At Melody School of Music we are committed to providing an exceptional music education to our students. We confidently offer a quality service to families and individuals with an interest in learning to play music as a fun activity or a serious vocational pursuit.

We created our school to give children an easy and affordable way to learn music in Toronto, and we provide a fun learning environment and all the bits 'n' pieces they need to fulfill their musical dreams. Melody School of Music students feel accomplished and proud of their achievements, which means they develop a foundation of self-confidence that can be applied to all areas of their lives.

Lessons are held in our large, fully equipped, climate and acoustically controlled classrooms that are each fitted with a parent-viewing window.

We constantly renovate our facilities and are proud to provide our students and parents with a comfortable environment for learning.

Our Teachers

All of our music instructors have professional degrees in music and many years of experience, and are on top of their teaching game. Furthermore, we always make sure that they have the best and newest teaching materials available.

Gaiana Kakoian has a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Music Pedagogy. She is a qualified music instructor with 20 years of experience. Gaiana teaches piano, theory, and early childhood music education, and possesses strong background knowledge of various teaching techniques. Throughout the years, she has developed effective teaching methods for kids and adults. She is popular among our younger students, as she manages to keep lessons fun while also introducing them to music. Children as young as four have found tremendous success in taking introduction to music lessons with her.

David Verkh holds an M.A. in music. He began his career as a professional clarinetist playing in a Symphony Orchestra under the eminent conductor Valery Gergiev. Over the last 25 years, he has been both an educator and a performer with various European and Canadian orchestras alongside virtuosos like Maxim Vengerov, Steven Isserlis, Mikhail Pletnev and many more. David possesses strong knowledge and skills of teaching different styles and genres of music. He has been teaching clarinet, flute, saxophone, recorder, and music theory for over 25 years, and is one of the highly recommended teachers in the GTA.

Ania Romaniak holds an Hon. B.A. from University of Toronto as well as a Performer's ARCT in classical piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. As an active performer, she has won several competitions including Kiwanas, Mississauga Music Festival, and the Ukrainian Music Festival, and has preformed at many prominent events. Ania has fifteen years of teaching experience, and teaching continues to be her passion.

Tim Stokes-Rees is a drummer, guitarist, producer, and teacher who has been performing professionally since 1985, and teaching since 1995. He has a Bachelor of Music from Humber College and Thompson Rivers Open University, and is presently learning the violin, tenor, saxophone, and Cuban son. Tim has performed in a wide range of groups and styles including rock, jazz, Latin, heavy metal, classical and electronic. Tim shares his extensive experience with his students and offers them knowledgeable instruction in a wide range of musical styles. In addition to producing his own project - El Blanco - Tim has performed in Toronto with Dr. Draw, and formerly with Toronto's Latin alternative band Plan C. Most recently, Tim has been playing lead guitar for Toronto's The Johnnys who performed at the Aboriginal Peoples Music Awards in Winnipeg in November 2008.

Entela Galanxhi holds a bachelor's degree in composition and violin, and a master's degree in violin performance from Fine Arts Academy in Albania. She received further specialization in violin performance from The Milan Conservatory in Italy. Entela has been playing as a professional violinist with numerous orchestras in the GTA, and has also toured to UK, Greece, Italy, and Germany. Currently, she plays with the Toronto Philharmonia and is the Concertmaster of the Greater Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. Entela has taught violin in various schools and used to be a member of ESTA (European String Teachers Association). She enjoys teaching music and is a creative and communicative teacher who makes her lessons very interesting. She teaches all ages and levels, and in addition prepares students for RCM exams.

Julian Hasko was born into a family of musicians. At the age of 12, he received his first music lesson from his father. A few years later, he began his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he received his Performance degree in classical guitar. Through his career as a soloist, Julian has performed in numerous recitals throughout Canada and has also participated in festivals such as the Guitar Society of Toronto, Six String Guitar Nation, Peel Music Festival, and Guitar Foundation of America. Julian lives in Toronto, where he enjoys performing, recording, composing, and teaching.

Sara Felikson holds a B.A. in Music from Kishinev State Music University and has over 25 years of experience specializing in piano teaching. Sara teaches music theory and piano to students of various ages and levels of experience. She designs individualized programs accordingly based on each student's level of technique and knowledge. With her warm and motivational nature, she successfully prepares her students for RCM examinations as well as recitals, shows, and competitions.

Sona Kaltagian Sona holds a master's degree in music and concert performance and a teaching degree in the field of instrumental performance. She is a violin teacher and has worked with students at various schools, including The Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. She has also been playing as a professional violinist with numerous orchestras in Canada and Armenia. She currently plays in the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra and is the associate concertmaster of Kindred Spirits Orchestra in Markham. As a violin teacher, Sona continues to share her expertise in and passion for music and performance with students of all ages at Melody School of Music.

