Katie Lam

Katie Lam is a self-taught and passionate musician who is known for her dedication, enthusiasm, and musicality. She has performed for a variety of ensembles including concert and jazz bands, choirs, a classical guitar ensemble, and singing for a jazz & contemporary ensemble. Along her music journey, she has received numerous music awards and scholarships.

Katie started teaching herself piano only three years before entering university and had already achieved First Class Honours with Distinction under the Royal Conservatory of Music. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from King’s University where she focused her studies in piano, piano pedagogy, and conducting. Her unique music journey makes her a patient and encouraging teacher where she believes in different learning styles to meet students where they are at, and help them build confidence through engaging, fun and creative lessons.

Music is more than just teaching an instrument and teaching changes lives. Katie has taught a diverse group of students. She loves to teach and watch students grow, understand music, and turn it from something black and white into beautiful colours. She values a student’s learning and growth, where she can be part of their journey and watch this take flight.

Parent Review

We have greatly appreciated Katie’s patience and kindness while working with our daughter. She truly is an exceptional piano teacher. Thank you for being her teacher and nourishing her love for music!

Nicole Nelson

Nicole has a deep love for music and has been playing piano since the age of six. She grew up participating in both the Parkland and Edmonton Kiwanis music festivals and has also competed at the provincial festival several times. She is a graduate from the Bachelor of Music program with a major in Piano Performance at The King’s University and is the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships. Nicole is passionate about teaching and loves passing on the joy of music to her students and seeing them get excited about learning. She loves playing music from the Romantic era more than anything and in her perfect world she would be an expert on Frédéric Chopin and would be able to play all of his nocturnes and ballades. In her free time, Nicole enjoys reading novels, baking, and spending time with her cats and dogs.

Calvin Zhan

Calvin began his musical career at the age of five with his first piano lesson. He grew up participating as a pianist and drummer in a wide variety of settings and has also competed in music festivals across Alberta, earning numerous awards.

Calvin began teaching music at the age of sixteen and has since completed a Bachelor of Music (Piano) at the University of Alberta. He enjoys all kinds of music ranging from classical to pop, and encourages his students to have fun in lessons through specialized activities/games.

Seeing his students succeed is one of Calvin’s greatest joys, and he is excited to share his knowledge, patience, and dedication to students at Walter’s Music Studio!

Josselyn Lau

I started playing piano at age 4 in the Music for Young Children (MYC) program at the Walters Music Studio back in their old location. I was a finalist in the Western region Sunbeams 3 music composition competition. I am thrilled to be able to now join the studio as a teacher!

I have reached Royal Conservatory Music (RCM) of Canada Grade 10 level in piano, currently finishing the remaining requirements towards obtaining the certificate. In my spare time, I love to sing, dance, and listen to music. I enjoy Broadway, pop and classical music.

I am entering my last year of Linguistics undergraduate degree at the University of Alberta. Since I love working with children, I plan to pursue a second degree in Elementary Education. I will have some experience working with children in the summer as a sports program badminton coach for elementary school-aged children at the University of Alberta.

I look forward to sharing my knowledge and love of music with the young children at the studio!

Emma Lilko

Emma started taking piano lessons right here at the Walters Music Studio back when she was in kindergarten. She has since progressed up to grade 8 and took both RCM examinations. She also had the opportunity to be taught how to teach students by Roslyn Bergen herself, here at the studio.

Emma is attending the University of Alberta to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. Although she will be doing labs for the rest of her life, Emma was once an international competitive gymnast. She still spends a lot of her free time stretching and tumbling.

Emma can’t wait for her students to experience the world of music. She hopes to learn, grow and follow her students as they navigate the musical path she did!

CJ Hsieh

Through years of study at one of the leading Piano Pedagogy Programs at the University of Oklahoma, CJ Hsieh cultivated strong foundational teaching skills. His perseverance led him to receive Oklahoma University’s Certificate of Distinction in Teaching in 2017 and 2018, as well as being selected as one of the Top 30 teaching assistants out of 700 others throughout the university.

CJ has prepared for and performed in many concerts, recitals, music festivals, competitions, and master classes. His accomplishments include, being invited as a school music chapter to perform at Disneyland in 2012, performing a piano selection in Carnegie Hall after an invitation in 2014, winning the MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition state division in 2017 and the winner of 2022 international grand prize Canada/European division.

