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With over thirty years of teaching and performance experience, Jennifer not only created Imagine Music in 1994, but she continues to enhance its reputation throughout Calgary while providing students with fun, creative and inspiring music lessons.
Jennifer often teaches her students the ability to improvise, interpret, or learn various music styles, making them more versatile players. She believes that young students should learn the piano so they can use it when the become adults. Older students can obtain enjoyment, relaxation, physical and mental skills from learning an instrument with her.
She is a highly respected music teacher, accompanist, contemporary pop and jazz pianist with a history of playing at numerous events, including weddings, corporate parties and private functions. Even as a child, Jennifer began to embellish her music. On her first instrument, the organ, she quickly learned how to chord, orchestrate sounds and rhythm settings.
At 16, she was teaching new and creative improvisation techniques to students of all ages. She went on to study piano and keyboard at Mount Royal University, graduating with a Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance. Furthermore, she completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Level 8 in piano and theory.
Affiliated with the Alberta Piano Teachers Association (APTA) and the Calgary Arts & Summer School Association (CASSA), Jennifer can inspire you to learn and love the beauty of music.
Bella is a saxophone and piano teacher who is passionate about sharing the joy of music with others.
Bella believes that every student deserves a chance to learn in a safe and positive environment. Her priority is making sure that students feel comfortable, relaxed and empowered. She would like to help students to build a strong foundation in their instrument while having fun. She also aims to meet students where they’re at and build their confidence and technique with manageable practice strategies.
Her love of music began when she started learning piano at age seven. She later fell in love with saxophone at age 12 when she joined her school band, which led her to pursue a career in music. She is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Music degree and hopes to become a high school band teacher. She has also completed her Grade 8 Piano and Theory with the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Bella has participated in several local, provincial and national honour ensembles, including the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra and JazzYYC Youth Lab Band. She currently performs virtually with the Reddit Symphony Orchestra and Untitled Virtual Ensemble and sings in her church choir on a weekly basis.
Having studied various musical genres through the Conservatory Canada Program, Hannah provides fun and excellent piano and violin lessons in her NW studio.
While many people think that music lessons are an optional part of a child’s development, Hannah believes that playing music is essential. With her, you’ll develop critical thinking skills, listening abilities, personal character, and self-discipline – while having loads of fun!
Since she was eight, she has played violin in several orchestras and ensembles, playing both sacred and secular music for various audiences. She has also performed as a soloist for receptions and weddings on both instruments.
At four years old, she started official music lessons in a Calgary Kindermusik class. Piano and violin lessons followed, then Hannah studied various musical genres through the Conservatory Canada Program. She continued in the classical stream with the Royal Conservatory Program and is currently preparing for her Level 10 piano exam and Harmony and History. She is a graduate of the Imagine Music Junior Teaching Program and has recently also completed her Royal Conservatory Theory Level 8, receiving First Class Honours with Distinction.
Believing that any kind of engagement in music is beneficial to anyone, Conrad credits piano playing with much of his success in school and other areas in his life. Learning music is structured but also fun and a creative way to achieve success!
Conrad aims to make his lessons flexible to help cater to every kind of student, their learning styles, and their favourite types of music.
He began playing piano at four years old with Jennifer Aumentado at Imagine Music. Conrad developed early piano skills and is now at an advanced level of playing.
At 15 years old, Conrad is working on his Level 8 Contemporary Idioms. He has completed his Level 8 theory RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) with First Class Honours with Distinction. Conrad has also received the Medal of Excellence for both Level 6 and 7 Piano Contemporary Idioms Exams from the Conservatory Canada. This is awarded to the highest-scoring individual province-wide.
Conrad has always felt that playing any musical instrument is an incredible ability. It allows one’s feelings to be expressed as music. Conrad enjoys playing piano for this reason. He pursues opportunities to share his passion with others.
A versatile piano and vocal teacher with RCM qualifications, Juliana enjoys teaching a range of students who also have the opportunity to perform at recitals. With her BA and BEd and RCM for Piano and Voice qualifications, Juliana inspires students to enjoy a beautiful array of diverse music.
Juliana believes that success is a combination of hard work and dedication from both the child and their parents. While encouraging parents to participate in their child’s practice, she creates lesson plans that fit the child’s skills and needs. Her large student return rate shows her success, with her students receiving high scores for both piano and voice in their Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) and Conservatory Canada exams.
Juliana began studying piano at the age of five and continues to play classical and popular music, in addition to sacred church pieces. Her first degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Calgary, followed by a Bachelor of Education from Ambrose University. Music theory, music history, musicianship, and conducting and teaching music in elementary and junior high schools enhances her music technique. Most noteworthy, Juliana is in the process of completing her Levels 9 and 10 Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Voice and Piano.
