Many of the fine performing artists on our recording label actively share their knowledge and enthusiasm for music in unique and rewarding ways. Opening Day would like to illuminate just a few of these individuals, and the contributions they are making to shape music education.

SEAN KELLY works with Toronto-based Coalition Music’s Artist Entrepreneur program. As a recording artist, touring musician, songwriter, producer, and session guitarist, he is able to share his years of experience with young artists navigating the waters of an ever-changing industry. Sean has just recently published a book titled “Metal on Ice: Tales from Canada’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes”. Sean also finds time to offer private guitar and vocal lessons, describing teaching as being an important part of his overall musical identity.

KATE TREMILLS recently completed a doctorate at the University of Michigan and is now teaching at both University of Toronto and Western University. In February Kate adjudicated the Pickering Music Festival, and in March she gave a voice Masterclass at SNATS (Student chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing). Between classes and performances, Kate gives piano lessons both within the universities and privately. Her love for inspiring and shaping music for her aspiring student performers is contagious.

ENSEMBLE VIVANT’S pianist and artistic director, Catherine Wilson, is also the founder and artistic director of the not for profit charitable organization EUTERPE (named after the Greek Muse of Music) whose mission is to “awaken young minds to the joy of music”. The outstanding Euterpe performers plant musical seeds among our youth with live, high caliber, interactive, educational performance programs of classical and jazz music. Euterpe also has a scholarship program to aid children in need with instruments and music lessons.

JAMES ANAGNOSON has been the Dean of The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory since 2007, and is an Assistant Professor of Piano at Western University. He has given numerous master classes and clinics in North America, Europe, and Asia, and has served as advisor and juror for the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.

LESLIE KINTON has been teaching piano since his teens and, like Anagnoson, is now a part of one of the most prestigious Canadian musical institutions. He is on both Western University and University of Toronto’s Music Faculties, and is dedicated to the continued development of music education.

HONORABLE MENTION:

On January 18, WQXRs weekly show “All Ears” included label artist Giles Tomkins on a classical-pop playlist alongside the likes of Sting, Renée Fleming and Joshua Bell! His crossover vocal chops were even described as being the most perfect blend of disparate elements since the chocolate-peanut butter cup… or maybe we read that wrong. Congratulations to Giles and to one of Opening Day’s Juno-nominated producers, Trey Mills, for “And So It Goes”.