CJ has experience leading the Augustana Conservatory in Camrose as well as it’s community conservatory and has helped students prepare for RCM exams across many levels up to ARCT. He is passionate about helping his students not just to study for the exam, but to have a solid musical foundation in each level. CJ is currently studying under Dr. Jacques Despres at University of Alberta.

Qingzi Tang

Qingzi started her musical journey at age 5 when she had her first piano lesson. Since then she has never stopped learning and pursuing her interest in music in a wide variety of styles.

She began voice lessons at 15 years old and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, majoring in piano and voice direction. During her university years, Qingzi developed a passion for opera and musical theatre which led her to become an opera director and producer with the Peking University Academy of Opera.

Qingzi has been teaching private piano lessons and music classes for beginners in Beijing, Seattle, and Edmonton for 10 years. She loves the experience of encouraging and guiding students to interpret music and express their own musical understanding. She believes every student can find something in music that is beautiful to them.

Qingzi is able to teach in both English and in Mandarin!

Parent review

Qingzi is a wonderful teacher. She truly loves what she does, and it shows in the way she teaches. Qingzi has a warm, positive approach to teaching, but is gently strict when she needs to be. Her communication style was just right for children. My daughter responds so well to her. I would highly recommend Qingzi to anyone as a piano teacher.

Rebecca Pallister

Rebecca started playing the piano through the Music for Young Children (MYC) program right here at Walters Music Studio when she was four years old and has since progressed on to complete her grade 8 RCM examinations. While classical piano has been her main focus for many years, she is now exploring pop music and continues to challenge herself with level 9 pieces.

Rebecca is currently in her second year of a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Alberta. She has competed internationally in both soccer and robotics. Rebecca also teaches swimming lessons and works at camps, including the Green Shack program. In her spare time you will find Rebecca playing soccer, creating programming for and teaching children with special needs, and getting outdoors as much as she can.

Rebecca remembers how much she has been motivated by the fun that music can be. It is important to her that her students have fun as they go about their classes, lessons, and practices.

Rebecca is very excited to be a part of the Walters Music Studio Team and looks forward to the joy and fun of lessons with her students!

Solomia Bobier

Sol started learning piano as a child in the Music For Young Children program, right here at Walters Music Studio with Amy as her teacher. Many years later, she still enjoys piano and pipe organ lessons and plans to continue to study music at the University of Alberta.

While Sol has focused on Royal Conservatory Repertoire, she loves exploring new styles of music and playing show tunes. Disney arrangements are definitely some of her favourites!

In her free time, Sol works with Free Transit Edmonton, reads both fiction and non-fiction, and takes care of her little garden and her cat.

Sol loves teaching and learning from her students. She looks forward to learning with you!

Diane Paulson

Music has always been an important part of life for Diane. Her piano lessons started at age 5 with her mom as her first teacher. She later continued to study with Geraldine Haythorne at the Grant MacEwan University Conservatory of Music. Diane completed RCM Grade 10 at the age of 16 and went on to the University of Alberta where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree. Her major was elementary music and she minored in European history. After teaching school for a few years, she resumed her piano studies and completed an A.R.C.T. Diploma in Piano Teaching with the Royal Conservatory, then took a position at Vanguard College as a music instructor teaching piano, theory, harmony, & music history.

Throughout all her years of study she never stopped teaching piano. Diane can honestly say that she has taught students of all ages: from 6 to 60!

Diane is delighted to be part of Walters Music Studio because she believes that we are, like her, dedicated to standards of excellence and imparting the love of music to children of all ages!

Maria Protodyakonova

Maria was bound to become a musician, growing up in a musical family in Russia. Most of her family members (including parents, brother, and grandfather) are conservatory-trained performers and teachers.

Since starting piano lessons with her mother (a member of the piano faculty at Izhevsk Music College) at the age of 5, Maria has gone on to earn numerous degrees in piano performance, most recently earning a Doctor of Music from the University of Alberta.

Maria’s interest in teaching started when she became a mother herself. She has served as a teaching assistant at the University of Alberta (piano, chamber music, theory and pop music) since 2011. She is also an avid collaborative pianist who loves to accompany other instruments! In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, painting and reading.

