About Us
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 little 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.
Crystal Chow
Piano, Voice, TMS Group Class Instructor, Summer Camp Leader
Crystal Chow is a dynamic piano teacher who comes to us with over 15 years of teaching experience. After completing her degree in piano performance at Queens College CUNY in
New York (where she also minored in voice), Crystal moved to Hong Kong. There she worked as a music teacher with many different schools and choirs, as well as students of all ages and skill levels.
Crystal values every student no matter their experience or challenges. She believes in helping everyone reach their highest potential. One of Crystal's greatest joys is witnessing the growth and maturity of students from childhood to the age of young adults. Many of her students have taken lessons with her for over 10 years! Crystal is now studying Early Childhood Education at Camosun College here in Victoria, and cannot wait to join the team here at Taber Music
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Mary Coling
Piano
Born in a small mining town in Quebec, Mary Coling moved to Toronto after high school to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music. There she received her ARCT and explored lessons in piano, organ, and theory. Mary began her musical career in Toronto where she worked as a private instructor for many years while engaging in work as a church music director, organist, and choir director. She continued her work in Waterloo, Ontario while she also raised 2 children. In 2020, Mary decided to move to Vancouver Island to be closer to her family, and quickly realized that she was missing her usual musical activities. This led her to Taber Music School in 2022, where she has embarked on a new teaching adventure.
Mary enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels, while helping them to fulfill their goals by giving them the necessary tools to succeed. She believes in giving students a comprehensive method of learning, which includes exploring technique, theory, sight reading, ear training, and varied repertoire. She is happy to assist students in whatever their musical journey may be, from recitals to competitions, RCM exams, or simply the love of music.
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Erin Cunes
Voice, Piano
Erin Cunes is a Canadian Mezzo-Soprano with a passion for education. She received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from l’Université de Montreal and completed her vocal studies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music with Selena James.
She has performed with Canadian opera companies such as Pacific Opera Victoria and on the symphonic stage with Canadian symphonies such as the Montreal Symphony and the Victoria Symphony.
Erin has been on faculty as a voice teacher at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and at St. Margaret’s girls school. In addition, she spent two years studying Yoga in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Erin combines her expertise in vocal production with her knowledge of the body to lead her students systematically towards free, open and healthy singing technique.
Adam Dyjach
Voice, Piano
A native of Waterloo Ontario, Adam holds a Masters Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Victoria. He has also completed levels I, II and III of Somatic Voicework ™The LoVetri Method Levels and incorporates its principles into his teaching. Adam believes that the voice is a means of communication. "It is important that we, as singers and artists, have the necessary tools to produce the sounds that different styles of music require. Only then can we sing and convey the meaning of the music as well as the text with complete freedom and ease. His mission is to help students discover their own authentic voice and to empower them to use it with confidence as a means of expressing themselves."
In addition to singing, Adam also teaches piano. He believes that all students are different and that lessons should be tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals. Adam hopes to instill an appreciation of all genres and styles of music in his students. He believes music lessons should be educational, joyful, therapeutic and most importantly, fun.
Pat Fabrick
Guitar, Ukulele
Pat is an experienced, versatile guitar teacher with a passion for improvisation and composition. Over the last 30 years he has transcribed many styles of popular guitar music to help meet the exact interests of students and develop a method of teaching that is flexible and inspiring.
With an emphasis on fun and creativity, Pat loves to incorporate music theory as well as different techniques into lessons, all tailored to the student's needs and desires. From silly to serious, electric to acoustic, children to adults; students of any level are invited and welcome to explore their dreams in his studio.
Pat also plays ukulele, mandolin, tenor banjo, bass, as well as some violin and occasional erhu. In his spare time he loves to record personal music compositions and has also written two books for future publication.
Nima Kolmohammadi
Guitar, Ukulele, Bass
Nima has a Bachelor's degree in guitar performance at Tehran University of Art, and completed his Master's degree in guitar performance at University of Victoria in 2020.
His most recent performances include: Classical Guitar Recital at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall and performing at Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival (GVPAF).
Nima has been a music teacher for over 15 years. Studying many guitar methods and genres, as well as teaching to many students of different ages and interests has helped Nima become a very experienced and professional music instructor.
Marc Micu
Beginner Piano
Marc is a 4th year music education student at the University of Victoria. From composing soundtracks for his High school’s TV show to performing for a large sold out venue with
his brass quintet, Marc has a deep personal relationship with all things music-related.
Starting on trumpet and percussion in his 7th grade year, Marc instantly knew music was his calling. He fell in love with teaching music when he would often teach, instruct and conduct his own concert band and jazz band when the band teacher was away at only 15 years old! Marc would begin to play trumpet for advanced ensembles while coaching youth ensembles. He would soon start composing and arranging music in various genres in his spare time for performances.
Marc's teaching philosophy is making sure that students not only become good musicians, but great citizens. He believes that students can learn very important life skills through music and can help these students apply these skills in their lives.
Outside of music, Marc loves to cook, swim and play video games with his friends!
Lisa Moody
Violin, Viola
Lisa Moody has taught violin and viola for over 25 years and in that time has mentored and inspired hundreds of young musicians. Lisa has training in the Suzuki Method of violin and the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) examinations system. She also enjoys playing and teaching other musical styles including fiddle and bluegrass.
In 2014, Lisa earned a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa. Her thesis explored strategies for managing music performance anxiety in adolescent musicians employing techniques used successfully by athletes. She now incorporates these strategies in her teaching alongside with yoga techniques to help students master their own music performance.
Lisa has recently moved to BC to be closer to family. She loves being out in nature and exploring the hiking trails with her dog, Oscar! Lisa is very excited to be joining the Taber Music School where she can continue to share the gift of music with others.
Yousef Shadian
Piano, Theory
Music has been a part of Yousef’s life ever since starting piano lessons at age 12, whether through learning and performing piano works, performing with others in chamber music settings and ensembles, or composing and arranging music. Despite studying and completing a bachelor’s degree of Civil Engineering in 2020, he started accompanying other musicians on the piano professionally in 2018. Since his degree, Yousef has dedicated all of his time to his work in the field of music.
His interest in composing, as well as the analytical skill set developed from his engineering studies, has facilitated a love of music theory and viewing musical challenges as fun puzzles to solve. He hopes to instill that same sense of fun puzzle solving in his students, so that they may find their music education continuously engaging and fun.
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Andrew Sly
Piano
Whether it be from his early training in Suzuki and Kodaly music education programs, to his most recent exploration in accompanying as a church organist, Andrew has always kept music near and dear to his heart. Born and raised in Victoria, Andrew completed his diploma in piano performance and teaching from the Victoria Conservatory of Music. His keen interest in musical studies also led him to explore other facets of music-making, from singing in a wide variety of vocal ensembles, to studying twentieth century music.
As a teacher, Andrew believes in tailoring lessons to the needs of each individual student. As a father himself, he knows that every child is unique and so he strives to offer a well-rounded musical education for all, in a fun and enjoyable way!
Aurora Wai
Piano,TMS Group Class Instructor
Aurora Wai is currently completing her music education degree at the University of Victoria with a focus on piano. While piano has been with her since the age of 2, she also sings and plays the violin, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, percussion, and Chinese violin (erhu).
Aurora found her passion for teaching at a very young age, and was eager to help lead classes and lessons wherever she could. Alongside teaching, she enjoys performing and has done so in various capacities in many different large ensembles.
Outside of music, Aurora enjoys cooking, dancing, swimming, and origami.
