Raul Pineda
Teacher: DRUMS
Originally from Havana, Cuba, Raul started his musical career at the age of eight. Dazzled by the sound of drums and percussion, he took lessons with several private teachers, who encouraged him to pursue music as a profession. After finishing his studies in Cuba, he immigrated to Canada in 2005 and continued his studies at Humber College, where he finished his Degree in “Contemporary Music” in 2010. During his time at Humber, he was awarded the Millennium Scholarship and, as a member of the Humber Studio Jazz Ensemble, gained valuable experience working with world class artists such as Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Dave Douglas, Labarbera Brothers, Chris Potter and others. Today, he teaches and continues performing and recording professionally in the city of Toronto.
Taisiya Sarkisova
Teacher: VOCALS, PIANO
Taisiya is a jazz vocal performance student at the University of Toronto. She was raised in Russia in a musical family and grew up in a family vocal ensemble. Prior to her musical education at the University of Toronto, Taisiya studied jazz at the Jazz Academy in Moscow and got to perform in numerous jazz vocal ensembles, sing in a band, and perform with an orchestra. She graduated from Earl Haig Secondary School in 2021 with a musical degree as a piano major from Claude Watson Music Program. There she started learning about composition and modern music. Taisiya also has experience in musical theatre and has been a part of the Mainstage Theatre crew until recently. She has experience in working with kids and knows how to make classes both professional and fun!
Jonathan Stuchbery
Teacher: GUITAR, LUTE, MUSIC THEORY
Jonathan Stuchbery is a classical guitarist and a specialist in lutes and historical guitars. As an educator, he encourages students to explore their musical interests while laying strong technical foundations and helping students approach their instruments and music with ease. Jonathan is experienced as a guitar (all styles) and lute teacher, as well as a repertoire coach for vocalists and instrumentalists working on baroque and renaissance music. He is busy as a performer at home and abroad where he is active with multiple ensembles and festivals. Jonathan holds a Master’s in Historical Performance from the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya in Barcelona. He was also recognized for outstanding achievement in lute at McGill’s Schulich School of Music, receiving his B.Mus. in guitar and lute under teachers Jérôme Ducharme and Sylvain Bergeron.
Pavlo Fondera*
Teacher: VOCALS
Pavlo Fondera is a Ukrainian-Canadian musician, singer, choirmaster, librettist, poet and playwright. He was born in Zhytomyr, Ukraine where he finished Zhytomyr Musical College. He holds degrees from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (choir conducting – prof. D. Radyk, vocal performance – prof. M. Koval). Pavlo has performed both as a choir member and soloist with multiple choirs and ensembles and his performing career has taken him to countries all over the world, such as Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, USA and Canada. He currently resides in Toronto, Canada, being active as a choirmaster, conductor, and artistic director. He also teaches vocal performance and piano.
Tiago Cardoso
Teacher: GUITAR
A recent graduate from the music program at York University, Tiago has spent the last four years refining his playing through extensive jazz studies. He has studied with Canadian jazz legends such as Lorne Lofsky, Sundar Viswanathan, Roy Patterson, Anthony Michelli, and many others. It was during his studies that Tiago, alongside performing, had also discovered a love for teaching. He enjoys all kinds of music and feels as though the ultimate way to express himself is through improvisation. Tiago’s passion for music has led him to play in various venues around Toronto such as The Jazz Bistro, The Emmet Ray, Hirut Café, The Royal Botanical Gardens, and Tail of the Junction.
Aaron Dawang
Teacher: PIANO
Aaron started playing the piano at the age of 3 and a half. He attended the Ontario Conservatory of Music for ten years, where he participated in multiple recitals, concerts, and competitions. As a piano student, he won multiple times at the Canadian Music League competition in genres such as pop and classical. Through his involvement with piano, he also developed interests in singing and dancing, and was a member of his high school dance team. When it comes to piano, Aaron is passionate about teaching and seeing his students succeed. He particularly enjoys teaching the classical repertoire, but is happy to teach other genres as well, depending on the interests of his students.
Oksana Skira*
Co-founder Teacher: PIANO
Oksana Skira is a professional pianist, accompanist, performer, teacher, and a recording artist. She began her music education at Barvinsky State Music College of Drohobych (Drohobych, Ukraine), going on to receive a Masters in Piano Performance from Mykola Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy (Lviv, Ukraine). While studying in Drohobych, she won 2nd place in the Western Ukraine Musical Competition. Oksana has recorded and released three independent CDs and continues to be active as a performer, accompanist, and teacher in Toronto and the GTA. At DCAM, Oksana teaches beginner to advanced piano.
Taras (Terry) Babyuk
Co-founder, Managing Director
Teacher: PIANO, MUSIC THEORY
Taras (Terry) Babyuk started his musical journey with accordion lessons at the age of seven. In his teens, he began piano lessons and soon decided to dedicate himself fully to this instrument. Terry holds Level 9 RCM Certificate in piano and has taught beginner to intermediate piano and beginner to advanced music theory for many years (a self-described music theory nerd!). In addition to his fondness for Classical and Romantic-era music, he also loves film music and enjoys composing original piano music in his spare time. Aside from his teaching duties at DCAM, he is also its co-founder and Managing Director.