Maria is very excited to share her knowledge and passion for music with students at Walters Music Studio!

Education:

Diploma in Piano Performance, Collaborative Piano, and Chamber Ensemble (Izhevsk Music College, Russia, 2005)

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (Park University, MO, USA, 2010)

Master of Music in Piano Performance (University of Alberta, 2013)

Doctor of Music in Piano Performance (University of Alberta, TBC 2021)

Caroline Lenk

In addition to her extensive theory, harmony, history, and performance training with the Western Board of Music, “Miss Caroline” has led many choirs and musicals, taught private piano lessons for more than 25 years, and Music for Young Children for 16.

Caroline believes that Music for Young Children gives children the very best music education. Her goal is to inspire childrens’ musical interest and work with them to build solid musical foundations. Caroline has done just that while instilling a love of music and fond memories of their music classes for many children. Lessons with her are fun and rewarding.

It is Caroline’s absolute pleasure and honour to share the gift of music with your child.

Parent review:

We had a wonderful year together in Miss Caroline’s class and I was amazed at my daughters progress throughout the year. The program introduces key music concepts to children in a way that is fun in which THEY can relate to and learn effectively. Miss Caroline is fabulous in her approach with the kids and the overall pace of classes.

Dominique Shulhan

Dom grew up with music in Barrhead, Alberta and Dominique loves the ability that music has to not only connect people, but to help people communicate what cannot be put into words. Since coming to Edmonton has earned a Bachelor of Music from The King’s University, Jazz Diploma at MacEwan University and a Masters of Music at the University of Alberta. Throughout her studies, Dom has achieved numerous awards and scholarships and has performed in numerous bands, ensembles, and choirs. Even now, Dom plays lead alto saxophone with the Edmonton Winds.

Dom teaches both piano and woodwind instruments. She loves those precious moments of problem-solving with a student when the student finally gets that “ah-ha!” moment, and looks forward to guiding all her students to their own “ah-ha!” moments.

PARENT REVIEW:

Our two children had private flute and saxophone lessons with teacher Dom. They loved the experience. Dom was always prepared and enthusiastic. She struck a perfect balance between encouraging our children and knowing when to push just a bit more to help them achieve their goals. We loved that Dom actually brought her own instruments so that we could hear what our children were being asked to do instead of just having instructions written down. Each week Dom would work with our children to come up with realistic and achievable goals for the week. From a purely practical level, it was wonderful having someone come to our home instead of having to drive for lessons. Dom sets her students up for success and supports and encourages along the way. This was an overwhelmingly positive experience for our family and it is our distinct pleasure to write a reference for this highly skilled teacher. JULIE

Elisa Liboiron

With fond memories of her first introduction to playing the piano and a young age, Elisa brings her considerable abilities and musical journey to benefit the students of Walters Music Studio.

Elisa holds a Performers Certificate, a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and a Church Music Diploma in Organ Performance from The King’s University, as well as a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Alberta. Along her educational journey, Elisa has been delighted to receive numerous awards and scholarships in recognition of her achievements.

As a teacher, Elisa enjoys passing on her love of music to her students. Although she focuses on classical music, she invites students to explore music in various ways, including improvisation, composition, and playing jazz and pop. Her favourite part of teaching is developing students’ ability to express themselves through music while overcoming technical challenges.

Parent Review:

Our girls are so lucky to have Elisa as their piano teacher. They have both progressed so much with Elisa’s patient and gentle teaching style. She motivates them while perfecting their technique and encourages them with their love of music. We have seen tremendous growth in our daughters overall musically with Elisa’s teaching style and expertise.

Sarah Haeubl

Sarah’s first piano lesson more than 15 year ago sparked a love for music of many styles, including jazz, musical theatre, and worship. In fact, when Sarah is not teaching, she can be found in other musical pursuits like playing in bands and singing in choirs, or even ringing handbells. This passion for music has led her to prioritize providing rich and enjoyable learning experiences for her students so that they too might develop a lasting love for music.

An accomplished musician who has been the recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, Sarah holds a Bachelor of Music degree (Piano) and Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, Sarah says that one of her greatest joys is seeing a student’s face light up when they accomplish mastery of a challenging piece or concept.

