ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award

2024 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Catherine has been a full-time piano teacher since 2000. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta and a Master of Music from the University of Ottawa, with an additional year of study at the University of Victoria. Catherine has been profoundly influenced by her mentors, including Stéphane Lémélin, Arthur Rowe, Andrew Tunis, and her first piano teacher, Willa Meyers.

Catherine believes in tailoring her teaching to each student's unique needs, aiming to make music a source of joy and solace in their lives. Her approach is not solely about winning competitions but about providing a lasting and positive influence.

Catherine has played a significant role in community building within the Ottawa music scene. She and her sister conceived the uOttawa Summer Academy. This initiative has brought together students from various backgrounds and countries. Similarly, Catherine co-founded the Ottawa Piano Festival with Katarina Jovic and Alexandra Golod, recognizing the need to celebrate all talented piano students in Ottawa. She is also the president of the Suzuki Piano Association Ottawa-Gatineau where she fosters positive relationships among teachers and students alike.

2023 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

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.

2022 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Amy Boyes is a piano and theory teacher from Ottawa, Ontario (soon-to-be, Warman, Saskatchewan). Amy holds Associate Diplomas in Performance (ARCT) and Teaching (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory, a Licentiate in Performance from Trinity College (UK), a Bachelor of Music (Applied Piano) from Brandon University and a Master of Music (Performance and Pedagogy) from the University of Alberta. Currently, Amy is the Public Relations and Marketing Chair for the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations.

For ORMTA, Amy was a Provincial Zone Representative and then later a Member of the Executive. She was President of the Ottawa Region Branch (2017 – 2019). A national council member and content writer for the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators' Association, Amy has adjudicated music festivals from Prince Edward Island to Manitoba. Amy is also a member of the Royal Conservatory’s College of Examiners (piano and music history) and has examined in Canada, the US and online. As a speaker, Amy has presented at music teacher conferences in both Canada and the US on topics such as studio management, strong interpersonal relationships with students and diversifying students’ repertoire. Amy’s writing has been featured on multiple occasions in The Globe and Mail, Piano Professional, MTNA Music Teacher Magazine, Frances Clark Center’s Piano Magazine, and CFMTA The Canadian Music Teacher Magazine.

Her first book, Micro Miracle was published by Signature Editions in 2019 and her second book, Yes, Miss Thompson will be released from Now or Never Publishing in 2023. Through writing and speaking, Amy has focused on clear communication and strong relationships with students, their parents, and teaching colleagues. In the dozen years she’s taught in Ottawa, she has valued working with students and appreciates the ongoing support of her colleagues both for the move to Saskatchewan and the giving of this award.

2021 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

The Ottawa Region Branch is delighted to have Dr. Chunson Park as its OCTA recipient for 2021. Dr. Park embodies everything an ORMTA member should be. She is a brilliant and dedicated teacher whose students thrive and excel under her guidance. It is not a stretch to say that her efforts have contributed significantly to the high quality of performance among Ottawa piano students. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Park is also a vibrant member of the musical community in Ottawa. Her skills have been recognized by other organizations including The Royal Conservatory of Music and Steinway, and she is a member of the prestigious Musical Arts Club of Ottawa. The Ottawa Region Branch is fortunate to have her as a member and we are all very proud of her achievements.

Chunson Park is humbled and honoured to receive this award. She has been teaching piano for almost four decades and is one of the most sought-after teachers in Ottawa. Her education includes the University of British Columbia, the Juilliard School, and Boston University. Dr. Park was blessed to have great mentors, such as Dr. Robert Silverman, Mrs. Ellen Silverman, and Mr. Hung-Kuan Chen.

While taking care of her two children and writing her final dissertation at the same time, she developed tendinitis in her hands, veering her career to teaching. Ever since, her focus has been on proper postures and ergonomic ways of playing the piano. After her graduate work, Park taught at Inje University in Gimhae, South Korea and Carleton University in Ottawa. But it was her genuine love and care for children that revealed a particular passion for teaching young talents. The main motivation for her teaching has always been to nurture each child to strive for their highest potential.