Juliana understands the importance of volunteering and supporting the Calgary Music Community. She is a regular volunteer at the APTA (Alberta Piano Teachers Association) Music Festival and the Calgary Performing Arts Festival (previously known as the Calgary Kiwanis Festival).
Greatly admiring technically proficient musicians, Marilyn believes that early exposure to various styles of music and offering students many varied musical experiences are the most effective way to ensure musical understanding and lifelong musical enjoyment.
With her Bachelor of Music, Marilyn teaches various styles to her students, including jazz, musical theatre, folk, and soft rock.
Raised in a musical family, she is grateful for her musical background and the opportunities for growth, enjoyment, and expression it has afforded her. As a result, Marilyn has performed professionally, including for the Calgary Opera Chorus (8 productions), in ‘History of Music‘, an a cappella comedy show which toured Canada and the USA, Candide’ with Alberta Theatre Projects, ‘Swing Time’ with Lunchbox Theatre, and ‘Blood Brothers’ with Aurora Stage Productions.
She also has extensive experience in studio recording (album, TV and radio commercials) and has sung in choirs and small ensembles, vocal jazz groups, classical choirs, and a cappella quartets – including performing at the Olympic Games and Canada Day.
Hilda Lee’s musical journey began at the age of 7 when she embarked on her vocal training as a member of the renowned Hong Kong Children’s Choir (HKCC). Selected to represent Hong Kong in global music festivals and concerts, she gained invaluable competition and performance experiences that laid the foundation for her passion for music.
Continuing her musical pursuits in Canada during her teenage years, Hilda became actively involved in choral music education. She participated in choirs such as the Mount Royal Chamber Choir and The University of Calgary Chorus (University Chorus) while contributing to the establishment of the Calgary Chinese Children’s Choir as an instructor and conductor, playing a key role in developing curriculum and performance repertoires.
After graduating from the University of Calgary, Hilda returned to Hong Kong to further her career internationally. There, she became one of the founders of the choral ensemble group “Brio” and took on the role of Management Executive for the Hong Kong Treble Choir, focusing on business development and concert/event production.
Now back in Canada, Hilda brings a wealth of international music experiences to her role as a vocal coach at Imagine Music Inc. With a focus on applying her unique vocal training method, she helps students develop healthy vocal techniques and achieve versatility across different music genres while fostering confidence and stage presence.
Passionate about voice science and vocal health training, Hilda studied modern vocal pedagogy at the Voice Study Center in Suffolk, UK, under Voice Scientist Kerrie Obert, M.A., CCC-SLP, earning a Vocal Pedagogy Certificate with Distinction. Her strong analytical skills in assessing vocal needs inform her curriculum, which integrates knowledge of respiratory and vocal sciences, linguistics, and physiology.
Beyond teaching, Hilda is an accomplished performing artist and event producer. She has played lead roles in original musical productions and is currently serving as Executive Producer and Vocal Coach for “Harmony The Musical,” a non-profit project commemorating the 100th anniversary of The Chinese Immigrant Act.
For those seeking voice lessons, Hilda offers a holistic approach rooted in both technical proficiency and artistic expression, ensuring students thrive in their musical journeys.
Sophie, a student and Jr. Teacher, provides violin lessons that encourage students to have fun while welcoming music into their lives as she believes that music is extremely important in a child’s development and growth.
She began playing the violin as an orchestra member at age nine in the US, beginning private lessons soon after and becoming first chair in the orchestra group. After moving to Calgary in 2018, she began lessons, playing in several Imagine Music recitals since.
As of 2021, Sophie has recently completed her Royal Conservatory Practical Level 6 violin, earning First Class Honours. She is currently working on her Level 6 Theory, and her Level 7 Practical. She has performed with various ensembles and chamber groups, as well as several solo and virtual performances. Her passion for performance has transferred to her teaching and she strives to provide fun and interesting lessons to instill a love of music in the hearts of new musicians. Sophie plays a variety of music styles, including Classical, Baroque, Romantic, Popular, and Fiddle. She hopes that her lessons will inspire her students to pursue music with the same passion that she does.
Sophie believes that music is extremely important in a child’s development and growth. She believes that music aids greatly in one’s self-discipline, and the ability to work well with one’s self as well as with others.
Tom LeBlanc has been teaching guitar in Calgary for over 15 years, and has helped hundreds of students achieve their musical goals. With over two decades of professional guitar playing under his belt, he offers lessons to students of all ages and skill levels, framed around the student’s choice from dozens of genres and styles.