Parent Review:

It was our great fortune to have Sarah as my daughters private teacher when my daughter was first introduced to piano lessons two years ago. Sarah’s above-and-beyond teaching style, patience and kindness have inspired my daughter to enjoy learning the music and the theory. Sarah tailored the program to specifically meet my daughters needs and progress, and provided timely and valuable feedback. We are very impressed with my daughters progress over the past two years, and really appreciate Sarah being such a great teacher!

Gilbert

Grace Modney

Grace has loved music since she first started in Music for Young Children at the age of 5! Since then, she hasn’t stopped learning or having fun with music in a wide variety of styles. In addition to performing and accompanying, Grace really enjoys musical composition and helping her students to create their own musical masterpieces!

With a Bachelor of Arts in Music and an after-degree in Education, Grace teaches both here at Walters Music Studio and with EPSB. She always appreciates her students for continuously teaching her and making her a better teacher and for sharing the fun that music can be with her.

Student Review:

I have been taking piano lessons with Grace for the past 3 years. She encourages me to push further, giving me the drive to over come, even in the moments I feel like quitting. She is gentle with me and I respond very well to this style of teaching. Her non-threatening demeanor allows her to connect with students in a way that they feel safe to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. Her knowledge of theory is impressive to me as she incorporates it into lessons in ways that are easy for me to understand. I highly recommend Grace to anyone looking for a piano teacher. She is personable, caring and great at what she does!

Megan

Abi Pedersen

Abi is a multi-instrumentalist (piano, guitar, hand drums, mandolin, singing) who has always been passionate about music. Whether she is writing, performing, recordings, listening to, teaching, or learning music, she treasures it all.

Abi started piano lessons as a five year old, and progressed so quickly that she began teaching at age 13! She never has stopped learning though, and has since completed an Associate Teachers Certificate through Conservatory of Canada, an Associate of Arts degree, and Bachelors and Masters of Music degree in piano performance.

Abi likes working and building relationships with music families and the Walters Music Studio teams, and aims to provide a fun and active learning experience for her students.

Parent’s Review

My daughter thinks Abi is nice, funny and she teaches new piano strategies every week. As a parent I think Abi is great. She exceeded my expectations a number of times and I believe she is a good role model for my daughter. Abi takes pride in her work with my daughter, and she is always trying to instill a love of music and fun in music every class.

Wendy Nieuwenhuis

Wendy began piano lessons at age 5, and has not stopped since. Her interest in music has seen her complete a Bachelor of Music from The King’s University, then a Masters of Music in Organ Performance from the University of Alberta. She has performed far and wide, served as a Sessional Music Instructor at The King’s University and a piano and organ adjudicator at music festivals, and is also currently the music director at Highlands United Church.

Wendy loves to help her students achieve their musical goals. Whether they are beginners or advanced students, it is gratifying to see students develop their own relationships with music and to see where it takes them.

Parent Review:

We have had Wendy as a piano teacher for 4 years now. As a parent, I really appreciate how my 3 kids have been able to go from MYC classes to private lessons all at Walters Music Studio. The kids love how friendly Wendy is and how she makes the lesson time fun. She really is able to challenge them on a weekly basis, but in a way that is manageable for each child so that they will be successful. Wendy is an incredible pianist and organist and her love for music is evident to the kids she teaches … Jaclyn

Roslyn Bergen

Roslyn was raised in a very musical family to parents who would tour to provide musical performances. As fun as that sounds, there was frustration at times because her dad was her piano teacher from age 5. She couldn’t practice without him hearing every mistake! But Roslyn’s love for music has only grown throughout her life and is a part of her marriage, her home life, and her livelihood.

Roslyn has taught piano lessons since she was in high school and continues to believe in the value of lessons and the hard work of learning to play piano as a way to appreciate the beauty of the music that is woven into our lives.

Parent Review:

Roslyn is a great teacher. She has incredible knowledge and a great education of piano teaching.Roslyn is able to engage and motivate students to learn. She always keep the material interesting for the students.She is very organized and has clear objectives for each class and works with the kids to meet those specific objectives during each class …

Ivy

Chris

Chris has been around Walters Music Studio since 2007. Over the years, you may have seen him working the sound booth at recitals or dressed as Bach for studio field trips. Having purchased Walters Music Studio with his wife, Amy, in 2021, Chris serves as the Studio Manager. You are welcome to get in touch with him about matters of scheduling, payment, and other considerations.

