Edmonton South - Violin Lessons

Elizabeth Sihua (Violin)

Online Lessons: No

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday

Elizabeth was born into a musical family in Ukraine. She graduated from the College of Music (violin class), and conducted chamber orchestra after completing her bachelor’s degree at the Academy of Music in Odessa. She also led an active concert performance during this time. After moving to Canada in 2016, she continued teaching and working as a professional musician, participating in various festivals and concerts, including the Shostakovich Festival. In 2021, she was a participant and member of the jury at the International String Connections Festival led by Guillaume Tardif and Svitlana Remniakova-Ostrovska. Elizabeth currently plays first violin in the "Elegance Strings" quartet, founded in Edmonton in 2024. Lessons with Elizabeth can be instructed in English, Ukrainian, or Russian. Her rate is $31 per half hour.

Halyna Stepanitska (Violin, Piano)

Online Lessons: No

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Saturday

Halyna is a violin and piano teacher with over 25 years experience. She holds a diploma in String Instruments with a specialization in violin from the Vocational Music College in Ukraine, and graduated from Rivne Pedagogical University with a Bachelor's in Music Pedagogy and Education in 2005. While working as a music teacher in Brody, Ukraine, Halyna guided beginner level students all the way to their eventual graduation from the certificate program. During this time, she also helped students prepare for performances, exams, and competitions. Outside of her teaching career, Halyna has participated in folk music ensembles, teacher chamber orchestra, played with the Mandolin orchestra in Edmonton, and has performed various festivals and special events including the Heritage Festival in 2024. Halyna also has experience with conducting choral ensembles and sang with the Viter choir during their performance at the Ukrainian Independence Day in 2025.
Lessons with Halyna can be instructed in English or Ukrainian.
Her rate is $29 per half hour.

Melissa Mohammadi (Piano, Violin, Voice, Viola)

Online Lessons: No

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Melissa started her music journey at the age of 3 in traditional private music lessons with piano. She soon expressed interest in vocal music and auditioned to become the youngest member of a child choir in her city. Her interest in music is what encouraged her parents to prepare her to audition for a music conservatory at the age of 12. She then went on to learn violin and persuaded her high school diploma along side music at the conservatory. Among her newfound interest in violin, she continued to explore contemporary popular and jazz vocal music and went on to take singing lessons on contemporary music. After graduating high school, she decided to join MacEwan’s contemporary popular and jazz music program as a vocalist. She is currently finishing the last year of her Bachelor's degree, majoring in performance. Melissa has been teaching privately in her spare time as a student since the pandemic in 2020 and is honored to be a member of the Long & McQuade family.
Her rate is $29 per half hour.