Asher Farber
Piano and Theory Instructor

Since the beginning of his musical journey since the age of four, Asher Farber has experienced many joys, challenges and benefits that the study of music provides. As a former participant and subsequent winner of various awards in the Kiwanis Music Festival for four consecutive years, he understands very well the difficulties that young musicians encounter while performing and learning music. This is why he feels it is important for every student to learn about their own character, confidence, and musical persona while they are learning the elements of music, along with having fun! He has many years of experience of teaching privately and enjoys working with children. Asher is currently a third year student in his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Ottawa, studying with Andrew Tunis. He is also a former student of Sandra Webster.

Ms. Caroline Becq
Flute and Saxophone Instructor

Nothing gives me greater joy than teaching students how to communicate through music, a gift that can be used anywhere in the world. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Caroline Becq is a Bachelor of Music Flute Performance graduate of the University of Ottawa, where she studied with Camille Churchfield. Orchestral experience includes second flute with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, principal flute of the University of Ottawa Orchestra and principal flute of the Calgary Youth Orchestra. She has participated in master classes, and has received private lessons, by world-class flute players and pedagogues such as Paul Edmund-Davies, Robert Langevin, Jefferey Khaner, Peter Lloyd, and Robert Cram. In addition to the flute, Caroline has been playing alto and tenor saxophone since high school and has been teaching both instruments privately for a number of years. When she is not teaching or performing, Caroline can be found around Ottawa pursuing her other passion, photography.

Mr. Eduardo Flores Suarez
Guitar/Drums/Percussion Instructor

Eduardo has been a performing musician since 1978. He attended to Humber College of Applied Arts and he graduated in 1984 with a major in composition and arranging. As a performing musician Eduardo has the opportunity to play various styles and venues, from local bars and dining rooms to Nassey Hall in Toronto and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. Over the years Eduardo has developed a large repertoire of styles, bringing music reading and stylistic knowledge together. In addition to this Eduardo plays contemporary piano, guitar, bass and drums allowing him to have an excellent over all musicianship. Last but definitely not least Eduardo is well acquainted with the workings of music theory, melodically harmonically and rhythmically, allowing him to extrapolate each portion of the music to explain how they work together.

Ms. Erin Puttee
Voice and Piano Instructor

Erin Puttee, voice and piano instructor, began her musical education at an early age. She began studying piano at the age of five, competing regularly in the Kiwanis Music Festival and achieving first class honours with distinctions. She continued her piano studies while discovering her passion for voice. Erin began singing in the Central Choirs of Ottawa at the age of ten until she began her private vocal studies at the age of sixteen. While continuing and excelling at her individual studies, Erin taught music theory for several years as well as vocal classes at a high school level. She later became interested in choral music and gained experience conducting several high school choirs in Ottawa. After experiencing teaching in a class room, she began teaching privately, enjoying the individual attention and interaction afforded by private lessons. Erin is currently in her fourth year in the music department at the University of Ottawa in voice performance. She is planning on pursing a Master’s degree in performance next fall. She thoroughly enjoys teaching diverse musical styles and working with students of all ages.

Ms. Jennifer Hemstock
Piano and Theory Instructor

Teacher, accompanist, and solo pianist, Jennifer Hemstock has proved to be successful as an upcoming artist in all of these areas of music. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Jennifer began to pursue her interest in music at an early age. Seventeen years after she first began piano lessons, Jennifer is currently studying at the University of Ottawa and is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in music, specializing in music education. Jennifer has competed in numerous Kiwanis Music Festivals as well as performed frequently at the Jubilee Auditorium and Jack Singer Concert Hall, both in Calgary, as part of various ensembles. She has also appeared as a soloist at the Steinway Concert Hall in Calgary. Miss Hemstock continues to enjoy teaching students in all levels and styles of piano, and is a firm believer that music is an art accessible to all people.

Justine
Flute, Piano and Theory Instructor

Currently completing a Master of Arts degree in music theory at the University of Ottawa, Justine is educated in both flute and piano. She has studied music at the University of Ottawa, majoring in music theory while receiving lessons in flute and piano. During her undergraduate studies, she has actively performed as a flutist with the University of Ottawa jazz ensemble and several chamber music ensembles as well as participating in masterclasses with flutist Robert Cram. As a musician, she has experience with many different styles having studied with notable musicians such as Camille Churchfield, Robert Cram, Susan Hoeppner and folk artist Rozalind MacPhail. Justine has attended Domaine Forget where she attended masterclasses with French flutist Michel Debost of the Paris Conservatory and received lessons from Marie-Andrée Benny (Conservatoire de Montréal) and Carolyn Christie (Orchestre symphonique de Montreal). Justine’s musical knowledge extends from classical, jazz, contemporary and electroacoustic music to various types of folk and popular genres. She is fluent in English and French.

Ms. Kathy N. Nguyen
Piano and Theory Instructor

Kathy has always possessed a strong appreciation for music, which has become a major part of her life. At a very young age Kathy demonstrated a strong interest in music, many of these influences came from her mother, a dancer and actress. Kathy is a versatile musician. Her instruments include piano, organ and guitar, but her main focus has always been piano. She completed her musical training at the Saigon National Music Academy, achieving a diploma in pedagogy. She began her teaching career in 1982 for the School of Music and Arts at the Saigon Cultural Center. Since 1992, Kathy continued her career in Canada as a piano teacher, a church pianist, a choir conductor, as well as a rehearsal director. Kathy has many years of teaching experience and has many successful students to her reputation. Many of her students have attained first class honors with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and became excellent musicians.

