Meet our Instructors

Shahrzad Shakeri earned her Bachelor and Masters degree in cello performance from Mcgill University under the virtuoso cellist Matt Haimovitz. She also studied at the Conservatory of

Paris with renowned cellist Helene Dautry. She has performed in various solo recitals, chamber music ensembles, orchestras, and festivals across Europe, the Middle East and North America. She has always been given fantastic opportunities to work with well-known cellists and teachers at school, festivals and masterclasses such as Philippe Muller, Jerome Pernoo, Raphael Pidoux, Johannes Moser, Richard Aaron.

Teaching has been a significant part of Shahrzad’s career. She has taught students of all backgrounds, from young children to adults. She is always interested in discovering new,

exciting ways of teaching music to students at different levels. Her teaching is based on the principles of the Suzuki Method. She is passionate about making the learning process a fun

experience for everyone while helping students find their unique ways of playing at ease and expressing their emotions and musical ideas.

Anna Bobylyova is an accomplished violinist and passionate educator, holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education and Performance, earned in the vibrant cultural capital of Ukraine. With over a decade of international performance experience, Anna has captivated audiences on prestigious stages in the UAE, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, India, and aboard world cruises as a soloist. She has also toured Europe with the renowned Odesa Opera House Orchestra, performing in celebrated concert venues.

As a violin teacher, Anna combines her advanced professional expertise with a personalized approach to inspire students of all ages and skill levels. She emphasizes building a strong technical foundation, fostering musical expression, and nurturing a lifelong love of music. In addition to violin lessons, Anna offers viola instruction, catering to students eager to explore or advance in this beautiful instrument.

Outside the classroom, Anna enjoys exploring diverse cultures and music styles, which enrich her teaching and deepen her connection with students.

József Botos is a highly skilled guitar teacher who studied in Vienna, Austria, at The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, under the tutelage of Professor Alvaro Pierri and Professor Alexander Swete. For the past 12 years, he has been living and working as a performer and educator in Toronto. His students have consistently achieved high marks in their RCM Practical Exams, with some receiving gold medals for their outstanding performances. Notably, his Jazz and Rock students actively participate in school big bands, smaller combo bands, and music festivals. 

József also teaches students who simply enjoy playing guitar and want to explore their favorite genres. With 30 years of performing and 20 years of teaching experience, he is eager to share his knowledge with others. He specializes in RCM Practical Exam Preparation and accepts students at all levels. His goal is to help each student achieve their musical aspirations.

In the past two years, his students have had over 15 successful RCM Exams, some with Distinction, earning gold medals and performing at the Mazzoleni Concert Hall in 2023 and 2024. His students have also won gold medals at the Kiwanis Music Festival, and those who participated in Jazz and Pop music ensemble programs have been recognized at The Nationals MusicFest Canada and the Golden Horseshoe Music Festival.

Emily Richardson began the flute in band class before progressing to private lessons and performing with her local youth orchestra. After being bitten by the “music bug”, she went on to complete her Bachelor and Masters degrees in flute performance at the University of British Columbia under VSO principal flutist Christie Reside, followed by an Advanced Certificate in Performance at the University of Toronto with Kelly Zimba Lukic, principal flutist of the TSO.
Emily has performed with ensembles such as the Red Deer Symphony, the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada for their 2018 tour to Germany and Scotland. Her flute and piano duo, Artemisia Duo, has been featured in concert series at the Old School House Arts Centre and Roedde House Museum, among others.
Emily believes everyone has their own musical voice, and that learning is a process of curiosity and discovery. In her teaching, she takes an individualized approach to help students reach their goals.

Grace has over 20 years of experience playing the violin, her extensive performance experience includes participating in orchestras, chamber music groups, and individual

recitals. This rich background has given her a deep understanding of a wide range of musical styles and techniques, allowing her to bring a wealth of knowledge to her teaching.

Grace holds a Master of Music from the University of Ottawa, she has had the privilege of studying under several renowned violinists and educators, including Timothy Chooi and

Yehonatan Berick, further honing her skills and expanding her knowledge. Her educational background has equipped her with a solid foundation in both performance and pedagogy, making her a well-rounded teacher. Grace's academic achievements and continuous professional development ensure that she stays updated with the latest teaching methodologies and performance practices.

Grace's teaching philosophy is centered around fostering a love for music in her students.

She believes in a tailored approach, meeting each student’s unique needs and goals. Grace has taught students in both China and Canada, gaining extensive experience working with

diverse student populations. She emphasizes the importance of developing strong technical skills while also encouraging musical expression and creativity. Grace aims to create a supportive and inspiring environment where students feel motivated to practice and improve.

