Home2024 OCTA

2024 OCTA Recipients

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Julie Armes (Kitchener-Waterloo Branch)

Julie Armes B. Mus, B. Ed, Registered ORMTA member. Certified Ultimate Music Theory teacher. Julie began piano lessons at 10 years old after returning from three years in Nigeria with her family where her father was involved in agricultural work with Mennonite Central Committee, a global relief and development organization. Early teachers Carol Hopkins and Christel Wiens inspired her to pursue music beyond high school. She studied church music at Canadian Mennonite University and transferred to music education at Wilfrid Laurier University before completing her B. Education (Primary-Junior qualifications) at Nipissing. After two years teaching and tutoring elementary students in the UK, she returned home to Ontario and opened her own private piano studio. As a piano and music theory teacher, Julie creates a supportive environment for her students of all ages and learning styles to appreciate, learn about, and make music. Not every student will continue to study music past the end of high school, but every student can benefit from growing the resilience that comes with facing challenges with courage and resourcefulness. Her studio has recently expanded with the addition of group piano classes and now includes five keyboards. She loves promoting Canadian composers and is the current chair of K-W ORMTA’s local Canada Music Week celebration. In addition to teaching, Julie is passionate about hymns that marry thoughtful texts with well-matched tunes that deepen the meaning of the words. She loves arranging hymns and leading congregational music as collaborative pianist or song leader. One of her hymns, The Lord’s My Shepherd was published in Great Canadian Hymns curated by the Pax Christi Chorale of Toronto after the hymn competition for which they invited submissions in 2009. Choirs are another of Julie’s passions, and she has sung in or accompanied too many to count. She has been the collaborative pianist for the Age of Majority Singers since 2017. Julie knows music as one of life’s greatest joys and challenges. She’s excited as she continues her own learning journey deeper into the world of jazz.

From the Branch:

The KW branch is pleased to nominate Julie Armes for the OCTA award this year. We appreciate her commitment as an active member of the KW branch. She attends all meetings and is happy to help out with events. Her kindness and cheerful attitude are an asset to our meetings. She coordinated the Canada Music Week event this year and was also a performer in our benefit concert to support the KW Kiwanis Music Education Fund.

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Ellen Berry (Cambridge Branch)

Ellen Berry was born in Belleville, Ontario, and had her first piano lessons with her mother at a young age. Upon moving to Burlington, she was the first student of ORMTA member James Pottruff, and then later studied with his teacher, former ORMTA president Reginald Bedford. Other influential teachers have been Marjorie Beckett (Toronto) and Gail Lange (Guelph). Through Reginald Bedford, Ellen’s “musical lineage” of teachers can be traced back to J.S. Bach! Ellen began teaching piano more than 50 years ago as an apprentice at age 15 in the Pottruff Studios. Upon finishing high school Ellen earned a BA and MA in Geography, and worked for two years as an educational researcher. In 1984 Ellen completed her Piano Teacher’s ARCT and began teaching piano full time in Cambridge, Ontario. Soon after she was introduced to the Suzuki Method of musical education, and has been a Suzuki teacher ever since. Ellen has enjoyed participating in the many teacher development opportunities available to Suzuki teachers over the years. The Nightingale Piano Studio has students from four years of age to retired adults. Ellen’s greatest joy is to have the privilege of teaching a beginner’s very first piano lesson. It is wonderful to see children develop kind hearts and a love of beauty over the years through musical education. A big part of Ellen’s program focusses on performing in the community. Her students have enjoyed playing in Kiwanis Music Festivals, RCM exams, ORMTA recitals, Suzuki Showcases, a 3-piano concert, workshops, conferences, master classes, multi-cultural festivals, the local library, and even the Cambridge Mall each December! Ellen is happy to be the current Recital Convenor for the Cambridge ORMTA, tweaking the details of events each year to help students share their music with the community in fun and inspiring concerts. Ellen was the Piano Director of the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute (SOSI) at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo for 18 years, and also the overall Director for the last 8 of those years. She has served on the ORMTA Provincial Council, the Board of the Ontario Suzuki Association, and the Board of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has been the Piano Chair of Suzuki provincial and international conferences, and enjoys giving master classes. Ellen has two grown Suzuki children and three grandchildren. She is honoured to receive the Cambridge ORMTA branch’s nomination for the 2024 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award.

