Congratulations to the 2024 Teachers of Distinction

This award is given to teachers across North America who are recognized as leaders in the field of music education. Through their years of teaching experience, they provide mentorship to other teachers and instill a lifelong love of music in their students. RCM Teachers of Distinction are an inspiration to others and are influential in creating a brighter future for music education.

We are thrilled to announce the 2024 recipients of this distinguished award and all will be celebrated at their respective regional Celebration of Excellence events in Canada and the United States.

Canada

British Columbia, Yukon

Deborah McGladdery

Deborah  McGladdery has been involved in Speech Arts since the age of seven, when she began “elocution” lessons in Victoria, BC with Mrs. Wilfrid Ord at the “Victoria School of Expression” and participated in the Speech Arts and Drama program at the RCM She has an Education certificate from the University of Victoria, an Associate Diploma in Speech and Drama from Mount Royal College, Calgary. Deborah has been designated a Speech and Drama Specialist by The Royal Conservatory at the elementary, intermediate and advanced levels.

Deborah taught public school for more than ten years before turning her attention to Speech Arts and Drama as a private teacher. For 25 years, she ran a Speech and Drama studio, “Rainbow Kids’ Theatre” in Prince George, BC coaching up to 100 students a year in private and small group situations. She also enjoyed running a “Production Camp” for many summers where students presented Fairy Tales and Shakespeare plays to enthusiastic audiences.  Since relocating to Penticton, she has stayed active, working for local and provincial festival organizations. Ms. McGladdery has adjudicated for many festivals in Canada, is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators' Association and is a member of The RCM College of Examiners as a Speech Arts and Drama examiner.

Mrs. McGladdery is a member of the faculty at The Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Though intending to retire from some aspects of private teaching, mentoring new Speech Arts teachers and new students is still at the top of her 'to do' list!
 

Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut

Jiayun Chen

Jiayun Chen graduated from Shenzhen University as a Piano Education Major. She also loves playing Guzeng and cello. Of her ten years teaching piano, three years were spent in Shenzhen, China and seven years in Edmonton, Canada, following her immigration to Canada in 2017.

From the outset, Jiayun Chen has consistently demonstrated her exceptional skills as an educator. Her remarkable patience with young learners, coupled with her ability to provide encouragement and motivation, truly sets her apart. Her teaching style is both vibrant and engaging. She tailors her lesson plans to address each student’s unique needs and goals, effectively nurturing their musical abilities. Despite juggling the demands of parenthood—she has two young children—Ms. Chen remains flexible, accommodating evening and weekend lessons as needed.

Ms. Chen’s passion for teaching has profoundly influenced her students’ musical journey. Her students excel at RCM exams and piano competitions. Jiayun’s students showcase their progress in annual recitals through solo performances and duets that celebrate the value of collaboration. She also organizes an annual recital to fundraise for Stollery Children’s Hospital.

She remains committed to her own professional development, actively engaging in advanced studies and participating in professional associations such as Alberta Piano Teacher Association, American Music Teacher and   Her dedication to staying abreast of the latest teaching methods ensures that her students receive the highest quality instruction. Ms. Chen’s impact extends far beyond teaching. Her attention to detail, commitment to ongoing learning, and musical prowess are invaluable assets to her students’ future musical endeavours.
Watch Speech
 

Saskatchewan  

Michelle Aalders

Originally from Nova Scotia, pianist and educator Michelle Aalders is known for her musical diversity.

She holds a BMus and BMusEd (Acadia University) and a MMus (Westminster Choir College) where she studied with renowned piano pedagogue Frances Clark.

Michelle was the principal pianist with the Saskatoon Children's Choir from 2002 – -2023 appearing on two of their CD”s and performing with them on ten of their national and international tours. She was the music director and organist at the former Third Avenue United Church in Saskatoon for fifteen years where she coordinated the "Thursdays at Third Avenue" noon-hour concert series.

She performs regularly with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and International Saito Conductor’s School.

Michelle’s teaching career has spanned more than 35 years in five provinces. She is an active member of the Saskatchewan RMTA. Her students include provincial composition winners and RCM Gold medalists. Her priority is “Growth Mindset” for herself and her pupils.

 

Manitoba

Ruth Douglas

Ruth Douglas holds ARCT Performer’s and ARCT Teacher’s Diplomas from The Royal Conservatory of Music. She has completed numerous music courses at the Desautels School of Music and attended many informative workshops provided by the RCM. She also holds B.Sc and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Manitoba and for six years, she taught high-school Chemistry and Math.  

From 1991 to 2019, Ms. Douglas was a contract teacher for The Division of Preparatory Studies at the Desautels School of Music, teaching students all levels of music theory.  She transitioned to online lessons in 2020.

Ms. Douglas extends her gratitude to the Manitoba RMTA for its support of teachers.

