PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTION HILLFIELD
STRATHALLAN COLLEGE
Did you know that at HSC you can arrange private music lessons for your child during the school day? Our roster of incredible private music instructors consists of professional musicians on a variety of instruments, including piano, guitar, voice, strings, woodwind/brass and drums/ percussion. Lessons may be for pursuit of a personal musical passion, or to complement our inschool instrumental studies. By law, any student may be excused from classes for private music instruction, and at HSC we make it easy for you so there is less driving around after school! Lessons can be arranged directly with the instructor at a mutually convenient time during the school day. Read below to learn more about our wonderful instructors!
| VOICE | GUITAR | STRINGS | FLUTE |
LAUREN CHO
Lauren is an active teacher and chamber musician performing frequently with vocalists. After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Western University, she continued her music education at the Glenn Gould School of Music receiving an Artist Diploma in Piano Pedagogy and Performance. In addition, Lauren has a Bachelor of Education from York University and many years of experience in teaching in the public school system. Lauren continues to explore and develop as a musician and teacher by attending summer programs and working with distinguished artists including Cecile Ousset in France. She has completed additional courses including Orff Level 1 and Early Child Music Education from The Royal Conservatory of Music.
Lauren brings extensive experience and versatile skills. This experience includes teaching students of all ages. Her lessons have been conducted in private, group and classroom settings. In addition, she has spent time assisting, preparing and accompanying numerous live musical productions and performances. She strives to provide the best learning environment and a program that can be tailored specifically to each student’s interests and abilities. She is determined to deliver high-quality lessons that are stimulating and fun. Teaching piano is Lauren’s passion, as is showing her students the joy that music brings.
LIA DEAN
PIANO
905-515-0932 | liadean123@gmail.com
To instil a lifelong love and appreciation for music has been piano teacher Lia Dean’s goal for 40+ years of teaching piano.
From a young age, music has played a vital role in her life, and sharing that joy has been her passion. Recognizing the scientific evidence of the developmental value, benefits and importance of music in the lives of people of all ages from newborn and up led Lia and her husband to open a retail store and music school in 1978. At its peak, the school had 500 students studying piano, keyboard, organ, guitar and voice.
Lia is a certified Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) teacher, has sat on numerous curriculum panels for the development of popular music courses, and in certified Kindermusik and Music Garten (newborn to 7-years-old).
Lia’s two children were “lifers” at HSC and she also has three grandchildren who have attended HSC. Lia has thoroughly enjoyed being a private music teacher at HSC since 2002, and she looks forward to continuing to share her passion with the next generation of HSC students.
ROSANNA FACCIO-POLIMENI
905-578-4108 | r_facciopolimeni@hotmail.com
Rosanna Faccio-Polimeni is a dedicated musician and music educator with over 40 years of experience teaching piano, accordion, organ, keyboard, and theory. A graduate of Mohawk College’s Applied Arts Program, she also studied with the Royal Conservatory of Music and McMaster University. She has taught privately, at Mohawk College, and as an Artist in the Classroom for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, working with students from JK to Grade 8.
Rosanna was Co-owner of Faccio Music in Stoney Creek and has served as Assistant Director of The Hamilton Canadian Accordion Orchestra, performing across Canada and Europe. She was a house musician for Hamilton’s Ukrainian Dance Ensemble— Chaika—for 22 years, traveling extensively. A Music Minister for over four decades, she currently leads services, choirs, and ceremonies at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish.
At Hillfield Strathallan College since 2008, Rosanna teaches piano and theory and has contributed to their March Break and Summer Camps. She now also offers online lessons, continuing her commitment to sharing music with students of all ages.
MANDY LAGAN
416-882-0584 | mandy@mandylaganmusic.com
Mandy has been teaching music since 1983. She spent ten years teaching ear training, theory, private piano lessons, and group piano lessons for Mohawk College Music Department and Part Time Studies. During that period she also spent two years with the Hamilton Wentworth Roman Catholic Separate School Board as an Artist in Residence teaching piano keyboard classes at the School of the Arts. After moving to Toronto she taught for three years with Merriam School of Music teaching private piano lessons, group piano lessons, training teachers and developing curriculum. She has maintained her private studio teaching for over thirty years. Mandy’s program focuses on classical piano and developing a solid foundation in music theory, piano technique, reading and repertoire. Many of her students have completed Royal Conservatory Exams ranging from grade one to grade eight. Whether pursuing a formal education or musical goals of a more personal nature, Mandy’s main objective is to instil in her students a love and respect for music as an art form as well as independence at the piano.
