OUR STORY
East Vancouver Community Music School is a non-profit society formed in 2008 by a group of professional musicians and teachers to create a cooperatively run school of music. Our school offers students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to study with highly qualified and experienced instructors.
We provide outstanding private instruction and a variety of fun group classes, stimulating theory classes, faculty concerts and regular student recitals. Students receive a rounded education in music and participate in the cultural life of the community. We provide students from low-income families with bursaries to ensure that everyone can obtain a musical education (click here for for application form and eligibility requirements).
Our teachers provide lessons in English and a variety of languages listed in each bio.
Our school does not yet have a physical location, so each teacher provides lessons out of their
individual studios across Vancouver.
We have multiple locations and some teachers provide lessons at your home, and online as well!
East Vancouver Community Music School is a non-profit society formed in 2008 by a group of professional musicians and teachers to create a cooperatively run school of music. Our school offers students of all ages and abilities the opportunity to study with highly qualified and experienced instructors.
We provide outstanding private instruction and a variety of fun group classes, stimulating theory classes, faculty concerts and regular student recitals. Students receive a rounded education in music and participate in the cultural life of the community. We provide students from low-income families with bursaries to ensure that everyone can obtain a musical education (click here for for application form and eligibility requirements).
Our teachers provide lessons in English and a variety of languages listed in each bio.
Our school does not yet have a physical location, so each teacher provides lessons out of their
individual studios across Vancouver.
We have multiple locations and some teachers provide lessons at your home, and online as well!
Marie Calvert
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Piano- Marie Calvert has a B.Mus from U.B.C., a M.Mus. from W.W.U. (Bellingham), an A.T.C.L. and L.T.C.L. from Trinity College of London, and a Professional Teaching Certificate for B.C. schools. She also has training in Suzuki Piano, Kodaly, and Orff pre-school music methods. For over twenty years she has taught at her home studio, in the Public School System, and at various music schools in the Greater Vancouver Area such as the Vancouver Academy of Music, St. James Music Academy, and the Langley Community Music School. In addition to teaching, she coaches, accompanies and plays chamber music.
Studio Location: Main @ 46th Ave |
Alan Crane
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Piano - Alan Crane holds a Bachelor of Music (University of Western Ontario) and a Master of Music in Piano Performance (University of British Columbia). For over thirty years he has been teaching a full range of students from young beginners to pre-professionals, and adults. In addition to being on the faculty of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, Mr. Crane teaches part-time at the Langley Community Music School where he has served for many years as Coordinator of the Piano Program. As well as teaching, Alan Crane is a co-director of the popular series West Coast Chamber Music and is an active performer & accompanist.
Studio Location: Fraser @ 44th Ave |
Ruth Cornish
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Flute, Piano, Theory — Ruth Cornish holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia and is a longtime member of the British Columbia Registered Music Teacher’s Association. She has been welcoming flute, piano, and theory students of all ages and abilities for over 30 years. While her students consistently perform well in recitals, festivals, and exams, she is happy to help students reach their goals, whether they want to learn music for fun and enjoyment, improve their school band playing, or pursue more intensive studies in music.
Studio Location: Kitsilano |
Ross Curran
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Woodwinds - Ross Curran has a B.Mus. from the University of Victoria, Orff Schulwerk Level I (U.B.C.) and Orff Schulwerk Level II (Hamline University). He has taught as a pre-school music specialist and taught flute, saxophone, clarinet and recorder lessons throughout the Lower Mainland for many years. As a performer, Ross has played in concerts, dance bands, chamber music ensembles, film music and on C.B.C. radio.
Studio Location: Fraser @ 29th |
Bonnie Dodds
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Voice - Bonnie Dodds has a Bachelor of Musical Arts, Bachelor of Education and Artist’s Diploma in Voice Performance from the University of Western Ontario. She has taught voice for 30 years at various locations, including Vancouver Community College, Mount Royal Conservatory of Music, the Gwen Greenway School of Music and at her private studio. In addition, she performed for several years with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Vancouver Opera Chorus, as a freelance oratorio, recital and opera singer. Her experience has taken her across Canada, including the Banff School of Fine Arts, the USA, China, Russia and England.
Studio Location: Kerisdale |
Libby Donald
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Voice & Early Childhood Music - Libby holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from The Australian National University’s Conservatory of music. She has extended training in early childhood music group classes (ages 0-8), piano studies, directing children’s choirs and vocal group classes. Whether students are learning voice, piano or both, Libby believes in making learning a fun, accessible and an immersive experience. Her goal is not only to grow musical skills but also foster a lifelong love for music in all students. She uses her creativity to develop engaging avenues for students to learn the most challenging aspects of music in an enjoyable way.
