88Keys Music and Discovery Centre

Ms. Grace: Piano Teachel

Ms. Grace is a passionate piano instructor and Sound Designer who moved from San Francisco to Toronto. She holds a B.A in piano performance from Nanjing Normal University and an MFA in Music Production & Visual Media from Academy of Arts University in San Francisco. Ms. Wang started her training in piano performance at the age of 5. At age 19 she was accepted into Nanjing Normal University after ranking 7 in piano performance in the province. She was also trained by Setsuko Shima outside of college. After graduation, she went on to complete her MFA in San Francisco further expanding her knowledge on music history, theory, and Jazz performance.   

As a group/private teacher she offers 10+ years of piano teaching and performance experience. She covers most genres with a primary focus on classical. She has tons of experience teaching note reading, music theory/rhythm/history, dynamics for all levels and ages of students. She mentored countless students in Silicon Valley and helped them pass the ABRSM/piano Guild exam. As a teacher, her style focuses on creating a welcoming and warm learning environment while maintaining focus on achieving results. 

Studio Director 

Ms. Maryam : Piano Teacher

Ms. Maryam has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with distinction from Concordia University in Montreal and has 10 years of teaching experience in piano. She also has a Piano Teacher Certificate from RCM and prepares students for RCM exams. Having training in both Yamaha Music and RCM method let her be more creative in the lessons. Her goal is to bring love and passion toward music to the everyday lives of her students. Her teaching style is so engaging, and she uses different tools to internalize musical elements for kids. She designs long-term and short-term plans for her students according to their needs and capabilities. She is a very understanding teacher who has a specific way of teaching for different students with different characteristics.

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: Piano and Violin Teacher

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.

Ms. Chanel: Piano Teacher

Chanel is a classical pianist, music educator, and conductor. She has a Bachelor of Music, specializing in Music Education from the University of Toronto, and is pursuing a Master of Teaching at OISE. Chanel has an ARCT in piano performance and an RCM Gold Medal in the Alto Saxophone. She has performed as a soloist, keyboard conductor, and collaborative pianist at various venues in the GTA. She is the recipient of the University of Toronto Leadership Award and Ontario Music Educator’s Association Legacy Award for her contributions to the Music Education community. Chanel strives to create an inclusive, encouraging positive environment to inspire students to love and appreciate music! 

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.