Our Faculty
Cheryl Finn
Founding Director
Member of the College of Examiners
Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music
ARCT, BA, RMT
Piano
Cheryl began teaching piano & music theory over 35 years ago in Vancouver. In 1999 she moved to White Rock and has maintained a busy private studio ever since specializing in piano, theory and music history. Over the years, many of her students have won scholarships and awards including Silver Medals (now called Gold Medals) from the Royal Conservatory of Music for the highest marks of the year in BC in 1998, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2012 & 2013. Cheryl is an RCM Certified Specialist in both Piano and Theory for Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
She is also the creator & co-author of The Perfection Ear CD series published by the Frederick Harris Music Company, and the Beanstalk’s Basics for Piano Lesson books, Technique books and Performance books and the author of the Beanstalk’s Basic for Piano Theory books, published by Hal Leonard. She has also written several single pieces published as sheet music by The Willis Music Company. As an active clinician, she has given workshops throughout the USA & Canada. She is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association and a frequent festival adjudicator.
Cheryl has been a Piano Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music since 2004.
For books and piano resources written or co-authored by Cheryl Finn, please click the link below.
Tatiana Khvatova
B. Mus., M. Mus.
Piano, Rudiments
Tatiana began teaching piano in Moscow over 20 years ago after having obtained her Master’s Degree in both piano performance and pedagogy from the Russian Academy of Music.
Before immigrating to Canada, Tatiana taught piano at The Gnessins Music School, one of the most prestigious music schools in Russia. In addition to teaching piano she also performed as a soloist with several philharmonic orchestras and was an accompanist at concerts and competitions in several of the great music halls in Moscow.
Since her arrival in Canada she has continued her active musical life teaching piano and playing at concerts in the greater Vancouver area. In 2010 she participated in a recording project for a new piano examination series for British Columbia Conservatory of Music. She continues to collaborate with Baritone Cliff Ridley. Together, they have recorded numerous art songs by Vancouver composer Christopher Ludwig.
Tatiana speaks fluent Russian and English.
Saya Ejima
ARCT, LBCM, B. Mus., M. Mus., RMT
Piano, Rudiments
Saya grew up in North Delta, BC. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 6 and completed both her ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music and her Licentiate Diploma in Performance from the British Columbia Conservatory of Music.
Saya attended the University of Victoria where she completed both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance as well as her Teacher’s Training at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She has also performed as an accompanist and has served as a musicianship assistant administering keyboard proficiency tests to students.
Saya began teaching piano over 15 years ago and is a Registered Music Teacher with the South Fraser Branch. Saya prepares students for all levels of the RCM curriculum and is always upbeat and patient with her students. In addition to her native English, Saya also speaks fluent Japanese.
Sophia Tan
ARCT, BA, RMT
Piano, Rudiments, Harmony, History.
Sophia Tan was born and raised in Vancouver, BC and began learning to play the piano at the age of 4. She received her ARCT in Piano Performance from The Royal Conservatory of Music and also her Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University. Sophia began teaching over 30 years ago and since that time has had many students achieve high marks in RCM examinations including a Silver Medalist who achieved the highest mark in BC in 1998. Sophia has been a member of the BCRMTA since 2005. In addition to teaching private piano, she also teaches rudiments, harmony and history and is often asked to accompany violinists at their examinations.
Beverley Johnson
GTCL. LTCL, RMT
Piano, Rudiments & Harmony, Analysis
Beverley began teaching piano over 30 years ago after having received her music degree in Piano Performance from Trinity College of Music in London. She taught for several years in Plymouth, UK preparing students for Associated Board, Trinity College and London College exams. During that time she also ran the Trinity College exam centre for 6 years, taught electronic keyboard at several public schools and was a member of the Plymouth Philharmonic Choir.
Since moving to BC in 1997 she has become an active member of the BC Registered Music Teachers’ Association and has spent the last several years successfully preparing students for festivals, recitals and Royal Conservatory of Music exams. Beverley very much enjoys working with students of all ages and levels and is very creative & enthusiastic.
Lillian Liu
ARCT, B.Mus., M.Mus.