From the Branch:

The Cambridge Branch is very pleased to recommend Ellen Berry to receive the ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award (OCTA). Ellen has been an active member of ORMTA since 1986 and is a mainstay of our branch. She is present at every meeting, and has a long memory for the history of branch and association activities, but also maintains a view to innovation for the present and future. Most especially, Ellen organizes and manages a minimum of four recitals per year on behalf of our students. Her own students are always beautifully prepared for performances, and they are regular winners of our branch scholarships, as well as being successful participants in RCM exams and the Kiwanis Festival, at all levels. We are proud to nominate her!

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Alessandra DiCienzo (Niagara Falls Branch)

Alessandra DiCienzo has enjoyed a career in music for 24 years and has been a member of ORMTA since 2000. She is a proud member of the Niagara Falls branch where she has been past President and Secretary and is so fortunate to have made wonderful friendships with her ORMTA colleagues. Alessandra has an ARCT in Piano Performance and graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a BMus in Music History. As an adult, Alessandra went back to school to study Piano Pedagogy Research at the University of Ottawa and obtained a Graduate Diploma and Master’s Degree. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Research in Music at the University of Ottawa. Alessandra has maintained a full time piano studio in Niagara Falls where she teaches piano, theory and history as well as the Music for Young Children program. She is also an instructor with the Department of Music at Brock University, an examiner for Conservatory Canada, clinician, and is an organist for St. Patrick church in Niagara Falls. Along with her fellow colleague Rebecca Goode, Alessandra co-authored the beginner technique series Take Off! With Technique. In 2008, Alessandra was awarded the Tom and Miggsie Lawson National Teacher Travel and Study Scholarship from Conservatory Canada where she was recognized as an outstanding teacher along with five others from across Canada. Currently she is the Secretary-Registrar for ORMTA where she engages with teachers from all over Ontario. Alessandra is passionate about teaching, sharing ideas and finds joy in working with students of all ages. She has given many workshops for teachers and students and enjoys helping others along their musical journey. She loves learning and is presently pursuing lessons in voice, guitar and ukulele. Alessandra spends her non-teaching time with her husband Calvin and their two dogs Ruby and Poppy. They love travelling, gardening, and long dog walks.

From the Branch:

I have known Alessandra DiCienzo since she joined our Niagara Falls branch, as a young, inexperienced teacher. It has been sheer pleasure to witness Alessandra's growth, both personally and professionally, for over twenty years. Alessandra has become one of the most educated, inspiring, innovative, and creative teachers our branch has ever known. She is a valuable asset to ORMTA having served in various executive positions both at the branch and at Provincial Council levels. Teaching is in Alessandra’s DNA. She possesses all the qualities of a natural-born teacher. She has impeccable time management and organizational skills. She has a very strong work ethic and always thinks outside the box. Alessandra is a collaborative team member who willingly shares her ideas, knowledge, and teaching tips with others. A perfect example was during COVID when Alessandra’s computer and technology skills were made available to our entire membership.

