About TMS
Christine Taber
Piano, TMS Group Class Instructor, Play Piano Chords Today Instructor, Owner and Director
Christine began piano lessons with her Mom as soon as she could reach the keyboard. As a child she also enjoyed lessons in violin, flute, singing, and composing. Christine began teaching piano lessons at the age of 16 and received her Yamaha teacher training at 18. She loves teaching in both private and group settings and believes in using a comprehensive method filled with fun to inspire and motivate her students. After meeting her husband, Christopher, the two decided to pool their mutual love of music and teaching to create the Taber Music School.
Christine has her ARCT in piano performance, and is a member of the BCRMTA (British Columbia Registered Music Teachers Association). When she is not at the piano she can be found playing with her three boys, walking her dog, or baking something with chocolate!
Christopher Taber
Violin, Piano, TMS Group Class Instructor, Fiddle Faddle, Owner
Originally from Washington State, Christopher Taber received full scholarship to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and San Francisco State University, where he graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music degree. Christopher has been a featured soloist with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, Port Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Victoria Chamber Orchestra, and Port Townsend Symphony. He was Concertmaster of the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra from 2004-2008. Christopher is currently a member of the Music Corner Ensemble, a group of four musicians that combine storytelling with classical music. He is also a core violinist in the Victoria Symphony.
Christopher loves teaching students of all ages to play the violin/viola. He uses all styles of music to inspire his students, with the goal to give them a life-long love of music.
Joshua Amendt-Moylan
Guitar, Ukulele, Piano
Hailing from Victoria, Joshua Amendt-Moylan completed his Bachelor of Music performance degree in 2017 and is currently pursuing his Master's degree at the University of Victoria. He previously worked in the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music teaching guitar and ukulele. While living in Victoria he has performed at various events, ceremonies, and music festivals on his classical guitar. He rarely turns down an opportunity to perform, whether it's for theatre productions on acoustic guitar or experimental music concerts on electric guitar. Joshua keeps his roots in classic rock close to heart whenever he plays guitar because it's the music that inspired him through the years.
Studying with Alexander Dunn opened many doors for Joshua and gave him a much deeper appreciation for music, and a clear understanding of classical guitar. His passion is to play compelling music of various genres in performing and recording settings. He’s interested in all styles of music because they're all true forms of expression that require dedication and results in tremendous rewards. Joshua is experienced in teaching any age group and has taught students who suffer from PTSD. He intends to help every student reach their full potential and encourage them to never stop dreaming of bigger goals whether they are professional or recreational. Joshua is qualified to instruct guitar in a wide range of genres including classical, jazz, rock, folk, pop, country, and more. Mr. Amendt-Moylan prepares his students for the opportunities that will allow them to grow and help them understand which direction to take.
Joshua is also acclaimed for teaching group lessons on the guitar and ukulele. He has been teaching groups in multiple recreation centres in Victoria, and the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. His teaching method and friendliness towards all people provides an informative and easy to learn environment. You can learn fun and easy songs to jam with your friends and develop your skills as a musician!
Janelle Cavezza
Piano, Yamaha Instructor
Janelle has been playing the piano for over 21 years. She obtained her ARCT in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Mariya Udovenko, as well as her BCMA in Piano pedagogy taught by Rita Attrot. Janelle has taught piano for several years in Burnaby, at institutions such as the British Columbia Conservatory of Music and the City of Burnaby community centres. She has also taught privately to individual students. Janelle is currently attending the University of Victoria studying piano with Bruce Vogt.
Janelle is extremely passionate about music and aspires to share her love of music through piano performance and teaching. She believes in always maintaining a positive and welcoming learning environment for the student to engage in. She also believes in consistent progress, no matter the amount. Janelle welcomes all students of any age and learning ability!
