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.
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 she also enjoyed lessons in violin, flute, singing, guitar, 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 from the Royal Conservatory of Music, is a member of the BCRMTA (British Columbia Registered Music Teachers Association), and also a graduate of the Accomplishment Coaching coaches training program. When she is not at the piano she can be found reading about neuroscience, hanging out with her three boys, hiking with her dogs, or practicing karate at the dojo!
Christopher Taber
Violin, Cello, Piano, RISE Instructor, 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, he teaches band and string at Selkirk Montessori School.
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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.
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.
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”.
Maria Valdes
Cello, Violin, Piano, Voice, Flute, Guitar, Ukulele
Maria grew up in Mexico City surrounded by musical instruments. She played the piano and guitar from a young age and started with flute at 18; she came to Victoria in 1999 for her 11th grade in flute and won the George Giles and the Highest Mark awards at VCM that year.
Maria played flute for 32 years with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra (XSO) (Mexico, Guatemala, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Brazil tours), which was selected many times to accompany music giants like Pavarotti, Casals, Villa Lobos, Rostropovich, Arrau, Szeryng, Domingo.
She has a bachelor's degree in Artistic Education with a full scholarship from Universidad Veracruzana (UV), Mexico.
Performances:
Meridiem Wind Orchestra since 2022,
Backstrom cello Chamber Music since 2020, Victoria High Notes Flute Choir since 2017, among many others.
Maria cultivates Joy, Healing, Wellness and Results-Oriented in teaching and learning.
She speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French and Portuguese, plays pickleball, and she is now contemplating pursuing painting and pottery classes with a lot of excitement!
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.
Ben McGowan
Piano
Originally from Edmonton, Ben has been a student of music for most of his life. He began learning the piano at seven years old and took lessons until his high school graduation when he passed his level 10 RCM practical exam for piano. He learned to play the flute in band class and he also enjoys playing the guitar and singing. Ben has been teaching piano lessons since 2021. He has experience as an accompanist for choirs (McKernan Elementary Choir and Choral Morphosis) and is practiced with clear communication with parents, having worked in lesson centres in an administrative capacity. Ben is currently pursuing a major in Music Education (BMus) and studying piano at the University of Victoria.
Ben believes that learning should be fun and that lessons are safe spaces for questions and mistakes. He believes in creating clear achievable goals for each individual student to work towards completing. Ben loves incorporating ear training and music theory into his lessons to help students succeed. Ben loves playing, listening to, and teaching all kinds of music. When he’s at home, Ben enjoys reading and nature photography.
Jane Chan
Cello
Jane fell in love with the sound of the cello at a young age. Among her favourite things about music and cello playing is the way it can facilitate the building of connections and friendships, and the never ending process of learning. She is continually inspired by new artists, songs, genres, and traditions she stumbles across.
Jane has a patient and encouraging teaching approach. She enjoys helping students develop foundational techniques and practice routines, integrate theoretical elements, work through challenges, and gain confidence. She also emphasizes audiation, proprioceptive awareness, and positive self talk.
With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in cello performance from McGill University, Jane has been exposed to many musical ideas and concepts. She is excited about helping others find forms of expression and transformative musical practices of their own. After becoming a mom she was inspired to start teaching early childhood music classes for families with Music Together Victoria. She is excited to join the wonderful community at TMS!
Noshika Shahrokhi
Piano
Noshika is a pianist and teacher originally from Iran, who has been playing piano since the age of seven. After moving to Canada, her passion for music grew even stronger, leading her to study piano at the University of Victoria (UVic).
As both a performer and teacher, Noshika finds joy in sharing her musical journey with others. She believes teaching is a two-way path—while she guides her students in discovering the beauty of music, she also learns and grows through their unique perspectives. Her approach is rooted in patience, encouragement, and creativity, helping students not only develop strong technical skills but also find their own personal voice at the piano.
For Noshika, teaching is more than instruction—it is about building connections, inspiring confidence, and sharing the lifelong joy of music.
Amanda Steinemann
Violin, Viola, Piano, TMS Group Class Instructor
Amanda is a multitalented instrumentalist and composer who loves to express herself through many different facets of music-making. From orchestral playing to chamber and fiddle music, Amanda has experience performing with many different kinds of ensembles.Through her compositions you can often find a nod to film, TV, and video game music, as she loves making arrangements of well-known music from these industries.
As a teacher, Amanda believes it’s important to make sure that students have a well-rounded and balanced education. She loves to incorporate theory and composition in her lessons, as well as any music that each student may be interested in. Being fun and flexible in teaching is very important to Amanda. She enjoys finding ways to help each and every student flourish, in their own unique and individual way.
Outside of her work in music, you can find Amanda reading, watching movies and tv shows, playing video games, spending time with animals, and doing all kinds of crafts and baking.
Tanya Tam
Piano
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. Last spring, Tanya enjoyed teaching and performing “Three little fishies” with the Chickadee class. 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. On piano, Tanya loves to play Chopin and Alecia Keys. On guitar, Tanya enjoys Taylor swift songs and on ukulele, she plays her favorite karaoke and preschool songs.
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!
Jessica Stewart
Voice
Jessica Stewart has been singing her heart out since the age of four and hasn’t stopped since! With over a decade of experience as a voice teacher, performer, and music director, she loves helping students discover the joy of singing and develop their voices with confidence.
As a private voice instructor, Jessica works with students on vocal technique, breathing control, and performance skills—whether they dream of rocking a solo on stage or just want to sing their favorite songs with ease. She’s also coached and directed groups of up to 25 performers in musical theatre productions, leading warm-ups, harmonizing like a pro, and making sure everyone is stage ready.
Jessica’s performance background is as diverse as her playlist—she’s sung everything from classical and opera to jazz, pop, R&B, and musical theatre. She’s performed with groups like Ensemble Laude and Soul Source R&B Band and has even taken her talents to international choral festivals in France and Ireland.
Jessica believes in making learning fun, building confidence, and helping each student find their unique voice. She is thrilled to be part of Taber Music School and can’t wait to sing with you!
Christopher Mattila
Guitar, Ukulele, Bass
Chris has a passion for teaching guitar students. He graduated from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and started playing bass and acoustic guitar in the Victoria music scene. He has also toured across Canada and Europe as an electric guitar player. Chris believes that learning guitar should be fun and inspiring. His teaching approach focuses on using each student’s strengths to help build creativity in a supportive environment.
Since he began teaching, Chris has always seen the guitar as a way to speak the language of music. He believes it gives us a chance to express ourselves and to learn more about music and who we are in the process. Chris enjoys learning and teaching rock and roll riffs, folk songs, RnB, and modern jazz tunes