NWMA TEACHERS

Daniel Chen (piano and violin) believes that music is the sole thing that is capable of portraying feelings that words can only attempt to bring to life. He loves to teach the piano, as it was in learning this instrument where he first developed his deep love and respect for music, and wants to share this with others, regardless of where they are at on their music education journey.

As a New West Music Academy teacher, Daniel feels fortunate to be part of a teaching studio that champions his passion for teaching piano within an educational environment that has intentionally created an exciting and welcoming space for those looking to test the musical waters or hone their already-developing skills.

With nearly 15 years of piano background, 4 years of teaching piano to students of all ages, and having attained his RCM Piano Level 10 scoring Honours with Distinction in 2019, Daniel is well-equipped with the qualifications and expertise to provide a high-level learning experience to students at New West Music Academy.

Sway Chen (Piano/Voice) began her musical journey with piano lessons at the age of five and a half, demonstrating a natural aptitude for singing and performing by age ten. Driven by a passion for sharing the depth of music, her teaching philosophy emphasizes building strong technical foundations while nurturing artistic expression.

Jean Francois Cotnoir (low brass) has been a low brass clinician for 35 years throughout Alberta.  He is an experienced and passionate musician with a deep-rooted commitment to nurturing students’ musical talents.  He earned his Bachelor of Music degree and his Masters of Arts in Tuba Performance from McGill University, and was awarded 1st Prize with Distinction for Solo Chamber Music and Orchestra at Conservatoire de Montréal.

Having played tuba professionally in orchestras, ensembles and brass quintets throughout Canada and beyond, JF is thrilled to be sharing his skills and passion for the tuba with New West Music Academy students.   Whether they are just starting out or have been playing for years, NWMA students of JF’s will no doubt be both inspired and challenged at every turn.

Jean Francois’ years-long career as a musician includes playing tuba with Calgary-based Foothills Brass and Alberta Winds and being a member of the Trois Riviere Symphony in Québec.  JF has also had the privilege of working with the Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic, a professional orchestra in South Africa.

In his own words, JF is “dedicated to sharing my knowledge and passion for music with students of all ages.”  He loves that at New West Music Academy, he can seamlessly incorporate his faith and his God-given talent into his individualized music lessons.  We are thrilled to have Jean Francois join our faith-based music community.

If you know Jess, you know she loves being around people and in community. Outside the Academy you’ll find her singing and working behind the scenes with New West Symphony & Chorus, hanging with her church fam at The Father’s House, or adventuring out and about with her soon to be first grader.

Colin Fritzke (drums) has been playing drums for over 35 years. As a teenager, he was an active participant in his school band program where he played in Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band, Big Band and Jazz Ensembles. His passion and desire to learn earned him a scholarship to attend summer band camp in his first year of high school.  While attending Providence College in Winnipeg, Colin took masterclasses with several artists, developing his craft in the context of worship and contemporary Christian music.

After moving to Saskatchewan to take technical training, Colin began his drum teaching career.  He taught several drum students in churches, and even ran clinics that included the unique challenges of being a drummer within a church setting.

Colin moved to Calgary in 2001 and became an active volunteer drummer in Centre Street Church’s Worship & Arts program where he continues to serve today. Colin has also worked professionally as drummer for many years, playing gigs all over Calgary and Southern Alberta. He devotes much of his spare time studying the best drummers in the world and considers himself to be a life-long student of his instrument.

Lisa Graham (flute) is a classically trained flutist and seasoned educator with over 20 years of musical expertise. For over a decade, she has orchestrated the musical growth of individuals in private and group lessons as well as igniting inspiration in band clinics.  Driven by exploration, she constantly curates fresh repertoire, unearthing forgotten gems and introducing emerging local composers. This dedication sparks curiosity and inspiration in students and audiences alike.

Lisa’s performances range from intimate street busking to commanding formal concert halls as a soloist and as part of various ensembles including Calgary Chamber Flutes (flutes), Duo Incantato (flute and guitar), and more. One pinnacle moment was delivering a Science and Music program in Portugal, unraveling the harmonies between two seemingly disparate worlds with three other musicians/engineers. Lisa has numerous recordings to her name including music she has written as well as performing and recording with local Celtic punk band The Shillelaghs. She also works with musicians from around the globe as a session musician.

