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.
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.
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”.
Oscar Lines
Guitar, Ukulele
Oscar lines is a graduate from the Victoria Conservatory of Music guitar studies program, a songwriter, and an experienced live artist.
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.
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
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, 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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!