Our Award Winning Educators
Elena Orekhova.
Specialty (Piano & Vocal).
Elena is a skilled piano and vocal teacher, who specializes in the education of beginner to advanced students. She graduated from Groznyi’s State College of Music with a degree in piano. Her style is classical and modern with an emphasis on broadway pop undertones. She is fluent in English and Russian which can provide a deeper level of understanding for students and parents alike.
Yosif Krivian.
Specialty (Piano).
He is a phenomenal piano teacher, with decades of experience. Yosif graduated from the Latvian University of Music where he specialized in performance and composition. His primary field of expertise lais in teaching classical and jazz style of piano to advanced students.
Todd Lefever.
Specialty (Guitar & Ukulele).
Todd Lefever is an experienced instructor who has taught music to all levels of developing musicians. He has been teaching in Toronto, both in a classroom setting and as a private instructor for over twenty years. His lessons are comprehensive and fun and can cover any number of music styles including rock/metal, pop, blues, jazz, country, folk, and classical guitar.
Svetlana Avagyan.
Specialty (Piano).
Svetlana is a highly qualified, responsible, and talented piano teacher with over 40 years of experience and a unique approach to teaching piano students of various ages from beginner to advanced level, preparing students for R.C.M piano, music theory and harmony exams, ARCT piano performance programs, and Master Degree piano performance program.
Jodi Huang.
Specialty (Piano & Vocal).
Jodi is an active professional concert pianist who has performed both in Canada and abroad. She has Piano and Voice degrees from Taiwan and Canada with Over 25 years of RCM teaching experience. Jodi also offers students RCM exam preparation, for all ages/levels including ARCT. She is bilingual, fluent in both Chinese, and English and can provide greater assistance to students and parents.
Lana Raben.
Specialty (Piano & Guitar).
Depending on the instrument of choice Lana instructs preliminary to advanced students on proper harmony, history, composition, and regiment. Lana has degrees from both Canadian and Ukrainian institutions, with decades of educational experience. She specializes in teaching classical and popular styles of music. Like many of our gifter educators, she is bilingual, Lana is fluent in English and Ukrainian.
Vito Brandolini.
Specialty Accordion & Winds
Vito has been teaching multiple instruments to students of all ages in the public school system, studios, and privately for over 40 years. He has focused on woodwinds, brasswinds, and the accordion at the Academy. He has performed over that time in orchestras, concert bands, big bands, and small jazz ensembles. He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario B.A. (music performance elective) 1987. Bachelor of Adult Education 2003.
Cathy Paxton
Specialty (Piano).
Cathy has been teaching piano for 52 years, since 1969, through the Canadian Bureau for the Advancement of Music, in her private studio, and has been with the Academy of Music for the last 33 years. Cathy has a musical degree from U of T, RCM, and an education degree from U of T. She is versed in teaching on a high level and this translates well to her passion for music.
Kasia Young.
Specialty (Piano).
Graduating with a Masters Degree in Music from the Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland, Kasia brings to the Academy of Music over 20 years of teaching experience. She teaches students of all levels and ages piano. Besides preparing for RCM exams, festivals, and music competitions, Kasia teaches composition and counterpoint and helps each student develop their own personal style. Kasia teaches pop, classical, jazz, or contemporary, and she is a teacher who can help you achieve your music goals!