Her patience and dedication ensure that her students not only develop their violin skills but also cultivate a lifelong appreciation for music.

Languages: English, Mandarin

Minhee Seo is a versatile vocalist from South Korea who began her musical journey fueled by a passion for R&B and pop music. At the age of 15, she first gained recognition by winning the grand prize at a youth vocal competition held in her

hometown, marking the start of her rising prominence. Since then, she has consistently won awards at various vocal contests, steadily honing her skills and artistic expression.

At 17, she signed with an entertainment company and began professional vocal training, refining her technique and gaining valuable stage experience. She later worked as a demo singer, collaborating with professional musicians and accumulating extensive studio recording experience. A life-changing short trip to New York introduced her to the freedom and freshness of jazz, inspiring her to pursue formal studies in the genre. Driven by this passion, she moved to Canada and earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College in Toronto in 2024.

Currently preparing to release her debut EP, Minhee continues to develop her piano, composition, and arrangement skills while actively engaging with Toronto’s vibrant jazz scene. With her deep, delicate voice and sincere expressive style, she

connects deeply with audiences and is opening new horizons in jazz with her unique artistic voice.

​Vivian Chuiman Ho is a professional pianist and passionate educator with over 10 years of teaching experience. She holds a Master of Arts (Music) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, a Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance (LRSM) (Distinction), and RCM Level 8 Theory (Distinction). As an award-winning performer, she won 1st place at the Tzar’s Village Music Festival (Russia, 2012) and 3rd place at the Antonio Vivaldi Youth Music Competition (Vienna, 2017). Vivian is also an experienced collaborative pianist, having accompanied choirs and professional soloists. Many of her piano students have earned top honors, including the 76th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival (2024) and Taiwan International Youth Music Competition (2024). Fostering creativity, technique, and passion, Vivian inspires her students to grow and embrace the joy of music.

Parnian Aghaiani is a distinguished violist based in Toronto, Canada, with nearly 19 years of performance experience and over 11 years of teaching expertise.
She holds a Bachelor of Music from Tehran University of Art and a Master’s degree in Music Literature & Performance from Western University of Ontario, where she studied under Professor Sharon Wei.
Parnian has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Tehran Philharmonic Orchestra and the Iran National Orchestra. She has received recognition, including 2nd prize at the Iran Youth Music Competition, and has had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed artists. In addition to her performance career, she is a dedicated educator, specializing in the Suzuki and RCM methods, and has successfully taught students of all ages and skill levels.
Parnian is an active member of the Canadian Viola Society and the American Suzuki Association.

Jessica is a vocal coach, performer, choral singer, and music educator based in Toronto and Hong Kong, with over eight years of experience. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Vocal Studies from Hong Kong Baptist University.

Jessica has led choirs at HKBKK Secondary School and Red Academy, with her students achieving excellent results in music exams and competitions. She has performed with ensembles like Babel Chorus, Mandle Philharmonic Choir, Asia Pacific Youth Choir and Cantoria Chamber Choir, starred in the Off-Broadway musical Children’s Letter to God , The Suppliant Women,  and sung as a soloist at the University of Leeds with LUUMS Sinfonia and Symphonic Choir.

She also holds a Kodály Level 1 Certification from Western University and has received several scholarships, including the Hong Kong Children Choir Scholarship.

Miu Ching Ng holds a Master of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Music from

Hong Kong Baptist University. During her master’s studies, she was awarded a competitive fellowship and completed a full solo recital as part of her dissertation, demonstrating a broad

and expressive musical voice. Her academic journey has equipped her with strong foundations in performance, ensemble playing, and accompaniment.

Miu has performed in several notable events, including Reverie: Fantasia of France at the 2023 French Music Festival, and Piano Tricks or Treats, one of the opening ceremonies for

Tom Lee Music’s Steinway & Sons Hall. She also participated in a clinical piano workshop focused on musculoskeletal and psychological considerations in piano playing, exploring

how the body functions during performance.

She studied with Steinway Artist Dr. Yoonie Han during her bachelor’s degree and continued her artistic development under the mentorship of Mr. Stephen Wong during her master’s

studies. She has also participated in masterclasses with Dr. Amy Sze, Dr. Nariaki Sugiura, Miss Nancy Loo, and Mr. Paolo Vairo.

Her achievements include Champion titles in multiple international competitions, such as the Hong Kong International Music and Arts Festival, the Hong Kong Master Music Piano

Competition, and both the Open and Classical divisions of the Elite Performers Piano Competition.