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Oksana Hahn (Ajax-Pickering Branch)

Oksana Hahn was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, to the family of a well-known professional choral conductor. At an early age, she began violin and piano lessons. At age 7, she was enrolled for 11 years in the "Mykola Lysenko Special Music School for Gifted Youth" in Kyiv, followed by a further 5 years of studies at the Kyiv Tchaikovsky State Conservatory University, where she specialized in piano solo and chamber music, and pedagogy. Before immigrating to Canada at age 23, Oksana had already performed in Ukraine, Russia, the Baltic Republics, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria, winning several awards and laureates. Arriving in Edmonton in 1990, she quickly established herself as a performer, teacher, and accompanist, appearing in concert series alongside Marek Jablonski, Joseph Fridman, and Tanya Prochazka. In 1991, she performed a solo program of Mozart's works at the Mozartmania Festival in Edmonton for the 200th-year commemoration of Mozart's death. Her dedication to excellence in music resulted in a large and committed group of students at the Faculty of Alberta College Conservatory of Music. In 1999, she was selected as the official accompanist for the finals at the Canadian Music Competition in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2000, Ms. Hahn moved to the Greater Toronto Area and began teaching privately. She established the "Elite Piano Studio" in the Durham region, helping students find and nurture their passion for music while ensuring countless opportunities to participate in master classes, recitals, workshops, competitions, and exams. Her knowledge of piano repertoire is broad, from beginner to advanced levels, including the major piano concertos, many of which she has performed herself. During the rewarding 32 years of her teaching career, many of her students have won top prizes, special awards, and scholarships at the regional, provincial, and national levels. All Elite Piano students have successfully completed RCM examinations and strive to achieve "honors" and "distinction" in their practical and theory exam results. Beyond her teaching endeavors, Oksana remains actively involved in Ontario's musical community, serving in leadership roles and volunteering as an accompanist for choirs. Currently, she serves as the Music Director at Pickering Village United Church. Oksana and her husband enjoy life in Ajax as parents of three kids; their eldest is pursuing jazz piano at Humber, and the youngest is a budding cellist, playing with the Durham Youth Orchestra. Oksana enjoys cooking, staying active, maintaining close relationships, and taking long walks with her Dog, Shahla.

From the Branch:

Oksana joined Pickering Ajax ORMTA in 2001 and has contributed to our branch events and served as Vice-President and workshop convenor. Oksana and her husband Rick have facilitated our student recitals in providing the programme on many occasions, including booking her church venue. She brings very heartwarming remarks at the conclusion of our recitals and is an inspiration to her colleagues. Her piano students who range from beginner to ARCT regularly perform in our branch recitals and are high achievers. Recently her student Albert Chang was awarded 2nd place in the ORMTA Instrumental finals. Oksana enjoys performing at various events. She has a passion for enriching the general public in the culture of classical music and raising awareness of the true meaning of musicianship. We wish her much success in the future.

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Sahar Hassanien (Hanover-Walkerton Branch)

Sahar Hassanien, a classical pianist hailing from Alexandria, Egypt, has dedicated her life to music, education, and community. Her journey began at the age of 7 as she embarked on her musical path at the esteemed Alexandria Conservatory under the guidance of pianist Spiro Kizas and pianist Neville Baird. Sahar's passion for music and dedication led her through the graded exams of the Royal Academy of Music in England, shaping her into the accomplished pianist she is today. After completing her degree in Piano Performance with distinction at the High Conservatory of Music in Cairo and studying with the acclaimed pianist Marcelle Matta, Sahar thrived on performing and touring Egypt and Germany. In 1979 Sahar Joined her husband in Canada and continued her musical pursuits by studying with Canadian pianist Ronald Turini at the University of Western Ontario earning her Artist Diploma in Performance. Throughout her time in Canada Sahar immensely enjoyed performing to audiences in London, Hamilton, and Toronto. In 1983, Sahar settled in the picturesque town of Port Elgin, Ontario where she not only raised her family, but also established her full-time Piano Studio. It is here that Sahar's nurturing spirit and love for teaching blossomed transforming her studio into a hub of musical growth and inspiration. Witnessing her students' progress and joy in music became a source of immense pride and satisfaction for Sahar. Sahar's students flourished under her tutelage winning scholarships, earning nominations for provincial competitions, and being chosen regularly to perform at the Midwestern Ontario Rotary Music Festival’s Highlights Concert and Grey County Kiwanis Festival’s Gala Concert. Furthermore, students have achieved remarkable results in the Royal Conservatory of Music exams. Beyond her Studio, Sahar lent her musical talents by touring with and accompanying the Saugeen Children's Chorus and the Allegro Youth Choir for over 25 years. Community involvement holds a special place in Sahar's heart. This is reflected in her 30-year membership with the Lions Club. She actively participates in projects such as the youth exchange program, embodying her commitment to humanitarian services. Sahar's dedication to serving her community earned her the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lions International. Additionally, Sahar is a member of the Chantry Island Chambettes, a ladies’ service club dedicated to the needs of Saugeen Shores community. Beyond music and community service, Sahar finds joy in extensive travel, culinary adventures, and revels in her newest role as a Grandma. Sahar Hassanien's life exemplifies the transformative power of music, education, and community engagement. Her talent and compassionate spirit continue to inspire and uplift all those she encounters.

