Meet with our highly qualified, Suzuki-certified music faculty.
We offer violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, piano private lessons and group lessons.
Jessica Mah (Violin/Viola)
Since she was five years old, Jessica has been a proud member of the STE community. While learning music at STE, she took part in many Suzuki Institutes, attended music festivals, and played in the Edmonton Youth Orchestra. In 2017, she became a teacher at STE, where she shares her passion for music. Jessica is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has taken teacher training in units 1-3. [read more] Besides her love for music, Jessica is also passionate about science. She holds a Bachelor of Science double majoring in Chemistry and Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, all from the University of Alberta. During her studies, she joined the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Orchestra. When she’s not teaching music, Jessica works as a certified Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) and plays with the Edmonton Metropolitan Orchestra.
[/read]
Lydia Metzger (Violin/Viola)
Lydia Metzger is an American violinist and music educator who is currently based in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Music- violin performance from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and in December 2017 graduated with high honors from UW with a Masters degree in violin performance. While in Southern Wisconsin, Lydia taught piano and violin lessons at several schools and performed regularly with area orchestras. She also gave various solo and chamber recitals all across Minnesota and Wisconsin. [read more]
She moved with her husband to Alberta in the summer of 2018, where she took Suzuki violin teacher training with Elayne Ras at the Alberta Suzuki Institute. In the Edmonton area, Lydia performs regularly with Symphony Borealis as assistant concertmaster and Edmonton Pops Orchestra as concertmaster. Most recently she has joined the Edmonton-based Vertex Quartet as the second violinist. She freelances as a pianist as well.
[/read]
Mikaela Olsen (Violin/Viola)
Alberta born violinist, Mikaela Olsen, began learning the violin at the age of six. She has had the privilege of studying with Dr. Vladimir Rufino and most recently with the talented Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster, Robert Uchida as well as principal violist Keith Hamm.
Having just completed her bachelor’s degree in Music in Violin Performance at the University of Alberta, she is an alumni of the Edmonton Youth Orchestra and has performed as the concertmaster of the University Symphony Orchestra. [read more] For the month of July 2024, she played with esteemed l’Orchestre de la Francophonie in Montreal. Furthermore, she had the opportunity to play with the National Academy Orchestra in Hamilton, Ontario for their 2023 summer season. Mikaela has her level 10 RCM and has received many scholarships and awards during her years of study; including a formal invitation to the Cremona International Music Academy. She also played with the Chamber Orchestra of Edmonton as a part of their student apprenticeship program for two seasons. Mikaela has the privilege of participating in masterclasses with renowned pedagogues Pinchas Zukerman, Kerson Leong, Mark Fewer, Marco Mandolini, among many others.
An active violin teacher since 2016, Mikaela has found a vibrant passion for supporting youth and adults in their musical studies. STE has facilitated a wonderful environment which Mikaela uses to encourage creativity, capability, and confidence in her students! Apart from the violin, she loves to spend time adventuring outdoors with her close family and friends. [/read]
Julia Zalkovic (Violin)
Julia Zalkovic was born in Edmonton Alberta, and began playing the violin when she was 7 years old. She began her studies at the Suzuki Charter School, learning the Suzuki Method. She later studied with Violaine Melançon at the Schulich School of Music (McGill University) in Montreal where she graduated with her Bachelor in Violin Performance degree in December of 2023. She has competed in numerous competitions, receiving scholarships as well as competing in Provincial competitions. Julia also began teaching both violin and piano (which she plays as a secondary instrument) when she was 14, and teaches both to this day. [read more]In 2016, she received the Iris Evans Scholarship ‘Most Likely To Become A Professional Artist Award’ from the Sherwood Park Music Festival. In 2017, she was a finalist in the ASA concerto competition, and won the Sherwood Park Music Festival’s Concerto competition in that same year. In 2018, she performed the complete Mozart Concerto No. 4 in D major alongside an orchestra, as a result of her winning the concerto competition the year prior. She has also performed in orchestras, being part of the EYO (Edmonton Youth Orchestra) at the age of 12, and later playing as part of the University of Alberta’s USO (University Symphony Orchestra) at the age of 18. While playing as a member of the USO, Julia majored in Psychology at the University of Alberta. Julia enjoys chamber work, as well as teaching one on one.