In 2018, she suffered from laryngitis for three months due to overuse and permanent damage of her vocal cords. Now, she is especially keen on keeping a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Her present and former students have won prizes in many competitions, such as the Canadian Music Competition, Kiwanis, Ottawa Piano Festivals, ORMTA and Steinway competitions. Their achievements have been recognized with numerous RCM gold and silver medals, trophies and scholarships from festivals and competitions.

Park is the recipient of the 2019 RCM Teacher of Distinction and the 2016, 2017 Steinway Top Music Teacher Awards. In 2019, her own students gave her a personal trophy of dedication and devotion. She is also the organist and pianist at the Epiphany Anglican Church.

Chunson has two grown- up children and lives with her husband in Kanata.

2020 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Born in Cairo, Hoda Nassim started piano studies at the age 11 and was soon admitted to the newly created National Conservatory of Music. There she combined musical and academic studies from the secondary through university levels, graduating with distinction.  Hoda feels privileged to have studied for eight years with Melita Lorkovic, pupil of Alfred Cortot, Lazare Levy, and Svetislav Stancic. It was at the Conservatory that Hoda also began her harp studies.  During her time in Cairo, Hoda performed numerous recitals and, at 18, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #2 with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.

In 1967 Hoda immigrated to Ottawa to join her fiancé.  She continued her piano studies with Anisia Campos at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in Montreal. She also continued her academic studies, graduating from UOttawa with a Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelors of Sociology (magna cum laude) and Education (summa cum laude).

Hoda has served on Council in Ottawa, but she feels being a member of ORMTA has allowed her to follow her passion for teaching, and she has reached hundreds of students over the years.  Her students participate in piano, harp, theory, and keyboard harmony exams, festivals, and competitions.  Many have received RCM medals for highest marks, won provincial competitions, and been invited to perform at Music Festival highlights concerts.  Hoda has the pleasure of seeing some of her students follow in her footsteps and pursue their own musical careers as teachers/performers and colleagues.  At the 2018 Convention she was presented with ORMTA’s fifty-year membership award. 

Besides her private teaching, Hoda taught solfège, piano, and theory at U Ottawa for 17 years, harmony and solfège at Carleton University, and in various academic and musical capacities at the OCDSB for 17 years. During the 1990’s Hoda was in demand as an adjudicator for festivals and competitions.  

Over the years Hoda has continued to perform. Highlights include performances at the Egyptian Embassy, Musical Arts Club of Ottawa fundraisers, and the Museum of Civilisation in honour of the Tombs of Eternity. She has also participated in Masterclasses with Anton Kuerti and Jean-Paul Sevilla. 

Hoda served as President of The Musical Arts Club of Ottawa, and is the Director of Arpa Nova, a harp ensemble performing frequently at retirement homes and with local choirs.

Hoda feels privileged to have had the opportunity to touch so many lives. She also feels blessed by her 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

2019 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Growing up in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, music was a large part of Brenda’s life, involving piano lessons, church choirs, and school music activities. She went on to study music in the Special Music Class at Nova Scotia Teachers College under Dr Catherine Allison. After Summer School classes at Dalhousie University she graduated with a Specialized License to teach School Music. In 1962 Brenda married her military husband Bernie Eisener. She continued to teach school music in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as she and her husband moved around in the military. While living in northern Quebec, she was organist and choir director at the military chapel.

In 1974 Brenda and Bernie and their three children were posted to Baden-Soellingen, Germany for three years. While in Germany Brenda realized that maintaining a school teaching career as a military wife was too difficult. She then started further piano studies with Pat Lemoine who was on assignment from the RCM.

Returning to Ottawa in 1977 Brenda continued piano studies with Netta Gale and started teaching piano privately. She completed her ARCT with Verna Jacobson at Carleton University whom Brenda credits with much of her success as a piano teacher. While at Carleton she studied voice and sang in the University Choir, fulfilling her love of singing. In her piano teaching she has always stressed the importance of singing with her students.

In 1988 Brenda joined ORMTA and was soon invited to become a Council member by then President Joan Clarkson. Her duties included Social, Membership List, First Class Honours, Workshops, Competitions and President from 1992 -1994. A highlight of her Presidency was the hugely successful 1993 CFMTA Convention at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. This success was largely due to the phenomenal work of Sandra Cooke and her convention committee. Also, from 2012-2014 Brenda looked after Cards and Flowers. As Zone Representative from 1996-1999, she was responsible for Provincial Competitions, a challenging and rewarding portfolio. Brenda also served as Zone Rep again in 2004-2005 completing her friend Shirley Efford’s term. During this year, Brenda was responsible for Bylaws and later served on a committee to rewrite the Bylaws.

