Method, the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) for violin, and York University Bachelor of Fine Arts; Honors Degree for Violin Performance, and was in the first group to help standardize the music education system for all provinces in Canada. This former child prodigy has performed with world renowned violin maestro Itzhak Perlman among many others. First performing with the Toronto Symphony orchestra at the age of 7 as a solo violinist, continued to perform in multiple countries around the world. As well as being a club DJ for 15 years, he also played the valve trombone, baritone, cello, viola, bass guitar and piano. Along with teaching, he acts, performs violin and magic for multiple films & t.v. shows.  His unique teaching style follows the solid foundation of the world renowned Suzuki method with some elements of RCM & university, and involves music history, composition, improvisation & ear-training. Utilizing his Perfect Pitch & Synesthesia he aims for precise tonal clarity while maintaining a fun & diverse learning experience for every age.

Piano and Flute Teacher

Mr. Dmitry, composer, arranger, piano, flute and saxophone player and teacher, holds 2 Masters of Music in Composition and Flute from The Sibelius Academy (Finland) and Tashkent State Conservatory (Uzbekistan). Dmitriy has participated in numerous competitions, festivals and master-courses in Asia, Europe and North America, and has extensive experience as a performer and composer. His music is published and performing in over 15 countries. Known as Mr.D to his students, Dmitriy is Senior Department Director and JOC Program Coordinator at 88Keys, and has taught many accomplished students throughout his 8 years teaching Yamaha music programs.

Kindermusik Educator

Ms. Nora takes great pride in her teaching career. As a Kindermusik educator, she has over 10 years’ experience in teaching music and movement to young students ranging in age from babies to preschoolers. Through her teaching methods, Ms. Nora strives to capture and nurture a child’s desire for language, the body’s urge to move, the brain’s attention to pattern and the voice’s response to sounds. She takes the same approach when it comes to teaching piano, voice and theory. In the over 15 years of private instruction to students ranging in age from 4 to adulthood, Ms. Nora’s main focus has been to offer a well-rounded musical start, which will lead to a lifelong love and appreciation for music. Her students have successfully completed Royal Conservatory Examinations, receiving First Class Honours with Distinction.

Nora Satmarean is a voice graduate from the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Performance Diploma Program. She has previously studied at renowned music schools in Romania, and she graduated with a voice and piano certification. A recipient of two voice scholarships from the Contemporary Showcase in Toronto, third prize winner at the National Music Competition and guest performer on the national “Young Talents” broadcast in Romania, Nora has extensive performance experience. She has sung in numerous operas and operettas, as well as on the recital stage, presenting a variety of composers and styles.

Kindermusik Educator

Ms. Pippa has been an educator for fifteen years, specializing in arts education and the early years. In addition to being a Kindermusik instructor for 88 Keys, she is a supply teacher for YRDSB, teaches Zumba Fitness for Goodlife and runs a variety of music and movement workshops at events and camps. Pippa studied Early Childhood Education at Seneca College, has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education Primary/Junior from York University, completing all her programs with Honour.

Pippa has been a certified Kindermusik Instructor since 2012 and has taught at 88 Keys for over five years. She has facilitated the Kindermusik ‘Village’, ‘Our Time’ and ‘Young Child’ programs in studio as well as off site. She also loves hosting Kindermusik Birthday parties for children ages 1-12.

Growing up Pippa practiced various dance styles, gymnastics, piano (RCM) and hand drums, all of which informs her daily work delivering music and movement programming for young children. Pippa connects to the engaging, developmentally appropriate and holistic approach that kindermusik curriculum offers as it aligns with her personal teaching style and philosophy. She loves to excite and challenge her students always focusing on cultivating a fun experience and inclusive environment.

Piano Teacher

Ms. Olga holds a double degree: Bachelor of Music from Belorussian State Pedagogical University and Bachelor of Education from Department of Modern Foreign Languages from Belorussian Institute of Entrepreneurship. Ms. Olga is an Ontario Certified Teacher and Registered RCM piano/theory teacher. Her main field of study is classical piano performance and she has more than 18 years of piano experience. With a specialization in early adolescents education, Ms. Olga has experience teaching students of various ages. Even though her main area of expertise is piano, she also teaches accordion and voice. Being result oriented, Ms. Olga is quite successful in creating an atmosphere where great results are balanced with welcoming teaching style.

Piano Teacher

Mr. Sergey started his musical education at the Music Academy of Reinhold Gliere in Ukraine, graduating with Honours in Jazz composition and performing. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, musical writing and performing,  Mr. Sergey is able to tailor his lessons towards each students needs and produce amazing results. His main focus is to incorporate elements of general musicianship, such as ear training and theory, as well as instrument technique and interpretation.