2023 OCTA Recipients

Judith deHaney was born in Toronto, Canada. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance studying with Patricia Parr. Later she went on to study with Leslie Kinton at the Glenn Gould Professional School at the Royal Conservatory of Music where she earned an Artist Teacher Diploma in Performance and Pedagogy, and an ORFF Certification. Ms. deHaney has participated in various Masterclasses given by John Perry, Robert Macdonald and Marc Durand and has studied with Arlene Shrut at The Juilliard School of Music in New York. Ms. deHaney’s role as a Performer, Chamber Musician and Accompanist has enabled her to perform in Toronto, Vancouver, Aspen and Jamaica. She has performed at many venues including the Glenn Gould Studio, Air Canada Centre and Tom Thomson Art Gallery. She has also been the resident ORFF music teacher at the Canadian Children's Dance Theatre Summer Arts Program for the past 7 years and has been on staff at the Branksome Hall School Music Conservatory for over 10 years. Ms. deHaney has recently become a member of the piano faculty at the Royal Conservatory of Music and has had the pleasure of conducting Masterclasses for the Junior Taylor Academy. She is also the proud owner of Signature Music Studio in Toronto. Ms. deHaney passion for teaching came later in life and strictly by accident! She shied away from having to participate in mandatory pedagogy classes in her undergraduate years and it was only until she had to “make a living” as a teacher after graduation that she realized that she really enjoyed the rapport she had with young students. Determined to excel in her craft she enrolled in the Artist-Teacher Program (ATP) and later Artist Diploma in Piano and Pedagogy (ADPP) at the Royal Conservatory of Music. There she aligned herself with wonderful mentors such as Marina Geringas, Margaret Halliwell, Jennifer Snow, Boris Berlin and Andrew Markow to name a few; each one opening doors to teaching opportunities which refined her skills. Now with over 25 years teaching experience Judith is passionate about engaging her students in the learning process through creative thought and nurturing individual development to better empower her diverse student body. Always exploring new ways of pedagogy by attending workshops, webinars and online tutorials, Ms. deHaney has always focused on bringing a fresh perspective to her studio. Her greatest achievement was utilizing new technologies like broadcasting software, powerpoint animation and elaborate set designs to create 5 YouTube live recitals during the pandemic. Many of her students have also received high standings and scholarships in music festivals and examinations.

From the Branch:

Judith has been a support to all of us at the branch, whether welcoming students and parents to recitals with her infectious smile or just rolling up her sleeves and making every event a success. She is a successful and creative teacher in her own right and we at CTB continue to benefit from her positive help.

Catherine Freitag-Hewson began her piano studies with Estonian teacher Helgi Fatovic in Ottawa, completed her B. Mus. in piano performance with Garth Beckett at W.L.U., and studied with Sonjia Behrens at Western University while pursuing a Masters of Arts in Musicology. She was winner of the W.L.U. concerto competition in her first year as a student, and played with the KWYO in the newly built Centre in the Square in 1982. Concurrently, she pursued violin studies both at Laurier and then with Jeanne Lamon in Toronto immersing in Baroque performance practice. She played and recorded three Naxos CD’s with Aradia Baroque Ensemble, and was a founding member of the local Nota Bene Baroque Orchestra, as well as free-lanced with various other ensembles and orchestras. Specializing in collaboration with string players, Catherine has enjoyed playing piano for Suzuki String studios including SSSG, SOSI, and STEW and for local string teachers’ students. Catherine has been passionate about teaching piano since 1980 and believes that her varied musical experiences have strongly influenced her teaching of piano. Students have consistently achieved First Class Honours and First Class Honours with distinction in their RCM examinations. Twice, students have won the provincial medal for top marks in Ontario at the grade 2 and 6 levels and one student was invited to play at the Koerner Hall in Toronto at an awards ceremony. Her students have won numerous scholarships in the local K-W Kiwanis music festival and several have played at the provincial level including a third place winner at the grade 7 level. Catherine enjoys teaching students of all ages and experience levels and feels it is a privilege to devote her life to sharing her love of music.

From the Branch:

Catherine has had an excellent career as a music instructor and artist in our community; a musician mentored by Garth and Marjorie Beckett who became an outstanding pedagogue and has been teaching since 1980. Catherine teaches all ages of students and has a substantial gift for teaching adult students. I've always been impressed by how she supports the performance endeavours of her adult students. All of her students love playing and performing so musically. She’s also in high demand as a collaborative pianist in the region. Since 2012, Catherine has been teaching the piano facilities course at Wilfrid Laurier University, teaching university students who need to pass the piano requirements as part of their music degree program. She is a fantastic colleague, kind human being, and an active advocate for music education in our community.