Brenda’s commitment to music was also manifested by her years of community work with the Gloucester Music Teachers, Gloucester Music Club and the Gloucester Concert Association.

Her years of teaching piano and theory (harmony and history) have been extremely rewarding and she has had the satisfaction of seeing several of her students go on to further studies in music. Her role in ORMTA has also broadened and enriched her life.

2018 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Sue Jones was born in Calgary where she lived for a grand total of two months, then moved east with her   parents. They raised their family of four children in various cities throughout Ontario.  Despite being passionate about music from a young age, Sue did not choose her career path in music until she was an adult with three small children.

Sue has been a proud member of ORMTA, Ottawa Region Branch, since 1995 when she joined as a Pre-Diploma member having just completed her Grade 10 piano examination with the Royal Conservatory of Music (thanks to the perseverance and much patience of teachers Brenda Eisener, Shirley Efford, Verna Jacobson and Dina Namer).

At the first general branch meeting Sue attended in September 1995, she volunteered for the phone committee (no email in those days) and went on to head the phone committee, serve as branch secretary, new members’ convenor, newsletter editor, competitions convenor and eventually branch President. She continued her studies, completely an ARCT.  Sue was very grateful for the support and encouragement from ORMTA members during that time.

As a Zone Representative on Provincial Council, Sue looked after Bylaws and then Provincial Competitions. Serving as Provincial President from 2012 – 2014, she represented ORMTA as a delegate at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations (CFMTA). As CFMTA Awards and Competitions Chair, Sue coordinates the CFMTA National Piano Competition. Sue also co-chaired two provincial conventions—one in Ottawa in 2006 and the other in Toronto in 2014. Sue is a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music—(Advanced Piano Specialist, Intermediate Theory Specialist).  

In addition to playing the piano, Sue has played English handbells, and has studied flute, recorder and clarinet. She has sung in several choirs in the Ottawa area, most notably the Carleton University Choir for over fifteen years. During that time, she managed the choir’s  publicity and then served as its President for five years. She sang in her church choir for many years, served as its President as well, and directed a children’s chimes choir.  She has also been a member of a small piano recital group since 1994.

Sue has taught piano and rudimentary theory lessons in Ottawa for the past thirty years and currently has a studio of 35 students ranging in age from seven to seventy. She will always treasure the relationships and friendships she has made over the years within the ORMTA community. 

Sue is a proud mother of three, grandma to one, and mother-in-law of two. She and her husband Bruce celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year with a trip to Quebec City and tour of England where their son and his wife live.

2017 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Sue Jones was born in Calgary where she lived for a grand total of two months, then moved east with her   parents. They raised their family of four children in various cities throughout Ontario.  Despite being passionate about music from a young age, Sue did not choose her career path in music until she was an adult with three small children.

Sue has been a proud member of ORMTA, Ottawa Region Branch, since 1995 when she joined as a Pre-Diploma member having just completed her Grade 10 piano examination with the Royal Conservatory of Music (thanks to the perseverance and much patience of teachers Brenda Eisener, Shirley Efford, Verna Jacobson and Dina Namer).

At the first general branch meeting Sue attended in September 1995, she volunteered for the phone committee (no email in those days) and went on to head the phone committee, serve as branch secretary, new members’ convenor, newsletter editor, competitions convenor and eventually branch President. She continued her studies, completely an ARCT.  Sue was very grateful for the support and encouragement from ORMTA members during that time.

As a Zone Representative on Provincial Council, Sue looked after Bylaws and then Provincial Competitions. Serving as Provincial President from 2012 – 2014, she represented ORMTA as a delegate at the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations (CFMTA). As CFMTA Awards and Competitions Chair, Sue coordinates the CFMTA National Piano Competition. Sue also co-chaired two provincial conventions—one in Ottawa in 2006 and the other in Toronto in 2014. Sue is a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music—(Advanced Piano Specialist, Intermediate Theory Specialist).  