As a teacher, Lisa aims to be a catalyst for creativity and passion. Empowering students to explore their musical potential independently, she fosters a life-long love for music and learning in an inclusive environment.

Carrie Lynn Johnstone (voice/beginner piano, voice, acoustic guitar for students with neuro-diversities) is joining the NWMA Team again, and we couldn’t be more excited about it!  In addition to having been a NWMA music teacher in previous years, Carrie Lynn is a long-time choir member with New West Symphony & Chorus.

With a BA in Music and a specialty in vocal performance, Carrie Lynn is an experienced voice teacher and vocal coach, and has worked with several local churches to develop their worship teams.  Her strong vocal talent has also given Carrie Lynn the opportunity to perform with SymphoNYChorus in New York, Johnny Summers and the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, and was recently asked to sing as a background vocalist with John Gray’s Ray Charles Tribute Band.

In addition to teaching voice students of all abilities and skill-levels, Carrie Lynn is passionate about making music lessons accessible and enjoyable for all of her students, but specializes in creating individualized lessons for students with neuro-cognitive challenges and disorders. She has vast training and years of experience in working with children and adults on the Autism spectrum and Down Syndrome, and she cherishes the opportunity to build relationships with each of her students, taking seriously the privilege it is to be able to reflect God’s love for them while they learn together.

Carrie Lynn lights up when she teaches music.  She is passionate about developing musicians and using music education to inspire creativity, grow confidence, and pursue excellence in performing arts.

Hailing from South Africa, Kathy Neuland (voice) is a classically trained performing artist with 20+ years of mentoring and nurturing aspiring singers of all ages. She studied voice at Stellenbosch University, was selected to train with Charles Kellis, Julliard School of Music and continued her quest to learn singing technique – receiving voice coaching in the studios of master opera artists in Austria and Germany. She competed internationally and performed professionally in Europe as a solo artist and in professional choruses on opera stages. In South Africa, performances of her work as soloist in oratorio and opera were broadcast nationally on radio and television.

Stephane Swinton (guitar and ukulele) has a specific goal as a NWMA music teacher: to encourage his students to have fun so they WANT to continue with music.

Stephane started playing guitar when he was 16 years old, just hanging out with his friends in youth group, finding joy as they played and sang their favorite songs together.  What started as a hobby has grown into a passion; he has been intentionally developing his skills as a guitarist since 2010.  He started with the bass guitar, then learned both acoustic and electric guitars.

He can be seen regularly on stage at Centre Street Church playing on a worship team, shares his talent as a member of New West Symphony & Chorus, and is a guitarist for the Calgary-based band Hope’s Creed.  To further develop his skills, Stephane has participated in numerous music workshops, most notably: Electric Guitar Tone and Gear, Band Leading, Band Presence and Worship Leading.  He is also grateful to have taken  lessons from fellow guitarists he respects and admires, including Cory Bitner, Ralf Buschmeyer, and Jonathan Lagore.

Not only does Stephane bring with him a tremendous amount of skill and passion to his role as an NWMA music teacher, he also brings an enthusiasm for building a strong community within our team.  When asked, “What draws you to music?” Stephane responded: “How it can explain (and manipulate!) your mood and your emotions.”

Jubilee Taylor (violin) began her musical journey at age 7, and for her, the violin has always been more than an instrument—it’s a channel for her deep love of music. An accomplished and disciplined musician, Jubilee has completed Level 8 of the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), achieving first-class honours with distinction, and is currently working toward Level 9.