Eleanor Gummer began music lessons at the age of 7 with a local teacher in a small town in southern Manitoba. Eleanor was accepted into the Gifted Music Summer program at the Banff School for several summers under scholarship. She completed the requirements for her ARCT in Piano Performance and after high school, attended the University of Calgary, studying with Willard Schultz. After Schultz moved back to the United States, Eleanor continued on at the University of Manitoba earning a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance under Marek Jablonski. In her fourth year she also studied in Bergamo, Italy, receiving 2nd prize winner of the prestigious Gioventu Musicale d’Italia. A move to Whitby Ontario with her husband followed and Eleanor began her teaching career. Several years later she embarked on a Master of Music degree at McGill University, studying with Tom Plaunt. To prepare for the auditions, she earned Licentiate and Fellowship diplomas from Trinity College of Music, London, studying with Garth Beckett. Alongside her Master’s degree studies, Ms Gummer had lessons in New York with Karl Ulrich Schnabel. After several years as a National Course Supervisor with Yamaha Canada, Eleanor and her husband opened Whitby School of Music in 1994. Eleanor has been teaching for over 40 years and is an examiner for Conservatory Canada, and a former Senior Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is also the author of Pianokids® Violinkids® and Guitarkids® published by One Eye Publications. Currently Eleanor is actively involved in research into women composers, having edited and published numerous collections by women. Along with Cécile Desrosiers, Eleanor conducts monthly webinars for Conservatory Canada, promoting music by forgotten women. In addition to her composing and research, Eleanor has been the Coordinator of the Durham Showcase Festival for over 10 years, providing local students the opportunity to hone their performance skills. She also serves as the Branch President for the Whitby ORMTA Branch and is the Eastern Zone representative on Provincial council. Eleanor has had many students complete their Associate diplomas through both the Royal Conservatory and Conservatory Canada. Her students have won numerous competitions with Eleanor as their dedicated and devoted teacher.

From the Branch:

We are nominating Eleanor for the OCTA award for her dedication to the profession not only in her teaching, but her extensive research to promote music by women history has forgotten or neglected. Her students have been award winners through numerous competitions and many have achieved their Associate diplomas through several conservatories. She promotes music in the community with her involvement in the Durham Showcase Festival and as President of the Whitby ORMTA Branch. She is a devoted teacher and mentor to many.

Jacob Lakirovich holds a Diploma of Graduation from the State College of Music, Baku, USSR, a Professional Studies Certificate from the Music Academy Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel and a Concert Artist Certificate from the Conservatorium of Music Luzern, Switzerland. Mr. Lakirovich has held principal positions in numerous orchestras in Europe, Australia and Canada. He appeared as a soloist and conducted chamber and youth symphony orchestras in many European countries, as well as Israel, Australia and Canada. He was a Co-Founder and Director of the Stoliarsky School of Music, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia and former faculty at Sydney Conservatorium University of Wollongong, Australia and was involved in developing and teaching a program for gifted youth. He has led many workshops on Violin Technique and Interpretation at international music festivals in Germany, Italy, Australia and Canada. He is a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music Examiner College and conducts string examinations across Canada and USA. Jacob Lakirovich worked as one of the reviewers for the Royal Conservatory publication of the 2013 and 2021 Violin Syllabus’ Violin Repertoire, Violin Technique and Etudes and Orchestral Excerpts books. Mr. Lakirovich travels extensively giving master classes in the US, Canada, Germany, and Australia, and he is frequently serving as an adjudicator at various national and international competitions. His students have won Gold Medals in the RCM Examinations and are the top prizewinners of various international and Canadian violin competitions. Throughout the years many of his students were the laureates of the Cremona International Competition for strings in Italy. Mr. Lakirovich is the founding director of the JVL Summer School for Performing Arts “Music in the Summer” Festival as well as of the Vancouver Island Music Academy (VIMA) that brings together some of the leading performers and teachers from North America and Europe. Mr. Lakirovich served as head of the string department at the New Conservatory of Music in Toronto (1997 to 2013). Currently he teaches privately at his studio in Maple, Ontario and conducting the Junior Chamber Orchestra of the Taylor Academy at the Royal Conservatory of Music. He is also the past President of Rotary Club of North Scarborough, Canada and was named a Paul Harris Fellow, the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International award for his contribution to the community and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world.