Piano, Violin, Rudiments
Lillian Liu obtained her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance with Distinction from the Royal College of Music in London, U.K. under Prof. Nigel Clayton, and has obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from The University of British Columbia under Dr. Corey Hamm. She also has her ARCT in Piano Performance with Distinction under Lorraine Ambrose from the Vancouver Academy of Music and independently under Connie Shih. Lillian also has her diploma in Violin Performance having studied with Patricia Shih, Anne Shih, Taras Gabora and Nikita Progrebnoy, and was involved in the string orchestra at UBC and The Royal College of Music for opera and film. Lillian has also adjudicated in competition panels, such as the Kay Meek Competition, and has been involved with CW+ for research involving cognitive healing in dementia through music. She has also studied Alexander Technique for musicians under Peter Buckoke, music pedagogy with Alice Enns, worked on music for young children through the Redbridge Music Service, and is also a recipient of the Mildred Johnson Scholarship in Music.
Lillian is an enthusiastic collaborative pianist and violinist in a wide array of genres – from performing and recording in traditional orchestral and chamber music settings to performing in solo and ensemble concerts in many places including Vancouver (Orpheum Theater), Paris (Salle Cortot, La Seine Musicale), and London (Amaryllis Fleming). She has also found success in the Casalmaggiore Music Festival, the Phyllis E. Salter Competition, and the Canadian Music Competition.
Lillian’s musical philosophy stems from her belief that teaching music is more than just providing strong technical roots. It is also breathing life and musicality into playing – along with an understanding of musical context – that makes it a wholesome, fun, and rewarding experience for young, developing musicians. Lillian is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Carmen Roberts
B.Mus., M.Mus., ARCT, L.Mus., A.Mus, RMT
Piano, Flute, Harmony and Rudiments
Carmen received her Masters of Music degree at the University of British Columbia. Prior to that she studied in Washington, Massachusetts, New York and France.
Carmen has over 30 years of experience in teaching both piano and flute. Her passionate and enthusiastic teaching has motivated and inspired students of all ages and levels to excel. Her students regularly receive both silver and gold medals, as well as high marks for their performances in examination and competitions. Many students have received awards and scholarships and have continued their music at universities.
Carmen is an active performer and has performed as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and on radio and television throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. She often collaborates in concert with her sister Carla, a concert violinist. Together they have performed throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Asia.
Carmen believes that the study of music is a gift she gives her students that enhances and positively impacts them for a lifetime.
Matthew Ma
B.Mus., M.Mus.
Piano, Rudiments, Harmony
Matthew Ma started taking music lessons at the age of six. Upon graduation from his Bachelor’s degree in piano performance, he obtained a full music scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. Matthew received his Master’s of Music in piano performance from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He won the Clara Lichtenstein Piano Competition in 1996, and went on to numerous engagements, including broadcasts on both the English and French networks of CBC radio. Matthew has been active in contemporary music, collaborating with Ensemble de Musique Contemporaine and Société de Musique Contemporaine de Quebec. Composers and conductors he has worked with include Denys Bouliane, Walter Boudreau and Veronique Lacroix. He has also made a recording with ACREQ performing works of Frank Zappa.
Described as “a versatile and gifted pianist who displays amazing power at the piano … a force of nature”, Matthew performed frequently in concert halls and has been the official pianist in numerous music festivals and concert series such as the Vancouver Vocal Arts Recital, Kiwanis Music Festival, Mount Baker Theatre Organ Society Recital Series and the Interfaith Coalition Concerts. His music repertoire spans virtually the entire spectrum of music including compositions by Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert, Brahms, etc. Matthew’s sensitivity and expressive playing has kept him in great demand as a piano instructor and accompanist since his arrival in the Pacific Northwest in 2000.
Matthew began teaching over 20 years ago and is fluent in both English and Cantonese.
Arezu Bonakdarpour,
ARCT, BA, RMT
Piano, Rudiments
Arezu has been teaching piano since 1993. She graduated from Trinity Western University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She also holds a Music Diploma from Capilano University and an ARCT in Piano Performance (First Class Honors) from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Arezu has taught at her in home studio as well as at several community music schools throughout the lower mainland. Her students have ranged in age from 4 to 74. Many of her students have completed their RCM Piano and Theory exams with First Class Honors & Distinction including a Gold Medal winner for having obtained the highest exam mark in BC. Many students have also participated in local music festivals with excellent results.
Arezu is a patient and caring teacher and believes encouragement is essential in every lesson.
Arezu speaks fluent English and Farsi.
Jeffery Ho
ARCT, B.Mus., M.Mus.
Piano, Violin, Viola, Rudiments
Jeffery holds a Master of Music degree in Viola Performance from McGill University. While at McGill he studied under the guidance of Steven Dann, the current viola professor at The Glenn Gould School. Prior to that, he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from the University of British Columbia under the guidance of David Harding, the current viola professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and Neil Miskey, former principal violist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he earned his ARCT Diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has won numerous awards from various music festivals, including the medallion for outstanding Performance in Piano at the Kiwanis Fraser Valley International Music Festival.
