Meet the OSJVS Collaborators

Dmitry Babich

Dmitry Babich graduated from the celebrated Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory under professor Mariya Chaikovskaya – a former student of Mstislav Rostropovich. Dmitry was awarded he jury’s Special Prize at the 3rd International Shostakovich String Quartet Competition and was member of Moscow Philharmonic Franck Quartet for several years. As an orchestra member and soloist, he performed with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, the Russian-American Youth rchestra and the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra. A Montreal resident since 2010, Dmitry obtained his master’s degree in interpretation at the University of Montreal in 2013, being the last graduate student of professor Yuli Turovsky. In 2011 and 2013 Dmitry performed as a soloist with the Orchestra New Generation. Since 2011 Dmitry has taught cello at the McGill Conservatory. In 2013 he also joined Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf as a Cello Teacher, and Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec as Associate Cello Teacher.

Lucine Balikan

Violin teacher.

Catharine Calderone

Catharine Calderone is a multi-talented musician: oboist, pedagogue, composer & arranger, conductor. She has worked around the globe but the West Island is the place she calls home. Catharine specializes in chamber music. “Silences, prières et musique” is a piece for eight cellos and spoken word that was commissioned in 2022. This year Judy Hung commissioned a work for the youth orchestra’s 2023-2024 season. It is entitled “EnSuite”.

Carole Corman

Carole Corman grew up playing the cello and the flute as well as singing in choirs. She went on to study music at Marianopolis College as well as McGill University where she perfected her cello playing with Walter Joachim, her singing with Winston Purdy, and her conducting technique with Fred Stotzfus. She then furthered her conducting technique in the United States studying at the Pierre Monteux School. Carole taught for McGill University, McGill Conservatory and the Préville Fine Arts Center. She founded and conducted many youth and amateur orchestras and choirs including the Serenade Chamber Orchestra, the West Island Youth Symphony and the Montérégie Youth Orchestra. At the age of 30, Carole went back to school to do a Masters and then a Certificate in Education. She has been an elementary music specialist since 1997. She is also very involved in creating new curriculum and giving workshops in music education. Her lesson plans have been used by hundreds of music educators around the world.

Pierre Gallant

Pierre Gallant is a Canadian composer, arranger, pianist and music director. Recently retired as music director at Union Church in Ste Anne de Bellevue for which he helped create and direct 16 shows over 11 years, he has also written many pieces for the Royal Conservatory of Music graded piano, classical guitar, and vocal books. His compositions have been performed in Canada, Europe, and the USA.

Monica Guenter

Monica Guenter began studying the violin at the age of three and spent her formative years in Manitoba playing violin, viola and singing in many choirs. Ms. Guenter went on to complete a Bachelor of Music in both Voice and Viola performance at The University of Manitoba. She moved to Montreal in 1999 to complete a Masters Degree in Performance at McGill University and subsequently a Masters Degree in Orchestral Performance at The Ottawa University. Ms. Guenter has performed as a member of orchestras across Canada including The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, The Montreal Chamber Orchestra and The Toronto Bach Consort. She has toured with choirs and orchestras throughout North America, Europe and Asia under the direction of conductors such as Bramwell Tovey, Pinchas Zukerman and Sergiu Comissiona. Ms. Guenter is passionate about many genres of music and has performed with many solo artists and ensembles including Paul Anka, Martha Wainwright and Arcade Fire. Ms. Guenter has been teaching violin, viola and voice since 1998. She completed her Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Toronto in 2013 and currently teaches for The Lester B. Pearson School Board. Monica now lives a quiet life, happily, in Hudson, QC with her husband, son and their dog Chester.

Margo Keenan

Margo Keenan has been directing the Philomela Singers since 2014. She also directs the Sainte-Anne Singers, an award-winning cappella ensemble which she founded in 1987. From 2014 to 2019, Margo conducted the Vox Aeterna choir, formed each spring to participate in the West-Island based Festival de la Voix. Margo is the recipient of the Prix Jean-Pierre Guindon in recognition of her contribution to choral singing in Quebec over more than twenty-five years.

Debbie Reynolds

Debbie has over thirty years of experience as a flute instructor. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Music (Honours) and a Master’s degree in Music from McGill University, she enjoys teaching a wide variety of students from young children to seniors, and from beginners to advanced students. Debbie maintains a very active music studio in Hudson, Quebec as well as teaching students from all over the world online. She teaches flute sectionals for the Lester B Pearson School Board and for the Centre de service scolaires des Trois-Lacs. Debbie also spent several years teaching classroom elementary school music.

Étienne Sourd

Etienne Sourd is a professional trumpet player who teaches trumpet and music interpretation privately. Touched by the passion for classical music he studied at the National Music Conservatory in France and graduated as a professional trumpeter. He also has won a 1 st prize in trumpet at the French Musical Confederation in Paris. He has performed since 1980 with professional classical orchestras and jazz bands in Europe and Canada. The Caen Chamber Orchestra, the Normandy Brass Ensemble, the Philharmonisches Orchester Würzburg, the Vancouver Philharmonic, the Concordia Fine Arts Orchestra, The UQAM orchestra are amongst the ensemble he has performed with. Aside from classical he had made regular appearances on stage at popular music festivals and venues in Quebec, with Jazz and Soul bands, and he has been featured on CD recordings with various artists. Etienne is teaching trumpet privately as well as presenting trumpet master classes in the Montreal area.

Sylvia Niedzwiecka

Flutist Sylvia Niedzwiecka obtained her Master of Music in solo flute performance and Bachelor of Music Degree with High Distinction in flute performance from McGill University. She holds two D.E.S.S. diplomas (Diplôme d’Études Superiéures Spécialisées) with specialization in Interpretation and Orchestral Excerpts from Université de Montréal. Her principal teachers include Timothy Hutchins, Denis Bluteau, Carolyn Christie of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Heather Howes. Sylvia is an active performer whose projects include solo, small ensemble and orchestral performances. She is also passionate about teaching and helping her students in their pursuit of excellence. She is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas.