Guitar/Bass Instructors
Neda Samavati (Guitar, Piano. Composition, Theory)
Neda Samavati is a guitarist, pianist and composer currently completing her PhD in Music Composition at Western University. She began her musical journey at a young age with her father, a cellist, who was also her first music teacher, inspiring her lifelong love of music. Alongside teaching and composing, she is also an active performer, enjoying both solo playing and collaborating with other musicians. Her work as a composer has been recognized internationally and includes collaborations with professional ensembles and upcoming publication projects. Neda teaches piano, classical and electric guitar, composition and music theory to students of all ages and levels. She enjoys working in a wide range of styles including classical, jazz, pop, rock and metal. Her lessons are tailored to each student’s interests while building a strong technical foundation, supporting both those who wish to pursue music seriously and those who simply enjoy it as a creative and rewarding hobby.
Andy Cloutier
Born in Toronto, Andy Cloutier began musical studies on the guitar at the age of 5. After many years of study and performing, he entered the University of Western Ontario, where he completed a bachelor of music degree, with honours specialization in music theory and composition. He has played in masterclasses and studied with many world renowned guitarists, including Pepe Romero, Manuel Barrueco, David Russell, Roland Dyens, the Assad brothers, and many more. He currently teaches young musicians in the London area, and is Organist and music director at St. Anne’s Parish in St. Thomas, Ontario.
Peter Karle
Armed with an eclectic taste in music and the experience to match, Peter Karle is excited to teach all styles that come his way. Throughout his undergraduate degree at the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University, Peter actively sought out diverse musical projects to hone his craft as a musician. Along with private classical guitar with Robert Kubica, Peter served as guitarist and rhythm section leader with the Western University Jazz Ensemble. Peter has also sought out conducting opportunities outside of the faculty to continue his spirit for giving music. Peter served at the 2014-25 Western Chamber Ensemble (orchestra division) as director under the tutelage of Alain Trudel. He also served as producer/ music director/conductor for Theatre Western’s Xanadu(2013) and Rent(2014) and Into the Woods(2015). Peter is currently performing as a leader/sideman and session player with various session groups around London.
Girish Pokharel
Girish Pokharel, all the way from Nepal, is a guitar player and instructor with sound knowledge of guitar, bass and ukulele. A soul devoted to playing music, every waking hour that has now become a supplement for survival. Not a minute passes when his ears are not immersed in the sweet reverberations of impeccable taste. His young career started with a guitar and a pocketful of dreams, understanding, exploring, and unfailing to collaborate along the way. He performed extensively from local bars to big shows. His styles vary from classic rock to heavy metal. His imbuing talent as a guitar player should not drag attention from the fact that Girish is also a Mechanical Engineer. His other interests include travel and soccer. Girish is working currently as a guitar instructor in the London area as well as, in past, instructing guitar at a reputed institution in Nepal.
Will Bertram
Will is a guitarist and instructor who teaches guitar, bass and ukulele. He started taking lessons at age 14 and has continued his musical journey by completing the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College. Will is currently taking a Bachelor of Arts/Music at Western University. He loves music of all kinds and has experience with teaching, performing, recording, writing and producing music. He is passionate about teaching music and helping his students achieve their goals. His individualized attention to the unique needs of each student allow him to make connections that encourage and inspire students of all ages.
Drum Instructors
Brian McHugh
Brian McHugh is a graduate of The Percussion Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California, and The University of Western Ontario. Brian has maintained a busy recording and performing schedule over the years touring through Canada, U.S.A., Europe, and the Caribbean backing a variety of artists in many different styles. These artists include Fritz McIntyre (formerly of Simply Red), R&B great Grant Smith, Alan Frew (formerly of Glass Tiger), and many others. Brian is currently performing dates with his 8 piece band “Hollywood”.
Max Harris
Max is a graduate from the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University. He received his Bachelors of Music education in 2024 and his Ontario teaching degree also from Western in 2025. His love for music began at a young age, beginning with piano. He picked up a number of instruments before university but always had a fascination with the drums. This led him to playing percussion in his undergrad and getting the chance to be a part of the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble at Western. He is excited to be living his dream of teaching and getting to share his love of the drums with students of all ages.
Ulises Valenciano
Playing drums for over 20 years, Ulises is an enthusiastic musician who loves teaching and performing. He studied jazz drumming at the Arts Center of San Luis Potosi and took private lessons with Karina Colis (Berklee College of Music), Manuel Cossio (Berklee College of Music), Samuel Martinez Herrera (Conservatory of Music Puerto Rico), Fernando Mendoza (performance artist) among others. He also has a strong background in music theory and harmony. Throughout his artistic career, Ulises has been part of a large number of musical groups ranging from jazz ensembles and orchestras to groups covering rock, pop, and reggae. He has toured throughout Mexico, the United States, Spain and Italy and is currently a member of two classic rock bands in London Ontario.
Piano Instructors
Chelby Coffey
Chelby is a graduate from Western University with a Bachelor of Music Education majoring in piano. During her undergrad, she studied alongside James Hibbard to obtain proficiency at RCM 10 and ARCT levels. Chelby has had extensive band experience playing flute in Kingsville Ontario in her youth. She has also gained valuable choral experience participating in numerous university choir ensembles. Chelby is excited to be teaching students of all ages who wish to explore their passion for piano!
Catalina Teican
Catalina Teican, a native of Romania, hold degrees from the National University of Music Bucharest (BA), Bowling Green State University, USA (MA, Artist Diploma), and the University of Iowa (ABD). Catalina has performed in workshops and master classes with renowned pianists such as Gerard Fremy, Andre Watts, Garrick Ohlsson, and Daniel Shapiro, and she has participated in numereous national and international competitions and festivals as a solosit and chamber musician. Before moving to London, Catalina lived in Cyprus for 14 years, where she maintained an active performing and teaching schedule and has been recognized for her achievements as a chamber musician and piano teacher. She held teaching postions in the G. Menelaou School of Music and the Nicosia Music School, and for ten years, served as the accompanist for the Cyprus Young String Soloist. Catalina is currently pursuing a DMA degree in Collaborative Piano Western University, studying with Dr. Angela Park.
Diane MacLeod, MSW, BA Mus (Perf)
Diane has been playing and teaching the piano for more years than she cares to admit to. Although she is classically trained with RCM certification in both performance and pedagogy, her first love is improvisational play. Her background in social work has helped her to develop a compassionate and student-centered teaching style, one that is based on getting to know her students, meeting their interests, adapting lessons according to their unique learning styles and goals, and giving them the specific skills they need to use the piano in a way that is fun and motivating for them. (She’d also love it if they practiced a bit too)
Nathanial Ninham
Born and raised in London, Nathaniel is now a final year Piano Performance Major at Western University. He currently studies under Dr. Brett Kingsbury for his Undergrad and after graduating in 2023 hopes to pursue a Masters in Performance or Collaborative Piano. His biggest musical love is for his favourite composers, Bach and Chopin, but performs a wide variety of styles in both solo and collaborative works. He is the 2021 recipient of the Larry and Susan Agranove Award and has performed in a variety of venues including weddings and as a collaborative pianist in various music festivals. On the side he also enjoys Film Studies, gaming, and playing trumpet in the Western Symphonic Band.
Rachael Hunter
Rachael Hunter is a pianist from Ottawa. She recently completed a Master of Music in Literature and Performance at Western University under the instruction of Dr. Angela Park. She hold a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Ottawa, as well as a Bachelor of Arts with a Minor in English, also completed at the University of Ottawa. She collaborates regularly with singers and is especially passionate about Art Song. Rachael has studied with a variety of well-respected teachers including Catherine Donkin, Frederic Lacroix, David Jalbert, and Aude Urbancic. Rachael has competed multiple times in the Canadian Music Competition and in 2016 was a provincial finalist. In the past she has attended a variety of summer programs, at which she has had the opportunity to work with teachers including Jimmy Briere, Valery Lloyd-Watts, and Sarah Beth-Briggs. In addition to being a pianist, Rachael is also a soprano and in the past has taken voice lessons with both Cara Gilbertson and Samara Garfinkle. This experience contributes a valuable perspective to her work with singers. Rachael is also a passionate and experienced teacher, having taught for over ten years.
Strings Instructors
Charmaine Iormetti
Charmaine obtained a Diploma in Music from Capilano University (North Vancouver, BC) in 2018 for Voice and Piano as well as a Certificate in Conducting. She was active as a piano accompanist back home. She has obtained an RCM Violin Grade 9 Certificate and was a very active violinist, serving as 2nd violin Section Leader and then Concert Master for the Honour Strings Orchestra in Vancouver. She was also active in many music festivals and at the end of her studies in Killarney, was give the Peter Rohloff Award, the highest prize given to a Strings student. Charmaine has also completed her MMus in Literature and Performance (Voice) degree at Western University. Her eclectic background provides a wonderful foundation for her active studio in violin, voice and piano.
Claire Jones-Fright
Claire is a violinist, singer, actor, and dancer. She grew up in London, Ontario in a musical family that gifted her with a profound love for music and performance. At the age of two, she started studying the violin in her mother’s studio following the Suzuki Method. At the age of 11, Claire had her first professional theatre experience with Drayton Entertainment, portraying the role of Brigitta Von Trapp in The Sound of Music inspiring her to pursue a career in Theatre! Claire has performed as a violin soloist with orchestras, including the London Symphonia and in 2023, sang with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with colleagues from her Music Theatre program at St. Claire College. Upon graduation, Claire signed with Victoria Playhouse Petrolia where she played Amelia Dodds in the musical play, Oil Rush by Robert More. She was thrilled to incorporate her violin throughout the show! Claire believes that her education will never truly finish, as she must continually hone her skills for the competitive and diverse industry that she has chosen. Claire considers herself a lifelong learner and hopes to inspire and motivate her students to pursue their passions and find joy in learning.
Isaac Lee
Isaac Lee is currently is pursuing a Bachelor Of Music in Cello Performance at Western University. He has been taught by Bruce Richardson and Julia MacGregor and is currently under the tutelage of Professor Thomas Wiebe. During his high school years, Isaac has participated in Kiwanis Music Festivals for 4 years. On top of that, he also conducted jazz bands and plays the saxophone.
Voice Instructors
Olivia Power
Olivia Power, soprano, is currently completing her Bachelor of Music degree with Honours in Music Education at the University of Western Ontario. Olivia graduated from Eastwood Collegiate Institutes’ Integrated Art Program in 2020 where she was a double major. She has competed regionally in both classical and musical theatre categories in the Stratford Kiwanis Music Festival since 2020 and has been honoured with first place in the province in 2021. Recently, Olivia has taken the stage in Theatre USC’s production of The Addams Family in March of 2023. Notable awards include the Hutchinson Morrison Family Award for Most Outstanding Musical Theatre Performance (2022), the award for Senior Classical Voice (2021), and the Gordon Scott Memorial Award for Outstanding Performance (2021). She was recently recognized with the Willena Evans Award in Music (2023) from the Don Wright Faculty of Music at Western University.
Charmaine Iormetti
Charmaine Iormetti recently completed her MMus in Literature and Performance (Voice) degree at Western University. In addition to her Master’s course load, Charmaine took the Doctoral (DMA) course in Vocal Pedagogy from 2023-2024 as a “Special Topics” course. Ms. Iormetti currently serves as chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral and music teacher at Riverbend Academy (Delaware, Ontario) and Sound in Motion (London ON). She was a featured recitalist in St. Paul’s Music at Midday Series in March 2020 & 2023, October 2023, and May 2024. Other highlights include singing solos for Stratford Concert Choir’s 2019 production of Handel’s Messiah, and solos for Hayden’s Lord Nelson Mass and Schubert’s Mass in C Major for Capilano University’s 2018 Spring Choral Concert in North Vancouver, BC.
Felix Stueckmann
Felix Stueckmann graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 2020 with a Bachelors degree in Music Performance (honours voice), appearing in 4 of UWO’s opera productions during his time there. A lifelong musician, he started piano at age 5 with Kathryn Tremills, and continued lessons until heading to university. He joined the Bach’s Children Choir at age 9 and as a teenage began instructing young students in music theory and sight reading. He eventually made the difficult choice to choose voice instead of piano as his principle at Western. He studied under the Canadian baritone James Westman. Felix is truly passionate about music and loves that he is able to pass that on to the next generation of singers and pianists.
Callista Foti
Callista Foti is a proud crossover artist currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at Western University. From a young age, she has been an active member of Ontario’s vocal community, qualifying for the OMFA Provincials in both classical and musical theatre categories and receiving consistent recognition over several years at the National Association of Teachers and Singing (NATS) Ontario Chapter Vocal Showcase. Callista has performed in a wide range of productions, including roles such as First Lady (The Magic Flute), Cis (Albert Herring), Portia (Something Rotten), Nancy (Oliver), Drowsy (The Drowsy Chaperone), and Lucinda (Into the Woods). She has also had the unique opportunity to originate the roles of Gwen in the original Canadian musical Super School and Kelly in the film Red Letter Day. Beyond her performance experience, Callista has also stage-directed a selection of scenes and excerpts across various productions. Classically trained through her academic studies and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), she also brings a strong understanding of contemporary vocal techniques–particularily those used in musical theatre and pop styles–which allows her to connect with students of all musical interests. Callista welcomes students of all backgrounds and is dedicated to tailoring her teaching approach to meet each individual’s needs, helping them discover and develop their unique voice.
Isabella Mackie
Isabella Mackie is a mezzo soprano from London, Ontario who is competing her Bachelor of Music with an Honours in Voice Performance at the University of Western Ontario, under the tutelage of Dr. Margie Bernal. She discovered her love for music at a young age and, inspired by a supportive high school music teacher, found the confidence to pursue music as a career. As a performer, Isabella appears regularly in recitals and concerts and has taken part in university productions, such as Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte and the annual Opera Gala. She has also been connecting with her roots by exploring and performing Polish repertoire, including works by Moniuszko and Chopin. In addition to her solo work, Isabella has a deep love for choral singing, valuing teamwork and collaboration involved in preparing music together. She is especially passionate about teaching and aspires to build a welcoming, encouraging environment where students can explore their musical interests and develop their creativity.
Wind Instructors
Emily Rouse
Emily is a graduate of the Don Wright Faculty of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in music with honours in Music Education. Emily provides instruction for the alto, tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones, flute, clarinet, oboe and recorder. Emily’s musical achievements have been performing with the National Youth Band of Canada for two years and performing as a semi-finalist in the Western University Concerto Competition. Emily is enjoying her 7th year of teaching, playing saxophone with Encore the Concert Band, singing as a cantor at her local parish of St Peter’s Basilica, and leading Lost at C- a community jazz ensemble which she co-founded.