Cindy Fairbank
Pianist/teacher/composer, BMus (McGill University) RCM grade 10
For the last fourteen years, I’ve been performing, teaching, touring and recording all over Canada, the US and Europe. It’s the best job in the world.
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with armloads of talented Canadian artists including Jeremy Fisher, Madviolet, Liam Titcomb, Justin Hines, Juno award winners Justin Abedin (Jacksoul), Davide Direnzo (Tommy Swick and Jacksoul), Bryden Baird (Feist) and Juno-nominee Dione Taylor.
Over the last seven years in Toronto my teaching practice has grown to include over 40 students and families who study with me weekly. I’ve taught students aged 4 to 64, from beginners to those preparing for their RCM examinations, jazz, pop, latin and songwriting. I’ve always found that teaching and performing go hand in hand. I adore bringing the inspiration of a concert or tour back to the teaching room, and in turn, taking the creativity and influence of teaching into a performance.
Cindy’s love of the piano is infectious, and I always look forward to my next lesson! More than anything, Cindy has helped me to believe in my ability, and to want to practice and improve.
- Rick Shea, student
Louis Simão
Instructor/Multi-Instrumentalist/Composer B.F.A (York University)
A Toronto native, Louis Simão has been performing, recording and instructing for over fourteen years. As a multi-instrumentalist, Louis has worked in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, performing on bass, piano, guitar and accordion. He holds a B.F.A. in Jazz Performance from York University on piano and acoustic bass, was a recipient of the Oscar Peterson Scholarship, and also studied abroad with guitarist Alfredo Machado at Escola de Música Villa Lobos in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Simão’s diverse skills, which span jazz, latin, world and pop music idioms, have afforded him the opportunity to perform and record with artists such as, Nelly Furtado, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Eliana Cuevas, Michael Occhipinti & The Sicilian Jazz Project, Justin Rutlidge and the Junction Forty, Tapestry New Opera Works, The Lester McLean Trio, The Andrew Scott Quartet, and Fritz McIntyre of Simply Red.
As the recipient of numerous grants for recording and composition, Louis also produces his own recordings and runs his own recording studio. He is the winner of the OCFF’s "Songs From The Heart" competition in 2005, and a finalist of the 2006 USA Songwriting Competition, both in the world music category.
Louis currently teaches at the Humber College Community School as well as St. Christopher House in downtown Toronto. As a teacher and mentor, Louis believes that music lives within everyone and it is his mission that each student, through dedication and practice, will discover their own unique voice.
Joanna Boromao
Pianist/vocalist/teacher/composer, BMus (Humber College) RCM GRADE 10
At the age of four, Joanna began studying piano in her hometown Calgary, Alberta. In her early youth, Joanna was already comfortable playing in front of audiences, and her involvement in music extended to instrumental composition, singing, and songwriting.
She studied at the classical music program at the University of Calgary, and then moved to Toronto in 2000 where she earned her Bachelor of Jazz studies at Humber College.
Since graduating from Humber College, Joanna has been gigging and teaching steadily around the city.
In addition, she leads her own neo-soul band , performs with the Centaurs, a groove-based, free-improvisation band, and freelances in many jazz ensembles.
Joanna considers herself very lucky to have spent her whole life getting to know music through different genres, and feels it is her calling to share her knowledge, experiences, and love for music with students and audiences.
Teacher Apprentice Program
Each year, Sunnyside School of Music offers a Teacher Apprentice Program to an exceptional high school student who exhibits talent, enthusiasm, and a desire to pursue a musical career in performance and education. The student teacher has the full guidance of our other teachers, and is regularly supervised for evaluation and assessment. This program gives our student teacher a chance to develop their teaching skills while under the guidance of our experienced teachers. The Teacher Apprentice Program runs on Friday afternoons.
Nick Majesky
Teacher Aprrentice
Hi, I’m Nick. I’m going into grade 11 at Ursula Franklin Academy in the fall and I’ll be the Teacher Apprentice this coming year at Sunnyside School of Music.
I’ve been playing piano for 6 years now and I’m currently studying grade 5 RCM after completing my last exam with first class honours. I also play jazz, blues, and pop as well as compose my own music. In addition to piano, I’ve been studying guitar for the last 3 years.
In the upcoming years I plan to study music at Humber College and pursue a career in music and music education. I look forward to seeing you soon!