BART NAMETH
Bart Nameth has been teaching private piano and theory lessons to children and adults of all ages in all musical styles for over 45 years. In that time, he has also played piano professionally in a variety of styles and ensembles including classical, jazz, popular and music theatre. A large part of Bart’s work has also been accompanying choirs and vocal and instrumental soloists. He is the designated College Pianist at Hillfield Strathallan College, accompanying our various choirs and chapel singing for the last 20 years. Bart achieved his ARCT and Bachelor of Music in 1976.
ROLAND FIX
519-495-4000 | rolandfix@gmail.com
Roland Fix, a graduate of the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, holds a Master’s degree in vocal performance and has an extensive performance history in operas, oratorios, recitals, concerts, and musicals across Canada, Germany, Austria, and Italy.
His students have earned top honors, including provincial gold and silver medals in Royal Conservatory of Music exams, scholarships in Conservatory Canada exams, and wins at local, provincial, and national music festivals. Many have successfully entered music programs at prestigious universities like Toronto, Western, and McGill, with several pursuing professional singing careers.
Balancing teaching and performing, Roland believes each enhances the other. He states, “Teaching music is my passion. It’s uniquely rewarding to nurture students’ potential and creativity.” Known for his blend of positive reinforcement and constructive criticism, Roland creates a stimulating and supportive learning environment, drawing from his experience as a performer, examiner, and adjudicator.
CHRIS PLATT
GUITAR
905-808-7734 | chrisplattmusic@gmail.com
Chris Platt is a Toronto-based guitarist, composer, and jazz educator. He performs regularly as a leader and sideman at prominent city venues and has shared the stage with jazz legends such as Dave Liebman, Norma Winstone, Jerry Bergonzi, and Dave Young. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Mohawk College and currently teaches jazz guitar at McMaster University.
Chris is featured as a soloist and accompanist on several acclaimed recordings, including Sweet Ruby Suite with the University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra, Angela Turone’s Drift to You, and Marie Goudy 12tet’s The Bitter Suite. His debut album, Sky Glow, showcases his jazz-rooted style with influences from Brazilian and blues music and earned a 2019 Julian Award of Excellence nomination. In 2020, he co-released Sounds of Brazil with Angela Turone, receiving international recognition and airplay.
647-607-1095 | eallencreighton@gmail.com
Esme Allen-Creighton, a Juilliard-trained violist, violinist, and Suzukicertified pedagogue, has taught at prestigious institutions, including Juilliard, Brooklyn College, and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her students excel in competitions and prestigious programs.
Esme holds ARCT, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees and has toured as principal violist with the Arcos Chamber Orchestra and performed with the Serafin Quartet, including at Carnegie Hall. She collaborates with ensembles like Solidaridad Tango and has recorded Jamaican Quartets and Distancia.
Passionate about audience engagement, Esme creates interdisciplinary performances and presents on innovative concert programming at TEDx, ASTA, and Strings Magazine.
Growing up north of Thunder Bay, Heather Kilborn began playing the flute at 7 years old. After graduating with a Bachelors in Flute Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Masters in Flute performance from Northwestern University, Heather began teaching privately and freelancing in Southern Ontario . With almost 20 years of teaching experience, and playing with groups such as the Niagara Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, as well as many small chamber groups, Heather brings well rounded experience and knowledge to all of her students. Having recently won the position of second flute/piccolo with the Thunder Bay Symphony, Heather balances travelling back and forth weekly to maintain her private studio at home.