From the Branch:

It is our pleasure to nominate Jacob Lakirovich for a contribution to teaching award. Throughout his teaching career, he engaged himself in teaching both privately as well as in music festivals as an adjudicator, leading workshops on violin techniques and interpretations, founding and directing music schools. He has nurtured a new generation of violinists who went on to pursue a music career and garnered success in competitions. In addition to teaching, Jacob actively performs as a soloist and has held principal positions in orchestras. For the ORMTA North York / York Region branch, Jacob has organized strings auditions and recitals for many years. His valuable contribution to teaching ought to be acknowledged.

Sandra Mason graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree and subsequently did studies at Wilfred Laurier University and Opera East in Nova Scotia. She has sung extensively in recitals, operas, oratorios and musical theatre productions throughout Ontario and Western New York with organizations such as Opera Hamilton, Opera East, the National Arts Centre, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Sinfonia, Choralis Camerata and the Niagara Vocal Ensemble. Influential teachers have included Mary Morrison, Lois Marshall and Victor Martens. Sandra is also a clinician, adjudicator and choral director and is currently the President of the Niagara Falls Branch of ORMTA and ORMTA’s First Vice-President. Sandra’s great passion is teaching voice and she has been running a busy music studio for over 30 years. She gears her teaching to students’ individual needs and works with singers from the beginner level to the Masters level. She primarily teaches classical repertoire from all musical eras, as well as musical theatre material. Sandra stresses the importance of developing a healthy vocal technique and encourages good musicianship skills and a love and respect for good music that will be carried with her students for the rest of their lives. She inspires the exploration of music from other cultures and teaches in six languages. Sandra also aims to help her singers boost their self-confidence through their vocal endeavours. Many of Sandra’s students have received major scholarships from prestigious music schools from across Canada and beyond. Large numbers have gone on to thriving careers in performance, music education, music therapy, composition and music criticism. Those who have gone on to successful singing careers both nationally and internationally have performed with the Toronto Symphony, Toronto City Opera, Opera Calgary, the Toronto, Winnipeg and Niagara Symphonies and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Some students have also performed in opera, oratorio and musical theatre in Berlin, Amsterdam and New York City. In the Niagara Region, they have performed with Chorus Niagara, Choralis Camerata, Artpark, the Shaw Festival, Yellow Door Theatre Project and Linus Hand Productions. Several of Sandra’s students over the years have also won substantial scholarships from both local and provincial voice competitions, including the ORMTA Provincial Voice Competition and many have received the RCM Gold Medal from the Grade 1 Level to the Grade 10 Level inclusively. Sandra feels very blessed to have music in her life and to be able to share it with others. She also feels very fortunate to be part of the ORMTA organization, from which she has gained much musical and professional insight and has formed wonderful friendships with colleagues. Sandra thanks the Niagara Falls Branch very much for its support and for nominating her for an OCTA.

From the Branch:

The Niagara Falls Branch is thrilled to announce the nomination of Sandra Mason for an ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award. Sandra has been a very involved member of our Branch for over 30 years and has served on the Executive in various capacities during that time. Sandra exemplifies the best of educator, mentor, professional colleague and friend. Her training and extensive experience, her positive approach to music education, her exceptional organizational skills and her passionate belief in the importance and beauty of music in our lives have made her a teacher of outstanding ability. Sandra maintains a very successful and busy voice studio and her students consistently excel in all their endeavours, with many going on to enjoy successful professional music careers themselves! Sandra cares deeply for her students and colleagues; she is always willing to listen, guide and share her knowledge and expertise and she truly believes in supporting and nurturing a vibrant musical community. She is also a very talented performer in her own right. Sandra is also a loving, caring wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She is generous, kind, compassionate and highly motivated. Sandra is someone whom others enjoy being around because of her vivacious personality and wonderful sense of humour. Sandra has contributed in so many ways over the years to our music community and so we are truly pleased to recognize her contribution to teaching in particular and honour her with this award!