In addition to playing the piano, Sue has played English handbells, and has studied flute, recorder and clarinet. She has sung in several choirs in the Ottawa area, most notably the Carleton University Choir for over fifteen years. During that time, she managed the choir’s  publicity and then served as its President for five years. She sang in her church choir for many years, served as its President as well, and directed a children’s chimes choir.  She has also been a member of a small piano recital group since 1994.

Sue has taught piano and rudimentary theory lessons in Ottawa for the past thirty years and currently has a studio of 35 students ranging in age from seven to seventy. She will always treasure the relationships and friendships she has made over the years within the ORMTA community. 

Sue is a proud mother of three, grandma to one, and mother-in-law of two. She and her husband Bruce celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year with a trip to Quebec City and tour of England where their son and his wife live.

2016 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Sandy began her first piano lessons at the age of seven, at the convent near her home in Belleville. After her family moved to Oshawa, she resumed lessons with Sadie Brown and as a teenager enjoyed playing for high-school musicals as well as a local dance studio. She attended Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo where she studied with Boyd McDonald and Michael Purves-Smith. Reorienting her studies toward the harpsichord (and piano as a second instrument), Sandy received a BA in Music (1979) with a specialization in Early Music. One of the highlights of her education was an opportunity, facilitated by Queen’s University, to spend a summer of study in Vienna. This program sparked her love for travel.

Returning to Oshawa, Sandy continued lessons at the Royal Conservatory with Gordon Hallett and Wilfrid Powell (who later played organ for her wedding). She started teaching piano and in 1981 moved to Ottawa where she finished her ARCT theory requirements with Sandra Cooke and Virginia Strawn. These ladies encouraged her involvement with the Ottawa Region Branch of ORMTA, inviting her onto council even before she became a member – a formality that was settled in 1984.

Since then, Sandy has held every council position, except treasurer. She began her tenure as co-convenor of the First Class Honours Recital, with the oldest of her three children arriving just a week before the recital! She served on her first convention committee (the second in 2006), and remembers the garage-sale typewriter that produced programs, newsletters, and minutes, as well as correspondence dictated from telephone conversations. After a three-year hiatus surrounding her daughter’s arrival in 1990, she returned to oversee ORMTA’s Performance in the Community portfolio. This interest in community outreach led her to assume the organization of two fund-raising auctions that provided music tuition for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa.

With her branch presidency (2011-2013), Sandy represented the Ottawa region on provincial council where she served as convenor for the Pedagogy Award. With her teaching, she continues to serve the musical community in Orleans. Although she has had advanced students who have pursued music as a career, she strongly believes that all students deserve a solid foundation at the elementary level and this belief forms the heart of her studio. She also acknowledges the unwavering support of her family.

In addition to her teaching, Sandy substitutes for the organist at her church and plays for monthly services at a long- term care facility. She is taking flute lessons, enjoys photography, hiking, skiing, and travelling with her newly retired husband. She is also loving the adventure of her new role as grandmother!

Sandy greatly appreciates all that her ORMTA membership offers, both for herself and for her students. As a council member, she values the opportunity to have contributed to an organization of such high professional standards – to have networked and made many long-lasting friendships. She feels honoured and truly humbled to be recognized as the 2016 recipient of an OCTA. In turn, the Ottawa Region Branch of ORMTA is privileged to have been the beneficiary of Sandy’s enthusiastic dedication.

2015 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Helen Sinclair was born in Guelph, Ontario and grew up in nearby Acton. Her father was a church organist and an accomplished cornet player. As the oldest daughter in the family, Helen, at age 12, gained valuable experience accompanying her father for his cornet solos. During her high school years, Helen studied piano with Dorothy Richardson Scull, who encouraged her to begin teaching junior piano students.  Singing was also a part of her early music education.  She sang alto in church choirs, the high school Glee Club, the Teachers' College Choir and participated in small ensemble groups.  

