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Aria School of Music

Who WE Are

Get to Know Us

https://MusicTeachersDirectory.org

Sara Papini - founder and director

Voice / Piano / Voice Master Class

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Ms. Papini has taught for over 15 years in Toronto and abroad. In Manhattan, New York she was a voice faculty member for the Bronx Conservatory of Music and conducted private and group sessions for Culture One - an organization providing scholarships and cultural experiences to foster children in New York City.  She has also been a frequent vocal adjudicator for the American Guild of Music competition in Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Papini has conducted private lessons in Toronto and around the GTA as well as master classes for junior and senior division music students in such schools as Cardinal Carter - School of the Performing Arts. 

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As a performing artist, Ms. Papini, soprano dazzles audiences internationally. Her operatic performances include, Nedda [Pagliacci], Musetta [La Bohème], Adina [L’Elisir d’Amore], Norina [Don Pasquale], Gilda [Rigoletto], Contessa [Le nozze di Figaro] and Donna Anna [Don Giovanni].  Highlights include Tina in Jonathan Dove’s Flight, a New York City premier under the baton of Metropolitan Opera conductor Joseph Colaneri and Silvia in Mascagni’s Zanetto, conducted by Metropolitan Opera conductor Paul Nadler in Montreal.  Most recently, Ms. Papini debuted with the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra as Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen. She made her Russian debut with the Primorsky Krai Philharmonic Orchestra in Vladivostok, Russia and has performed in Tel Aviv, Israel with the Israeli Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Papini has been a feature performer for such dignitaries as Princess Marconi, her Royal Highness Prof. Li of Manchurian Empire China, former Prime Minister Enrico Letta of Italy and the former Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen J. Harper. Please visit www.sarapapini.com .

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Thomas Colussi-Arthur - instructor

Guitar / Bass / Ukulele / Percussion / Accordion / Saxophone / Clarinet / Trumpet

 

A professional musician, educator and audio engineer, Thomas has been playing and teaching music professionally for over 10 years. Developing a passion for music from a young age, his musical experience has led him to many instruments and genres, beginning in Classical and then to Folk, Rock, Jazz and Pop.

 

Thomas was driven to gain a complete understanding of the musical process from music theory to recording and production and is a graduate of Metalworks Institute of Sound and Technology, in Performance and Engineering. 

 

Thomas has thoroughly toured the GTA and played in many Festivals, Events and Functions over the past decade. Thomas has also taught and conducted concert bands at various festivals at the Elementary and Middle School levels.   

 

Thomas is a multi-instrumentalist who sees genres and instruments as beautiful worlds to discover and develop. Starting with piano, then flute and accordion, he added guitar, bass, ukulele and drums as well as the saxophone, clarinet and trumpet.  

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Matt McFarland - instructor

Percussion 

 

A professional drummer, educator, hip-hop artist and podcast producer, Matt busies himself being creative while being a proud husband and father. 

 

He’s toured throughout Canada with independent artists, played the GTA’s hotspots and been in and out of the recording studio for over a decade. He currently occupies the drummer’s chair in “We Ain’t Petty,” Toronto’s premiere Tom Petty tribute band.

 

A graduate of the Ontario College of Percussion, Matt has a passion for working with children and facilitates percussion events in the Peel School Board. He is a member of Envirodrum, a percussion-based group that promotes recycling. The ensemble has played to over 300 schools and corporate events. He maintains a roster of over 60 drum students and specializes in prepping young drummers for Regional Arts based high schools.

 

Matt is a published author of The Drum Kit Method and a proud member of Sabian’s Private Educator team. wwww.drumkitmethod.com 

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Christina Theocharidis - instructor 

Piano / Voice 

Christina has been singing and playing piano since she was very young. Music has always been a very significant part of her life, focusing on classical and musical theatre.

 

After studying voice and piano for years, Christina attended St. Elizabeth CHS Regional Arts Program studying voice, and graduated with her RAP Certificate with Honours. She received her Royal Conservatory of Music Certification with honours in Grade 9 in Voice and Grade 6 in Piano.

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Christina is a co - founder for BlackStar Entertainment which heads virtual talent showcases for up and coming artists.

 

She is a student of soprano, AnnaLisa Loizzo-Ovcharenko and is in her 3rd year at York University studying Psychology.

Call or email to Register today!

905 859 ARIA (2742)        info@ariaschoolofmusic.ca

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