Our Team
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.
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 Tan, Manager of OSMPA Admissions
Leslie Tan is an alumni of the OSMPA, studying piano, flute and music theory. Leslie Tan is a piano and theory teacher and is currently completing her final examinations with the Royal Conservatory of Music. In addition, she studies flute and vocals. She has been studying music since the age of six and has performed in numerous recitals and festivals. Leslie prepares students for Royal Conservatory Examinations, festivals and performances. Leslie has volunteered in music therapy camps, where she works with children and teens struggling with mental health issues. Having volunteered at the camp, Leslie has experienced the potential of overcoming mental health issues through the power of music. Throughout her years as a music teacher, Leslie structures her lessons in a way that allows her students to learn and grow as promising musicians through various educational activities in a fun environment.
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.
Celeste Carter is co-operative student at OSMPA through St Mildred's Lightbourn School Professional Internship Program. She began her music journey at 7 years old in England, her birthplace, where she studied piano under the ABRSM system. She later started performing in musicals both for her school and for an organization outside of school, which gave her a focus on developing her singing abilities. When she moved to Canada, she continued studying music through the RCM program for both voice and guitar. Celeste is excited to begin her journey as a co-operative student at OSMPA and further develop her passion for music.
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.
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.
Jamie Zhang, BMus holds an Honours Specialization in Music Education, majoring in flute from Western University. Prior to her post-secondary education, Jamie graduated from Cawthra Park Secondary School in the Regional Arts Program majoring in music, where she was able to experience performing with various ensembles such as the senior wind ensemble, pit bands for musicals, and choirs. She has performed throughout Canada and the United States and regularly performs alongside various ensembles throughout the GTA. She has completed training throughout North America including performance workshops with New York University and courses at Berklee College of Music. She is extremely passionate about teaching music and is really looking forward to sharing her passion in music with the students at OSMPA. Jamie teaches flute, piano, ukulele and guitar at OSMPA.