She also expresses appreciation to the RCM for its very important leadership role in providing, locally and internationally, music learning and evaluation, on-site and distance, extra resources, valuable curricula, books, workshops, teacher resources, etc. and says,

“Thank you so much for this totally unexpected honor.”


 

Ontario

Tamara Goulina

Tamara Goulina holds a Ph.D in Music and Education from the Moscow Conservatory of Music. She started her teaching career at the Belarus Academy of Music, and after few years of practice, became the youngest Professor of Music at the Academy. Her students have been laureates of prestigious musical competitions. In addition to her teaching career, Tamara is the distinguished author of more than 30 published music education books and annuals.

Tamara held the full-time position of Chief Choir Conductor at the Belarus Musical Theatre. Upon moving to Canada in the 1990s, Tamara became very involved in Canadian music life both in Montreal and Toronto through teaching (both young and older students) and organizing cultural events and participation with organizations like the Montreal Symphony Orchestra Choir and by coaching voice at the National Theatre School of Canada. Tamara also collaborated with Nancy and Randall Faber as a pilot teacher for the Piano Adventure program.

Tamara’s musical interests and specialty span a number of different fields — piano performance, voice arts, and choir conducting. In each of these ventures, Tamara’s students achieved high degrees of success. Earlier in 2024, Tamara was awarded The Best Teacher of the Sixth International Festival, “Music of the World”.
 
Tamara has been teaching the RCM Certificate Program for more than 25 years. The age of Tamara’s students ranges from 4 to 80 years old. Tamara loves sharing her passion and love of music with people of all ages and backgrounds by teaching them how to “speak” one universal language — the language of music.

 

Quebec

Veronica Schiopu

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Pedagogy at the Faculty of Music in Bucharest in 2005, Ms.Schiopu further developed her piano and conducting expertise by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Musical Arts in 2007.

In 2007 Veronica began teaching piano in Bucharest and also served as collaborative pianist for the Bucharest National Operetta Theatre.

From 2011, she worked as a piano teacher and collaborative pianist at the Francesco Petrarca Music High School in Arezzo, Italy. Since 2022 she has taught in Gatineau. She is a Certified RCM piano teacher whose students have achieved outstanding results, including gold medals in 2022 and 2023 and gold and silver medals every year at the Unionville Music Competition.

As a concert pianist, Ms. Schiopu has performed in Romania (Bucharest), Italy ( Rome, Trieste, Arezzo, Bibiana, Siena, Firenze), Liechtenstein, Austria (Vienna), Spain (Madrid), and the US (California, Boston, Virginia).

 

Atlantic

Amy Simon

Amy Simon is a clarinetist, woodwind specialist and music scholar. She holds a Master’s degree in Music (Clarinet Performance) from the University of Victoria, and a PhD in Music (Ethnomusicology) from York University. Her doctoral research was funded by the Provost Dissertation Scholarship.

She is currently in the faculty at UPEI as Instructor of Clarinet and Woodwind Techniques. She has published articles on Japanese wind music and clarinet repertoire in the journals Asian Music, Analytical Approaches to World Music and The Clarinet [Online].

As a clarinetist and bass clarinetist, Amy is active as a chamber and orchestral musician. She toured throughout Europe and North America for several years, performing in renowned theatres and opera houses.

Currently, Amy performs regularly with the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra and Luminos Ensemble. She acted as producer for the 2022 CD release of Solitary Clarinet by Karem J. Simon.

She is an active member of the PEI Registered Music Teachers’ Association, and her students have won regional gold medals for their RCM exams, competed in the National Music Festival, and earned scholarships to study music at university.

 

United States

North Central

Amy Immerman

Amy Immerman is one of Cincinnati’s most active and well-known piano teachers.

Amy and her colleague, Sheila Vail, were the power force that brought the RCM curriculum to Ohio, and eventually the United States. Many of Amy’s students have received gold medals for attaining the highest score state-wide and earning First Class Honors with Distinction. Amy was a member of The RCM College of Examiners for eight years. She gave presentations and consulted for the RCM and the Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited.
 
Amy has held many leadership roles in the music community, and has given over 100 presentations, at 20+ national conferences in 19 states and in Canada. In 2011, she was named Ohio Certified Teacher of the Year, and in 2013, she was recognized nationally by her peers as an MTNA Foundation Fellow.
 
Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Ohio University. She is one of the original co-founders and owners of Cincinnati Music Academy.

 

Northeast

Bonnie Black

A passionate leader of aspiring musicians of all ages, Bonnie Black has served as artistic director, conductor, and master teacher for many successful programs, including the Harlem Children’s Orchestra, Harlem School of the Arts, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, Boston University, and currently, the New England Conservatory. 
 
Honored by Boston Magazine as one of Boston’s 100 most influential women, Ms. Black has devoted much of her life’s work to building powerful programs for youth and communities, helping people young and old use their musical and creative energies to make the world a better place.
 
