My childhood was filled with music, both in North York where I grew up, and at our Muskoka cottage where we spent most of our summers and weekends.  My primary influence was my father, the late Gerald who was a baritone singer. I had the privilege of accompanying him at recitals, festival competitions, talent shows, and in nursing homes. There was always music playing at home or at the cottage, and I was often the one to choose the selection for dinner. 

My father's mother Evelyn would host parties where music was an integral part, and we would all participate. My grandmother taught her labrador retriever to “sing” while she played piano.  She has two songs she composed that have been transcribed into print and recordings: Homeland and Mary’s Song, by Evelyn Mahood.   

My first piano teacher at age 6 was Cazamir Ollie, the nephew and student of David Vladimir Ashkenazi, Russian pianist, accompanist and composer.  Cazamir and his cousin, baritone Gregory, won several international competitions while still in Russia, before they defected to Canada, leaving behind their families to teach and perform here. I was taught by Cazamir for only 4 years before he sadly succumbed to stomach cancer.

At age 10, I went on to study with Russian-born Marina Geringas, two years after she had arrived in Canada. Geringas became known as one of the most influential teachers of Canada’s young elite pianists at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Music. I studied with her until the age of 15, when I completed my Grade 10 Piano with First Class Honours.

Alongside my piano studies, I studied Musical Theory with Mrs. Burashko.  I then went on to audition for the Principal of the Royal Conservatory, winning scholarships to continue my studies in History, Harmony, Sight Reading and Ear Training. I was the only 15 year old in my Saturday morning University of Toronto classes, with students 5 years older than myself.  Because I was only 15 and too young to complete my ARCT exams, I went on to study Pipe Organ. At that time, Marina Geringas also encouraged me to teach the students I babysat in order to prepare for my ARCT teaching exam, which is when my passion for teaching piano began to take root.

I went on to attend Ryerson University and University of Toronto where I studied Health Sciences, Business and Psychology of Human Relations, earning a B.A.A. and B.Ed. At the age of 29, I reunited with Marina Geringas at the Faculty of Music, where my daughter Laura became her demo student for teachers. During this time, I had a chance to dive deeper into pedagogy and teaching. I have since taught both my children, step children, husband, and friends how to play the piano, and I'm grateful to have taught many incredible clients over the years, who often become friends. I have taught students of all ages in my home, in their homes, at Island Public School, and to new immigrants at Dixon Hall music school.  

I draw my inspiration from time spent in nature, on boats, and from yoga and meditation. I currently live in Forest Hill Village with my husband Steve and son Josh. I stay closely connected with my daughter Laura, Crown Prosecutor for Alberta Justice, who resides in Edmonton, Alberta. I am grateful to all of my family, friends, teachers, students, and their parents for their ongoing support.

I will forever be inspired by the last song my father and I performed at one of my student Recitals in 1996, at the University Women’s Club of Toronto: I’ll Walk Beside You, by Edward Lockton and Alan Murray.