ZOLTAN KALMAN
CLARINET
905-516-5508 | ezkalman@gmail.com
Zoltan Kalman, a Hungarian-born clarinetist, trained at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and served as principal clarinet with the Hungarian State Orchestra and Hungarian Opera House. An awardwinning musician, he earned accolades such as second prize at the Prague International Clarinet Competition and “Musician of the Year” from Hungary’s Cultural Ministry. Since moving to Canada in 1989, he has performed extensively as a soloist and with ensembles, including the Niagara Symphony and Symphony on the Bay. A dedicated educator, he teaches clarinet and chamber music at McMaster University and leads the University Wind Ensemble at Brock University. In 2014, he became Music Director of the Burlington Concert Band. Recognized as one of 50 Hungarian-Canadians who have enriched Canada’s cultural life, his portrait is part of the Portrait Gallery of Canada at the National Arts Centre.
SCOTT NEILSON SAXOPHONES
905-524-0325 | scottneilson66@gmail.com
Scott Neilson started playing piano at a young age and then added the clarinet to his studies, adding a few years later the saxophone and finally flute while studying music at Mohawk College where he eventually graduated with a three year Diploma in Applied Music. As a performing musician Scott joined the Hamilton musicians guild at the age of 16 and has been performing consistently ever since, most regularly for the last 22 years at the now famous Reservoir Lounge in Toronto. Also doing numerous festivals and club dates with many of the best musicians from Toronto and the GTA. As an educator Scott has been running his own teaching studio in west Hamilton for close to 30 years, has taught at Hillfield Strathallan College for over 20 years and has been on faculty at Mohawk College as the saxophone instructor for over 10 years.
KATHERINE D’AGOSTINO
TRUMPET
905-979-3370 | trumpetkat23@gmail.com
Katherine D’Agostino, a proud Hamiltonian and passionate musician, has over a decade of trumpet experience, performing in styles ranging from orchestral to jazz and musical theatre. A McMaster University graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Music, she earned numerous academic accolades, including the Dean’s Medal for Excellence in the Humanities. As a principal trumpet, she has performed with ensembles such as the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band, McMaster Symphony Orchestra, and McMaster Concert Band. Katherine cherishes highlights like performing at the 2024 Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans and the McMaster Concert Band’s 50th Anniversary recital. She is excited to inspire her students with her love for music and the trumpet.
MIKE POLCI
TROMBONE & TUBA
905-639-1334 | polcimike@gmail.com
Mike is a member of the trombone section of Orchestra London, Canada and he works regularly with the Orchestras of Hamilton, Kitchener and Windsor. He studied trombone with Joseph Castello at the University of Western Ontario. He has also performed with the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.
CLARK JOHNSTON BASS
905-966-2409 | clarkbass@yahoo.ca
Clark Johnston started his professional career as a bassist in 1994 and has since worked with the likes of Peter Appleyard, Gene DiNovi, Reg Schwager, Don Thompson and John Sherwood--just to name a few. Of the many recording projects that he has been a part of, he can be heard performing his original compositions on A Road Forgotten and Pictures with Shields Johnston Fielding. Clark holds a master’s degree in music composition from York University and is currently on faculty at Mohawk College and McMaster University.
JOEL HAYNES
DRUMS & PERCUSSION
416-347-4957 | joelhaynes@cogeco.ca
Joel has grown from his early community musical experiences in his hometown of Burlington, Ontario, and has progressed to playing with some of the finest jazz artists. Highlights include being nominated for a “National Jazz Award” in 2003 and two nominations in 2009 for CD of the Year and Drummer of the Year. He has performed at many international jazz festivals in North America, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, South America, Australia and the Caribbean. Joel has also recorded over 30 recordings as a sideman including artists such as; Seamus Blake, Russell Malone, Ray Anderson, David Braid, The Cookers and Denzel Sinclaire. Joel’s debut CD, released in November 2005, (Cellar Live Records, Vancouver) is entitled “The Time is Now”, with special guest vocalist, Denzel Sinclaire. In February 2008, Joel recorded his second CD, “Transitions”, live at the Cellar Jazz Club over three nights with special guest Seamus Blake. Joel continues to tour and record to date while maintaining a successful drum lesson studio in Burlington, Ontario and also teaching his 14th year at HSC.