Piano
Dominique Caplier, B.A. (France), A.R.C.T., RMT and ORMTA member
Originally from France where she grew up and took piano lessons from the age of five, Dominique went on studying at La Schola Cantorum in Paris with Jean-Jacques Painchaud, where she graduated with distinction in 1992. Since her immigration to Canada, she has been furthering her musical studies with Evelyn Bedford, June Caskey, Tanya Gernburd, Leon Karan and Valerie Tryon. Dominique has many years of experience teaching piano in France and in Canada and is happy to offer piano instruction in both French and English. She has been teaching piano at the Hamilton Suzuki School of Music since 2002.
Tanya Gernburd, B.Mus., M.F.A. (USSR)
Originally from Tashkent, USSR, Tanya studied music at a special school for gifted children. Later, she continued her education at a State College for Music Education and and completed State Conservatory with a Master of Fine Arts degree.
In 1989 Tanya and her family immigrated to Canada and settled in Dundas. She has taught at both the Caskey School of Music and McMaster University in addition to being on the faculty of the Hamilton Suzuki School of Music. Tanya is a member of the SAA as well as being an affiliate teacher at the RCM. In her teaching, Tanya uses Suzuki and traditional methods, rudiments, all levels of harmony and history, counterpoint and analysis. She offers preparation for RCM examinations and competitions and over the last sixteen years, has prepared more than 300 students for Royal Conservatory exams.
Tanya has conducted numerous workshops in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton and the surrounding area.
Larisa Gulenco B. Mus., M. Mus.
Larisa Gulenco is a graduate of the Moldavian Academy of Music, the North Netherlands Conservatoryand the Royal Conservatory The Hague (Netherlands) where she obtained her Master of Music. She has taught both privately and at a number of music schools for over 15 years. Larisa has performed extensively internationally and has won many prizes in international piano and chamber music competitions. Larisa received her Suzuki training from Gail Lange in Guelph, Ontario.
Joan Hayhurst
Joan attended the Royal Conservatory of Toronto as well as receiving Suzuki training at Queen’s University in Kingston and at the Children’s Talent Education Centre in London, Ontario. Joan has trained as a Suzuki teacher with Dorothy Jones, Donna Clark and Sue Vasquez, Carole Bigler, Valery Lloyd-Watts, Rita Hauck, Christine Allen and Mary Craig-Powell . Her extended training includes piano pedagogy, ear training, Suzuki philosophy and early childhood education. Joan studied Piano Pedagogy with Francine McIsaac and Heather Laliberte as well as Donna Clark.
Joan has been a teacher at the HSSM for over 20 years.
Caitlin Muller
Caitlin began studying piano at the age of five. She has studied with June Caskey and Tanya Gernburd, and will have completed her Teacher’s ARCT in 2010. Caitlin has been trained as a Suzuki Teacher by Gail Lange in Guelph. She combines Suzuki and traditional methods in her teaching, and regularly prepares students for both practical and theory RCM examinations.
Tsilya Nisman, Dip.Mus.
Originally from Belarus, Tsilya graduated with a diploma from the Children’s Seven-Year School and continued her education at Vilnius College of Music. Before her immigration to Canada in 1978, Tsilya taught piano, music literature and music composition to children age 7-14 and was responsible for the work of the Theoretical Department for 22 years at a music school in Balarus. Once in Canada, Tsilya began her Suzuki training from 1979 – 1984 at the Kingston Suzuki Institute and the Southwestern Suzuki Piano Institute. Her Suzuki trainers have included Carol Bigler, Valery Lloyd Watts and Japanese teacher, Harubo Kataoka. In 1984, Tsilya attended a special workshop, Standard Repertoire and Its Relation to the Suzuki Literature for the Professional. She maintains professional membership with the SAA. Tsilya has been on staff at the HSSM since 1980, the year of the the school’s inception. Her students are highly active in Kiwanis Music Festivals and have won many prestigious awards.
Tsilya teaches using both Suzuki and traditional approaches and regularly prepares students for Royal Conservatory of Music exams. Several of her students have been rewarded with RCM Silver Medals for the highest marks in the province.
Adele Tasse
Adele has taught piano and theory for over 30 years. She has worked with all levels of students from age 4 years to adult in groups and private settings preparing them for RCM examinations, including theory and practical, as well as music festivals. Adele received her Suzuki teacher training from Gail Lange in Guelph , Ontario. Adele welcomes special needs students and is currently working toward a diploma in this field.
