Meet Our Teachers
Our Team
Feel free to scroll through our Teacher Roster at Creative Expressions Music Academy. You can tap "Read More" for their biography, reviews, and teaching philosophies, and for a glimpse inside of their studio.
You will be emailed your teacher's phone number, email, and exact address the moment you register.
All CEMA Teachers are CPR-certified, and have regular child abuse checks and professional liability coverage.
Amy Whittaker
B. Mus. & MYC
Flute & Piano
Amy Whittaker
B. Mus. & MYC
Flute & Piano
Amy Whittaker, known by her students as Miss Amy, has joined our roster of "Team Teachers" for September 2022, offering private piano lessons in her home studio in West Kildonan area.
With over a decade of teaching experience, Amy holds advanced levels from the Royal Conservatory of Music in flute, piano, theory and history, as well as a Bachelor of Music History from the University of Manitoba.
On her own, Amy teaches Preschool music in Montessori schools across the city and Music for Young Children group classes. Amy continues to be a free lance performer and clinician for weddings, funerals, music festivals, and school band clinics.
Amy has performed with the Winnipeg Music Festival, Syrinx Flute Festival, National Youth Band of Canada, Winnipeg Youth Symphony Orchestra, and MB Provincial Honour Bands.
Amy's Studio
West Kildonan: Transcona
For our teachers' privacy, the exact location/address of their home teaching studio will be emailed to you when you register for lessons.
Annette Hay
B. Mus., RMT, UMTC
Violin/Fiddle & Piano
Annette Hay
B. Mus., RMT, UMTC
Violin/Fiddle & Piano
Annette began teaching for Creative Expressions Music Academy in 2021, opening her home to our students in the North Kildonan area of Winnipeg.
With a music education career spanning decades, Annette enjoys teaching students of all ages in private violin, piano, organ and theory lessons. Her students have won provincial gold and silver medals in RCM exams and many scholarships through the MRMTA.
She graduated from Brandon University with the Gold Medal in the 5 year Bachelor of Music Education Degree. At university she studied violin (with Francis Chaplin), piano, organ, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion techniques as well as choral and instrumental conducting.
Annette has enjoyed teaching music, band, orchestra and choir in various schools in Winnipeg and also adjudicates at AMAF Music Festivals throughout Manitoba.
Annette's Studio
Location: North Kildonan
For our teachers' privacy, the exact location/address of their home teaching studio will be emailed to you when you register for lessons.
Gemma Williams
B.A. Performing Arts
Voice & Music Theatre
Gemma Williams
B.A. Performing Arts
Voice & Music Theatre
Gemma has a Bachelor of Performing Arts from the University of Winchester, with a focus on Musical Theatre. She is British and relocated to Canada in 2018.
Since leaving university, Gemma has directed a wide variety of musicals for children’s drama clubs, and taught private singing lessons for years. She led a 2-Day Workshop in the UK with the cast of Mamma Mia and STOMP.
In fact, 'everyone deserves a chance to fly' is a quote from Gemma’s favourite musical ‘Wicked’. Gemma’s students “learn to fly” by finding their own voice and in singing with others. She ensures that her students learn to sing with healthy singing technique, while also nurturing their love of music along the way.
Gemma's Studio
Location: Transcona
For our teachers' privacy, the exact location/address of their home teaching studio will be emailed to you when you register for lessons.
Kristen Kaperfanick
B. Mus.
Piano, Trombone & Euphonium
Kristen Kaperfanick
B. Mus.
Piano, Trombone & Euphonium
Kristen has a Bachelor of Music with a focus in composition from the University of Manitoba and graduated in 2022. She has composed for a number of instruments and ensembles, including piano, many soloist instruments, orchestra, and most recently opera. Kristen is continuing her studies in Meteorology at the University of Manitoba.
Kristen has been studying piano for seventeen years; her music education focus is piano, but she has spent many years playing trombone and euphonium in wind ensembles and gained an appreciation for a musical community.
She has a love for learning music and finding niche interests that sparks a passion for the practice.
Kristen teaches at Annette Hay's Studio.
Location: North Kildonan
For our teachers' privacy, the exact location/address of their home teaching studio will be emailed to you when you register for lessons.
Leah Ross
BAH, BEd, Orff/Kodaly/Fika
Violin/Fiddle & Voice
Leah Ross
BAH, BEd, Orff/Kodaly/Fika
Violin/Fiddle & Voice
Leah Ross is an accomplished teacher with a strong and versatile skill set, boasting an impressive array of experiences. These include teaching private voice, violin, and piano, as well as choral, band, and orchestra in various settings, from private institutions to public schools.
Her remarkable career has been marked by several notable achievements, including captivating performances in Vienna, Budapest, and the esteemed Rudolfinum Concert Hall in the Czech Republic. Additionally, she has won the prestigious Peter Logan Memorial Trophy at the Winnipeg Music Festival and has prepared orchestras for performances with the renowned Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions.
Leah's passion for music shines through her work composing scores for Sistema orchestras and leading music at Elim Chapel. She also loves performing at various events, including art fairs, galleries, and weddings.
Leah's mission is to ignite a lifelong passion for music in students, fostering growth, appreciation, and love for this art form. As a Teacher with the Winnipeg School Division, she develops and leads choral and orchestral programs aligned with the division's educational objectives, contributing to the school's mission of nurturing student development with rigor, joy, and love.
Nic Lawrenz
B. Mus.
Guitar, Bass, Drums & Ukulele
Nic Lawrenz
B. Mus.
Guitar, Bass, Drums & Ukulele
Nic Lawrenz has taught guitar and other instruments for over 20 years. He currently teaches guitar (in all styles), ukulele, bass, drums, banjo, theory, and band lessons.
Nic has a Bachelor of Performance from Brandon University in Classical Guitar and has taught in several studios around Manitoba. He's also a member of several musical projects around Winnipeg including Artists in Healthcare Manitoba as well as a few bands, duos and trios, and solo performances for weddings, personal care homes and events.
Nic loves to teach and inspire players of all ages to reach their potential while studying music that is fun, applicable and educational by nature.
Nic's Studio
Location: Elmwood
For our teachers' privacy, the exact location/address of their home teaching studio will be emailed to you when you register for lessons.
Corey Francis
Bachelor of Music: Honours
Piano & Owner
Corey Francis is the owner and teaches piano lessons from his home studio in the Elmwood area of Winnipeg. His personal teaching schedule is full for the 2025-2026 season. He enjoys working with the CEMA team to share his resources, curriculum and ideas with the community!