I grew up in Thunder Bay Ontario and studied privately with several teachers at the Avila Music Centre and later in Nova Scotia where I live today.

I was very involved in band in my high school and played oboe there as well as in the Thunder Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra. Music was a big part of my life growing up and should be a part of every child’s life!

I consider myself more a coach than a teacher, always looking for something new and innovative to motivate my students and help them find their musical paths. Regular performance and competitive opportunities are available as well as provincial exams in which my students excel.

In 1992, I began teaching piano after qualifying as a Music for Young Children teacher, continuing my private studies, and attending professional workshops. I initially taught group classes, but as some students transitioned to private lessons, I saw how much faster they progressed and how much stronger our teacher-student relationships became. Within a few years, I shifted to teaching private lessons exclusively.

In 1999, I founded the South West Nova Music Festival, Nova Scotia’s only bilingual music competition at the time. Students could be adjudicated in the official language of their choice and participate in classes for piano, voice, and strings.

For five years, I also directed Les Jeunes Clarions, an Acadian youth choir for singers aged 9–16. Choir members performed a cappella and developed skills in up to four-part harmony.

I have always embraced technology to support learning. Alongside traditional materials, I introduced computer-based theory programs and personalized online resources to enhance students’ practice at home.

In 2016, I became a certified Piano Marvel teacher—the first in the Maritimes and the first certified teacher in Canada. This interactive digital program accelerates learning, allowing many foundational skills to be developed at home so lesson time can focus on musical refinement. With this approach, I reintroduced semi-private and small group lessons that remain fully individualized. Students benefit from peer interaction while still receiving dedicated instruction, enjoying 45–60 minutes of supervised lesson time each week at the same cost as a traditional 30-minute private lesson.