Our Team

Co-Founders

Melissa Stolarz, HBA, BMus is a music educator and author that holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts (BMus) from the Don Wright Faculty of Music specializing in voice and Honors Business Administration (HBA)  from the Richard Ivey School of Business. She received the Honours Certification and the UWO Gold Medal Award having the highest cumulative average in her program. 

In 2019 Stolarz received the Spirit Award nomination for her contribution to the arts from the Town of Oakville and was a Civic Award Recipient for her contribution to the community from the City of Mississauga. With the philosophy that music can change and inspire, Stolarz has been a leader for the OSMPA initiative in bringing music to the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for special Mother’s Day performances and in weekly performances with her students.

Stolarz continues to expand her musical and teaching knowledge through the Royal Conservatory of Music having completed certifications in both Teaching Beginner Piano and Teaching Intermediate Piano. She also completed the Music Teachers Course through the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) to develop her teaching methods. In 2021, Stolarz had the privilege of studying with the celebrated Doug Goodkin in his Orff Master Class workshop; to look at the details of how to bring a musical flow, shape and design to each musical activity so that the very process of learning brings a pleasure as deep as the music itself. She continues to expand her knowledge through the Frances Clark Centre studying the various pedagogical foundations for teaching piano and music. She hopes to continue to inspire all her students as they learn and grow through music.

Stolarz has written and published several music theory books for her young learners called Theory Monster that support the development of understanding the musical language. Stolarz also plays guitar, flute, and violin.

Monika Stolarz, MBA, BMus

Monika holds an Honours Bachelor of Music Education Degree (BMus) from Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music, majoring on the piano. During her time at Western, Monika also complete an Honors degree in Business Management and Organizational Studies from Western University. Prior to post-secondary education, Monika is a graduate from Cawthra Park’s S.S for the arts, majoring on the piano, where she was a lead pianist for musicals including Les Miserables and the Sound of Music. Monika has a passion for teaching and has guided students from beginner to advanced levels in preparation for all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music Examinations (including theory and history) as well as post-secondary music auditions for over 17 years. Many of Monika’s students have successfully passed post-secondary auditions in music programs across Canada who continue to share the same passion in music. Monika holds an MBA from the Degroote School of Business at McMaster University.

 

 

 

Leslie Ashworth, MMus, BMus Described by Toronto Concert Reviews as “a mature artist and a budding superstar”, Canadian violinist Leslie Ashworth has performed in France, Italy, Canada, and the United States and in acclaimed venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, The Banff Centre’s Rolston Hall, and Toronto’s Koerner Hall. A Tim and Frances Price Scholarship recipient, she graduated with her Bachelor of Music Performance from The Glenn Gould School under Barry Shiffman and Paul Kantor. She is pursuing her Master’s of Music on The Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Full Scholarship at Rice University in Houston. 

In addition to her violin studies, Ashworth is a pianist, violist, and composer, achieving her ARCT Violin, Viola, and Piano Performance, earning the Royal Conservatory’s National Gold Medal for ARCT Viola. A passionate writer, Ashworth participated in the Emerging Arts Critic Programme with publications in WholeNote, Opera Canada, and Dance Current. She received the Ontario Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for founding Suite Melody Care, which shares over 100 themed, interactive, volunteer performances annually with hospital patients and the elderly in Canada and the U.S. Ashworth plays on a 1696 Albani violin on loan from a generous benefactor and released her third CD/DVD. Leslie enjoys sharing her passion for music in teaching the violin, piano, and music theory to students of all ages and levels, including the Suzuki Method and preparing students for Royal Conservatory Examinations. 

 

 

Tiffany Bui, BMus holds an Honours Specialization in Music Performance majoring on the piano from Western University. During her time at Western, Tiffany was showcased in two solo recitals and multiple studio recitals under the tutelage of James Hibbard. She actively engaged in collaborative efforts with instrumentalists across brass, string, woodwind, and vocal studios. Notably, she performed alongside soloists and duos in studio recitals led by instructors Christine Tithecott, Marianna Chibotar-Rutkevich, and Michael Kim. Prior to her post-secondary education, Tiffany completed a piano pedagogy program and prepared students for RCM examinations, recitals and festivals. Tiffany was also a dynamic presence in her school's music program, contributing as both a vocalist and accompanist in Concert and Jazz Choirs, serving as an auxiliary pianist/percussionist in the Wind Orchestra, and taking on roles such as rehearsal/lead pianist and assistant musical director in the school's musical productions. Tiffany completed co-op programs and internships with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, continuously seeking opportunities to remain engaged in her local music community. Tiffany is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for music and aims to instill the same sense of joy that she felt when first beginning her musical journey.

