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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.
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.
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.
Pat Fabrick
Guitar, Ukulele, Beginner Violin
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.
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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.
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.
Sarah Terlesky
Voice, Piano
Sarah has recently earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies with a focus on vocal performance. Her journey into music education began at the age of 13, and she has passionately pursued every opportunity to step into leadership roles and prepare herself to be an inspiring music teacher. Throughout her studies, Sarah delved into various pedagogical methods and absorbed valuable insights from her exceptional private instructors.
Since 2021, Sarah has been actively performing both Jazz and Contemporary music around Vancouver Island. She also contributes her talents as a pianist, vocalist, and electric bassist to her church’s worship team. Her musical background is rich and diverse, including working through RCM methods and participating in a wide array of ensembles such as Vocal Jazz, Concert Choir, Concert Band, Big Band, and Musical Theatre.
As a teacher, Sarah believes that the joy of playing music is just as important as mastering technical skills. Sarah strives to create a supportive and balanced environment where students can explore their creativity while gaining valuable knowledge that will benefit them in their future musical endeavours and beyond.
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!