Music lessons at Bergthorson Academy are taught by fully qualified musicians who share their musical gifts through the love of teaching. Patience and understanding for children and beginners, combined with clear expectations for the goals of each student, provide a context through which each student is inspired and motivated to achieve their maximum level of achievement.

Our Superb Faculty

Judith Bergthorson, Executive Director:

A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music and of the Western Conservatory of Music and a member of the B.C. Registered Music Teacher’s Assoc., Judith has been educating musicians for over 25 years.  Focusing on the specific needs of each student, and with a light humorous approach, Judith has developed unique and innovative educational tools that empower students and provide them with the knowledge needed to use their musical abilities wisely.  With a strong background in cognitive and child psychology, Judith is well-equipped to provide the safety and security that enables optimal learning at the Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts. 

Robert Hornsey, Director of Planning and Business Development

Our Exceptional Instructors:

Eduardo Baena

Argentine born, Eduardo studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires.  Eduardo completed the seven year program in only six years, graduating with a degree in Music Education, Guitar Major, and was awarded the Gold Medal for the distinction of top student in his graduating class.  From that time, and for the last several years, he has been teaching guitar, ear training, rhythm, music appreciation, music theory and history to both groups and individuals. His students range from kindergarten to college levels.
His extensive experience has provided solid technical and social skills that enhance his abilities to educate a wide variety of students who have diverse needs and goals.
Eduardo also has a unique  background in South American rhythms, music , and folk instruments as well as digital audio recording and sound editing.
One particular phrase reflects his philosophy about the value of music: “I think everyone should learn to play an instrument or learn to sing.   Apart from having fun and the value of the emotional inspiration, studying music contributes not only to our creative development, but also enhances skills such as concentration, paying attention to others and working together as a team.   In early childhood, rhythm is also very important in the developing language skills.”

Rayne Beveridge 

B. Mus. (pending) Vocals. Rayne Beveridge is the Bergthorson Academy's expert contemporary vocal instructor, guiding and developing the vocal and performance skills of students, young and not so young.  He has been instrumental in developing curriculum for Bergthorson's Academy of Rock department.  Students can choose repertoire from a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, R&B, musical theatre, and classical.  Although trained in classical technique, having secured a performance scholarship in university, he has sung lead vocals for several touring bands of different genres inlcuding jazz, rock, and country-gospel, and is well-equipped to train voices in all these genres.  

Trained in the Arts for over 16 years, Rayne has extensive knowledge in vocal and theatrical performance, music theory, and performance/stage techniques.  He is proficient not only in voice and drama but also trombone and cello as well.  As a member of such prestigious musical groups as the the Greystone Singers, Medicine Hat College Academy Orchestra, Saskatchewan Opera Chorus and others, he has performed lead vocal roles in Pirates of Penzance, Mikado and East of the Sun, as well as supporting vocal roles in Bizet's Carmen and The Wizard of Oz, and a lead dramatic role with the Linack Theatre Company on tour in England.  By the age of 16 years,  Mr. Beveridge had been awarded Performer of the Year at the Maple Creek Music Festival and also been recommended for the National Vocal Competition.  He has studied with such renowned professionals as Donald Bell, Univ. of Calgary, Garry Gable, Univ. of Sask., and Judith Lindenbaum, Univ. of Cologne, Germany.   In the spirit of his passion for music, Mr. Beveridge founded Odeum Theatre in 2005, and since that time has produced and directed seven community musicals for young adults.  After the amazing success of The Mikado in Maple Ridge in the summer of 2009, he has been persuaded to mount a production of Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore for the summer of 2010.  Auditions for age 9 to 21 and registration will be held in May/June.

Josh Dean   M. Music

Lachlan Duncan  

Lach’s sense of rhythm and musicality is impeccable.  He started playing drums at an early age with his school band, and through the years since has studied with many fine professionals.  Besides drums, he plays a great jazz guitar and also is the lead singer with a swing band, the Bruce James Orchestra.   He has been playing drums for 40 years with combos and big bands in fine hotels, cruise ships and theatre.  In more recent times, Lach has been  introducing young and old to the rhythms of Jazz, Rock and Blues, Salsa and other South American styles. 
 

Ana Gibbons  

Music Major, piano and voice, Capilano College, B.Mus pending, UBC.  Ana is much appreciated by her students and her community for her patience and encouragement, and for her excellent technical skills as an instructor of piano and of beginner and advanced theory, accompanist and conductor.   Ana welcomes beginners as well as college level students to study with her for fun or for exams and auditions.  Ana’s philosophy about music and about life is, “Music can move us; give us the sensation of tranquility, and develop the artist that resides within us all.  Teaching music is my highest goal because it is my past, my present and my future.” 
 

Heather Hall   

Arct (pending). Violin and piano.  Violin studies with Margitta Krebs, M. Mus, and piano with Susan James, B.Mus.  A regular participant in the Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival, Heather has won numerous awards.   From 1999 Heather has been instructing students in violin, piano, and theory, including preparing students for RCM exams.   Heather is also currently a part-time Education student, and plans to teach in public or private schools.     
 