Alessandra began lessons at a young age and continued for many years under the tutelage of ORMTA member, Virginia Taylor. She participated in festivals, competitions, recitals and ORMTA events on a regular basis. In high school, she continued to study music, learning flute in class and learning guitar on her own. At the same time she continued to explore her other passion, visual arts, through art classes that included stained glass and computer animation. Upon graduation, Alessandra received the Visual Arts Award among a graduating class of grade 12 and OAC students. After one year in the Fine Arts, Visual Arts program at York University, Alessandra switched focus and attended Metalworks Institute, earning an Audio Production and Engineering diploma. Following this, she also successfully completed the RCM Elementary and Intermediate Piano Pedagogy exams. In 2011 Alessandra settled in Newmarket and began teaching piano. She has acted as the Newmarket Lions Club Music Festival Administrator, President of the ORMTA Newmarket & Area Branch and is currently the CFMTA Social Media Chair and ORMTA’s Communications Coordinator. She is very grateful for the opportunities that ORMTA has provided (as both a teacher and student) and loves being a part of Provincial Council. In her busy home studio, Alessandra teaches piano both online and in-person, aiming to make lessons fun and encourage a love for music with students of any age. Aside from teaching, Alessandra also creates charcoal drawings and portraits. Her work can be viewed at www.facebook.com/aless.matt.art or www.instagram.com/aless.matt.art. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, especially going swimming or playing video or board games together.

From the Branch:

Alessandra Matthews is Newmarket and Area ORMTA Branch's OCTA nominee for 2023. She has been involved as an invaluable member to our branch, provincial ORMTA, and CFMTA. She has served as president and vice president in our branch executive and has been a positive and supportive influence to our members and students alike. As a media coordinator, her expertise in the field has brought our branch to the 21st century and has been a leader in exploring new strategies for presenting ORMTA to the general public. A multi-talented artist, she not only plays several musical instruments but is also a talented visual artist. Her diversity and versatility has always been extended towards the branch's needs. We are blessed to have such a member as part of our branch. Congratulations, Alessandra! We have been waiting to give you this award since you joined the branch because you have done so much for ORMTA!

Christine Tithecott has been involved in music since early childhood. Her earliest lessons were with her mother, Elizabeth in Music for Young Children at the age of 4. She has fond memories of attending these classes with her grandmother, which lead to many years of Kiwanis Festivals, competitions, and piano exams. She had the opportunity to study with many incredible teachers who shaped her into the musician she is today, most notably Gwen Beamish and John Paul Bracey at the University of Western Ontario where she achieved a MMusic in Performance, and a BMus (Honors) in Music Education. She went on to achieve a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa which lead to faculty positions at Iowa State University (Ames, IA) and the position she holds today at Western University (London, ON) teaching Piano Pedagogy and Accompanying for Credit. In high demand as an adjudicator, Dr. Tithecott has worked with young pianists across Asia and North America. As a clinician, she has presented workshops on pedagogical topics both nationally and internationally at notable conferences including the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations (CFMTA). Christine is a member of the College of Examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators Association (CMFAA), and a clinician for the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA). An avid performer, Dr. Tithecott has had the opportunity to perform as a solo and collaborative artist throughout Canada, USA, and Europe. Most recently, she was awarded a “Research and Creation” grant from the Canada Arts Council to commission a piano duo work by Larysa Kuzmenko set to premiere in November 2023. Christine is passionate about performing and promoting contemporary Canadian repertoire and has performed with numerous new music ensembles including Ensemble 319, and The CNM Ensemble (Iowa City, IA). Christine currently resides in London, Ontario and is actively involved in the local ORMTA Branch where she is the Past President and serves on the recital and workshop committees. She also works as a collaborative artist and maintains a full studio of private piano students. Teaching these students is the best part of her day, and she plans to spend her life nurturing the love of music in all that step into her piano studio.

From the Branch:

It is an honour to nominate Christine Tithecott as London Branch's OCTA recipient for 2023. Since Christine joined London Branch ORMTA 13 years ago, she has been very involved with branch activities. She has served as branch president and on many committees over the years. She is presently on the executive as past president and serves as Kiwanis Liaison, and is on the recital, workshops and competitions committees. Her students regularly participate in ORMTA recitals and competitions and several have received scholarships and awards. She is a good ambassador for ORMTA and is always encouraging her pedagogy students to be involved with ORMTA activities. Christine is also a very active performer, setting an excellent example for her students. Christine's generosity, energy, creativity and leadership continue to motivate and energize the members of the London Branch ORMTA.

