SALVO BARRALE, M.Mus. (Conservatory of Music, Palermo, Italy)
Violin and Viola
Salvo was born in Palermo, Italy where he began playing the violin at the age of six. When he was ten, he was accepted at the Conservatory of Music Vincenzo Bellini in Italy where he went on to achieve his Masters in Music Teacher/Performer Violin Professional Program. After graduation he began teaching at the Conservatory (“Conservatorio di Musica Vincenzo Bellini”). He also won auditions in many Symphony and Chamber Orchestras where he played as soloist and Concert Master touring throughout Italy. He attended Master Class in Italy with Felix Ayo, winner of “Gran Prix du Disque”. In 2003 Mr. Barrale moved to Vancouver becoming a Faculty Member at the British Columbia Conservatory of Music. His teaching method includes the traditional methods of Galamian and Flesch and the relatively new teaching methods of Kato Havas, Suzuki, and Alexander methods. His students have won both local competitions as well as International Competitions such as the Golden Classic Music Awards in New York at Carnegie Hall. In addition, his students score extremely high marks in the Royal Conservatory of Music Exams. In 2019 Mr. Barrale received a Certificate of Recognition from the International Competition in New York “Golden Classical Music Awards” for the extraordinary dedication and achievement in the field of music teaching. As a teacher Salvo Barrale is a member of BC Registered Music Teachers Association. He has been a member of the Vancouver Island Symphony, Burnaby Symphony Orchestra and Kamloops Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. He enjoys coordinating Festivals and Masterclasses between Canada and Italy. One of these was the summer Master Class with Music Institute of Bolzano (Italy).
KRISTIAN BRAATHEN, B.Mus. (Capilano University)
Percussion
Kristian has worked as a professional musician, both as a performer and educator for more than twenty years. He studied with jazz drummers Dave Robbins and Blaine Wikjord as well as percussionists Ken Moore, Graham Boyle and Craig Scott. Kristian performed for several cruise line companies, which took him to many exotic destinations, such as Tahiti, Mexico and the Western Caribbean. Kristian then toured extensively in Canada and the United States with the Russell Jackson Band (former bassist with BB King) from 2000 to 2003. While on tour, Kristian shared the stage with such names as renowned jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison (Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Terence Blanchard,) and Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy (The Blues Brothers.) In 2005, Kristian studied with world renowned jazz drummer, Jeff Hamilton (drummer with Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, and many others.) Kristian also balances his time as a private drum set and mallet percussion teacher and is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association.
TONY CHOTEM, B.A. (McGill)
Guitar and Ukulele
Tony works professionally in a variety of guitar styles. He is a soloist and a member of various classical, jazz, and contemporary ensembles. He is also a producer with several recent CD’s to his credit. In 2007, he released a full length original jazz album: “Phoenix Rising”; and in 2008, he released his Christmas album: “Moon of Winter”. Tony has many years of teaching experience and is currently an instructor at Capilano University. He offers private lessons in the following areas: beginner, classical, jazz and rock. He also prepares students for RCM guitar exams and coaches high school band guitarists and is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association.
MONIQUE CREBER, Jazz Vocal Studies (Capilano College), BC Independent School Teaching Certificate
Voice
Monique has an extensive career as a vocalist, musician, teacher, musical director, choir conductor, producer, and is a versatile performer who possesses a rich singing voice that reviewers describe as “eerily similar to that of the late, great Karen Carpenter”. She has headlined symphony shows; led NHL anthems; made TV/radio appearances and performed in countless concerts. Monique has recorded and produced vocals for many albums and has sung on TV series such as My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and Martha Speaks. She has musically directed theatre productions of Fame, 13 The Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Joseph, and Sound of Music, and has also appeared in roles such as the iconic “Marmee” in Little Women. Originally from Winnipeg, she had a large music school, wrote music books, adjudicated festivals and trained teachers for Technics Music Canada. After moving to Vancouver, she launched Creber Music Academy while also teaching music for Mulgrave and Brockton schools. Monique offers inspirational voice and piano lessons to students of all ages in addition to teaching acting, voice acting, musical theatre, public speaking and performance skills.
HEY WOUN HYUN, B.Mus. (South Korea), B.Ed. Mus, M.Ed. Mus, PhD.Ed. (Potsdam, Germany)
Cello and Piano
Dr. Hey Woun Hyun is an experienced music educator in piano, cello, and music theory instruction. She is dedicated to inspiring students through a strong foundation in musicianship, technical development, and a lifelong appreciation for music. Heywoun has served as principal cellist with several orchestras, including the Opera Appassionata and the North Shore Opera Society Orchestra. She has also performed chamber music for charitable organizations and fundraising events, including performances supporting Genesis Safe House and spinal research initiatives. Heywoun served as a faculty member at the Douglas College Community Music School from 2010 to 2020. She has been a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association since 2011. Her teaching approach emphasizes technical excellence, creativity, and student confidence, with many students achieving strong results in The Royal Conservatory of Music examinations and music festivals.