Jeffery is experienced as a soloist, piano accompanist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician. In 2015 and 2019 he toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYOC), performing chamber music and orchestral concerts across Canada and Europe. Additionally, during the Spain tour in 2019 he held leadership positions as principle violist and assistant principle violist. In 2015 and 2018 his string trio and string quartet were selected as finalists to perform in the Friends of Chamber Music Competition concerts.
Jeffery is fluent in both English and Mandarin and has been teaching viola, violin, piano, and music theory for several years. Many of his students have received awards from music festivals as well as high marks in their RCM theory and practical exams. He is passionate about teaching music and very eager to share his knowledge and love for music with his students.
Gavin Tang
ARCT, B.Sc,
Piano, Rudiments
Gavin was born in China and began taking piano lessons at the age of 5. Before immigrating to
Canada, he completed Level 10 piano in China at the age of 11. In high school, he has started teaching piano lessons to students of varying ages and levels. He has since received his ARCT diploma in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music and his Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University.
Gavin has actively participated in multiple music festivals, recitals, and piano competitions both in China and in Canada. He is passionate about piano teaching and about music, and he hopes to share his musical knowledge with more music lovers. Other than playing piano, he also plays the clarinet and the guitar.
Gavin is fluent in English and Mandarin.
Darren Deng
ARCT, B.A., M.Ped
Piano, Rudiments
Darren began his piano journey at the age of 7 in China. His passion and dedication has lead him to an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada under the direction of Dr. Eugene Skovorodnikov. During this time he has been active performing in solo recitals, chamber music ensembles and with symphony orchestras. His symphony appearances include performing Concerto No 2 in B Flat Major by Beethoven with the Encore Sinfonietta Orchestra at UBC’s Chan Center as well as with the Grosseto Orchestra in Italy.
In addition, Darren has achieved a Master’s degree in Education (MPEd.) from Western University in London, Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English Language and Literature from Jian University in Guangzhou, China.
As an enthusiastic educator, Darren’s perseverance and well-cultivated sense of responsibility exert positive influence on his students leading to both an enthusiastic and disciplined learning environment.
Above all, Darren believes music is to be shared. Not only does this create a concrete goal and a sense of accomplishment for students, it also further cultivates the shared supportive atmosphere they contribute to and enjoy.
Darren is fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.
Cristian Herki
BA, M.Mus.
Violin
Cristian is a third generation violinist. Born in Romania, he started taking violin lessons at the age of six. He graduated High School and Music University in Cluj Napoca, in the heart of Transylvania. Among his teachers were N. Silaghi (founder of “Transylvanian Quartet”) and Stefan Ruha (top international soloist, winner of Tchaikovsky Competition). He continued his education with a Master’s degree in Chamber Music. Since his arrival in Canada, he has been teaching violin in Vancouver. Previously, he taught for 20 years at Art College, Baia Mare in Romania and participated with his students at various international festivals and concerts.
Cristian has also performed as a soloist with the C.M.O. Canada in 2015 and 2019 , and with the EuroArt Chamber Orchestra in Romania in 2008. He has given recitals and shows in B.C. at The Cultch Theatre, Silk Purse & U.B.C. in Vancouver in 2015-2019, Chilliwack and Fort Nelson in 2016 & 2019 and a U.S.A . recital tour in N.Y. in 2015.
Cristian is passionate about teaching and enjoys working with students of all ages.
Stephen Boswell
Classical Guitar
Born in Northampton, England Stephen began to play the guitar at the age of 8. After leaving high school, he served for two years in the British Merchant Navy before choosing to resume his formal musical studies at the Royal College of Music in London.
He established a peripatetic classical guitar programme in English schools before coming to Canada in 1975.
Stephen has played many concert tours in the Pacific Northwest to great critical acclaim. He is on the faculty at Capiliano University in North Vancouver where he has taught for 40 years.
Stephen has released 6 solo guitar recordings of music and published books on technique, solo and ensemble arrangements and original compositions.
He has received considerable airtime on CBC radio. In 1984 and 1987 Stephen performed at the historic Guitar Festivals in Toronto as part of the Canadian Showcase. In 1983 he represented Canada in an International Fesitval of Guitar in Chile.
For a number of years Stephen toured throughout Canada with “La Guitarra Latina” trio performing popular Spanish and Gypsy music as well as modern music from South America.
Presently Stephen is performing with the Capilano Guitar Trio in venues around the lower mainland.
He continues to study, compose, teach and concertize.