Helen graduated from Lakeshore Teachers' College and enjoyed a brief career as a primary school teacher in Acton.  She married Mac Sinclair in 1963 and they lived in Toronto, Kingston, and Sunnyvale, California.   In 1971, they settled in Ottawa with their two young children.  In 1973, Helen accepted a position as church organist, resumed piano studies with Irene Woodburn Wright and began building her private piano studio.  She went on to receive her Associate Diplomas for Performance and Teaching from the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music. A desire to continue studies and to expand her musical knowledge led Helen to Carleton University where she took courses and studied with pianist Verna Jacobson, graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music. Helen played an important role in the rejuvenation of the Laurentian Junior Music Club, serving as President for 9 years. Other community work includes volunteering and sharing her talents at a local seniors' care facility since the early 1970's.  She presently accompanies a community women's choir whose purpose is to bring entertainment to seniors’ residences and provide an artistic outlet for older singers.

Encouraged by Irene Woodburn Wright, Helen joined ORMTA in the early 1980's and has held various portfolios: Social Convener, First Class Honours Recital, Canada Music Week, New Members and presently Cards and Flowers. She is always willing to volunteer at ORMTA events.

Helen is grateful to the Ottawa Region Branch of ORMTA for the recognition and honour of being chosen for this award.  She appreciates and values the many friendships that she has made, the opportunities available for personal enrichment and professional growth and for all the support and performing platforms that we make available for students on all levels. With a piano teaching career which has spanned some 45 years, Helen has been thankful for the wonderful people that have been part of her studio.  She encourages young students to develop their abilities so that the joy of music will be a lifelong source of pleasure to them.

2014 ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award
Ottawa Region Branch

Ann was born and raised in northern New Brunswick where her early years were focused on family, school, music, sports and church. Piano studies and choir were supported and encouraged. She obtained a BA in literature and history from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters in Library and Information Services from Dalhousie University. A promising career in management at the NB Library Services was cut short when military husband Winston was posted to CFB Lahr (then West) Germany.

Several years later she was back in Lahr with two young sons and a part-time job at the small base library which included hosting a local TV, show Books in Review. There were excellent resources on the base and she decided to explore music further, resuming piano studies with Warren Mould. On the family’s posting to Ottawa she continued piano with Diana Lawton and Sunju Koh and theory with the incomparable Bertha Bower and in 1998 received her ARCT (teacher) diploma. Ann joined the Gloucester Music Teachers’ Association for support and development as she began establishing herself as a teacher in the Orleans area. At an early GMTA meeting she made a contact with MYC and in 1989 completed the training and added group teaching to her private home studio.

The five years just before and after 2000 were a blur of activity. Ann worked with Roxanne McGahey to establish the MYC studio on Youville Drive in Orleans, began a remarkable decade of piano studies with Barbara Solis, accepted the opportunity to serve as the Orleans representative for RCM Exams, joined ORMTA, enrolled in a year-long applied pedagogy programme taught by Dr. Gilles Comeau and Dr. Elaine Keillor, and took over the direction of the Canadian Music Showcase from former ORMTA president Shirley Efford. In 2002 Dr. Comeau invited Ann to continue her studies at the University of Ottawa at the Piano Laboratory that was literally under construction. She thrived in this challenging environment of work and study; her MA Music thesis on the history and development of the piano exam system in Canada is one of the Piano Lab’s first. Ann has served continuously on the ORMTA Executive Committee since 2003, as Branch President from 2009-2011, on Provincial Council from 2008-2011, and presently as Archivist. She loves conferences and considers herself a conference groupie. In 2013 she accepted a position on the board of directors for the Ottawa Children’s Choir. She still maintains a busy home studio. Ann is both humbled and thrilled that her colleagues nominated her for this award.

2013  Gilles Comeau, piano
2012    Charlotte Stewart, voice
2011     Joan Klenavic, piano
2010   Adela Contreras, piano
2009   Gloria Jean Nagy, voice
2008  Paulette Price, piano
2007 Joan Clarkson, piano
2006   Grace Davies, piano
2005   Elaine Kruse, piano
2004  Virginia Strawn, piano
2003  Sister Kathleen Devlin, piano
2002  Barbara Ross, voice
2001  Jack Cook, voice
2000   Dr. Elaine Keillor, piano
1999 Grace McGugan, piano
1998  Frances Balodis, EC
1997    Mary Mackey, piano
1996  Elsie Melson, piano
1995    Netta Gale, piano
1994    Sandra Cooke, theory
1993    Edith Orton, piano
1992    Bertha Bower, theory  
1991     Irene Woodburn Wright, piano
1990    Flora Goulden (posthumous)