OUR TEACHERS
"Education isn't just about feeding the brain. Art and music feed the heart and soul" - Julie Garwood
Katie Korfmann
Owner & Teacher, RECE
Katie has over 22 years of music experience and started performing professionally at the age of 12. S She is passionate about educating future generations and passing on her love of music to all ages. Katie customizes each lesson to the student's goals while simultaneously keeping each lesson fun.
Grace Hetherington
Violin, Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele (Online only)
Grace is a dedicated music teacher,
performer, artist, photographer and actress from St.Catharines, Ontario. Grace’s main focus is the fiddle (Celtic, Old Time, Bluegrass…etc) but also teaches classical violin, guitar, ukulele, song writing and voice. Grace keeps her lesson light and fun but educational at the same time.
Thomas Wade
guitar/ukulele/bass/music production/songwriting
Thomas’ life-long love for music was born when he strummed his first guitar at age four, and while other youngsters were playing hide and seek, he was performing weekly throughout southern Ontario with a popular family band from Burford.
Eventually graduating Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts Music Production program in London, Thomas set out as a touring musician, into the recording studio, and on to Nashville, honing his craft as a songwriter with some of the most renowned teachers.
Thomas is a multiple award winning, Juno-nominated artist and songwriter. For the past two decades he has been mentoring music lovers of all ages both as a teacher and a music producer, using years of professional knowledge to help students find their way to the joy of making music with an organic, less-is-more teaching style, always adhering to a simple principle: let the love of music lead the way.
Courtney Porch
Piano, Voice
Music has had a presence in Courtney's life since the early age of 3 when she would try to sneak in to perform with the junior choir at her church. At the age of 7 she began to take piano lessons under Conservatory Canada in Tillsonburg, ON where she finished Conservatory Canada with a grade 8 certification, then reached a grade 10 royal conservatory equivalent through my undergrad. Her passion for the craft led her to the University of Waterloo where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree, with piano as her main instrument. She has spent the last 10 years as the active pianist and choir director for Bayham United Church.
Cassia Billington
Piano, Violin, Cello
Cassia is a dynamic, young teacher with the ability to teach students both young and old. Having started piano lessons herself when she was twelve years old, she believes that it’s never too late to start your music journey. Cassia has achieved her Grade 8 Royal Conservatory Practical and her RCM Grade 7 Theory. Cassia began teaching piano lessons when she was just 16 years old and has continued teaching lessons for the past 5 years. She has experience teaching many different ages and skill levels on the piano, as well as teaching beginners on the cello and violin. Cassia tries to ensure that every student achieves their goals in a fun, yet professional environment! Cassia strives to teach each student to love music, and their instrument, and to ensure that they are playing the music that they love.
Thom Speck
Early Childhood Music
Thom has honed his skill as a musician and a performer through a diverse career. After studying Musical Theatre Performance at Sheridan College, Thom went on to tour extensively throughout North America, sharing the stage with such greats as Fred Penner, Robert Munsch, Matt Dusk, and comedy legend Jay Leno. He has been a regular anthem singer for the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs, has released multiple albums and is certified GOLD in Canada. Before moving to his new home in Dundas Ontario in 2020, Thom ran parent/tot music classes throughout the GTA with Rainbow Songs Inc, sharing his ‘inventive, engaging and caring’ energy to the delight of the many families he worked with.
When he isn’t entertaining the demanding audience of his two young daughters, you can find Thom playing with his Celtic band Screeched Inn. He is thrilled to have found a new musical home with Katie’s Music Studio.
Dalyce Dostal
Flute, Piano, Theory, BMus
Dalyce is a passionate and enthusiastic music lover who loves to share her passion for the arts with others. She is a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and received a Bachelor of Music degree for Community Music. Music theory is a key part of being able to play any instrument and she loves to help students who want to understand music theory at a deeper level than simply reading sheet music. It can come in handy when wanting to write your own songs or to compose your own pieces of music. She believes that music can be taught and learned in different ways and lessons should be flexible to what the student wants to achieve in order to preserve their passion for the arts. Music lessons should be a fun place for students to express themselves and nurture their passion for music.
