Faculty

Rachael holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Colorado. Majoring in violin and viola performance during her Bachelor of Music, Rachael is experienced with both instruments. Rachael’s work as a performer has included being a member of several orchestras, including holding the position of principal violist in The National Youth Orchestra of Canada; she is also a fiddle performer, having played in folk ensembles.

Sheila holds an ARCT in Vocal Performance, and has over 30 years of experience teaching voice. Sheila is trained as a choral conductor and as a festival adjudicator, and finds her extensive experience has given her the ability to understand different strengths and weaknesses in singing, as well as how to work with many different voices and vocal styles.

Alexandra is a classically trained vocalist, holding a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance from UBC. Alexandra has lots of experience working with youth in leadership roles through UBC music camps, children's ministry at church, and many teaching roles; Alexandra is an experienced and qualified instructor who is passionate about healthy vocal techniques.

Sarah is a skilled flute teacher with a Bachelor of Music degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She has fulfilled the Royal Conservatory of Music requirements for both grade 8 flute performance and grade 8 theory rudiments. Sarah is familiar with several different genres of music, as she plays in a Celtic band, and has played in wind ensembles and orchestras; she also plays in a duo with cellist and fellow CAM instructor Ruthanne Clements.

Ruthanne is experienced in performing and teaching cello. Ruthanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, and has received training from several well-known cellists; she has performed in many orchestras, and has a strong passion for music. As a teacher, Ruthanne has experience with the Suzuki method, and has also taught for many years using the Venezuelan-based El Sistema program.

Colleen is an accomplished piano teacher with many years of experience. As a teenager, Colleen completed her Associate Diploma of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) in piano performance, and studied under Edward Parker. Colleen began teaching full-time directly after high school, instructing students of all levels. Colleen’s students are encouraged to reach their full potential, and pushed to achieve high levels of Royal Conservatory standards. She is also a teacher at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and has experience as an adjudicator.

Lia has a deep passion for teaching music and has been a piano teacher for 38 years. Lia has a BMus and BA in piano, organ, and basic rudimentary; she also has her choir conductor diploma. Lia is multilingual, able to speak English, Russian, Georgian, and Hebrew. She loves how music encourages self expression and believes it to be an important part of a well-rounded education. Lia's goal as a music teacher is to foster an encouraging and supportive environment for all students.

Karin is classically trained pianist, having received a Licentiate Diploma (LTCL) in Piano Performance from Trinity College London. Karin regularly performs around the Fraser Valley, including at churches, weddings, and other events. As a musician, Karin is most experienced with classical repertoire, and often uses Royal Conservatory of Music methods in her lessons, though she also has knowledge of contemporary music as well. Karin loves passing music on to others through teaching, and helping students learn to love music. 

Erik has been teaching guitar for over 30 years; his background as a musician includes performance, songwriting, and working as a sessional player. Erik specializes in many genres as a musician and teacher, including rock, pop, folk, country, and blues. Erik has previously owned a private music lesson and recording studio, and has experience building community through music by his involvement in open mics, jam nights, and working with charities.

Rhiannon is a classically trained soprano with a degree in Cognitive Science from SFU, where she enjoyed studying child development and first language acquisition. Rhiannon has three kids, and she knows firsthand how much music makes a difference in a child’s development. Rhiannon believes people learn and work together best through group activities.

Emily holds an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has performed with the Fraser Valley Symphony Orchestra, and played as a soloist with the Chilliwack Metropolitan Orchestra and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra. Equally skilled as a collaborative pianist, Emily acts as accompanist for the Philomusica Chorus, the Re: Action Choir, Leary Elementary School Choir, and the award-winning Unsworth Elementary School Choir and Promontory Elementary School Choir. She has also held solo recitals at Elim Village and Elder college. Emily strives to help students of all levels reach their potential in music. 

Jessica is an accomplished concert pianist, and has experience performing as a soloist with orchestras. Jessica has completed an Associate Diploma of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) in piano performance, and she is a registered music teacher with the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers’ Association (BCRMTA). Jessica’s achievements in performance include winning prizes at the Chilliwack Music Festival, BCCM Music Festival, and the BC performing Arts Festival where she was chosen as a provincial representative for four consecutive years from 2022-2025.

Carson has experience working with many different musicians, bands, and recording artists, specializing in a variety of genres including jazz, musical theatre, folk, and country. Carson is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Music degree in upright bass, but teaches several instruments. Carson was inspired by past teachers to pursue teaching music, where he enjoys encouraging students to find what they love about music, and helping them achieve their personal goals.

Teng is a classically trained pianist, holding a Licentiate Diploma (LTCL) in Piano Performance from Trinity College London. Originally from Singapore, Teng’s musical experience includes playing as a soloist at ceremonies and other public events, as well as knowledge of a wide range of repertoire. Teng has perfect pitch, and uses this skill to help with arranging music. Teng enjoys playing and teaching many different musical genres and styles.

Carmen is a highly skilled flautist, holding both an Associate Diploma and a Licentiate Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in flute performance. Carmen has also completed a Master of Music degree in flute and piano performance from the University of British Columbia. As a trained performer, Carmen performs regularly as a soloist and in groups, having been featured on television and on the radio across North America.

Lisa is a qualified and skilled vocalist and teacher, holding an Associate of Conservatory Canada in Music (ACCM) in Vocal Performance, as well as taken courses on vocal science and completing three levels of Somatic Voicework™. Lisa is also a classically trained pianist, and has experience performing, as well as accompanying choir on piano. Commercial Contemporary Music (CCM) is Lisa’s specialty, and she enjoys teaching musical theatre, pop, and other genres of non-classical music.

Alexis holds a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Manitoba, having received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Trinity Western University, studying clarinet, bassoon, and piano. Alexis is an experienced performer and teacher, teaching private lessons for over a decade, as well as being an active masterclass clinician in both British Columbia and Manitoba. Alexis's performance experience includes being part of a variety of symphony orchestras and wind ensembles. Currently, Alexis is the Elementary Music Directress at Boundary Bay Montessori School in Delta, BC, while she is also the music and band teacher at Maple Ridge Christian School.

Rod is an experienced musician, having grown up studying both guitar and organ. He has taught music for decades across the Fraser Valley, Winnipeg, and Ottawa. Rod’s wide range of repertoire includes genres such as rock, folk, country, jazz, and classical, allowing him to succeed in many professional settings as a musician. Rod enjoys helping others, and therefore has had many jobs providing music for churches, weddings, ceremonies, and business events.