[/read]
Ryan Hoffman (Cello/Chamber)
Ryan Hoffman is a cellist with over 15 years of teaching experience, who recently moved to Edmonton from the United States. He has been teaching here since Fall of 2020, and has been active with Alberta String Association, Opus@12 Chamber Music Society, and Concordia Symphony. Ryan’s academic degrees include a Doctor of Musical Arts from James Madison University, a Master of Music from Penn State University, and a BA in Music from Susquehanna University.[read more]
Prior to moving, Ryan taught and performed in and around Virginia. He taught both Suzuki and traditional students at several schools, including Eastern Mennonite University and Bridgewater College. He performed in several orchestras, including Altoona Symphony, Fairfax Symphony, Huntington Symphony, and Waynesboro Symphony, and as a chamber musician with Two Rivers Chamber Music and Melodious Strings.
[/read]
Mark Eeles (Cello)
Mark Eeles is a cellist whose playing career has taken him through Canada, United States and Europe. He studied with Harvey Shapiro at the Juilliard School and with Florence Hooton at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. In 1986 he completed his Masters of Music with famed teacher and cellist Claude Kenneson. He returned to New York to compete in the 1986 Naumberg International Cello Competition. [read more]Mark enjoys playing a wide variety of musical styles but his specialty is in the performance and interpretation of 20th century music. In 1987 he gave the World Premier performance of John Cage’s Etude Borealis in Detroit. Mark currently teaches Cello at the Society for Talent Education in Edmonton and as an Instructor at the King’s University.
[/read]
Janet Dougan (Cello/Chamber)
[read more]
[/read]
Conrad Sobieraj (Cello)
Edmonton born cellist and composer Conrad Sobieraj began playing cello at age 4 under the instruction of his mother Grazyna Sobieraj. In preparation for university he studied with Silvia Buttiglione of the Vaughan String Quartet, and went on to complete his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Alberta under the instruction of Rafael Hoekman. During the first two years of his degree, the Vertex String Quartet premiered both of his compositions in 2017 and 2018 respectively. [read more]He continues composing tunes for his students and peers. Conrad is one of the founding members of the early music group Convivencia Canadá, and a Bossa-nova trio, Rei Rei Rei. Currently he plays in the Vertex String Quartet, and is the principal cellist of the River City Orchestra. When he is not performing, Conrad is teaching, composing, and painting.
[/read]
Sheryl Bowhay (Orchestra)
Sheryl Bowhay holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as a Graduate Diploma in Conducting from the University of Calgary. She specializes in instrumental music education and has taught both bands and orchestras at the middle school and high school levels. Sheryl is active as an adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician. [read more]She has performed in community bands and orchestras throughout her life, and in 2017-2018 had the opportunity to perform with the Banda del Centre de Musical de Xábia in Spain. Sheryl believes that music creates a sense of community and is a passionate advocate for music education in our society. [/read]
Ted Tessier (Bass)
Ted Tessier (B.Ed, B.Mus, M.Mus.) has been a Suzuki bass teacher since 2005. He has completed both Education and Music bachelor degrees – specializing in standup bass. Ted has also has a Masters in Music with a focus on Musical Education.[read more]
His bass teacher-training is ongoing as he continues to attend various Suzuki conferences and teacher training workshops for additional Suzuki book levels certificates.
[/read]
Eva Mackowska (Guitar)
Eva Mackowska holds a Bachelor of Music in Guitar performance from the University of Alberta. She has completed Suzuki Guitar Teacher Training Units 1–6, and Suzuki Piano Teacher Training Unit 1. With more than thirty years of teaching experience, Evan specialized in teaching very young children with the Suzuki method. She teaches students of varied ages (adolescents and adults), using different approaches that fit students’ individual needs.
Eva was a guitar teacher in the Suzuki Charter School for more than ten years, teaching guitar group and private lessons. [read more]She has successfully led and mentored diverse age music groups for their school, public performances in the last twenty years.[/read]
Laura Mackay (Choir)
Coloratura-soprano Laura Mackay earned her Bachelor of Music at the University of Western Ontario, and received her Master of Music in Voice Performance at James Madisen University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has appeared in operatic productions and concerts throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. Some past performances include Giannetta in Elisir d’Amore, The Sandman/Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, and Merab in Saul, all with Grande Prairie Opera, Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte and Zenobia in Radamisto, both with Accademia Europea dell’Opera in Lucca, Italy, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, both with JMUOpera Theater, as well as Nella in Gianni Schicchi with Luray Opera Theater. [read more] Laura is also a proponent of new music, having premiered several works, including the soprano solo in Simon Fink’s song cycle “Unquiet Dreams” at the Staunton Music Festival, and the role of Mona Parsons in Steven Webb’s chamber opera The Patterns of War at the Opera From Scratch Festival in Halifax. In addition to performing, Laura is also a vocal instructor with over ten years’ experience in both private and group settings.
[/read]