Sarah Villella has been a member of ORMTA since 2007 and has taught piano in Windsor-Essex for nearly 20 years. She is a proud product of the Windsor-Essex Branch of ORMTA having began her early training with Betty Cohen, honing her skills with Dr. Thomas Green, and obtaining her ARCT and Bachelor of Music at the University of Windsor under the tutelage of Dr. Gregory Butler. Her musical studies were highlighted by various experiences including receipt of the Silver Medal from Conservatory Canada, participation in a Master Class with world renowned pianist Anton Kuerti, and a performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall during her time as a teacher candidate. Sarah obtained her Bachelor of Education in 2009 and began teaching Music and French with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board that same year. Sarah has enjoyed much success as a collaborative pianist, having held the position of accompanist for the Windsor Classic Chorale, University Singers, and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra Chorus. She provided music ministry as organist and choir director within the parish of St. Angela Merici for many years and has collaborated with various local musicians at summer festivals and gala performances within Windsor’s vibrant Italian-Canadian community. She is the former choir director of the Caboto Club’s Coro Gioventù and now accompanies and helps direct the bilingual children’s choir of St. John the Baptist Elementary School in Belle River where she also teaches Grade 1 French Immersion. Sarah has come to recognize the power of music within the French language classroom and enjoys writing short songs and “comptines'' which she and colleagues use regularly within the Kindergarten and Primary program. Sarah is thankful for the rich musical experiences Windsor-Essex has provided her over the years and gives back through her involvement with the Windsor Kiwanis Music Festival. She was also convenor of ORMTA Windsor-Essex’s Young Artist competition for many years. Sarah maintains the teaching philosophy that before anything can be learned by a child, a relationship of trust and respect must first be built between teacher and student. Sarah prides herself on building strong relationships with the families of her students. Through studio recitals and various social gatherings students are embraced and recognized as unique individuals. Sarah’s student-centered approach places emphasis on student well-being above all else. She currently maintains a small, but mighty, studio of hard-working, exceptionally good-hearted young pianists who continue to inspire her daily. She is also proud of her grade one class who love nothing more than to sing around Mme Villella at the piano. Sarah’s greatest joy is making music with her and husband Marco’s young daughters, Emilia and Sophie in their home studio in Lakeshore. Sarah feels truly blessed and beyond thankful for this special recognition.

From the Branch:

Sarah was nominated due to her commitment and excellence in educating the students musically. She had also taken responsibility for organizing our Windsor-Essex County ORMTA Branch competition as well as volunteering for years as the piano coordinator for our Kiwanis Music Festival.

Sandra Webster was born in Vancouver, BC and began her early piano studies with Edward Parker. She graduated with Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of British Columbia where she studied with Barbara Custance, Robert Rogers and Dale Reubart. She went on to doctoral studies in piano performance at Indiana University with Menahem Pressler, renowned pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio. She continued the liaison with this wonderful mentor in subsequent years, attending his summer Masterclasses at Adamant, Vermont, and was chosen to perform under the auspices of Adamant Music School in recital at Carnegie Hall. In 1972, following her doctoral studies, Sandra moved to Ottawa with her husband, Peter, who won a position as violist in the National Arts Centre Orchestra. She taught as an adjunct professor at both Ottawa and Carleton Universities while also maintaining a private studio of advanced piano students. Sandra joined ORMTA in December, 1987 and enjoyed numerous friendships with fellow ORMTA teachers, creating memories with colleagues and supporting one another in student competitions! Alongside teaching, Sandra was a regular collaborative performer in the NACO series, “Music for a Sunday Afternoon”, CBC Noon Hour concerts at the National Gallery, Carleton University Noon Hour concerts  and as accompanist for NACO auditions. Throughout her teaching career, Sandra’s students have won many awards as recipients of RCM silver medals, Kiwanis scholarships, ORMTA local and provincial competitions, and as national finalists in the Canadian Music Competitions. Several of her students have embarked on post graduate studies and went on to pursue careers in music. Sandra continues to teach, and is a regular pianist at McPhail Memorial Baptist Church. Peter and Sandra passed on their love of music to their two sons: Gordon (pianist) and Michael (saxophonist, composer, arranger), who both hold Master of Music degrees in Jazz from Manhattan School of Music. They currently live in NYC and Rochester where they have thriving musical careers.

From the Branch:

The Ottawa Region Branch is happy to nominate Sandra Webster for the OCTA Award. Sandra's dedication to her students and colleagues is inspirational. Many of her students have gone on to pursue music careers, which truly shows her love of and passion for teaching. Sandra continues to teach and is a regular pianist at McPhail Memorial Baptist Church. Congratulations Sandra!