  

Krista Earle learned how to be fluent in all styles of music from an early age, growing up in a family of performers. She was encouraged to embrace her full range of her talents, as she trained with renowned Toronto vocal coach Elaine Overholt, turning in impressive showings at several international singing and songwriting competitions. Krista’s success has been recognized with “Female Artist of the Year”, “Songwriter of the Year”, “Single of the Year”, and “Rising Star” nominations by the Country Music Association of Ontario. In recent months, Krista has collaborated with producers Roy Hamilton III (Michael Jackson, Britney Spears) and the Emmy-nominated Glenn Morley. As well, Krista has spent significant time in Nashville working with some of Music City’s top writers, including Robert White Johnson (Faith Hill, Celine Dion). Krista’s music has been building up to have a collection of songs that touch on her deep love of vintage pop and soul, along with country music. 

 

 

Diane Kim, BMus is a Korean-Canadian Violinist, and a graduate from the Glenn Gould School in Toronto, Canada where she holds her Bachelor of Music Honours Performance degree, studying under Paul Kantor and Barry Shiffman. Currently, Diane is pursuing her Master’s degree in music studying under Sae Won Suh at the Gustav Mahler Privat Universität, and has performed in concert venues world-wide. She has been part of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Royal Conservatory Orchestra and Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra. She has been actively teaching privately since 2014. Diane is passionate about inviting younger generations to enjoy playing music and is delighted to guide students on their musical journey.

 

Sabrina Kiung holds her Level 10 Piano with First Class Honours from the Royal Conservatory of Music and has been a piano student at OSMPA since the age of 4. Sabrina enjoys performing and sharing her passion in music through concerts, performances at retirement communities, and active involvement in her school’s holiday events. Sabrina enjoys composing music and duets with her sister Amelia, who shares the same passion in music. Sabrina plays a variety of instruments including piano, flute, ukulele and singing; and is actively involved in her school’s musicals, choirs and band festivals. Sabrina enjoys integrating music into her everyday life and sharing her passion with others. Sabrina teaches piano and theory at OSMPA.

 

Amelia Kiung began her piano studies at the age of 4 at the OSMPA, and complete her Level 10 Piano with First Class Honours through the Royal Conservatory of Music. Amelia has performed at the OTMH, retirement homes, and was also invited to perform on a Yangtze River cruise in China. Amelia also extends her love of music through her school assemblies and other gatherings where she also plays duets with her sister. During the pandemic, composition and songwriting has become a calming hobby, which she has shared with the OSMPA community and beyond. In addition to piano, Amelia also plays the trumpet and ukulele. “To me, music is a way to destress and let my mind wander, almost like escaping to a different world. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing music or listening to music, it makes me feel content.”-Amelia Kiung. Amelia currently teaches elementary music and has helped launch the online learning chapter at OSMPA. She can be found teaching the online preliminary course for inspiring young pianists.

 

Xing Sheng Liu, BMus holds a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree from McGill’s Schulich School of Music, where he focused on Classical saxophone under the instruction of Marie-Chantal Leclair and Louis-Philippe Bonin. During his time at McGill, Xing participated in various Ensembles, masterclasses and Music Festivals. He was awarded with the Grace Tuttle Scholarship and Schulich EEO Travel Award. His inspirations include players such as Christian Wirth, Timothy McAllister, Emmanuel Pahud (flute), and composers including Brahms and Mozart. ‘To me, patience and interests are the 2 best friends you need in learning music.' Xing teaches saxophone at OSMPA.

 

 

Ada Quach is currently in her third year at the University of Western Ontario pursuing a Bachelor of Music with Honors in Music Education degree. Her journey with music began at the age of 7 where she studied piano under the Royal Conservatory of Music system and has since completed her grade 10 piano with First Class Honors. Now under the tutelage of Tina Yanchus - who studied under Jacob Lateiner at the Julliard School - she continues to expand her musical and technical capabilities to new heights, preparing for her ARCT, participating in weekly masterclass performances, and having the opportunity to perform in studio recitals. Having realized a passion for teaching at a young age, Ada is no stranger to the musical classroom. Ada strives to create an environment where each student can experience the joy of music and celebrate their achievements, no matter how big or small.

 

Aining Wu is currently a third year University student at Western University pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. Aining began her music journey back in China when she was 5 years old, and later moved to Canada where she studied piano under the Royal Conservatory System. During her high school year, Aining had the chance to perform in school musicals and concerts, and she had the opportunity to accompany a local church choir. Aining became a co-op student at OSMPA through the St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School Co-op program where she took part in research projects and student award ceremonies. Aining started teaching piano in 2019 to students of various ages and levels. Aining has prepared students for RCM examinations with students finishing results with First Class Honours. She is excited to share her passion in music with students at OSMPA, help them to achieve their musical goals and to explore their musical interests.