Meet Our Team

Our teachers are among the most talented in the industry.
​It would be our pleasure to put our extensive experience to work for you and your family!

Sarah Iles
BMUS Piano/Voice 

Sarah Iles is a graduate of the University of Toronto Opera School, and has performed in Europe, Thailand, The United States and Canada. Ms. Iles also holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University. Operatic roles include Laurie in The Tender Land, Susanna and Barbarina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Pamina and Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Gilda in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Elisetta in Il Matrimonio segreto, Despina in Cosi fan tutte, Suor Genovieffa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Bastienne in Bastien and Bastienne, and Emmie in Albert Herring. Ms. Iles has also performed in contemporary operas for the Luminato Festival, and the UofT New Music Festival. In Toronto Ms. Iles has performed in the Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert Series in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, Against the Grain Theatre, Opera by Request, Toronto Operetta Theatre and Summer Opera Lyric Theatre. Other training includes the St. Andrews Opera Workshop in New Brunswick with Wendy Nielsen, and the Manhattan Summer Voice Festival at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Ms. Iles traveled to Florence, Italy with a scholarship from the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto and later returned to sing at the prestigious Centre for Opera Studies in Sulmona, Italy. In 2015 she had the pleasure of working with renowned soprano, Mme. Aprile Millo (Metropolitan Opera) at the Operavision Academy in Urbania, Italy where she performed in a concert tour in Milan, Massa, Torre del Lago and Urbania including excerpts of Nannetta from Verdi’s Falstaff and Liù from Turandot by Puccini. In Urbania, she also had the honour to work with Maestro Richard Bonynge in a bel canto Masterclass. Ms. Iles studies with Dr. Mary-Lou Vetere, and is from Toronto and grew up in Peterborough, Ontario. She has performed with The Peterborough Theatre Guild, The Lyric Stage, The Peterborough Singers and The Peterborough Singers Pop Ensemble. Ms. Iles is excited to join the Featherstone Music Family of teachers and to bring her love of music and singing to students of all levels and abilities.

LINA HATEM
MMUS piano/voice​

Growing up in Damascus in a family of performers and classical music lovers, Lina started playing the piano at the age of 5. At age of 23, she graduated with a BM from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus where she also studies Harpsichord and Pipe Organ. In 2004, Lina received a full scholarship to the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music in Colorado where she completed her Master’s in piano performance with professors Alice Rybak and Theodore Lichtman. Lina has participated in numerous solo recitals, performed with the Syrian National Orchestra, the Lamont Orchestra, in addition to many chamber ensembles, concerts and vocalist’s accompaniment. She has made Toronto her home since 2007 where she enjoys performing for friends and family and continues to share her passion for music with her students of various ages and backgrounds.

ANN BLENNERHASSETT
piano/voice

Ann Blennerhassett is a soprano at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. Born to musical parents, Ann has been playing, singing and performing onstage since childhood. She was won numerous awards from festivals and competitions such as NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), Kiwanis Toronto, Peel, Newmarket and Burlington Music Festivals. She has performed in opera productions and in concert in Canada, the United States and Germany and has been featured on Toronto`s Classical 96.3 FM and Buffalo`s Classical WNED 94.5 FM. Aside from performing, Ann loves teaching students of all ages and levels, and seeing young musicians reach their potential. Her biggest goal as a teacher is to inspire her students to want to achieve more on their own volition and to see them aspiring not just to play or sing, but to become well-rounded musicians. And though she maintains that being a musician is hard work which requires discipline, it should also be enjoyable and rewarding. She believes that classical technique and theory are essential building blocks for any style of playing or singing.

Chris Tanaka-Mann
BEd Piano/Guitar/Voice

Christopher Tanaka-Mann is a musician, educator, arranger, vocal coach, clinician, and performing artist. While specializing in voice, Chris also plays piano and guitar. As a teacher, Chris has taught voice, piano, and guitar privately, as well as English, Music, and Philosophy in some of Ontario’s secondary schools. He is a proud member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, singing with several different groups that specialize in the barbershop style of music. He has had the opportunity to lead choruses and music programs around Ontario in music and singing, and continues to search for more avenues for this kind of clinical education. As a performing artist, Chris is most notably the tenor of Yonge Guns, a quartet that sings a cappella music. The barbershop quartet performs around Ontario and the world, competing in the Barbershop Harmony Society’s quartet contests regularly. Most recently, Yonge Guns won the provincial competition, and now sets its sights representing Ontario and Canada in the International Quartet Contest! Chris teaches voice and performance privately, as well as providing beginner piano and guitar lessons. He recently worked as a Singing Ambassador for the Waterfront Business Improvement Area, and now works for Taddle Creek Montessori School and also as a nanny for a private family. He is a certified Ontario Secondary teacher.