Tom has played in countless local bands over the years, notably playing in tribute bands for Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones, a 90’s cover band, and dozens of original/indie projects, including lead guitar duties for Bebe Buckskin. With extensive experience in recording studios, session work, and a deep knowledge of gear and equipment, and great expertise with music theory and history, Tom helps students to immerse themselves in their instrument and truly enjoy music.
As a teacher, Tom is patient and passionate, consistent and thorough. The focus is always on the student’s progress and engagement. Tom seeks to inspire his students to always be excited about practicing and playing their instrument.
Tim’s original teaching style brings out the best in his guitar, ukulele and bass guitar students.
He believes that everyone is part musician and part performer, and with his experience, he finds the unique natural creative abilities within each student. He tailors his lesson so his students have the tools to create and perform as true artists – whether the goal is to play as famous performers or personal fulfillment.
He has been at Imagine Music for over 15 years, providing the best guitar lessons to students in the comfort of their homes.
Besides teaching guitar, ukulele and bass lessons, Tim has extensive experience in performing and recording as a solo guitarist and his acoustic rock band, Soul Expired. He is a singer-songwriter who has worked on his own original material since 1988, including his own studio and production company called Hopelight Productions.
Tim has recorded demos for various solo performers and has performed at various venues such as Vern’s, Jackdaw’s Pub and Soda Sound Lounge. Tim has also hosted jam sessions at venues such as The Stone Gate Inn, The Bar Fly, and The Lighthouse Pub. He is currently finishing his solo album, The Truth Letters, and beginning another album with Soul Expired.
Working for Imagine Music for 14 years, Peter tailors drum, ukulele and guitar lessons to each individual’s wants and needs.
By combining written theory with a very “hands-on” practical application (teaching through sheet music, audio and video recording), students can enjoy the full musical education experience with him.
Significantly, his experience as a performer and running his own bands truly makes him a well-rounded teacher and musician.
Peter began singing in public at age six before taking up piano and drums lessons. By twelve, he was playing the drums and singing professionally in his home of Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a teen, he worked as a drummer playing with various trios & quartets. These groups performed various styles of music, including rock, pop, country, blues and a touch of jazz/big band.
Calgary-based Roy is joining our team as a classical and contemporary-focused violin teacher. He is a native Albertan who studied violin privately for many years with a notable Edmonton-based violin teacher. Roy completed Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) studies and continued further training at the Banff Centre and the University of Alberta with a number of world-class domestic and international level violinists and musicians. He toured Eastern Canada and Europe in orchestras and created his own Alberta-based touring symphonic orchestra. Some of Roy’s violin students have achieved top Alberta RCM awards.
Roy’s violin teaching and mentoring has evolved into a simple focus of natural, positive and audience-captivating skill. He loves to see his students inspire others to learn violin especially when they hear it played so beautifully.
Amelia is a Registered Music Teacher in the province of Alberta, as well as certified Music for Young Children instructor. She has been teaching piano performance and theory as well as accompanying students for various instrumental, choir and voice performances for over 20 years. She has taught students at her home studio, Keyano College in Fort McMurray, and different music schools in Alberta.
She has been playing the piano since her childhood and was introduced to voice and accompaniment in her college years.
She loves working with students, and as a mother, she appreciates the importance of music in the development of children’s mental and cognitive growth.
Her teaching philosophy and approach are based on finding the better person in ourselves with the help of music. Both her knowledge of music and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology helps her in establishing a rich and respectful relationship with her students of different age groups.
A music lover and an RCM Certified Teacher with over 20 years of teaching experiences in RCM examination and interest-based curriculum, Kathy is adaptive and passionate in cultivating musical enjoyment and appreciation in students of all ages.
Kathy grew up in a musical family in Hong Kong, and loves to experiment with different genres of music since she started her piano journey at 5 years old. She has obtained a Bachelor of Music degree – Elementary Education from the University of Calgary, where she studied under Charles Foreman and Patricia Jewell.
In her spare time, she is a collaborative pianist working with soloists, ensembles or bands. She enjoys arranging music with her own “Popssical” style – a blend of classical and pop music, and organizing performances/stage productions for local community events.
Grace began singing publicly at the age of six and started receiving voice lessons at the age of twelve. While attending high school in Red Deer, she performed productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Mary Poppins and Seussical the Musical. She also joined the Ihana youth choir where she performed and travelled around Alberta. Grace has also performed numerous solo performances, both as a student and for various events.
Grace is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelors Degree in Music. While completing her degree, she studied under Julie Harris, Dr. Laura Hynes and Johanna Sillianpaa. She studied classical music singing in German, French, Italian and English. She also studied Jazz and realized a strong passion for the genre.