Matthew Poon

Matthew Poon is a Canadian-born and raised Classical concert pianist.  His experience as a soloist and collaborative pianist has given him confidence and much insight in the music he plays, and is regarded as a man of great talent “whose impressive technique and unique interpretations bring a defining character to each of his performances.”

Matthew currently studies at the University of Ottawa, pursuing a Masters of Music in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Professor Stéphane Lemelin.  He plans to compete in the Canadian Music Competition and the University of Ottawa’s Concerto Competition in 2010.  Matthew is also busy collaborating with fellow colleagues of the School of Music, as well as arranging and composing music for the Victoria Chinese Alliance Church English Choir, an ensemble he spearheaded in 2008. Matthew began his musical studies at the age of four.  His many teachers include Ingrid Henderson of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Cary Chow, and Dr. Robin Wood.  He completed his ARCT Performance Diploma at the age of 14, and won many awards in local competitions including the Nathan Geminiano Memorial Cup, the Dr. Robin Wood Memorial Cup, and the David Paulson Concerto Award.  Matthew graduated from the University of Victoria in 2008 with his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, studying under Professor Bruce Vogt.  He spent a year away from academia, studying under University of Victoria’s Arthur Rowe, while busy culminating experiences in Victoria’s musical scene in 2009.

Ms. Monique Nadeau
Piano and Voice Instructor

Monique Nadeau has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Suma Cum Laude, from the University of Ottawa and studied with Stephane Lemelin and David Jalbert. She has received her A.R.C.T. Performance Diploma for piano. Her previous teachers were Sandra Webster and Paulette Price. For several summers she studied with internationally known pianists Gilles Manny, Henri Brassard, Jean Saulnier, Richard Raymond and Andre Laplante at the Orford Summer Music Academy. She also performed at several masterclasses for Nelson Delle-Vigne, Jean-Paul Sevilla, and Anton Kuerti at the University of Ottawa. She has been a Canadian Music Competition national finalist, Kiwanis Music Festival provincial finalist, ORMTA winner, and a NATS winner. She has performed at various Embassies in Ottawa and other community concerts. She is performing the role of La Fee (The Fairy) in Massenet's "Cendrillon." The studio of Yoriko Tanno-Kimmons is performing with Stuart Hamilton as the Master of Ceremonies, Jose Hernandez as the musical director and Micheal Cavanagh as the director of this production. Monique performed as a child actor in the Livent production of "Showboat" at the National Arts Centre. She performed in major roles in the ballet "The Nutcracker" as Clara, the Nutcracker boy, and Snowflake directed by Linda Jamison School of Dance. Monique is currently focusing on a singing career, studying with Yoriko Tanno-Kimmons and Maestro Jose Hernandez.

RECITALS

Coming Soon!

FAQ

PRICING

20-minute Lessons (ages 5 and under):
5 Lesson Package – $80.00
10 Lesson Package – $160.00
Each Lesson – $16.00

30-min Lessons:
5 Lesson Package - $109.75
10 Lesson Package - $219.50 (Each Lesson - $21.95)
24 Lesson Package - $502.80 (Each Lesson - $20.95)
48 Lesson Package - $957.60 (Each Lesson - $19.95)

45-min Lessons:
5 Lesson Package - $159.75
10 Lesson Package - $319.50 (Each Lesson - $31.95)
24 Lesson Package - $742.80 (Each Lesson - $30.95)
48 Lesson Package - $1437.60 (Each Lesson - $29.95)

1-hour Lessons:
5 Lesson Package - $215.00
10 Lesson Package - $430.00 (Each Lesson - $43.00)
24 Lesson Package - $984.00 (Each Lesson - $41.00)
48 Lesson Package - $1872.00 (Each Lesson- $39.00)

*There is a one-time registration fee of $25

FAQ

At what age can my child take lessons?
Every child is unique. There is no set age at which children are ready. At Accel Music Studios students have started as early as 3 1/2 to as late as 80 years old.

Which instrument should I choose?
Although Accel Music studios offer a variety of instruments, certain instruments work better than others depending on the student. For very young beginners we suggest piano because of its visual nature and the involvement of fundamental musical rudiments.

How do the lessons work?
All of our lessons are private 1-on-1 sessions that take place weekly at your registered time slot at the same time every week with the same teacher. All of our lessons take place at our studio.

What if we cannot make our lesson?
We do require a 24 hour notice for absences. Your lesson credit will not to be charged.

What are your other policies?
Please refer to our registration form which is available on www.accelmusic.ca.

Are your teachers qualified?
All of our teachers have at least their Bachelor’s Degree in Music. We go through an extensive hiring procedure which involves a unique training program to ensure a standard quality of education.

Do I get to meet the teacher?
We offer a FREE assessment to all of our new students and parents, which gives a chance to ask specific questions about learning material, goals, expectations, practicing habits, instrument purchase inquiries etc.