Denae Konynenbelt
MMus Piano/Voice

Denae Konynenbelt is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto with a Master of Arts in Musicology. She also has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Lethbridge. She has been playing the piano since the age of 3 and since then has been passionate about performance, music history, and theory. Along with her academic experience, Denae has worked through the RCM curriculum up to Grade 9. She also has experience as an accompanist with vocalists and instrumentalists, choirs, and as a church pianist. She has worked with children and young people of all ages, working as a tutor, a teaching assistant, and a private piano teacher. Denae strives to meet the needs of individual students and brings a comprehensive teaching style to help students understand music effectively. Her approach to music education is that students should enjoy the music they are learning to become successful and confident musicians. Denae is excited to meet her new students and teaching beginner to RCM Grade 8 piano.

MICHAEL HODGSON
BMUS piano/voice/guitar

Michael Hodgson has been teaching privately for over 12 years and has performed for audiences across Canada, the United States, Sweden and Germany in the operatic, oratorio, art song, choral and contemporary genres. His teaching method emphasizes technique, confidence and an over all aim towards providing consistent progress and a sound foundation. While educating his students on necessary genres of music for steady progression, Michael also includes music that pertains to his student's personal interest to keep their motivation and interests in mind. Michael received his Bachelor of Music from Queen's University, studying voice under Canadian baritone Bruce Kelly. He is comfortable teaching students of all ages, in all styles of music. He believes that being a well rounded musician is a much needed asset and because of this he makes himself as fluent as possible in all genres of music to be able to cater to any students needs. Having the privilege of working with a wide variety of skilled musicians in the past has allowed Michael to study numerous teaching methods and philosophies. It is through these means that he has solidified his own methods and feels that he can provide a unique, friendly and effective learning environment for students of all ages. Above all else, music is his undying passion and he feels that being able to pass on and teach what he has learned over the years is a treasure all in its self. Having had teachers who love their craft and love to teach has inspired him and he practices that mentality in his teaching.

VERONIKA ANISSIMOVA
BMUS  ARCT Piano/Voice

LUIS FIGUEROA
​AMD GUITAR/DRUMS

JORDAN PAUL
Piano/Guitar/Drums

Veronika Anissimova holds a MMus (2018) in historical voice performance and a BMus (2016) in piano and Italian studies from the University of Toronto, as well as a dual ARCT Diploma in voice and piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has performed with Opera Atelier, the Toronto Consort, the Elora Singers, UofT Schola Cantorum, the Cor Unum Ensemble, the American Bach Soloists Academy, and recently at Carnegie Hall, in Marilyn Horne’s The Song Continues 2018. Veronika enjoys passing on her love of music to others, and has over eight years of experience in teaching piano to students of all ages and levels. She is able to accommodate students who want to play for recreational purposes, as well as those preparing for RCM examinations and competitions. www.veronika-anissimova.com

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At an early age Luis decided that music was going to be the path he was going to choose as a career. Beginning his journey with the drums at 9 years of age, he quickly decided that the guitar should be his next challenge. All happening at once, he joins the school band, the church choir, the jazz combo, the funk and punk bands with his friends, all of these elements making up his overall musical integrity. Fast forward to today, having worked on over a dozen albums and projects, and having 9 years of teaching under his belt with post-secondary education coming from the renowned Jazz program at Humber college in Toronto majoring in percussion, Luis refines his techniques. Recently getting on board with Featherstone Music to teach guitar full time there is no sign of Luis slowing down. Luis finds his passion in the production of music electronically and organically but always finds time for session work, teaching and his country/folk rock outfit "The Idaho Stop"

Jordan has been a professional performer since first playing and singing his original music in clubs at the age of 13. An accomplished instrumentalist (piano, guitar, bass, mandolin, ukulele, sitar) and vocalist, Jordan is well-versed in the genres of rock, pop, folk, jazz, country, and western and Indian classical music respectively. He has shared the stage with Ron Sexsmith, The Sheepdogs, Andy Kim, The Strumbellas, Hawksley Workman, Steppenwolf, and many other accomplished artists while representing Canada on the international stage. As a songwriter, he has written for numerous artists and songwriters of note–including Darryl James (The Strumellas; Double Platinum in Canada, Gold in USA and Australia), Martin Kerr (no.1 in Canada), Amanda Mabro (Ron Sexsmith), Matt Lipscombe (Bran Van 3000), and more. He has been featured by the Songwriters Association of Canada and is a recipient of The SHINE Music Award and Songstudio’s ‘Most Pitch-able Song’–both for his single ‘Archetype X,’ which debuted in the Top 100 Alternative Charts. 3-time Grammy Award winning producer, Chris Birkett (Led Zeppelin, Quincy Jones, Talking Heads), hails Jordan as “Canada’s Jeff Buckley; one of the best singers I’ve ever heard.” As an educator, Jordan is a patient and engaging teacher who works hard with students of all ages to bring out the strengths of each individual; honing in a focus on meeting one’s unique goals, needs, and aspirations as a budding musician. He believes music to be the single-greatest catalyst of human connection, and for that reason aims to inspire a love of music and its power in each and every student.

KAYLA OWEN
​BA piano/voice

PINAR AYVERDI

BMus Piano/Voice/Flute

Kayla Owen is a recent Honours Bachelor of Arts graduate and music enthusiast. She began learning piano at the age of 7 and has carried her Royal Conservatory of Music training with her to the age of 23. This passion has motivated Kayla to teach music to children in both private and camp settings over the last 9 years. In addition to participating in professional choirs and playing the steel drums since the age of 8, Kayla exercises her piano playing as an accompanist at Hope Church. Kayla is always excited to share her love for music with everyone she has the opportunity to meet.