Adam Dyjach
Voice, Piano
A native of Waterloo Ontario, Adam Dyjach completed his BMus in Voice Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University under Kimberly Barber (2012) and his MMus in Voice Performance from the University of Victoria under Benjamin Butterfield (2014). Adam has performed frequently as a soloist with a number of ensembles. Most recent performance highlights include Tenor Soloist in Handel’s Messiah (Via Choralis) as well as the operatic role of Sumers in Cimarosa’s L’Italiana in Londra, Ferrando in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte and Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale (Fear No Opera).
Adam has been teaching private lessons since 2012 and has loved it ever since. He believes that every lesson should be tailored to each student's individual goals, needs, and learning style. We are all different but through the art of music we come together. Whether you are just beginning, are looking to improve your technique, brush up a bit before an audition, working towards an RCM Exam, or are simply here to have fun, everyone is welcome. Adam truly believes that everyone has a voice and with the right tools everyone can sing. His teaching style revolves around good fundamentals of technique, artistry and above all simplicity as well as fun.
Judith Gaston
Viola, Violin, Piano, Fiddle Faddle
Judith started playing piano at the age of five and started viola at ten. She has been a member of the Collegium program at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for the past four years and studied under Michael van der Sloot for three of those years. She is currently doing her Music Performance degree in Viola at UVic, studying under Joanna Hood. Judith also enjoys playing the violin - especially fiddle music! She enjoys playing in chamber groups, singing, playing guitar, and busking downtown. Judith enjoys working with students of all ages on violin and piano.
Pamela Liu
Piano, Yamaha Instructor (Teaches in English and Mandarin)
Music has always played an important role in Pamela's life. She started piano lessons at the age of five, sang solos in her children's church choir and school musicals, and played trombone in concert and jazz bands throughout high school. Pamela obtained her A.R.C.T. in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto by the time she finished high school. After completing a degree at the University of Toronto, Pamela has worked as a teacher. She has taught English to children and adults in Taipei, Taiwan; Mandarin to preschool children in Victoria; and music, languages, Science, and Math to children and adults in Victoria. Pamela is a linguist who is fluent in French and Mandarin, and has also learned some Thai, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Russian. She attributes her ease of learning languages to her piano degree, especially all of the ear training.
Pamela sings mezzo soprano with the Victoria Choral Society, where she rediscovered her love of performing music on stage. In 2015 Pamela attended the VCM summer choral academy and Yamaha piano music education seminar including JMC and Music Wonderland. Pamela enjoys teaching all levels of students from absolute beginners to those preparing for RCM exams. She is also comfortable teaching any age student from three and four year olds just discovering music to teenagers and adults who may have never played piano before, as well as those deciding to return to the instrument after a long hiatus.
Misako Sotozaki
Violin, Viola, Piano, Suzuki, Fiddle Faddle
Misako Sotozaki, originally from Japan, received her Performance Diploma and Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music. In the past, she has participated in many music festivals such as the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Banff Summer Music Festival, Charlottetown Festival as well as Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute. From 2005 – 2009, she was a member of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra as Principal 2nd violin. She moved to Victoria in the fall of 2009 and has since been playing with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. Misako is a certified Suzuki violin teacher and is very excited to be a part of the Taber Music School. When Misako is not performing or teaching, you can find her running along Dallas road or biking around town.
Shawna Wyvill
Piano, Yamaha Instructor, Play Piano Chords Today Instructor
Shawna Wyvill has been teaching piano with Taber Music School since 2008. Inspired by her students, she decided to continue to develop her own musical skills by completing her Grade 10 RCM piano with honours followed by a Music Diploma in classical piano from Camosun College through the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Shawna loves teaching piano to all ages and has taught beginner students as young as 4 as well as retired adults who are returning to the piano after a long break. Her flexible approach to teaching ensures students enjoy their lessons regardless if they are focused on exams or wish to learn music in a more relaxed manner. She also teaches theory and has been active in developing the Musicianship and Theory Program for the Victoria Children's Choir. She is a member of the Victoria Adult Musical Performance Society, the Hampton Concert Orchestra, and the Victoria Conservatory of Music Adult Performance Group. She also enjoys singing in choral ensembles and playing music with other adult performers.