Her passion for music is matched by a love of kids and a desire to share the world of music with them. She has been teaching violin for four years and has taught students of all ages and skill levels. Jubilee was trained through the Suzuki and RCM methods and utilizes those same programs with her students. She is a skilled and experienced performer who embraces every opportunity to share her talents. Jubilee currently plays violin with New West Symphony & Chorus and enjoys collaborating with other musicians. She is a regular performer in festivals such as the Airdrie Rotary Festival and the Windwoods festival, and has collaborated with other groups like the Airdrie community choir. Jubilee’s performances are not confined to a stage, she has played at church events, weddings, at the Bethany Care Centre, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Jubilee encourages her students to seek out performance and collaboration opportunities, as she believes music is best when shared with others. In her teaching Jubilee hopes to instil the same love and passion for music in her students that she has.

Sami Valavaara (guitar) is a passionate guitarist, performer, and educator with over 20 years of playing experience — nearly all of them spent performing and teaching professionally. Over the last 15 years, Sami has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, helping them grow in confidence and discover their own unique musical voice.

After teaching in Calgary for several years, Sami served as the Lead Music Director at his home church in Fernie, B.C. for seven years, where he led worship teams and maintained a full roster of private students. His time there deepened his love for mentorship and his heart for seeing people grow in both skill and faith through music.

Sami’s playing and teaching styles span a wide range of genres — from country and folk to rock and metal — and he brings the same enthusiasm to every style he teaches. As a freelance musician, he continues to perform in the country scene while also pursuing his own creative work through two personal projects: one under his own name and the other, his solo project Child of Dust.

Known by his students for his patient, encouraging approach, Sami has a gift for helping people feel comfortable and confident as they learn. His lessons are centered around discovering what inspires each student and using that as the foundation for growth. In Sami’s words: “My goal is to spark the joy of music and to encourage you to use the gift that God has given you — to expand it, cultivate it, and let it grow.”

Because guitar can be a challenging instrument to start on, Sami typically recommends lessons for students aged 10–12 and up and to start with piano before that.

Joel Warren (trumpet and guitars) is one of Calgary’s up and coming musicians. Native to Calgary, he has been playing guitar since the age of 4, trumpet since the age of 12, and composing since the age of 16. Joel has had the opportunity to study with trumpet greats such as Jim Murray, Al Muirhead, and André Wickenheiser. He is currently working towards completing a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance at Ambrose University.

Joel is known for his unique blend of range, tonality, and soloing ability in his playing. His achievements of being the lead trumpet in the JazzYYC lab band, the solo trumpet in the Ambrose Jazz Band, and playing in theatre pit orchestras attest to his skill and talent as a musician. Joel has also had the opportunity to play with performers such as Jens Lindemann, Pat Belliveau, Jeff Antoniuk, Tyler Hornby, and Keith O’Rourke.

Joel is passionate about sharing the joy of music with others. He believes that music is something that all people should have access to. He is excited to teach students at New West Music Academy and share his love of music with them.

Diego Wasiljew (euphonium, tuba, trombone, French horn) began studying music at the age of seven.  By the age of nine, he was already playing the euphonium in the symphony orchestra of the Christian Congregation in Brazil.  He has made significant contributions both theoretically and practically to the development of brass musicians, offering engaging practices for teaching Euphonium, Tuba, Trombone, and French Horn.

With extensive experience in sacred instrumental music, his teaching is based on the solfège or solfeggio method—a widely used technique that helps musicians develop sight-reading skills, tuning, auditory perception, and theoretical understanding of music.  Diego has over 22 years of experience in music, and employs both didactic and practical methods to teach students of all ages, from children to the elderly.

His teaching method includes:
a) Gradual Approach: Designed to introduce students to their chosen instrument progressively, starting with simple exercises that increase in complexity over time. This approach allows students to develop technical and musical skills in a solid and structured manner.
b) Diverse Repertoire: In addition to technical exercises, this method features a diverse musical repertoire, including both classical and popular pieces. This helps maintain students’ interest and applies technical skills in various musical contexts.
c) Structured Progression: The method is organized to guide students from basic concepts to intermediate and advanced levels, with each new lesson building on the knowledge acquired in previous ones.

With captivating lessons that blend theory and practice, Diego deeply believes in the transformative power of music, echoing the words of maestro Zubin Mehta: “There is no limit to the number of ways that music can touch our hearts.”