From the Branch:

The Hanover Walkerton Branch of the ORMTA are excited to nominate Sahar Hassanien for this year's ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award. Sahar is an inspiration to us all with her warm, loving, and positive personality. Her love and joy for teaching is very obvious by her pupil's performances at competitions, festivals, recitals, and exams. Sahar has been an active member with our branch for approximately 30 years. During this time, she has helped chair our branch competitions and has assisted at the Highlights Concert for our local music festival. Just recently Sahar agreed to help with our student awards event taking place in Fall 2024. Sahar is also passionate about assisting in her community. She is a longstanding member of her local Lion's Club, assists at our Music Festival and has been the contact person and host for the RCM exam center in her community. Congratulations Sahar!

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Maria Jacobsson (Newmarket & Area Branch)

Maria Jacobsson grew up in Sweden in a house full of music and dance. Her mother, an enthusiastic ballet instructor filled the house with posture corrections, choreography, and costumes while her father contributed with singing and guitar playing. Growing up in the dance studio Maria had the pleasure of hearing some wonderfully talented pianists play regularly. This inspired her to start taking piano lessons which eventually brought her to study at a specialized music high school (Musikgymnasiet De Geer, Norrköping). It was here that Maria was finally able to realize her childhood dream of playing the harp as the school was able to provide both a harp and a harp instructor. Maria continued her musical journey and graduated with a Master's degree in Music Education in Harp and Piano, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Örebro University in Sweden. As part of her degree she studied full-time for one year with world-acclaimed harpist Judy Loman at the University of Toronto. In 2008 Maria settled in Canada and is now residing in Aurora, Ontario where she runs a successful harp and piano studio. She has mentored students who have won competitions, scholarships and prestigious awards such as the Royal Conservatory of Music Gold Medal. Maria enjoys especially the opportunity to help students young and old realize their dream of playing the harp. She is also currently collaborating with the registered charity High Notes Avante bringing music lessons to people with mental illness. Being part of ORMTA has been a wonderful way of connecting with fellow music instructors and providing students with performance opportunities. Maria served on the Newmarket & Area Branch executive as Treasurer from 2021-2023. In her spare time Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Family favourites include swimming, skiing and kids car outings!

From the Branch:

The Newmarket & Area Branch is thrilled to nominate Maria Jacobsson as our 2024 OCTA recipient! Maria has been a vital part of our Branch, assisting with our events, being a generous meeting host and serving as Treasurer. The commitment to her students is evident as she works hard to ensure they are all able to participate in our Branch auditions and it’s wonderful to hear her piano and harp students in our recitals. Congratulations Maria! We are grateful to have you as part of our Branch.