Prior to joining Walters Music Studio full-time, Chris has served in various training and leadership roles in various foodservice, automotive, and nonprofit entities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (English) from Taylor University College and an after-degree in Education from the University of Alberta. Chris is also a dedicated and proud husband and father.

Nothing matters more than relationships to Chris. His goal is always to have authentic relationships and conversations with the people around him, and his belief is that it is relationships that makes Walters Music Studio special.

Don’t hesitate to contact Chris; he’ll happily chat with you and work to build your relationship with our team.

Dyllis Walters

Dyllis is the founder of Walters Music Studio and an extremely accomplished Music for Young Children (MYC) Teacher and Teacher Trainer.

Dyllis started teaching private piano lessons to her neighbours as a fifteen year old, and has been delivering high-quality learning experiences ever since! She started teaching MYC in 1992 and has since taught more that 2500 MYC students.

Her students call her “Miss Dyllis” or “Teacher Dyllis” and know that they can always count on having fun in her class!

Parent Review:

Dyllis is a wonderfully gifted music teacher. Her passion and love for children and music is evident in the lessons she puts together! She is very encouraging to the students and makes learning new theory and skills fun (for both students and parents). Her themes every few months add an extra motivation for the students and we leave every class equipped with the necessary tools to be able to practice what has been learned! My girls love Miss Dyllis and MYC so much that they have mentioned not wanting to do private lessons unless she can teach them! Thank you Dyllis for all of your hard work that you put in to your classes and for making Walters Music Studio one of our favourite places to be! … Janelle

Amy Jo Vanden Brink

Music has always had a place in Amy Jo’s life. From the time she started piano lessons at six years old to owning and operating Walters Music studio today, Amy has played and sung in churches, accompanied groups, and been eager to share the joy of music with others.

In addition to private piano lessons, Amy began teaching Music for Young Children (MYC) after graduating from Concordia University with a B.A. (Music) and immediately loved the program for its quality of instruction and fun. She wished she’d been in MYC as a kid!

More than 1000 MYC students (including some of our current teachers!) have learned under Amy Jo. She’s had hundreds of private students take Royal Conservatory Exams too, but she’s still excited every time someone else, young or otherwise, joins us for a part of their musical journey.

Parent Review

Having had three children learn music from Amy Jo, what I appreciate most about her teaching style is her use of humour to always keep things light & fun and her endless patience… with all of us!

Kim M

Anton Achondoa

Anton was born and raised in California and began taking piano lessons at the age of 6. His parents weren’t musicians, but they were music lovers who encouraged him in his musical journey as it slowly and steadily grew into a passion.

By the start of his undergraduate studies at Santa Clara University, Anton still wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do, but discovering the music department and an amazing piano professor gave him the answer. Anton worked as a church accompanist and private piano instructor before pursuing a Masters in Keyboard Studies at San Jose State University and then moving to Edmonton where he is completing his doctorate degree at the University of Alberta.

Anton has been blessed to work with so many wonderful mentors and colleagues, and he is eager to share his knowledge with those who are also embarking on their own musical voyage.

Rebecca Pallister

Rebecca started playing the piano through the Music for Young Children (MYC) program right here at Walters Music Studio when she was four years old and has since progressed on to complete her grade 8 RCM examinations. While classical piano has been her main focus for many years, she is now exploring pop music and continues to challenge herself with level 9 pieces.

Rebecca is currently in her second year of a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Alberta. She has competed internationally in both soccer and robotics. Rebecca also teaches swimming lessons and works at camps, including the Green Shack program. In her spare time you will find Rebecca playing soccer, creating programming for and teaching children with special needs, and getting outdoors as much as she can.

Rebecca remembers how much she has been motivated by the fun that music can be. It is important to her that her students have fun as they go about their classes, lessons, and practices.

Rebecca is very excited to be a part of the Walters Music Studio Team and looks forward to the joy and fun of lessons with her students!

Chris

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