Grace enjoys a wide range of music such as musical theatre, jazz, classical, folk and pop. She loves to teach and inspire others and never stops learning from her students.
Brea is a piano and harp teacher with a heart for nurturing and building people up. She does this through getting to know her students and the goals they have for their music lessons. She believes music can inspire, heal and bring joy but also provide opportunities for students to grow in perseverance, patience and learning about themselves.
Brea started playing piano at the age of 10 and quickly fell in love with the instrument. Several years later she became very interested in playing the harp. Her mom took initiative and rented her a harp, found her lessons and her parents later bought her a handmade lever harp. It is her second favourite instrument and she completed the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Grade 6 technical requirements for harp.
She performed in many festivals and showcases and in high school received her Grade 10 Royal Conservatory of Music Certificates in Piano Performance with First Class Honours and Intermediate Music History and Theory with Honours.
Since having a few students in high school, she went on to pursue a music related program in college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Worship Arts. She has continued to teach piano and music to people of all ages. It is a joy to her to be able to connect with people and share in the wonder of music and sound together.
With 14 years of performing and teaching experience across China, Canada, the US, and Europe, Sway Chen is honored to bring her expertise to Imagine Music as a piano and voice teacher.
Beginning her music training at the age of 5, Sway began to train in classical voice and piano but over the years has diversified her skills to include a range of styles. Today Sway enjoys teaching classical, contemporary, jazz and accompaniment for piano, and and classical, music theatre, and pop for singing. She is also an experienced music theory teacher.
An alumna of Mount Royal University, Sway achieved high-class honors in both piano and voice for her degree. Drawing on 14 years of teaching and two decades of performing, she has guided students of all ages, assisting them in preparing successfully for auditions, recitals, and competitions.
Sway has graced numerous concerts as a soloist and portrayed key roles in music theatre and operas across Canada, the US, and Europe. Noteworthy recent accomplishments include securing the 4th place in the 2022 Medici International Vocal Competition and a featured concert in Todi, Italy, in 2023.
We are honoured and excited to have Sway as part of the teaching team at Imagine Music.
For over 23 years, B.J has been a vibrant part of Hong Kong’s music scene, playing the saxophone in local bands and public performances. Besides the saxophone, he finds joy in playing the guitar and ukulele. With extensive experience as a saxophone performer, B.J brings a dynamic perspective to his teaching. Driven by a passion for sharing the joy of saxophone music, he tailors his approach to each student’s needs, aiming to foster a love for music. B.J is more than an instructor; he genuinely cares about each student’s musical journey. Currently preparing for the ARSM exam of ABRSM in April 2024, B.J is dedicated to his continuous musical growth. Having already achieved a Grade 8 Saxophone certification from ABRSM, he consistently seeks excellence in his craft.
B.J creates a supportive learning environment, offering patience and encouragement to guide students. Besides teaching, he enjoys creating and recording music, encouraging his students to explore their own creativity. His teaching style empowers students to apply their learning across various music genres, whether it’s jazz, classical, or contemporary, enabling them to develop versatile skills for musical expression. In addition to his musical expertise, B.J is fluent in three languages— English, Cantonese, and Mandarin—making communication accessible and inclusive for students from diverse backgrounds. In essence, B.J is more than a saxophone instructor; he’s a mentor committed to nurturing a love for music.
“I began learning guitar at the age of 10 and it soon became apparent to me that playing it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Over the last 10 years, I have played countless solo gigs and loads more with numerous bands playing a mixture of covers and original music. My most recent project was Pop/Rock band, Saint Loe. We embarked on a UK tour and our single ‘Faking Love’ achieved BBC Radio Shropshire’s ‘Song of the Month’, a single which I co-wrote and produced myself. In 2018 I graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Commercial Music.
Since graduating, I’ve not stopped teaching the guitar! I get a real thrill in spreading the the joy and fulfilment that learning and playing music can bring. My goal is that every student I teach has a positive music experience. I’ve taught all ages and and abilities, from more casual learning all the way to LCME guitar grades.”
Darcy van Helden is a dedicated teacher at Imagine Music Inc. Holding a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Education, Darcy’s academic background reflects her commitment to delivering a comprehensive and enriching musical education.
With over 10 years of teaching experience, Darcy has honed her skills in guiding students of all ages and backgrounds. She finds immense joy in witnessing the progression of her students, celebrating their achievements as they navigate their musical journeys. Darcy’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering a love for music while providing a solid foundation in technique and theory.
