PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTION HILLFIELD
STRATHALLAN COLLEGE
Did you know that at HSC you can arrange private music lessons for your child during the school day? Our roster of incredible private music instructors consists of professional musicians on a variety of instruments, including piano, guitar, voice, strings, woodwind/brass and drums/ percussion. Lessons may be for pursuit of a personal musical passion, or to complement our inschool instrumental studies. By law, any student may be excused from classes for private music instruction, and at HSC we make it easy for you so there is less driving around after school! Lessons can be arranged directly with the instructor at a mutually convenient time during the school day. Read below to learn more about our wonderful instructors!
LAUREN CHO
Lauren brings extensive experience and versatile skills. This experience includes teaching students of all ages. Her lessons have been conducted in private, group and classroom settings. In addition, she has spent time assisting, preparing and accompanying numerous live musical productions and performances. She strives to provide the best learning environment and a program that can be tailored specifically to each student’s interests and abilities. She is determined to deliver high-quality lessons that are stimulating and fun. Teaching piano is Lauren’s passion, as is showing her students the joy that music brings. PIANO | STRINGS | BASS | PERCUSSION | FLUTE| CLARINET |
Lauren is an active teacher and chamber musician performing frequently with vocalists. After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Western University, she continued her music education at the Glenn Gould School of Music receiving an Artist Diploma in Piano Pedagogy and Performance. In addition, Lauren has a Bachelor of Education from York University and many years of experience in teaching in the public school system. Lauren continues to explore and develop as a musician and teacher by attending summer programs and working with distinguished artists including Cecile Ousset in France. She has completed additional courses including Orff Level 1 and Early Child Music Education from The Royal Conservatory of Music.
LIA DEAN
PIANO
905-515-0932 | liadean123@gmail.com
To instil a lifelong love and appreciation for music has been piano teacher Lia Dean’s goal for 40+ years of teaching piano.
From a young age, music has played a vital role in her life, and sharing that joy has been her passion. Recognizing the scientific evidence of the developmental value, benefits and importance of music in the lives of people of all ages from newborn and up led Lia and her husband to open a retail store and music school in 1978. At its peak, the school had 500 students studying piano, keyboard, organ, guitar and voice.
Lia is a certified Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) teacher, has sat on numerous curriculum panels for the development of popular music courses, and in certified Kindermusik and Music Garten (newborn to 7-years-old).
Lia’s two children were “lifers” at HSC and she also has three grandchildren who have attended HSC. Lia has thoroughly enjoyed being a private music teacher at HSC since 2002, and she looks forward to continuing to share her passion with the next generation of HSC students.
MARCUS SCHOLTES
PIANO & STRINGS
519-998-6481 | drmarcusmusic@gmail.com
Multi-talented artist Dr. Marcus Scholtes enjoys a triple career as a conductor, violinist, and pianist. As a pianist, he has most recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Piano Performance at McGill University, studying with Prof. Kyoko Hashimoto. As violinist, he serves as Associate Concertmaster of Sinfonia Toronto, a Juno-Award winning ensemble. Marcus also serves as the principal conductor and Co-Artistic Director of the Toronto Concert Orchestra.
Marcus is an alumnus of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he graduated with a Doctor of Music degree, completing Academic Minors in Music Education and Conducting. He also holds degrees from the University of Michigan (Master of Music) and McGill University (Hon. Bachelor of Music). He is a former Concertmaster of the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchester in Germany and has toured much of Europe with this ensemble. Marcus is an original member of Aldeburgh Strings based in the UK which has recorded two CD’s, both released to critical acclaim in the UK and Germany. Most recently, he toured 10 cities in China with Sinfonia Toronto (2019). Born and raised in Kitchener, Marcus returned to his hometown upon completion of his degrees to join the teaching staff at Wilfrid Laurier University, leaving in 2018. Outside of his musical interests he is a driving and automotive enthusiast. Please visit www.scholtes.ca for a complete biography and media.
MANDY LAGAN
416-882-0584 | mandy@mandylaganmusic.com
Mandy has been teaching music since 1983. She spent ten years teaching ear training, theory, private piano lessons, and group piano lessons for Mohawk College Music Department and Part Time Studies. During that period she also spent two years with the Hamilton Wentworth Roman Catholic Separate School Board as an Artist in Residence teaching piano keyboard classes at the School of the Arts. After moving to Toronto she taught for three years with Merriam School of Music teaching private piano lessons, group piano lessons, training teachers and developing curriculum. She has maintained her private studio teaching for over thirty years. Mandy’s program focuses on classical piano and developing a solid foundation in music theory, piano technique, reading and repertoire. Many of her students have completed Royal Conservatory Exams ranging from grade one to grade eight. Whether pursuing a formal education or musical goals of a more personal nature, Mandy’s main objective is to instil in her students a love and respect for music as an art form as well as independence at the piano.
