Join us at 9:00 or 11:00 AM on Sundays

Jani Robinson 1

Administrative Director

Jani Robinson

 

  • Jani began piano lessons at an early age studying the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum. She completed Grade IX piano and later Grade IX voice. She has been teaching private piano lessons to children and adults for many years and enjoys encouraging students to develop musical ability in a joyful, fun environment. Over the years, Jani has been involved in many musical groups, singing and playing in churches all around Ontario. She is a member of West Highland Baptist Church where she actively participates in the worship arts ministry. She has been a teacher at the West Highland Academy for 12 years and took over the administrative duties in June 2020.

 

Meet our Academy of Music Staff

John Harris

John Harris


Guitar, Mandolin

 
  • John studied "finger-style" and classical guitar techniques and earned a B.Mus from Carleton University.  His teaching experience includes Carleton (Ottawa), Ottawa Folklore Centre, and Mohawk College (Hamilton). John also teaches television audio post-production. John attends Buchanan Park Free Methodist Church, in Hamilton.

TEACHES: Mondays and Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Carole-Anne Persall

Carole-Anne Persall


Piano, Voice

 
  • Carole-Anne Persall has been a vocal and piano teacher in the Brantford and Hamilton areas for 25 years. She has her Associate of Music from Royal Conservatory and from Conservatory Canada. Carole-Anne has been singing for many years in local churches, and has been a member of the Grand River Chorus in Brantford for 25 years. She has won many awards, including the Rose Bowl and Rose Bowl Alumni Trophies in the Kiwanis Music Festival. She also won the Speak Medal for Excellence from Conservatory Canada, for the highest mark in Canada on an exam.
    Carole-Anne is married to Bob Persall, has three children, Allison, Corie and Tyson and two grandchildren. She attends Sojourn Church in Paris, ON.

TEACHES: Thursdays 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Jani Robinson 1

Jani Robinson


Piano

 
  • Jani began piano lessons at an early age studying the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculm. She completed Grade IX piano and later Grade IX voice. She has been teaching private piano lessons to children and adults for many years and enjoys encouraging students to develop musical ability in a joyful, fun environment. Over the years, Jani has been involved in many musical groups, singing and playing in churches all around Ontario. She is a member of West Highland Baptist Church where she actively particiates in the Worship Arts Ministry.  

TEACHES: Wednesday 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

 

 

 

Alison Slaats

Alison Slaats


Piano, Voice

 
  • Alison was born in Montreal, Quebec and studied organ and church music with Barrie Cabena and Jan Overduin at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. As part of that program, she studied choral conducting, voice technique and piano at the grade 10 level.
    She composes sacred choral works, specializing in flexible size choirs and children’s music. Alison is the Past President of the Royal Canadian College of Organists Hamilton Centre and former Examinations Supervisor for Colleague, Associateship and Fellowship exams for the Hamilton and Niagara area.
  • Alison also teaches in her own studio, The Alison Centre for Music, teaching piano, organ, voice, harpsichord and drums. She specializes in preparing senior students for University auditions, but also teaches all ages and levels.
  • Alison is  Royal Conservatory of Music certified online teacher
  • Alison has been the Music Director at Grace Lutheran Church (Oakville), the Organist and Music Director of St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church (Oakville),  Director of Music and Performing Arts at St. Mark's United (Dundas) and is currently the Music Director at Marshall Memorial United Church in Ancaster. 

TEACHES:   Fridays 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Saturday mornings online

 

Mate Szigeti

Máté Szigeti


Flute

Beginner Saxophone

 
  • Máté Szigeti, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Debrecen
    A Hungarian-born flautist, Máté played operatic and orchestral repertoire with the Debrecen Symphony, was later affiliated with the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra as both principal flautist and soloist, and was on the faculty of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory. Students from his studio were selected three times to join the West-Eastern Devine Orchestra under Daniel Barenboin, while others were accepted to Damascus, Swiss, and Canadian Universities. "Throughout my career, I have focused on empowering my students to succeed by encouraging them to develop their strengths and to grow both academically and personally".
    Máté attends the Hungarian Presbyterian Church with his wife, Anita.

TEACHES: Fridays 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Kyle Brubacher (1)

Kyle Brubacher


Piano

 Kyle Brubacher was a student at the Academy of Music for over 11 years until he graduated high school   and went to Heritage College where he graduated with a Worship Leaders Certificate in 2023. While   taking lessons at the Academy, he completed the Royal Conservatory of Music Level 9 Piano with First   Class Honours and is now working toward completing Level 10.  As he changes roles at the Academy   from student to teacher, he hopes to be a blessing to other students and families as he shares his love   of music with them. In September 2023, he will attend Mohawk College, in the Airplane Maintenance   Program. Kyle is a member of West HIghland Church where he participates in the Worship Arts Ministry   as part of the orchestra, tech and broadcast teams.

 

TEACHES: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Abigail Henry - pic

Abigail Henry


Violin, Voice

Beginner Cello

 Abigail Henry is a violinist and singer who loves sharing the joy of music with people of all ages.  She   began violin lessons at the age of 9 and found a love for music which encouraged her to try flute,   clarinet, cello and drums while in Junior High and High School. She also has a passion for teaching and   has been doing so for over 5 years with various music schools across the GTA.  She recently graduted   with a degree in Theatre and Drama from University of Toronto and Sheridan College. Abigail   particitated on a worship team at Life Community Church (now know as Mountainside Church) in   Dundas for several years.  She and her family now attend Poritco Community Church in Mississauga.

 

TEACHES:  Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

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