Beyond the classroom, Darcy is deeply engaged in the Piano Teaching community. Actively participating in groups such as the Calgary Arts Summer School (CASSA), Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (ARMTA), and The Alberta Piano Teachers Association (APTA), she remains committed to continuous professional development and collaboration with fellow educators.
In addition to her teaching commitments, Darcy cherishes moments at the piano with her two young children, aspiring to inspire them with the magic of music. Her versatility is evident in her appreciation for classical music, coupled with a love for playing various styles.
Darcy’s multifaceted background and dedication to music education make her a valuable addition to the teaching staff at Imagine Music Inc. Her highly educated approach, coupled with RCM accreditation, ensures that students receive a well-rounded and expertly guided musical education.
Sydney’s exposure to music began with piano lessons in elementary school and expanded into the world of wind band and choir throughout her junior high and high school years. This is where she discovered how exciting making music with others can be, and she’s thrilled to get to share this with her students!
While pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Lethbridge, Sydney has had the privilege to study clarinet under the direction of Peggy Mezei. She’s also performed in several of the university’s music ensembles, including the wind orchestra and choral group. As part of these ensembles, she’s had the opportunity to perform in festivals, debut several works by local composers, and take part in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like opening for award-winning reggae band Boney M during their November 2023 concert in Lethbridge.
Sydney believes that music is an integral part of our lives and that an introduction to music is meant to be fun, engaging, and empowering! Patient, encouraging, and empathetic. Sydney is excited to introduce young musicians to the act of making music and learning more about their passions!
Sanjana views music not only as a skill, but also as a talent and a cherished hobby. She believes that embarking on the journey of learning music is a thrilling experience, and having support and guidance can make all the difference in one’s success.
With this in mind, Sanjana believes piano lessons should be both enjoyable and educational, as well as providing people with the help and encouragement they need to excel.
Sanjana’s own musical journey began at the age of 5 when she started taking piano lessons. Now, she has played piano for 9 years, and she is working towards completing the Royal Conservatory Level 7 in piano.
Sanjana is not only skilled at playing the piano, but has also played various other instruments. She was the piano player and a saxophone player in her school jazz band, and she played the saxophone and flute in her regular band. Additionally, she has explored the guitar.
Sanjana believes that with practice, persistence, and a willingness to discover, anyone can achieve their goals.
Lisa Samuel is a high school student that started voice lessons with Imagine Music in 2018. Her love of singing has followed her throughout life, showing her the importance of honing musical skills. Through determination and practice, Lisa believes that anyone, including herself, can reach their goals.
Lisa’s love for music has motivated her to learn the piano and she is currently taking RCM level 6 piano. Along with this, she plays the trumpet in her school’s concert band and symphonic band as the section leader. All together, she has been deeply involved with several music programs since she was 10. Learning music has been and still is an integral part of her life since she was a kid and she hopes to spread the same enthusiasm she has for music to others.
Kaylee Yee is a middle school student who began studying piano at age 5. From there, she has expressed emotions and love through the beauty of music. She believes that anyone can learn the skill of music, and loves to share about her fondness of piano.
Kaylee is currently in RCM Level 5 piano and hopes to continue practicing and learning new skills to help continue becoming a better pianist. Her goals are to help others and connect and believes that with patience and commitment, people can achieve what they desire in life.
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioural Science, Stefani decided to mix her passion for working with people with her love for administrative tasks by beginning her professional career working in the non-profit sector. Later she joined a travel tech company where she was able to expand her marketing and communication skills and build on her organization skills as the customer service team leader. After taking a few years break from the workforce to be home with her two young children she is excited to bring her keen attention to detail and positive demeanor to the Imagine Music team as the Administrative Assistant and Social Media Director.
Stefani began taking piano lessons at age 7 and studied with the Royal Conservatory Program until the age of 18. She also played clarinet in various school concert bands and tenor saxophone in her high school jazz band. Knowing the important role her music teachers played in her childhood she is excited to support the Imagine Music director and teachers as they impact and instill a love for music into the next generation.
Leandra Joshua is a violin teacher at Imagine Music Inc. She began playing the violin at the age of six and has since achieved Level 8 certification in the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program. Leandra frequently performs at her church and continually seeks to enhance her musical abilities. In addition to her violin expertise, she is also proficient in piano. With over 12 years of playing experience, Leandra is dedicated to fostering a love for music in her students, inspiring them to find joy and fulfillment in their musical endeavours. She loves teaching and working with children, helping them discover the magic of music. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Calgary. In her free time, Leandra enjoys baking treats for her family, watching movies, and spending time outdoors, whether hiking in the summer or skating in the winter.