ROSANNA FACCIO-POLIMENI
Rosanna Faccio-Polimeni has been a self-employed musician/music teacher of Piano, Accordion, Organ, Keyboard and Theory for over 40 years. After graduating from the Mohawk College Applied Arts Program, she went on to teach as a private instructor in both Keyboard and Ensemble classes at Mohawk College, while continuing her studies with the Royal Conservatory of Music. As a member and Assistant Director of The Hamilton Canadian Accordion Orchestra, Rosanna travelled and performed in Canada and in several European countries. She was Co-owner and Operator of Faccio Music (Stoney Creek, Ontario) for many years, which was a highlight in her early years as a music educator. It was also a pleasure to be associated with Dean’s Keyboard Center and the electronic division, taking part in seminars, teaching, music festivals, and adjudication. As a wife and proud mother of three children, Rosanna continued her education at McMaster University in Music. Following the Ontario Curriculum, she taught Music both privately and as an Artist in the Classroom for the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board; teaching music from JK to Grade 8. Rosanna was privileged to be a House Musician for Hamilton’s Ukrainian Dance Ensemble—Chaika— for 22 years, travelling within Canada, Europe, and the United States. Furthermore, she has been a Music Minister for over 40 years, currently leading weekly services, choirs, weddings, and other ceremonies within the community at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. Rosanna teaches as a private Instructor of Piano and Theory at Hillfield Strathallan College, where she has also been involved in their March Break and Summer camps. Since 2008, she has enjoyed being a part of this exceptional and exciting community. Recently, Rosanna has added online teaching to her list of services as a private Music Instructor.
BART NAMETH PIANO
905-517-6404 | bnameth@bell.net
Bart Nameth has been teaching private piano and theory lessons to children and adults of all ages in all musical styles for over 45 years. In that time, he has also played piano professionally in a variety of styles and ensembles including classical, jazz, popular and music theatre. A large part of Bart’s work has also been accompanying choirs and vocal and instrumental soloists. He is the designated College Pianist at Hillfield Strathallan College, accompanying our various choirs and chapel singing for the last 20 years. Bart achieved his ARCT and Bachelor of Music in 1976.
CLARK JOHNSTON BASS
905-966-2409 | clarkbass@yahoo.ca
Clark Johnston started his professional career as a bassist in 1994 and has since worked with the likes of Peter Appleyard, Gene DiNovi, Reg Schwager, Don Thompson and John Sherwood--just to name a few. Of the many recording projects that he has been a part of, he can be heard performing his original compositions on A Road Forgotten and Pictures with Shields Johnston Fielding. Clark holds a master’s degree in music composition from York University and is currently on faculty at Mohawk College and McMaster University.
| heatherk34@hotmail.com
Growing up north of Thunder Bay, Heather Kilborn began playing the flute at 7 years old. After graduating with a Bachelors in Flute Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Masters in Flute performance from Northwestern University, Heather began teaching privately and freelancing in Southern Ontario . With almost 20 years of teaching experience, and playing with groups such as the Niagara Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, as well as many small chamber groups, Heather brings well rounded experience and knowledge to all of her students. Having recently won the position of second flute/piccolo with the Thunder Bay Symphony, Heather balances travelling back and forth weekly to maintain her private studio at home.
CARLA PERROTTA-PYRGOS
CLARINET
416-992-3694
| carlaperrotta@hotmail.com
Born and raised in Waterloo, Carla joined the KWCO as principal clarinetist in 2005. Since then she has also enjoyed an active freelance career, playing with the Mississauga Symphony, the Stratford Symphony, the Ontario Philharmonic and the Toronto Concert Orchestra. In 2013 she joined the North Bay Symphony Orchestra and has been playing principal clarinet with them for the past seven years. Carla maintains a busy private teaching studio and also plays regularly with the Licorice Allsorts Clarinet Quartet. She lives in Toronto with her husband Demetri and their two sons, Leo and Max.
KATHERINE D’AGOSTINO
TRUMPET
905-979-3370 | trumpetkat23@gmail.com
Katherine D’Agostino is a proud Hamiltonian with a passion for music. She started taking piano and voice lessons in elementary school, developed a love for brass instruments in middle school, and has since gained over ten years of experience on the trumpet.
Katherine is an alumnus of McMaster University where she graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Music. As an undergraduate student, she was employed as a musicology researcher and a music theory teaching assistant. She also served as the School of the Arts representative for the Faculty of Humanities. During her studies, she received two second-place essay prizes, multiple scholarships, a Humanities Undergraduate Student Research Award, a Humanities Medal for Special Achievement, and the Dean’s Medal for Excellence in the Humanities.