DENISE KILLICK, B.Mus (UBC), B.Ed. (UBC)
Violin, Viola, Piano
Denise has played professionally for many years doing operas, musicals, weddings, symphonies and with various groups. She is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association where she earned her 25 year pin. She has taught all types of music in both the private and public-school systems and has been teaching violin and piano privately for many years. She was the coordinator for the North Shore Music Festival for 2 years and loved working with such amazing colleagues. Denise has taught students from age 4 to 75 years old and believes that music is an enriching experience no matter your age!
ALEXANDER PECHENYUK, M.Mus (Tashkent State Conservatory, former USSR)
Theory, History and Piano
Alexander Pechenyuk is a composer and teacher. He is an active member of The Canadian Music Center. His symphonic and chamber compositions have been successfully performed at concerts and festivals throughout Canada, Russia and Europe. Amongst performers in recent years are Canada’s largest orchestras, such as The Vancouver and Winnipeg Symphonies. Additionally, many of his compositions have been commissioned by well known Canadian musicians. As a teacher Alexander is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association. His students consistently demonstrate a high level of knowledge and have good success at the RCM Examinations in both theory and piano.
BO PENG, B.Mus. (North Texas), M.Mus. (Eastman), Perf. Dip. (Indiana)
Cello
Bo studied with renowned cellists Janos Starker, Steven Doane, Carter Enyeart and Marc Johnson. His teaching experiences include being a sectional coach for the Dallas Youth Orchestra, cello instructor in the Dallas Private School District and on faculty at the Young Artist Experience Summer Chamber Music Program at UBC. Bo is currently an instructor of cello and chamber music at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is cellist of the Vancouver String Quartet. He was invited as a chamber musician and assistant principal cellist for Taiwan Connection Music Festival 2012. Bo is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association.
DIANE SANFORD, ARCT (Performer), B.Mus. (UBC)
Piano and Suzuki Violin
An experienced piano teacher of traditional, conservatory and Suzuki methods, Diane prepares students for music festivals, recitals, university entrance exams, RCM, ABRSM and LCM piano exams as well as for music history and theory exams. She is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association, Artistic Director of NSMA Summer Chamber Music Program and former Executive Director of the Young Artist Experience Summer Chamber Music Program (YAE) for young musicians at UBC. She studied Suzuki Method at Bellingham and Langley Suzuki Institutes. In addition to her arrangements for piano solo and string quartet she has written a series of technique and repertoire books for young students. Diane has performed as an accompanist and chamber musician in Vancouver, Miami, Waterloo and Hanover, New Hampshire.
ALEXANDRA SCOTT, B.Mus. (Capilano University), Perf.Dip. (Selkirk College)
Voice
Alexandra Scott has a Bachelor of Music from Capilano University in Jazz Studies (Vocal Major), a Diploma in Contemporary Music and Technology from Selkirk College (Vocal Performance Major) and a Certificate of Proficiency from Estill Voice International. Alex’s passion for music education and skill-building runs deep. Alex began teaching in North Vancouver in 2015, and has over 15 years of teaching experience! She works with beginner to advanced students and works with children and adults. While she focuses on voice training primarily, she also teaches beginner piano and guitar, songwriting and music theory. She likes to focus on what brings the students joy and to follow their interest while helping build their musical skills and confidence. Alex’s specialty is in contemporary music (Pop/Rock/R’nB/Jazz/Musical Theatre).
KEN SPELLER
Clarinet, Saxophone and Flute
Ken studied at Humber College, Toronto. He has also studied in New York with Bill Evans, and Eddie Daniels, in Los Angles with jazz legend Warne Marsh, as well as with one of Duke Ellington’s writers and arrangers, Ron Collier in Toronto. He has performed with Valdi, Rosemary Clooney, New York saxophonist, Mike Adkins, as well as with his own groups, both in North America and Japan. Ken has 30 years of professional experience in both performing – jazz, popular, classical, and teaching – beginners to advanced / children and adults. He is one of the lower mainland’s leading woodwind instructors and offers lessons in clarinet, saxophone and flute. Whether beginning or advanced, his students gain an intimate knowledge of their instrument, good productive practicing skills, and, as a result of their hard work, a continuing passion and love for music.
NICOLE THOMAS ZYCZYNSKI, B.Mus. (UBC), Perf.Dip. (France)
Piano and Organ
Born and raised in West Vancouver, Nicole has devoted her entire life to music. She began studying piano at the age of 4, organ at the age of 10 and directing choirs at the age of 14. Her love and enthusiasm for music as a performer and teacher has been a continual inspiration to people across North America and Europe. In addition to Music Director at St. David’s United Church, Nicole is currently directing the West Vancouver Heritage Choir and the North Shore’s French choir A Tout Choeur. Other musical activities include composing, arranging, accompanying, recording and playing for the occasional silent movie. She is an advocate for bringing people together through music, a strong believer in music being a common language, a bridge between the gaps of spoken word.