Meet the Teachers of Taber Music School!
We are a unique group of music lovers who believe music is for everyone. It can be vulnerable learning to play an instrument or exploring your vocals, which is why we train our teachers to build students' confidence to keep them engaged and learning. Click here to learn about careers with TMS.
Christine Taber
Piano, TMS Group Class Instructor, Owner and Director
Christine began piano lessons with her Mom as soon as she could reach the keyboard. As a child, her curiosity for music expanded to violin, flute, singing, guitar, and composing. She began teaching piano at the age of 16 and completed her Yamaha teacher training at 18, discovering early on her love for teaching students of all ages.
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Christine is passionate abou teaching in both private and group settings and believes in a comprehensive, engagine approach that balances structure with creativity and joy. After meeting her husband, Christopher, the two decided to combine their shared love of music and education to create Taber Music School, a community-centred school focused on nurturing confident, expressive musicians.
Christine holds her ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, is a member of the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers’ Association (BCRMTA), and is a graduate of the Accomplishment Coaching Coach Training Program. She is also the Music Director at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Victoria, where she leads choirs and oversees a diverse and inclusive music program.
When she’s not at the piano, Christine enjoys reading about neuroscience, spending time with her three growing boys, and escaping on hikes with her dogs.
Christopher Taber
Violin, Cello, Piano, 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 and a core violinist in the Victoria Symphony.
Christopher loves teaching students of all ages to play music. He uses all styles of music to inspire his students, with the goal to give them a life-long love of music. Along with teaching at TMS, Christopher leads the music program for preschool and kindergarten and teaches band and strings for students in Grades 4–8 at Selkirk Montessori School. Outside of music, Christopher holds a second-degree black belt in karate!
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Majid Abhari
Piano, TMS Group Class Instructor
Majid is a passionate piano teacher who believes in fostering a love of music in his students and helping them discover their own musical voice. Over the last ten years Majid has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, from young beginners to advanced adults. As a teacher, Majid believes that patience is key, and he has found much success in motivating his students through a fun and encouraging atmosphere.
Majid is not only a passionate teacher, but a passionate fan of the NBA and European soccer as well. You can also often find him playing video games, as he loves to engage in interactive and immersive virtual worlds as well.
Arlo Atkinson
piano, Rock Band program
More info coming soon!
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.
Gabriel (Gabe) Elias
Guitar, Violin, Beginner Piano
Originally from Toronto, Gabe was classically trained on the violin from the age of 4 with the Suzuki method. He is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, piano, clarinet, singing) and songwriter, with an infectious love of music. Gabe has experience recording and performing original songs, composing film soundtracks, and supporting a number of bands on stage playing diverse genres including folk, country, rock, blues, and Celtic / old-time.
Gabe believes in the importance of music as a tool to connect with others, build self-confidence, and express oneself creatively. As a teacher, he likes to expose students to the essentials (timing, technique, ear/sight learning, theory, creativity), but focuses on the joy of music over anything. He will meet each student exactly where they’re at on their journey, guiding them to succeed in the ways that are important to them.
Gabe is also an avid film enjoyer, hiker, and Leafs fan (*sigh*), but if you see him around town he might be performing at the Victoria Event Centre or busking with friends on Government St.
Arturo García Cuéllar
Piano
With 20 years of experience in piano teaching, Arturo is a dynamic and versatile musician who started his musical studies at an early age. Upon his initial studies, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in music composition at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His continuous desire to grow as a musician urged him to attend the National University of Cuyo in Argentina to learn about Latin-American music. His passion for music has guided him to search for multiple musical projects that range from piano lessons to composition ventures. Some of them immersed him into a conducting career. A new episode in his life, which led him to acquire conducting
skills at the Wiener Meisterkurse, European Music Institute Vienna, and the
University of Victoria. He is currently continuing his musical studies at the
University of Victoria.
Mariko Kato
Piano, Guitar, Voice, Ukulele
Mari has been a student of music for over 15 years and has had a passion for the art even longer.
Beginning to play piano at the age of 2, she has spent the rest of her life practicing as well as expanding her musical knowledge to guitar, ukulele, and vocals. Mari has over four years of experience teaching music to children ages 2-18 with Tritone Music in Ontario, Canada.
In addition to this, she was a participant in the specialty arts program at Mayfield Secondary School, adding four years of growth as an artist under the supervision and guidance of accomplished performers.
Mari operates under the idea that a strong connection allows a strong foundation to build each student’s musical abilities. She teaches, and lives, by the motto: “We play music because we love it”.
Aiden McMillan
Guitar
More info coming soon!
Mira Scullen
Violin, viola, cello
More info coming soon!
Jamie Henigman
Voice
More info coming soon!
Ianne Irang
Guitar
More info coming soon!
Tanya Tam
Piano, TMS Group Class Instructor
Tanya began her musical journey at the age of 4. She was introduced to playing the piano in preschool years and continued taking lessons late into high school. She loved having a place to enjoy and explore music with a nurturing and kind instructor. Tanya went on to learn guitar in private lessons and ukulele from an enthusiastic friend.
Tanya has her bachelors of arts in cognitive systems, linguistics stream from UBC. Along with TESOL training and Early childhood education, Tanya works primarily with preschool and kindergarten age children at Selkirk Montessori School. Tanya has had a long career in instruction with all ages from babies in parents and tots swim lessons, to preschool children in ESL school, to elementary and high school students in leadership training and summer day camp programs. The Montessori philosophy has shaped how Tanya approaches the child in the learning environment. Nurturing and fostering confidence through observing and following the child’s interests and motivation makes learning fun, creative and enjoyable.
Tanya is also a swimmer, aquafit instructor and a TRX instructor in training. She enjoys these activities with family and friends while she loves to get outdoors for bike rides and to enjoy nature.
Register for group or private lessons today!
We offer many different programs for groups and private lessons for preschoolers to adults from September - June. Visit us for a FREE lesson preview or register for lessons!
Sasha Moriarty-Schieven
Administrator
Sasha Moriarty-Schieven is a seasoned theatre professional with 34 years of experience in the performing arts. She is the Artistic Director of Theatre al Dente in addition to her work at Taber Music School.
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Sasha has been dedicated to teaching theatre to the next generation since 2014, leading numerous camps, classes, and workshops and fostering creativity and performance skills in young artists.
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Veera Satha
Social Media
Veera Satha has been playing the piano since the age of six and completed her later studies at Taber Music School. In addition to piano, she plays alto saxophone, enjoys singing, and has spent previous years performing for Victoria Children's Choir. She is also part of a small jazz group she created with friends.
Veera has volunteered at Taber Music School’s summer camps, supporting activities for young musicians. She is currently studying at UVic, and works with Taber Music School as a Social Media Assistant, helping with website organization, photography, and online content.
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Work at Taber Music School
We are an inclusive, diverse, music-loving group of humans who are passionate about teaching music to support others in their exploration of creativity. We love seeing people flourish in their confidence and stretch the limits of what they thought was possible for themselves. If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!
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We're always looking for amazing teachers who love to teach!
Send us your resume with a cover letter and references to info@tabermusic.com. If we're not currently hiring, we will absolutely be in touch when we are!