Jane Kim (Young Ran Koh)

 M. Mus., Cello  Jane Kim received a B. Mus. in Seoul, and then the Master’s of  Music  from the Detmold National University of Music in Germany.  Jane lectured at the Seoul University for seven years while performing as a guest recitalist in Germany and Korea with such prestigious orchestras as the Russian Symphony and the Seoul Symphony.  As well, Jane has performed many chamber concerts in Europe.  After a hiatus during which time Jane and her husband had 2 children and then moved to Canada, she has revived her love for cello and encourages all who are  interested in cello to talk with her and discuss a program that will work for them. 


 
Robert Maddocks  

Guitar, Rock Band, Classical Guitar.  Robert has over 15 years' experience teaching music at all levels.  With studies in classical music and orchestration, jazz and contemporary music theory, and music engineering at college and university, Robert is well-equipped to teach beginners and advanced students.  He has practical experience performing classical music and jazz, and as a professional musician, toured for many years with pop/rock/country bands.  His years of working in the recording studio has provided Robert with a thorough knowledge of professional recording equipment, and also honed his skills as a song writer and arranger.   As well as teaching, Robert operates his commercial recording studio, Intense Productions, as well as writing and arranging music for movies and TV and other commercial enterprises.

Lee McDonough, B.A., M.A.

Carlos Monzon  

B. Mus pending.  Saxophone Carlos has been playing the sax for several  years, beginning with jazz and continuing with classical studies at Capilano College.  His favourite jazz musician is Charlie Parker, and he loves the blues. Although the sax is his first love, he also enjoys playing guitar and piano.  Carlos points out that “music opens people’s minds and breaks down barriers between them.  Music is one of the few areas in life in which competition between musicians means that everyone wants everyone else to do as well or better they do.”   Born in Peru, Carlos arrived in Canada at the tender age of 2 years, and is fluent in both English and Spanish.   He is in the process of completing his Education degree and is looking forward to teaching Saxophone at the Begthorson Academy , and as well as in the future, music and band in public schools. 

Eun JI Rhim  

B. Mus. Flute. Eun Ji started playing the flute at age 10, and has completed her B. Mus at UBC.   She will be pursuing her Master degree Sept. 2010.  While in high school, she was chosen the Best Musician of the Year at Maple Ridge Senior Secondary School.    She enjoys teaching flute at BAMA in her spare time.  Eun Ji is fluent in English and Korean.

Alexis Rossi   

B. Mus.  Piano, Double Bass, Pre-School Classes.  After completing her diploma in music at Kwantlen College, with a major in piano and a minor in string bass, Alexis enrolled at Simon Fraser University to complete her Bachelor’s degree.  She is heavily involved in performing with concert bands, jazz bands, choirs, and her own funk trio, Hot Sauce. 
Together, Judith and Alexis have developed the Bergthorson Academy pre-school program, Preludes, for children 3 to 6 years.  Culling the very best ideas from both of their years of experience in teaching piano and working with pre-schoolers, Preludes  is a very successful and fun program for 3 to 6 year olds!  Alexis also has many  private piano students who appreciate her imaginative and creative approach to music. 
 

David Schriek  

B. Mus, Rock/Blues Guitar, Bass Guitar, Rock Band  With a diploma in guitar and one in audio engineering, David has completed his studies in music and in education at Trinity Western University.  For 10 years, David toured night clubs and performance venues in Canada as a professional musician, achieving success with his band the Schriek Brothers.   David has accumulated a vast repertoire of rock and other contemporary music which he is excited to share with private and RockBand students, whether they are beginners or professionals.

Szu-Wen Wang   

Voice, DMA in Voice Performance.  Szu-Wen has impeccable vocal technique, and in between her lessons with private students, is in great demand for numerous opera and symphony performances in BC.   A graduate of the prestigious University of Texas, she also spent 3 years as a teaching assistant at the same University, and then for a year, the Artist in Residence for the Amarillo Opera.  She has performed in choral and chamber groups, early music ensembles, and of course as the soloist in many productions.  Some of her honours and awards are:
Winner of the 4th Annual Vocal Gala Competition at the University of Texas, 2004
Virginia McBride Hudson Endowed Scholarship in Music, 2005-06
3rd Place Winner of the national Assoc. Of Teachers Competition in Texoma Region, 2000
Finalist in Voice Competition of the Celebration of Rising Stars Festival in Taipai, Taiwan, 1998.  Recently, Szu-Wen has wowed audiences on the mainland and on the Island with her performances in operas such as Madama Butterfly, Hansel and Gretel and in performances such as Voices of the Pacific Rim with the Vancouver Opera Society and Vancouver Symphony. Szu-Wen welcomes all aspiring singers to her classes.

Shaun Van Der Westhuizen 

B. Mus. Guitar, theory, harmony, song-writing.  Truly a multi-talented musician, Shaun focuses his prodigious teaching expertise and his high energy on the guitar, bass guitar, and beginner banjo.  He brings also to his classes his own extensive experience in rock and big band performance, as well as small intimate group productions.   Shaun is one of the directors for the Academy of Rock, and is director for the RockBand programs for 13 and over.