Fluent in English and speaks intermediate Italian. Studio Location: Victoria Diversion near Trout Lake |
Rachel Iwaasa
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Piano & Theory - Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa is recognized among Canada’s foremost contemporary music pianists. An active concert pianist and recording artist, Rachel holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from UBC, a Master of Music from Indiana University Bloomington, a Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria, pedagogy and performance diplomas from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Mount Royal University, as well as graduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin. Rachel has taught music since 1987 to students ranging from young beginners to professional composers. She tailors her approach to each individual’s learning style and musical interests, working collaboratively to unleash creative freedom and technical facility. Rachel co-founded the Queer Arts Festival, acclaimed as one of the top 3 festivals of its kind worldwide.
Website: www.iwaasa.com |
Clara Shandler
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Cello & Piano - Clara Shandler holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Scholarship from the University of British Columbia and has been an active teacher and music coach in Canada and Cambodia for over a decade. Clara adapts her teaching to accommodate physical injuries or limitations, allowing each student's love of music to flourish without pain or burn-out. As a performer, Clara transcends the boundaries of many different genres and encourages her students to do the same. Whether studying Bach or the Beatles, Clara's students cultivate a wide range of musical skills while having fun, connecting with their inner voice and nurturing their own sense of self expression.
Website: www.sidewalkcellist.com Studio Location: Victoria @ 49th Ave |
Rodney Sharman
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Flute, Recorder & Composition - Rodney Sharman teaches music composition, flute, and recorder from his home studio in East Vancouver (Coast Salish territory). He sings, conducts, composes, plays recorders and flutes. He has been Victoria Symphony Mentor-Composer in Residence, Composer-in-Residence of Early Music Vancouver’s “New Music for Old Instruments”, the Victoria Symphony, National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and Composer-Host of the Calgary Philharmonic’s New Music Festival, “Hear and Now”. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria, Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, and holds a PhD from the State University of New York. Sharman teaches compositional technique in all its aspects, helping students bridge the gap between their imagination and technique, assisting artistic growth without getting in the way of finding their personal voice.
Fluent in English, German, speaks French, Dutch, and Italian. Website: www.rodneysharman.com Studio Location: Victoria @ William |
Caralyn Taylor
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Guitar & Voice - Caralyn Taylor is a lively music educator and performer with over 15 years of teaching experience and a BA in music! With a passion for teaching piano, guitar, voice and self-accompaniment she brings infectious enthusiasm to every lesson. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, Caralyn works with students of all ages and styles to make learning music a fun and rewarding experience. With her rich background in performance, she tailors her approach to meet each student’s unique goals, fostering a supportive and inspiring environment. Get ready to explore your musical talents and have a blast along the way with Caralyn!
Website: www.taylormadelessons.com Studio Location: Online |
Sarah Westwick
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Violin / Viola — Sarah Westwick began studying the violin at age three at the Vancouver Academy of Music. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in performance from U.B.C. She has also studied music in London England, at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Prague. She is a member of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, is a freelance violinist and enjoys playing chamber music. She has teacher training qualifications and experience in both the Suzuki violin and viola methods. She is passionate about sharing music by female and BIPOC composers from Canada and around the world.
Fluent in English and French, speaks intermediate Swedish & Norwegian Website: www.sarahwestwick.com Studio Location: Knight @ Kingsway |
Brian Wong
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Violin — Brian Wong was introduced to the violin at the age of nine through his elementary school’s strings program. He grew to love the instrument and the sound of the large ensemble, playing in various senior honour orchestras throughout high school. Brian continued his musical studies completing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at UBC. He cherished his time there, gaining a breadth of knowledge while enjoying a wide range of classes from composition to jazz theory to ethnomusicology. Since graduation, Brian has been teaching violin privately and has gained certification in the Suzuki violin method. As a teacher, Brian hopes to share his love of music and to share the philosophy that great potential exists in every child.
Studio Location: Main @ 57th Ave |
Andrew Yang
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Piano & Theory - Andrew Yang is a RCM Certified Teacher in Piano and Theory, holding specialist designations in Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced levels. His students are prize winners in various international youth competitions, including appearances in New York’s Carnegie Hall. He was a Gold Medal Recipient of the Licentiate Diploma (LRCM) with the RCM in the North American Region. He has made solo concert appearances with the Chopin societies across Canada and performed as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of Chopin’s birth. Andrew is an active performer and collaborative artist, with annual appearances in concerts in the US.
Fluent in: English, Mandarin, Cantonese Studio Location: Nanaimo @ 12th Ave |
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