Pinar is a 4th year undergraduate music (flute and piano) student at the University of Toronto. She is passionate about drawing audiences deeply into the art of music. Her works as a soloist, chamber musician and other orchestral players has taken her to many different cities and countries throughout Europe and the America. She performed in different type of classical music settings both as a soloist and chamber musician throughout her education since 2001. She received ‘Best Composition Award’ in high school in 2013. A well-qualified and inspirational teacher can not only rise the quality of teaching but also develop a culture of learning and high aspiration right across a school’s musical department. Pinar has excellent subject of knowledge and a strong desire to provide her students with a world class education. She is guaranteed to be able to stretch all of her students to their fullest potential. Committed to expanding the role of what it means to be a 21st century musician, Pinar’s work often takes her beyond the concert stage and into the community. She appears as a performer and teaching artist at community centers, hospitals and correctional facilities in Toronto and is proud to serve in this field. 
 York Mills Collegiate Institute, Summer Sounds Music Festival (2017)
Created, planned and taught daily music lessons including beginner band and private flute lessons while maintaining student interest and discipline 
Created effective and engaging lesson plans
Commended by teachers and school principal for creative instructional activities
 
 - Private teacher from 2012-2018 Private Studio/home Teaching
Conducted private music lessons. Taught music to school aged children. Tracked progress, collaborated with parents and worked with students to prepare for school band, contests and special concerts. 
Students won awards for music contests and gained recognition as leaders in perspective ensembles

ANDREW MENINO
BA guitar/bass/piano

Andrew is a student in the 2nd year of the Bachelor of Music program at Humber College majoring in Bass Performance. He graduated from the Introduction to Commercial Jazz Performance Certificate program at Humber College with honours in 2016. He has performed with many groups such as the Chinguacousy Concert and its sister Jazz band, the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra and various student bands, one of which was led by the great Hilario Duran. He has also been a member of the Musicfest Canada Nationals staff since 2015 and has been the Audio and Recording Tech Team Supervisor since 2016; he is set to become the next Technical Director. He aspires to become a Sound Designer specializing in Video game audio and composition, however, he hopes to work in studios that will work with the latest in technology to complete projects for all media platforms. Andrew hopes that the passion he has for music and audio can be sparked in the same way with his students using a curriculum that is both structured and flowing that is curated to each individual, while using the deployment of a positive environment as the base of every lesson.

Andrew Song
Piano

Adele Qian
​Piano

Elizabeth Hutt
​Piano

Andrew Song is a musician, composer, audio engineer and lifelong student. He has been a part of Allotrope, an award-winning Hamiltonian band and has placed second in the ORMTA music writing competition. He has completed his grade 10 diploma in piano from the RCM. Beginning his education on piano at the age of 5, he always firmly saw that music should be a source of lifelong joy and expression. Andrew is very well-versed in classical RCM repertoire as well as piano improv in a variety of styles. Due to his childhood piano learning experiences, he believes that developing and integrating an interest and passion in the joy of music and learning, finding meaning through answering hard questions like why engage with the tedious tasks of mastery, serves students better than short-term accomplishments like awards and medals. using a science-based approach of mastery and deliberate learning, Andrew seeks to impart the how, but more importantly the why, of learning the piano. His unique approach builds a tailored path to mastery, a path to meaning through music and most importantly, a path to placing your heart in synchronicity with the music that is uniquely your own.

Adele began playing piano when she was 7 and received my ARCT in 2015. She is currently in first year of piano performance at the University of Toronto. Adele placed in many regional competitions including the ORMTA, Markham Music Festival, and Music Scarborough. As much as she enjoys performing, teaching has always been her passion and she believes that everyone can benefit from learning an instrument. Adele has experience accompanying solo instruments including piano, violin, flute, and tuba, as well as ensembles including the York Symphony Orchestra and currently the Wind Ensemble at Uoft. She makes lessons fun and interactive while incorporating theory and history knowledge. Adele has taught beginners to level 10 RCM students.

Elizabeth Hutt comes from a family of musicians which allowed her to become familiar with all genres of music from a young age. She started teaching group and private piano lessons when she was in high school and now she has over a decade of skills and experience. Teaching group piano has taught her patience and discipline all the while creating a fun atmosphere for students. Her students have gone on to test in RCM curriculum and even pursue careers in musical education. Every year since teaching Elizabeth has organized recitals with up to 60 students. She loves pairing up friends for duets and even triplets! Elizabeth is a charismatic and engaging teacher while making sure that each student is learning to their full potential. She is able to recognize her students strengths and work towards bettering their weaknesses. As the eldest sister in her family, Elizabeth has a lot of experience caring for younger children. She took the responsibilty of tending to her two younger siblings and babysat for others. She is able to recognize their needs and adapt to the circumstances by building a nurturing relationship with them. As a result she creates a creative and supportive environment for students of all ages with which she can share the love of piano, a skill they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.