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Pamela Lewis (Thunder Bay Branch)

Pamela Lewis is a piano and theory teacher based in Thunder Bay, Ont. For over 30 years, she and her students have explored music from both Classical and Contemporary styles. Pamela has an Associate Teacher (ACCM) diploma from Conservatory Canada and was awarded a medal of excellence in piano pedagogy in 2007, adding to her Bachelor of Administration degree from Lakehead University (1993). Many of Pamela’s students have been provincial finalists with Ontario Music Festival Association and one of her students won first place in the Popular Piano Intermediate Level in June 2023. In 2017, Pamela was recognized by the University of Manitoba for her significant contribution to excellence in teaching music when a former history and harmony student won the gold medal for his undergraduate degree in music. Early in the pandemic, Pamela was in a household bubble with violist Bethany Hargreaves and violinist Gregory Lewis. The trio was live streamed on the Violin Channel in the Heartbeat Music Project. She enjoyed working as a collaborative pianist, appearing as a guest artist with the Toronto Summer Music Festival. Pamela has served in the past for the Thunder Bay ORMTA branch in roles as Treasurer, Vice President and President. Currently, she is the president of her local branch, a Northwest Zone Representative and she manages the Advertising portfolio for the province.

From the Branch:

The ORMTA Thunder Bay Branch is enthusiastically nominating Pam Lewis for an OCTA. Pam's dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to music education makes her an exceptional candidate for this award.

Pam has demonstrated a profound passion for nurturing the musical talents of her students. She goes above and beyond to tailor her instruction to the unique needs and interests of each student, ensuring that they not only excel in their musical pursuits but also derive joy and fulfillment from their learning experience.

Beyond her teaching studio, Pam’s leadership has inspired countless aspiring musicians to reach their full potential and pursue their musical aspirations with confidence and determination.

Pam embodies the qualities of an outstanding music educator – passion, dedication, expertise, and a genuine love for music and teaching. Her impact on her students, colleagues, and the broader music community is immeasurable, and she is truly deserving of the ORMTA OCTA Award.

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Catherine Richardson (Hamilton-Halton Branch)

Catherine grew up in a household filled with music and went to sleep every night with the beautiful sounds of her Dad playing piano. His musical influence had a profound impact on her, and at the age of 5, she began playing flute and piano. Catherine attended the University of Toronto where she received an Honours B.A., B.Ed., and an ARCT in Flute Performance. Catherine’s love of music is expressed in her roles of professional flutist, choral director, and music educator. Playing flute in the Variante Harp & Flute Duo with Nathalie Younglai for the past 32 years has been a highlight in Catherine’s musical career. The duo has released 4 CDs that have been aired on CBC Radio and Classical 96.3 FM. Catherine’s advocacy for music in the community is exemplified in the organizations she is involved in. As the founder and artistic director of ChoralFest Burlington, the Don Banks Music Awards, and through her private flute teaching, Catherine provides opportunities for aspiring musicians. As a flute teacher, Catherine goes above and beyond to share her knowledge and experience to provide each student an individualized program that helps them develop the skills they need to succeed. Her students have studied music at University, and have received awards and accolades. In 2012, Catherine founded her beloved Enchorus Children’s Choir, a choir of delightful youth in Grade 1 to 10. Enchorus offers quality choral experiences leading to six performances annually. Catherine believes that music should be accessible for everyone. Her choir demonstrates inclusivity as no one is turned away. Her passion is not only to make good students better, but to give every student the opportunity to flourish and experience the wonders of music. She believes in building confidence, providing a safe place to learn, fostering social acceptance, and providing opportunities for those in challenging family or financial circumstances. Her choir is genuinely a musical family. After 35 years, Catherine retired as a designated music teacher with the Halton District School Board (HDSB). In 2019, Catherine was invited by the HDSB to conduct a 600-voice choir of students in Grade 4 to 12, at First Ontario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place). Throughout her admirable career, she had the privilege of mentoring students and teachers at the school, board, and provincial level. When she retired, she was privileged to receive the Inspire Award for teaching. For the last 34 years, Catherine has been an active HH ORMTA member, serving on the executive and as a general member. She co-chaired the HH ORTMA Branch Competition, and performs as a soloist and Enchorus director for the annual Teachers’ Concert. Catherine enjoys baking, crocheting, and spending quality time with her husband, three grown sons and their families, and her musically inclined granddaughter! For Catherine, receiving the OCTA Award is truly an honour. It is humbling to be among such a distinguished group of people.