Kirsten Wegner
Piano
Being a recent graduate of Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Kirsten is excited to share her passion for music with her students. Her musical experience began at the age of 6 when she started taking both piano and voice lessons, and she has never looked back since! Kirsten has been involved with the Royal Conservatory of Arts, Kiwanis Music Festival, and has achieved a ARCT level proficiency in voice. Bedsides voice and piano, she also has experience teaching ukulele and flute in a group and private setting. Music has been intertwined in many aspects of her life, whether it is in the form of composing, teaching, or performing and has been a huge positive influence in her life. Her goal is create a positive environment for students focusing on their individual goals, needs, and preferences, while having fun in the process!
Deb Leworthy
Early Childhood Music, RECE
Deb has loved singing since she was very young and has now been working with children for over 30 years. Her passion for music has been shared in Childcare centers, home day cares, Early Years Centers and in her current position, as an ECE in a kindergarten class. Her training in Musikgarten and Early Childhood music from the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, has gave her a wide range of resources when working with ages 0-7.
Besides playing the ukulele, Deb loves to explore other instruments and share her love for music with children and their families. She has taught music classes and camps for organizations such as Cambridge Art Centre, Elora Art Centre,the Ismaili community, and Stratford Art Gallery.
She believes that music helps a child develop in many ways, socially, physically and mentally, and that it should be a joyful experience. She looks forward to meeting you and your child!
Allyson Brown
Drama
Our drama teacher, Miss Allyson Brown, has extensive training in drama, dance and singing. Her education stems from an Honours Drama degree from McMaster University, Mohawk (creating comedy), Marilyn Szwec School of Dance, Tammy Beach Dance School, Singing lessons (Bach Academy, Ray Lyell, Reggie's Music School), Clown training, Sears and Switzer (Voice and Auditoning), Second City, and training from acclaimed Broadway teacher and casting director, Ginger Howard Friedman (scene study). She has also worked with Actraworks, Dave Dayler Player's Guild, and Dundas Little Theatre School programme in technical theatre and scene study. She a member of A.C.T.R.A. and is a professional actress, performer, and clown. Allyson has also studied writing, children's literature (degree), teaching, and is a professional writer and director. One of her plays was even performed at Hamilton Place. Her mentors are Ted Danson and Arlene Martel, who have been very supportive of her efforts. When she is not performing or writing, she enjoys working with children and teaching.
Krystina Bowen
Music Therapist, Voice & Piano Instructor
Krystina Bowen has over 20 years of performance and training in music. A graduate of both Mohawk College’s Advanced Vocal Jazz Performance Program and Acadia University’s Bachelor of Music Therapy degree, Krystina has dedicated her time to the pursuit of music and how it heals.
After her Bachelors of Music Therapy degree was completed, Krystina worked in senior care and within community programs providing; group choirs, daycare music education classes, song appreciation groups and musical relaxation sessions. Krystina Bowens passion is working with programs that have focused on the following populations; disabled individuals of all ages, persons struggling with mental health concerns like; anxiety, depression, coping skills, education and learning disabilities, and seniors. In her off-times, Ms. Krystina is passionate about gardening, singing, writing music, and art.
Desiree Schneider
Piano
Desiree has been playing the piano for over 20 years. She has her grade 9 Royal Conservatory of Music, and has a niche for improv playing. Once she obtained her Grade 9 Royal Conservatory, she took lessons in improv with a highly skilled teacher. She started accompaniment for Kiwanis, Royal Conservatory exams, and musical recitals at the age of 14. Her goal with lessons is to make it positive for the student while catering the lesson to fit the student's needs. She has a passion for learning, with her students and in her personal life. Various genres are incorporated into her lesson plans. She is classically trained and teaches the Royal Conservatory method alongside many other classical books. She strongly believes music is supposed to be enjoyable, and a way to express yourself.