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!

Julia Sunay
Piano, Voice

Julia Sunay is a freelance music director, pianist and teacher based in Toronto. She studied the piano at a young age and completed her classical music training with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has performed as a pianist for over twenty years, working alongside pit orchestras, dancers, singers, choirs and instrumentalists. Julia has a lifelong passion for piano and loves collaborating with students of all ages. In addition to teaching students privately for over 15 years, Julia has worked at several music schools in Toronto including Arts Express, Rosedale School of the Arts, York University and Bravo Academy. She has also been a faculty member at the National Music Camp of Canada, where she taught musical theatre to hundreds of young performers.
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In addition to being a passionate piano teacher, Julia has extensive experience as a music director and brings a unique skillset to her teaching. She is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, where she completed her diploma in Musical Theatre performance. In late 2015, Julia joined Celebrity Cruise Lines, where she performed as a Solo Piano Vocalist, touring all across South America, Antartica and Alaska. In 2019, Julia joined Norwegian Cruise Lines for two years, where she served as Music Director for the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys. Julia has worked with pianists of all ages and backgrounds and loves to watch her students grow musically. She is adamant about creating a safe, comfortable learning environment and strives to adapt her teaching to meet the individual needs of each child she works with. Her mission is to inspire her students and to instil a special love and appreciation for music. 

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Nicky McGrath, MMus
Voice, Piano

​Nicky McGrath is a vocal pedagogue specialising in contemporary voice, music educator, international performer and qualified coach. Living most of her life in Australia, Nicky graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Entertainment Industries/Music Studies) from the Queensland Institute of Technology and in 2020 will graduate with a Master of Music Studies (Vocal Pedagogy - research) from the Queensland Conservatorium having earned the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence. Teaching a range of vocal styles, piano, and music theory, Nicky's approach is tailored to the student, educational, and filled with joy. Nicky is especially passionate about healthy, free, sustainable voice use that aligns with modern research.

As a little girl, Nicky loved to sing for her family and friends because it created a pathway for immediate and meaningful connection with others. It's this philosophy which drives her career and the way she lives today. Since 2012, she’s had a vibrant and successful career managing creative projects, specialising in business development and coaching. These days, Nicky relishes the opportunity to live her passion as a full-time musician and voice teacher, combining her experience as a successful business woman with her desire to be creative and nurture others. 

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Jennifer Masson, ARCT
Piano, Guitar, Violin

Jennifer is a violinist, pianist, musical instructor and all around enthusiast when it comes to music, dance, and the arts. Jennifer is an active member in the music community and has been teaching for 13 years. She was introduced to music at the tender age of 5 when she began studying the violin. Her interest and joy for music only grew by the age of 7 when she began studying both violin and piano and was performing regularly with the St. Cecilia’s Church Choir. Jennifer’s studies through private lessons took her through examinations with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and by the age of 15, she began teaching both violin and piano. Teaching with the prescribed music syllabus, she has taken over 200 students through their exams with the Royal Conservatory and has aided in the performance of her students with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra & Sounds of Toronto Orchestra. Working in Toronto as a musician and teacher, she has performed in classical venues such as Koerner Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, as well as performed in bands in different bars across the GTA such as the Dakota Tavern, Cameron House and local pubs. Jennifer continues to perform weddings and teach in Toronto, volunteering with the Toronto Blues Society where she is an active member, and has orchestrated and managed stages with the Beaches Jazz Festival and Junction Summer Solstice Festival. Jennifer continues to study music today, adding both guitar and accordion to her musical tool belt.

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Maya Jenkins, BA Musical Theatre
Piano, Voice 

Maya is a music theatre performer, actor, and arts educator located in Toronto. She recently graduated from the prestigious Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre
Performance program at Sheridan College where she received excellent training in voice, acting, dance, and music. Along with her music theatre training, Maya has completed her RCM training in piano, voice, and music theory. Maya has performed in many musicals including Anne of Green Gables, Seussical, The Mikado, and The Drowsy Chaperone. A supporter of the Canadian musical theatre canon, Maya has been lucky to be in many new Canadian musicals/workshops in the GTA including: Catherine in The House of Martin Guerre/Theatre Sheridan; Gloria in Kelly v Kelly/CMTP & Musical Stage Co.; and a new workshop of Bartram and Hill’s Bethune/CMTP. This summer Maya will play Eliza Doolittle in The Brott Music Festival’s production of My Fair Lady. Along with performing in musicals, Maya has gigged at many festivals across the GTA for the past few years, always singing Joni Mitchell whenever possible. Maya started a private piano and voice studio when she was in high school and has been teaching privately and supply teaching for music schools since 2010. She loves working with musicians of all levels but has a soft spot for beginners. Maya believes that music lessons should be fun and confidence building. She hopes to instill the same passion she has for music in her students. ​

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Ann Blennerhassett, BMus
Studio Manager
​Piano, Voice

Ann is a singer, pianist, teacher and arts administrator. With 10 years of teaching  experience under her belt, Ann enjoys teaching students of all ages, specializing in intermediate and early advanced piano. She aims to teach her students to be not just good players/singers, but to be well-rounded musicians. Her biggest goal as a teacher is to inspire her students to want to achieve their best and push their limits. Ann believes that learning an instrument, like learning any new skill, is hard work which requires discipline, however it should also be enjoyable and rewarding. She believes that classical techniques and theory are essential building blocks for any style of playing or singing. Ann graduated from The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, and has been featured on Toronto’s Classical 96.3FM and Buffalo’s Classical WNED 94.5.

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Michael Hodgson, MMus
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.

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Chris Tanaka-Mann, B.Ed
​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 at the secondary school level. He is a proud member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, singing with several different groups that specialize in the style. He has had the opportunity to lead choruses and music programs around Ontario.

As a performing artist, Chris is most notably the tenor of Yonge Guns, The 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 on 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.

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Luis Figueroa, BMus
Guitar, Drums, Electronic Music

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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" 

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Elizabeth Hutt
​Piano

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.

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Madi Trupp, BMus
Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano

Madi has been teaching music with featherstone studio for 3 years. She graduated in 2016 from Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta with a BA in Music, where she studied under Dr. Wendolin Munroe. Madi is also an avid theatre performer. Her roles include Winnifred, Once Upon A Mattress; Lucy, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; and Golde, Fiddler on the Roof. Madi is also a member of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.
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Madi has expanded her musical skills to become a teacher of piano, voice, guitar, and ukulele, with a specialty in working with very young students and those with disabilities. She recently created her own early childhood music introduction program while working with Royal Bear Daycare in Oshawa, ON. Madi sees learning music as an adventure; she is excited to share that with her students, helping them grow and discover music for themselves along the way.

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Camila Milla, BMus
Guitar, Piano, Composition

​Camila is a Chilean guitarist, composer, and educator. She started playing guitar at thirteen years old and performed on various stages in her home country. She started teaching in her second year of music school, and during this time, she began to receive invitations to collaborate in projects including rock bands, contemporary music festivals, and composing for short films and animation. After a few years of teaching, she became the head guitar teacher in a music academy, teaching all ages. At the same time she started a Bachelor in Education so she could also work as a secondary school teacher. Camila has also been pursuing a career as a solo artist and engaging her audience through social media. In 2018 Ibanez Guitars made Camila part of their family giving her the opportunity to be one of the first women from South America to be featured in their artists catalogue. 

She enjoys teaching all kinds of music styles which reflect her students' interests; motivating them to exercise their technique and understand the discipline in a close and entertaining way. In this way she helps her students build their self confidence and encourages them to be curious and creative. Sharing her passion for music, Camila feels very lucky to be able to teach and learn from her students every day.

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