Her performing ensembles have been presented in Boston's Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall, and her students frequently garner top awards at regional and national competitions. 

Through her popular string pedagogy programs, Ms. Black is always honored to share her years of experience with the next generations of teachers, as she continues to train and mentor new musical leaders to build their own programs around the world.

 

California, Hawaii

Mona DeCesare

Mona Wu DeCesare graduated from UCLA and the Aspen Music School, studied under Aube Tzerko, and earned multiple degrees in piano performance (BA & MFA). 

Currently, she serves as an adjunct faculty at Moorpark College.

She served as the President (2021-2023) of the Music Teachers' Association of California (CAPMT).

Mona is also the California 2021-2022 MTNA Foundation Award Nominee and an RCM Certified Teacher of The Royal Conservatory.






 

Northwest

Grace Huang

Born in Taipei City, Grace Huang received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Washington School of Music, where she studied under Dr. Robin McCabe. During her time at UW, she was awarded the Brechemin Scholarship and the Elizabeth Goldmann Award. She also had the opportunity to collaborate with Seattle Symphony musicians and Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist John Patitucci.
 
In 2007, Grace studied at the Mozarteum University in Austria with Andrzej Jasiński, the jury president of the Fryderyk Chopin International Piano Competition. Grace has been enjoying a diverse career as a soloist, chamber performer, and educator.
 
She has developed and maintained a thriving independent piano studio in Redmond, Washington, for over ten years, catering to students of all skill levels. Her students have garnered awards in various prestigious competitions. Many of her students have excelled in the RCM Certificate Program, earning first-class honors with distinction, with several achieving the highest marks in Washington State, leading to invitations to perform at the Seattle Library.
 
Outside her musical pursuits, Grace is committed to giving back to her community by organizing studio performances at senior living facilities several times a year. Both her students and their parents commend her as a gentle yet firm, precise, and patient teacher of the highest quality.

 

Southwest

Heather Smith

Heather Smith, MM, MBA, is the Director of Development and Advancement for The Frances Clark Center and the co-creator of the Center’s online course, A Pianist’s Guide to Studio Management. A dedicated music educator, administrator, and community arts advocate, Heather brings a wealth of experience to her multifaceted career.

She serves on the Executive Board of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) as Secretary-Treasurer, contributing to both the Development Committee and the MTNA Business Network. Additionally, Heather is a member of the College of Examiners for The Royal Conservatory of Music, examining students across North America. The RCM has been instrumental in her own growth as a student and educator, and she continues to see its impact through the success of her students.

Heather has spearheaded numerous arts initiatives, including Silent Film Celebration, which provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with historic films through live music performance, fostering both artistic and educational growth.

As a Certified Change Leader with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Heather regularly organizes local and national events to support music students, teachers, and communities through the musical arts. She has received the Outstanding Service Recognition Award from The Frances Clark Center and the Advocacy in Action Award from the Utah Music Teachers Association, honoring her commitment to advancing music and arts culture.

With advanced degrees in both piano performance and business, Heather teaches private and group piano lessons in her home studio in Centerville, Utah.

 

South Central

Elizabeth Gutierrez

Elizabeth Gutierrez, Founder and CEO of pianoteacheracademy.com enjoys a diverse career as a performer, pedagogue, teacher, composer, editor, and educational consultant.

She held professorships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and The University of Texas at San Antonio and also served as a piano editor for major music publishers, such as The FJH Music Company, Carl Fischer, and Theodore Presser. She was also an editor and national clinician for Faber Piano Adventures for many years giving numerous workshops and masterclasses worldwide.

Elizabeth devotes herself to serving independent teachers with targeted online tutorials, self-study courses, guest webinars, and virtual conferences at Piano Teacher Academy.

She recently launched a companion website, ianopassport.com, offering teachers go-to resources for information and sheet music that meets teaching needs.

Elizabeth has opened the door to collaborative piano pedagogy where pedagogues and teachers work together to create content through context, connection, and community.

 

Southeast

Yulia Roubtsova

Pianist and educator Yulia Roubtsova holds a Masters degree in Western Musicology from the Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia. For ten years Ms. Roubtsova was on the faculty at the Saint-Petersburg Music Lyceum, which serves as a preparatory division for St. Petersburg State Conservatory.

Since moving to the United States in 2009, Yulia Roubtsova has established a reputation of excellence in both piano and music theory instruction, working at the UNCSA Community Music School, where she introduced The RCM Certificate Program. Ms. Roubtsova has helped many young musicians attain the highest honors on their Certificate Program examinations. Her piano students have won numerous prizes in local and statewide competitions.

Yulia Roubtsova is the director of St. Mary’s Music Academy in High Point, NC. In 2024, Ms. Roubtsova joined the UNC School of the Arts faculty, where she now teaches keyboard harmony for pianists.