From the Branch:

Catherine Richardson is an outstanding advocate for music in our community, not only as a flautist and teacher but also a solo performer and collaborator in a flute and harp duo and the director of "Enchorus Children's Choir" for Gr. 1 - 10 students. She offers weekly quality choral experiences leading to performances with other choirs and orchestras plus individual opportunities (for example, eight members recently performed with "Whitehorse" on the BPAC stage). Catherine has been a long time member of HH ORMTA both on the executive and volunteering in different capacities. This past year she has been particularly visible at meetings, co-chairing our Branch Competition as well as performing both as a soloist and director of "Enchorus" at our Teachers' Recital. She looks forward to repeating this opportunity again this year.

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Barbara Szarek (Kingston Branch)

Barbara Szarek graduated from Warsaw’s Chopin Conservatory with distinction. She holds a B.Mus. in piano and voice as well as a M.Mus in voice and drama. Possessing a unique voice and an ability to interpret music, Barbara started performing early in life. She was offered leads in such classics as Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, Gluck's Orpheus and Eurydice, Tchaikovski’s Eugene Onegin, and Puccini’s La Bohème. Spotted as a young talent, she was soon giving performances in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. In 1990, Barbara decided to pursue her career outside of Europe, in Canada. Barbara has earned a reputation as a passionate, principled and proficient teacher starting as Principal Voice Coach for International Ensemble of Montreal (1991-95), then becoming Voice Instructor for the Montreal Academy of Music. In addition, she was the Children's Choir Conductor at St. George’s Catholic Church, Montreal. In 2007, Barbara moved to Kingston, Ontario and continued working as a performer and teacher. She sang as a soloist in numerous performances and recitals (Mozart’s C-Major Mass with Melos Choir 2007, My Path of Love at St. George’s Cathedral 2008). During the same period she continued her teaching work with Musical Theatre Program students at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, Queen’s Community Music, and as a full-time faculty member in the Music and Digital Media Program at SLC, Kingston Campus. Barbara is currently the Music Director at St Andrew’s–By-The-Lake United Church and continues teaching in her private studio, Grace Tone Music Studio, where she works with students who are interested in developing a wide range of vocal skills and healthy vocal technique for classical, musical theatre and pop music styles. She also prepares students for all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music exams. She is most satisfied with the considerable success her students have had in these prestigious exams. At present, Barbara is willing to work with students on developing a wide range of instrumental and vocal skills, healthy natural singing techniques, and using piano or voice as a joy release and as stress reduction therapy.

From the Branch:

Barbara has earned a reputation as a passionate, principled, and proficient teacher who cares deeply about her students. She is a quiet and beautiful artist who does not draw attention to herself, but she is incredibly thoughtful and will go out of her way to accommodate someone, even if it might inconvenience her in some way. She has provided a solid foundation for many, many students to be able to develop proper vocal technique. Her colleagues have always appreciated her gentle nature and positive outlook.

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Lee Watson (Windsor-Essex County Branch)

Lee Watson has been an ORMTA member for 22 years, most recently in Windsor-Essex, where she served as Branch President from 2019-2023. Lee received her B. Mus. In Vocal Performance from the University of Windsor, and her MTS (Master of Theological Studies) from Tyndale University. Lee also holds an ARCT (Performance) in Voice, and she is an RCM-certified teacher in Piano, Voice, and Theory. Lee greatly expanded her online teaching profile during the pandemic, with her remote students hailing from other Southwestern Ontario cities such as London and Toronto, and as far away as Sault St. Marie, Chicago, and Bangladesh. Lee was a contributor to RCM’s Teaching Online course, in which she authored a section entitled “The Ergonomics of Healthy Teaching.” She is a passionate advocate for intergenerational musical experiences, and recorded a video segment about the benefits of intergenerational musicmaking for Stratford’s Magical Musical Stories social media initiative. Lee is a powerful voice in support of students with exceptional needs, and was the President of the Windsor-Essex chapter of PEACE (Public Education Advocates for Christian Equity). In her studio, she specializes in teaching students with special needs by employing and adapting the strategies and techniques commonly used by music therapists during her lessons. Locally, Lee is currently a Board member of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and she serves as Chairperson of the Windsor Symphony Education Committee. She is a regular speaker at Windsor Symphony concerts, where her aim is to bring awareness of the wide-ranging benefits of the performing arts. She held the position of Music Director at Heritage Park Alliance Church in Windsor for eight years, where she worked tirelessly to develop musical talent and train volunteers. Lee was also the Entertainment Coordinator for the Woofa-roo Pet Fest in Amherstburg, a two-day event for “pets and their people,” which provided young performers with an opportunity to share their music in a fun and relaxed environment. Lee comes from a long line of musicians. Lee’s grandfather, Dr. John H. L. Watson, founded the Windsor Light Opera Association (now Windsor Light Music Theatre) in 1948, with the goal of bringing quality amateur musical theatre to Windsor-Essex County. Lee has been married for almost a quarter of a century, and has raised two delightful children who are also musicians. Lee would like to congratulate the other 2024 OCTA recipients, and is humbled to have been awarded this honour by her peers.

From the Branch:

Lee was nominated due to her commitment to music education and masterful leadership of the our local ORMTA branch throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Denise Williams (Central Toronto Branch)

Antiguan-born, Denise Williams is an established professional singer, voice teacher, concert producer and music facilitator. She holds a BSc from the University of Toronto, an A.R.C.T. Diploma in Singing Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Master’s degree in Community Music from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also studied Early Childhood Music Education and Kodaly Pedagogy at The Royal Conservatory of Music, as well as Arts and Entertainment Administration at the Toronto Metropolitan University. Denise’s 30+ year international performance career has put her at home on the concert, opera, and theatre stages. Highlights of her solo work include appearances with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale (Founding Member), and Mirvish Productions. Her stage experience includes the Canadian debuts of Portia White First you Dream along with solo concerts in major venues in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. Her most well-loved self-produced music project is her cross-cultural, Walk Together Children concert program, uniting African and Jewish diasporic cultures through music which has been presented for many audiences. Most recently, she has added Muslim cultural music intersections as a commentary on commonalities of forcibly migrant cultures and diasporas, musical assimilations, and attempts at bridging social gaps. In 2023 this concert was performed with funding from the Ontario Arts Council in collaboration with professional artists of these cultures and the Jubilate Singers at the Meridian Centre for the Arts. In addition to her achievements as a performer, Denise is also dedicated to arts education and community engagement. Her community music leadership contributions have included preschool and afterschool programs for the Toronto District School Board, private schools, and diverse music programs in retirement homes, choral directing, and choral workshops, and has been a music juror for OAC and FACTOR arts councils. She has also been involved in international community music symposia addressing Music and Social Intervention, Music Collaboration Across Difference (York, St John University, UK), and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Level Education (Wilfrid Laurier University). Denise is Founding Artistic Director of No Strings Theatre (NST) which aids Next Generation emerging artists to practice their stagecraft and encourages the development of new Canadian works. She is a certified advanced voice teacher affiliate for the Royal Conservatory of Music and has been an RCM examiner and national vocal adjudicator since 2000. She is currently on the music theatre voice faculty of Sheridan College, and operates her Voices of Colour Music (VCM) music studio. Denise is a passionate advocate for the performing arts, leveraging her extensive professional experience and educational background to promote artistic expression and education. With a belief in the transformative power of music and the arts to bridge societal divides, Denise has dedicated her performing and teaching career to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and promoting cultural understanding.

From the Branch:

Denise is a Past President of our branch and Convenor of our fund raising initiatives. She delivers her message with grace and dignity and unanimously was recommended to receive this honour.