Meet the Teachers
"There is music in every child. The teacher’s job is to find it and nurture it" – Frances Clarke
Zoriana Kilyk
Instrument: Piano & Theory
Location: Mississauga
A lover of all things music and science, Zoriana has been playing piano since she was 6, and has also experimented with a variety of other instruments including guitar, saxophone, and oboe. In 2016, Zoriana graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science and from the Royal Conservatory of Music with an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (ARCT) Diploma in Piano Performance. She is currently working on finishing her Bachelor in Medical Radiation Sciences, as well as an advanced diploma in Radiation Therapy. Zoriana remains dedicated to teaching piano students of all ages and levels, helping them reach their full potential as budding musicians!
Olena Olejarczyk
Instrument: Piano
Location: Mississauga
Dana Murdoch
Instrument: Piano and Trumpet
Location: Mississauga
Dana is a current student of Cawthra Park Secondary School in the Regional Arts Program for Instrumental Music. She has First Class Honours for Grade 8 Piano and Grade 9 Piano and is currently studying Grade 10 piano. Dana has holds her Grade 8 Theory and has First Class Honours in Grade 8 Trumpet as well. Dana has a caring and encouraging approach to teaching her students and is happy to teach children of all ages!
Patricia Carandang
Instrument: Piano, theory, composition, beginner voice
Location: Mississauga/Oakville
Patricia is a passionate teacher and pianist.
She has been a part of the Carswell Music Studios team since 2010. Patricia graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in June 2017 and is a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Master of Music Therapy (MMT) program. In addition to being a music teacher, Patricia works as a music therapist at various long-term care homes within the GTA. She is also working towards completing her ARCT in piano performance with the Royal Conservatory of Music. Patricia is passionate and constantly inspired by the ways in which music connects people. She loves working with children and adults of all ages and capabilities, encouraging and motivating them to reach their full potential.
Daria Voznyuk
Instrument: Piano
Location: Mississauga
Daria is currently a first year student at the University of Toronto, taking French and Educational Studies. Daria has always had a passion for teaching, whether it was tutoring or helping out at a Sunday school. She was very excited to have the opportunity to finally start teaching beginner students with Carswell Music Studios. Daria is working on her Grade 9 RCM piano level. She is very excited to have the chance to share her knowledge and get other students as excited for playing piano as herself. Daria’s goal during each lesson is to make sure that students can learn as much as they can while having lots and lots of fun!
Jason Borg
Instrument: Piano, Voice, Trumpet
Location: Mississauga
Jason is a current elementary teacher working in the Durham Public Board. Prior to teaching, Jason studied at Ryerson University where he acquired his Bachelor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Studies. He then attended the University of Ontario where he attained his teaching diploma. Jason has been playing piano for over 20 years and has taught a wide variety of instruments including piano, trumpet and voice. He is well versed in many different styles of music including classical, Broadway and jazz and is always looking to improve as both a musician and music teacher. He has performed in a variety of groups over the years which included performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on a number of occasions. Jason always seeks to challenge his students and always encourages them to strive to be the best that they can be. With his students, Jason always conveys the notion that if they put in the time and effort, they can achieve any challenges that they are faced with.
Jim Carswell
Instrument: piano voice
Location: Mississauga
Jim Carswell graduated with his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Toronto in 1978, majoring in voice, piano and composition. He continued his studies to achieve an A.R.C.T. In piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, as well as a degree in Education and an Ontario Teacher’s Certificate in 1979. He has received several Arts and Letters awards in musical composition.
Lina Vasilkova
Instrument: piano voice, theory
Location: GTA
Lina is musician, pianist, singer, teacher, choir conductor and artistic director who dedicates her work to the Greater Toronto Area. As a child she starts to play the piano at 7 years of age. Later she went on to study music at the prestigious Panayot Pipkov High School for the Performing Arts in Pleven, Bulgaria and continued her education at the Academy of Dance and Music Arts in Plovdiv where she graduated with a Master of Music degree in teaching music and choral conducting. Lina has a proven ability to work with children, being able to uncover their unique voices or their exclusive skills, and creating an atmosphere of support, eagerness to learn and love for music. Lina is well-versed in the Royal Conservatory Curriculum, and teaches students age 4 and up. Her teaching style is organized, and goal-oriented, and she believes that progress happens at the students’ pace.
David Lowe
Instrument: Drumset & Guitar, Theory and Composition
Location: Mississauga
David holds an Honours Bachelor of Music degree, from Humber College and has been teaching drum set for over 30 years. He has performed in numerous pop bands, show bands and is well versed in many styles of music. With his students, Dave stresses the 3 P’s; practice, practice, and patience! If you’re ready to learn then, David can teach you.
Alyssa Murdoch
Instrument: Piano
Location: Mississauga
Alyssa has been a teacher with Carswell Music Studios since 2017, specializing in piano and theory for all levels. Alyssa graduated from McMaster University with a BSc. in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour after completing high school at Cawthra Park Secondary School in the Regional Arts program for Instrumental Music. Alyssa has experience competing in Peel Music Festivals, RCM exams, and has played other instruments including clarinet and saxophone. Having played piano for 16 years over a range of genres and styles, Alyssa encourages her students to find what type of music is most fun and interesting to them. Alyssa’s approach helps students to find enjoyment in music and to reach all of their musical goals!