Colleen Denoni
Department Head
Colleen Denoni holds an ARCT Diploma in piano performance and was successful at the Teacher’s Written Exam from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Her principal instructor was Edward Parker with whom she studied full time from 1973 to 1980. She began teaching part time in 1975 and has maintained her own private music studio since 1979. Ms Denoni served as President of the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers’ Association Coquitlam/Maple Ridge Branch from 1987 to 1989. Her students have won numerous trophies and scholarships at the Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Coquitlam Festivals. Currently, Ms. Denoni teaches piano privately at home in Hope, as well as in Chilliwack and Mission. She is a member of the Chilliwack Branch of the BC Registered Music Teachers Association and believes she has found her calling in teaching, which she loves.
Sharie Atley
Sharie Atley completed an ARCT in piano teaching at 18 while studying at UBC for a Bachelour of Music with Helen Silver and Lee Kum Sing. She continued at UBC and earned a Master’s Degree in Historical Musicology. She was Robert Silverman’s teaching assistant, and taught Music History at Capilano College. Ms. Atley then studied Early Music in London, England and, upon returning to Canada, piano pedagogy. She taught piano and theory at Douglas College for eight yearsbefore starting a family. She has performed in many settings, including as a member of Trio Vivo with Monica Kobelt, violinist, and Anne Dalton, cellist. She brings over 30 years’ teaching experience as a BC Registered Music Teacher.
Marlene Carr
Kelly Kirby Piano Kindergarten
Marlene Carr, is a graduate of the National University of Freiburg in Germany, where she completed a masters degree in vocal performance. She began her career in 1984 and has since been heard in concert and recital in both Europe and North America. Ms Carr has over 25 years of experience as a soloist and teacher. Presently she is a faculty member of Chilliwack Academy of Music and the Central Academy of Music in Abbotsford. Her special expertise is in German vocal repertoire which she coaches throughout the Fraser Valley and Vancouver. She is the co-founder and coach of the Fraser Valley Youth Opera, providing opportunity for young singers to perform and share their love for opera repertoire.
Karin Fehlauer
Karin Fehlauer is well known as a music teacher and performer in the Chilliwack area. She has taught privately and at Alberta College, and is now String Department Advisor at the Chilliwack Academy of Music. Recent performances include appearances with the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra, the Festival of Trees, and The Mikado with the Fraser Valley Stage Society. Ms. Fehlauer holds her Licentiate from Trinity College, England in both violin and piano, and has completed extensive Suzuki training at Western Washington University and at various workshops in the Pacific Northwest. She is the string section coordinator for the Lions Club Music Festival, and is a long-time member of the local BCRMTA. Ms. Fehlauer is an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who believes in the power of music to make a positive impact on each and every student’s life.
Teng Mackay
Teng Lee Mackay was born and trained in Singapore, and has taught piano since having a Licentiate in Piano Teaching from the Trinity College of London in 1987. Ms. Mackay has studied with Tan Bee Yen, Georgina Emmanuel and Lena Ching. She is a highly sought after accompanist and coach, having worked with several area school music teachers in numerous presentations of Musical Theatre.
Carmen Roberts
Carmen Roberts received a Bachelor of Music degree in both Piano and Flute Performance from Walla Walla College (Washington), and a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of British Columbia. In addition, she holds the Associate of Flute and Piano Performance from both the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Western Board of Music, and the Licentiate Diploma from the Western Board of Music. Her principal teachers include Julius Baker, Robert Aitken, Richard Hahn, and Paul Douglas, as well as theory with Nadia Boulanger at Fountainebleau, France. Ms. Roberts has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and the Caribbean as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and on radio and television.
Lisa Scyner
Lisa Scyner joined the Academy as a voice instructor in 2003 and has been the accompanist for the Chilliwack Festival Chorus for the past 5 years. She is also the Music Coordinator at Carman United Church. Lisa received her A.C.C.M. (Performer, Voice) from Conservatory Canada where she was awarded the Don & Lillian Right Travel & Study Scholarship, and completed a 3-year music diploma in Voice/Piano at Douglas College.
Rod Swanson
Rod Swanson has had many years of experience performing solo guitar in concerts and in the hospitality industry in Western Canada. During that time, he has developed a wide repertoire to accommodate many situations. Since Mr. Swanson has moved to the West Coast, he has performed with Alexander Maier and participates in Early Music Groups and churches. Mr. Swanson also teaches guitar and keyboard throughout the Fraser Valley.