Alison Wong Alison completed her Honors Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at the University of Western Ontario. Upon returning to her native city of Toronto, she began teaching music lessons and freelancing as an assistant director for the operatic stage. She also contributes to the Canadian Opera Company's Education and Outreach Programming and the Toronto District School Board as an artist-educator. As a teacher, Alison believes in a process-based approach to music-learning and enjoys fostering a strong appreciation for music in all of her students. She teaches voice to all ages and levels as well as piano at Melody School of Music.

Craig Halliday Craig is a drummer, percussionist, and producer, originally from Nova Scotia, now residing in Toronto. He has over 19 years of playing experience including several American and Canadian tours. Craig studied music performance at Humber College as well as privately with world-renowned teacher Jim Blackley. He is currently recording and playing in several bands in and around the Toronto area. His teaching concept is to adapt lessons to students' individual learning needs and to create a balance between the conceptual and technical approaches of drumming.

Lucy Tonoyan Lucy is an internationally trained teacher with 20 years of teaching experience. She holds a master’s degree in piano performance and pedagogy. As a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association, she successfully prepares students for RCM exams and competitions. Lucy loves working with people of all ages and levels and promotes positivity in her classroom by providing a friendly and cooperative learning environment. She establishes a good rapport with her students and their parents, and designs the programs so as to directly address her students’ needs and skills.

Anahit Koutsouzian Anahit, a recording artist with several CDs, is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She graduated with distinction from the Komitas State Conservatory of Music in Yerevan, Armenia, where she received a PhD in music. Anahit has been teaching Piano, Voice and Theory of music since 1995 according to the needs of her students from beginner to advanced levels. She prepares her students for Royal Conservatory of Music Examinations, as well as for festivals and competitions. Her students perform at Melody School's music concerts and have recording opportunities. At the Armenian Music Awards in Los Angeles, a CD recorded by her students was nominated for the Children's Songs category. Her passion for creativity evokes the joy of music in her students of all ages.

Julien Meyer Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Julien is a guitarist, composer and an experienced instructor. Having begun his musical training at the age of 13, he holds a Bachelor of Applied Music degree from the Box Hill Institute in Melbourne. He is an accomplished and versatile performer with over 10 years of experience in various community music festivals such as the 2010 Melbourne International Arts Festival, as well as corporate and private functions. In recent years, Julien has been studying audio engineering and has recorded and sequenced demo CDs and Mp3s for bands, duos and solo artists. He encourages his students to achieve their personal music goals by tailoring the lessons to suit each of their needs and to further develop their skills in a relaxed environment.

Naomi Eberhard Obtained an Honours Bachelor of Music from the University of Windsor and a Masters of Music in Operatic Performance from the University of British Columbia. She is RCM trained in piano and has also trained at such prestigious programs as Opera Nuova, Opera on the Avalon, St. Andrew’s Emerging Artist Program, Centre d’Arts Orford, The Dolora Zajick Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, and The Centre for Operatic Studies in Italy. Naomi is co-founder of La Pazza Diva Productions, an Ontario-based opera outreach organization committed to serving art in its truest form while making it accessible and engaging to all audiences. She recently toured with them in a Southwestern Ontario tour. She often teaches opera workshops for young opera singers. Naomi loves to teach voice, piano and theory and is very active in the Toronto and Ontario teaching communities. She believes that everyone can find love in music and is wholly dedicated to helping all of her students reach their musical goals.

Dan Koganov Holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Guitar Performance from Humber College. He started his musical journey at the age of eight and shortly after was pursuing and passing his RCM exams in both Theory and Classical Guitar. Dan has played with many rock ensembles in various Toronto and Montreal venues, an experience that has helped establish his performing career. Finding his real niche in performance, Dan performs primarily as a solo act playing fingerstyle guitar and his repertoire covers many different genres. With over 10 years of classroom and private teaching experience, he enthusiastically passes all of his knowledge to his students in a fun, progressive atmosphere.

Luisa Cornacchia Holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Composition from the University of Toronto. She is a qualified music instructor with six years of experience. Luisa teaches violin and viola, as well as piano and music theory. She is a well-rounded musician and enjoys playing classical, film, popular, jazz and fiddle styles of music on violin and viola. Currently, Luisa works with an opera company, and writes music for short children's animations as well as teaching music to children and adults of all ages and levels. She encourages her students to relate to the music they are making in creative and exciting ways, such as through imaginative story-telling. Luisa is very knowledgeable with the Suzuki method, Royal Conservatory of Music exam syllabi, and alternative "just for fun" methods of enjoying music.