Get in touch with Cornerstone Music Cafe for professional piano lessons in Calgary. Whether you want to learn to play the piano for the enjoyment of it or receive accreditation from the Royal Conservatory of Music, we can help. Our team of qualified and talented piano instructors can offer lessons for both beginners and advanced students. Be it classical or modern, we have a teacher for all the styles you want to learn. You can jam with other musicians in a rock band setting or perform solo in our recitals. Give us a call today to talk to our teachers.
Oaitse Hellard - Voice and Piano
Oaitse Hellard - coined as Ms. Oäi, is known for soulful jazz stylings reminiscent of the late greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Born in Botswana but raised here in Calgary, Oaitse has been trained classically in Piano and Voice. She has performed at the Jubillee Auditorium opening as a soloist with a Gospel Choir for Ms. Coretta Scott King and has been singing with The Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra for the last 7 years and performing with Grammy Award winner Donald Ray Johnson. Her latest project performing in Jazz Band The X-Oäi-Z’s with Johnny Summers, Tyler Hornby, John Gray, and Stephen Fletcher she brings on this Classic Jazzy notes.
Jan Sullivan - Piano
Jan has been teaching piano and theory lessons for over 15 years with students from ages 5 to 65. She offers creativity and enjoyment that keep her students returning year after year.
Classically trained and having completed the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Certificate in Teaching Elementary Piano, Jan has successfully guided many students through the Royal Conservatory of Music levels and is also happy to work with students in whatever genres might interest them.
A lifelong learner, Jan continues to study at the ARCT level. Her teaching philosophy maintains that a teacher is most effective when personally growing and learning.
CARLY REIRSON - PIANO, VOICE & SONGWRITING
Born and raised just outside of Leduc, Alberta, Carly started playing music at the age of 6, taking piano lessons for 10 years and falling in love with the worlds of blues and jazz. Graduating from The Royal Conservatory of Music with Grade 8 piano, Carly went on to attend Grant MacEwan University for Vocal Performance in Music. Carly is currently working toward recording her first full-length album as she continues teaching private lessons, heading into her 4th year of teaching. Carly is passionate about building relationships with her students and fostering a love of music that is rooted in each students’ identity and individuality.
KAtrina Jordan - Piano
Katrina has been teaching piano for a decade and enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels, tailoring a curriculum to each student. She is enthusiastic, caring, and nurturing and uses inquiry-based instruction to engage and guide her students. She teaches both classical and popular musical styles, and encourages students to explore their own musical creativity.
Born into a musical family, Katrina fell in love with music early, and starting playing the piano at 4 years old. She completed her own grade 9 RCM Piano Exam, and has helped students prepare for their own RCM exams and recitals. Katrina holds certificates in music theory including basic, intermediate, and advanced music, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Ambrose University. She has competed in the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival, played in the Yaminda Classical Guitar Quartet, where she received a first place award. She also sang soprano in the Centennial High School Choir and the Ambrose University Singers, performing in a variety of events and concerts.
Kiyoshi Jim is an accomplished pianist born and raised in Calgary. He fell in love with music at the age of six, and started with playing the piano. He has been studying under the Royal Conversatory of Music and has recently completed his level 9 Piano exam. Kiyoshi has a passion for music and loves expressing himself and his emotions through the pieces he plays, and he loves showcasing this through recitals and performances. He performs at recitals hosted by his piano teacher, as well as smaller performances through zoom meetings. He wishes to spread his passion for music and the piano to others.
Kiyoshi’s music passion is also shown at school. His love to perform extends to his school’s concert band, where he takes a leading role in his school’s concert band. Other hobbies include computer programming, reading and playing games.
Pardis Abbasnejad has been playing piano since the age of 4. At the Royal Conservatory of Music, she has completed up to Level 8 and is currently in the process of completing level 9 RCM.
Pardis LOVES the piano. It’s able to sound fleeting and effervescent in one instant and gritty and powerful in the next - that’s what she enjoys the most about it. She also enjoys playing piano because of the emotional connection she makes with this instrument while playing it, and she loves to foster that same passion further in her students.
Other than piano, Pardis plays competitive volleyball, loves the outdoors and reading. Her goal for teaching piano is to help students reach their goals (help them see and hear what they want to achieve), love the piano (just as much as she loves it), and make sure that they always have fun.
Jian Horrian is a classically trained pianist, currently studying at the Mount Royal University Conservatory Academy Program.
Jian’s love for music began when he listened to the works of legendary composers, from Bach to Beethoven to Chopin. Jian’s passion as an instructor is to share how playing piano create an emotional connection through the language of music.
Jian creates a learning environment for students to enjoy the art of music, and he strives with students toward their musical goals.
Tom is a versatile veteran instructor. With 20 years of teaching under his belt, this straight shooter has methods to suit a variety of interests. For those seeking a classical approach, Tom has RCM Grade 10 in piano, and for those looking to explore Rock, Pop, Blues, Jazz, Country, or even the obscure, he can mentor students on several different instruments!
When he’s not teaching, Tom can be found composing, practicing, or even simply listening to music. (It’s a real passion!) Other interests include reading, writing, playing pool, or having a bite and watching the game!
Brea loves music! She started learning the piano at age 10 and discovered the lever harp at age 15. She enjoyed the challenge of learning a difficult new piece, and composing her own songs. Later she learned to improvise and would even improvise duets with her brother, who also played piano. Brea continues to pursue new musical projects and challenges, and is now making plans to record some of her original work!
Brea started teaching piano in high school. She loves seeing others, (especially young children) learn. She loves to witness the joy when a new concept clicks. She is supportive throughout the mistakes, and loves being with her students on the journey to success. She believes that a music lesson is a place for a student to show who they really are, and for Brea it is an honour to witness!
Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Lana showed interest in music from an early age, and began classical training under the Royal Conservatory of Music at the age of 7, under which she is currently completing her grade 10 piano. In addition, she has been playing trombone for the past six years during which she has been a part of wind ensembles, brass ensembles, and jazz bands, which have had great success in regional festivals. In her spare time throughout the last year, Lana has picked up the cello, and has been enjoying expanding her musical capabilities.
Lana is continuing her music education through a bachelor of music program. She is passionate about working collaboratively with her students to foster musical experiences that will benefit them both within their musical studies, as well as other aspects of their lives.