Katherine has experience performing a diverse repertoire of trumpet music, including orchestral, jazz, musical theatre, and popular music. She has held the position of principal trumpet for such ensembles as the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band, the McMaster Concert Band, the McMaster Musical Theatre Pit Band, the McMaster Brass Quintet, and the McMaster Symphony Orchestra. Katherine has also performed with Sinfonia Ancaster and at a variety of church services and community events. Her favourite experiences include performing at the McMaster Concert Band’s video game concert series, the McMaster Concert Band’s 50th Anniversary celebratory recital, and at the 2024 Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans with the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band.
Katherine loves the trumpet and the joy of musical performance, and she is looking forward to sharing this passion with her students.
JOEL HAYNES
DRUMS & PERCUSSION
416-347-4957 | joelhaynes@cogeco.ca
Joel has grown from his early community musical experiences in his hometown of Burlington, Ontario, and has progressed to playing with some of the finest jazz artists. Highlights include being nominated for a “National Jazz Award” in 2003 and two nominations in 2009 for CD of the Year and Drummer of the Year. He has performed at many international jazz festivals in North America, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and the Caribbean. Joel has also recorded over 30 recordings as a sideman including artists such as; Seamus Blake, Russell Malone, Ray Anderson, David Braid, The Cookers and Denzel Sinclaire. Joel’s debut CD, released in November 2005, (Cellar Live Records, Vancouver) is entitled “The Time is Now”, with special guest vocalist, Denzel Sinclaire. In February 2008, Joel recorded his second CD, “Transitions”, live at the Cellar Jazz Club over three nights with special guest Seamus Blake. Joel continues to tour and record to date while maintaining a successful drum lesson studio in Burlington, Ontario and also teaching his 14th year at HSC.
CHRIS PLATT
GUITAR
905-808-7734 | chrisplattmusic@gmail.com
Chris Platt is an accomplished Toronto-based guitarist and composer. He regularly performs at well-known venues around the city as a leader and sideman, and has played with legendary musicians such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Murley, Dave Young, and Reg Schwager. Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.
He is a featured soloist and accompanist on the album Sweet Ruby Suite (feat. Norma Winstone and Dave Liebman) as part of the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, as well as on Angela Turone’s debut EP Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite.
Chris’ original music and style of playing is rooted in the jazz idiom, but also features striking characteristics from the Brazilian and Blues genres. This can be heard on his debut instrumental trio album, Sky Glow, which received a nomination for the Julian Award of Excellence in 2019. In 2020, he coreleased the album, Sounds of Brazil, alongside vocalist and pianist Angela Turone, which has received reviews and radio play around the world.
SCOTT NEILSON
SAXOPHONES
905-524-0325 | scottneilson66@gmail.com
Scott Neilson started playing piano at a young age and then added the clarinet to his studies, adding a few years later the saxophone and finally flute while studying music at Mohawk College where he eventually graduated with a three year Diploma in Applied Music. As a performing musician Scott joined the Hamilton musicians guild at the age of 16 and has been performing consistently ever since, most regularly for the last 22 years at the now famous Reservoir Lounge in Toronto. Also doing numerous festivals and club dates with many of the best musicians from Toronto and the GTA. As an educator Scott has been running his own teaching studio in west Hamilton for close to 30 years, has taught at Hillfield Strathallan College for over 20 years and has been on faculty at Mohawk College as the saxophone instructor for over 10 years.
ROLAND
FIX
519-495-4000 | rolandfix@gmail.com
Roland Fix is a graduate of the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria with a Master’s degree in vocal performance, and an extensive history of performing in operas, oratorio, recitals, concerts and musicals across Canada as well as in Germany, Austria and Italy.
Roland has had students awarded gold and silver medals for the highest grades in the province in their Royal Conservatory of Music exams, as well as scholarship winners for Conservatory Canada Exams. Additionally, a number of his students have won in local music festivals, in the Ontario Provincial Music Festival, and recently, a student who placed 3rd at the National Music Festival. Over the years, Roland’s students have been successful applicants to music programs at University of Toronto, Western and McGill, and many have gone on to professional careers as singers.
Roland’s career has always had a balance of teaching and performing, and it is his belief that each enhances the other: “Teaching music is not just my profession; it is my passion. To contribute to the growth of students, who come with so much potential, curiosity, and energy is uniquely rewarding. Through my teaching, as well as personal experiences as an examiner and an adjudicator at both the local and provincial levels, I have been commended for my balance between positive reinforcement and constructive criticism. I aim to provide a stimulating learning environment that creatively addresses the needs of all my students.”
MIKE
905-639-1334 | polcimike@gmail.com
Mike is a member of the trombone section of Orchestra London, Canada and he works regularly with the Orchestras of Hamilton, Kitchener and Windsor. He studied trombone with Joseph Castello at the University of Western Ontario. He has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.