Cosmo School of Music Woodwind Teacher Profiles
Alexander Tikhonov
Instruments: Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Piano, Saxophone
Education: Master of Music (MM) in Performance & Pedagogy, St. Petersburg State Conservatory
Style: Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop
Languages: English, Russian
Alexander is a multi-talented musician who plays and teaches saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano and guitar. Alexander has received many awards and has performed concert tours across North America, Europe and Asia. Alexander brings a wealth of knowledge to his teaching, he is well versed in all styles of music from classical to jazz, funk, Latin and Rock. Alexander is determined to bring out the best in all of his students!
Dave Hammer
Instruments: Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone
Education: Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT) in in Woodwinds, The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM)
Style: Classical, Jazz
Languages: English
Dave has his A.R.C.T. in woodwinds from the Royal Conservatory of Music and has studied theory, harmony and arranging with Gordon Delmont. Dave has been teaching saxophone, clarinet, flute, recorder and piccolo since 1976 and has been a teacher at Cosmo Music since 1988. As a former member of the Royal York hotel house band, he has performed with Tony Bennet, Ella Fitzgerald, Rose Mary Clooney, Carol Channing and The Mills Brothers.
Joanna Ng
Instruments: Piano, Flute
Education: Masters degree in Orchestral Conducting from Northern Illinois University (Chicago) and a Bachelor of Piano Performance
from Queen's University (Kingston, ON)
Style: Classical, Pop
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Joanna studied under Mrs. Ellen Silvermen, Mr. Michel Szczesniak, and Dr. William Koehler; she is an experienced piano soloist and accompanist for instrumentalists and choir. Joanna is also a registered Suzuki piano instructor and RCM teacher who has more than 10 years of private teaching experience. In addition to being a pianist, Joanna is also an active flutist who has performed with bands and orchestras in China, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Kingston, Toronto and Chicago.
Joanna’s teaching style focuses on a well-rounded approach of technique, sight reading and music appreciation. Comfortable teaching students of all ages and levels, Joanna has prepared students for RCM examinations, competitions and university auditions.
Jeff LaRochelle
Instruments: Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone
Education: Bachelor of Contemporary Music Degree, Humber College
Style: Jazz, Blues, Soul, Classical, Improv
Languages: English
Jeff LaRochelle is a musician, composer, and educator who recently finished his Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree at Humber College's renowned music program. Jeff has had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Peter Appleyard, Alex Dean, Chris Potter, Ian Froman, Terence Blanchard, among many others. Jeff performed in the 2009 Ottawa International Jazz festival as part of the Jazz Youth Summit, and has toured in South Korea as well as in various parts of Canada. In May/June 2011, he participated in the Banff Summer Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music under the direction of Dave Douglas. As an educator, Jeff wants to share his enthusiasm for music with his students, working on the fundamentals while encouraging creative and personal ways for developing their own musical voices.
Kishan Chauhan
Instruments: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Saxophone, Recorder, Oboe (Beginner only)
Education: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance, University of Toronto
Style: Classical, Jazz/Improv, Broadway, World Music
Languages: English
Kishan is a multi-talented musician who performs and teaches on the clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, piccolo, recorder, saxophone and recently, the oboe. Kishan has had the opportunity to perform with The University of Toronto 1 O'Clock Big Band, The University of Toronto Wind Ensemble, The University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra as well as numerous pit orchestras and opera orchestras in and around the Greater Toronto Area. Performance venues include Glenn Gould Studio, Canadian Opera Company, MacMillan Theatre, Walter Hall, Richmond Hill Center for the Performing Arts, and The Rex, to name a few. Kishan brings expertise and knowledge in all facets of woodwind playing and performance. As an educator Kishan is positive and encouraging in order to track growth and achievement in his students. Kishan has successfully prepared students for RCM Examinations. He welcomes all levels and ages of players.
Nikki Novikova
Instruments: Flute, Piccolo, Recorder, Piano
Education: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Flute Performance & Pedagogy, St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia
Further training: Hochschule fur Musik, Wurzburg, Germany
Style: Classical, Popular
Languages: English, Russian
Languages: English, Russian Nikki Novikova is an accomplished professional flautist with an excellent academic, performance, and pedagogical background. Throughout her career Nikki has performed with various orchestras in St. Petersburg, Russia, and toured across Russia, Europe and Asia. As well as performing, Nikki has taught students of all ages, some of which have gone on to become high achieving professionals. Nikki is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and a member of Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association. She successfully prepares students for the RCM Examination Certificate Program for two instruments: flute and piano.
Suren Amirkhanyan
Instruments: Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Saxophone
Education: Master of Music (MM), Belarussian State Academy of Music; Master of Music (MM), Armenian State Conservatory
Style: Classical, Broadway, Latin, Blues
Languages: English, Russian, Armenian
Suren holds two Master of Music degrees from two prestigious institutions. His successful teaching career includes past teaching positions at conservatories and universities in Russia and Jordan. Suren is equally passionate about performing as he is teaching, an accomplished soloist and orchestral performer, Mr.Amirkhanyan has performed throughout Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Japan. Currently Suren performs with Sinfonia Toronto, Oakville Symphony Orchestra and Opera Belcanto of South Simcoe and is in demand as a woodwind teacher in the GTA.
