Annapolis Valley
Here are our members in the Annapolis Valley region.
Please click on a faculty members name for more information.
Nicole Barrett
piano, rudiments, accompanist​
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Mary Castello
piano, rudiments, accompanist, recital partner
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Susan Dworkin
piano, voice, rudiments, pedagogy, performance artist​
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Marlene Jackson
Retired
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Misty Banyard Kelley
voice, piano, brass, woodwinds, electric bass, early childhood music. aural musicianship skills, rudiments, clinician, adjudicator, accompanist
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aural musicianship, piano, rudiments, beginner improvisation and composition, accompanist, clinician, adjudicator
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Maureen MacLean
harmony, history, organ, piano, choir, analysis, rudiments, accompaniment
guitar, oud, analysis, counterpoint, harmony, history, rudiments, clinician, lecturer
Rebekah Maxner
piano, composition, notekidds, adjudicator, author
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Jasmine McMorran
piano, traditional music (fiddle), music research, accompanist
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Evelina Khustavino Moran
conducting, violin
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composition, piano, voice, aural musicianship, rudiments, guitar, choir, performace,
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Heather Pineo Regan
accompaniment, recitalist, recording artist, piano, rudiments, history, analysis, aural musicianship, harmony, clinician, adjudicator
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Elizabeth Sircom
cello
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Marilyn Whiteway
piano, rudiments, substitute church pianist, aural musicianship
Nicole Barrett
piano, rudiments, accompanist
Mary Castello
piano, rudiments, accompanist, recital partner
Mary Castello is the Collaborative Pianist at Acadia University’s School of Music where she has worked since September 2017. During this time she has established herself as a sought-after freelance collaborative pianist, recital partner, and piano teacher in the Wolfville area and beyond. Mary teaches piano to students of all ages and levels. Mary has been engaged in recent seasons by Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Halifax Summer Opera Festival, Acadia Summer Music Academy, InnerSpace Concerts, Scotia Chamber Players, and Saratoga Sings for Seniors (Opera Saratoga). Her recital partners have included cellist Rachel Desoer, saxophonist Tristan De Borba, mezzo-soprano Paula Rockwell, flutist Jack Chen, clarinetist Eileen Walsh, mezzo-soprano Marie Engle, soprano Bethany Hörst, mezzo-soprano Christianne Rushton, and flutist Melissa Mashner. She is an alumna of several collaborative pianist training programs for Art Song and Opera internationally including Franz-Schubert-Institut (Baden Bei Wein, Austria), Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program, Opera Saratoga, Centre for Opera Studies in Italy (COSI), Sulmona, Italy, Opera McGill, and Opera on the Avalon. Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Mary holds performance degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University and McGill University and a Pedagogy Diploma from Conservatory Canada.
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Wolfville, NS
Phone: (514) 261-3656
Email: mary.a.castello@gmail.com
Website: marycastellopianist.com
Susan Dworkin
Vocal and piano instruction, group voice classes, rudiments, pedagogy, performance artist, soprano.
Susan Dworkin is a dramatic soprano, accomplished voice teacher, and choir conductor with over 30 years of experience in teaching and performance. Known for her commanding voice and artistry, she has performed at world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and competed in high-profile international competitions.
As an educator, Susan runs a thriving voice studio in Wolfville, where she nurtures singers of all levels, hosting biannual student recitals that celebrate their growth and talent. These recitals also serve a philanthropic purpose, raising funds for the Wolfville and Area Food Bank and Safe Haven Animal Rescue, reflecting her commitment to giving back to the community.
A former university music professor (2000–2005), she is passionate about fostering musical excellence. In addition to her studio work, Susan leads the Little Town Choir, a welcoming ensemble for beginner and intermediate singers. She also previously conducted the Wolfville Community Chorus, enriching her community with dynamic and memorable performances.
Upcoming professional engagements include a recording project in Montreal in June, 2025 and two concerts in New York City in the fall of 2025. These events highlight her ongoing commitment to her craft and international presence as a performer.
A proud member of the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers’ Association for over 25 years, Susan remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians while advancing her distinguished career.
Wolfville, NS.
901-300-1001
Marlene Jackson
Retired
Marlene is very proud of her 2 grown children, her daughter, a piano teacher in Ottawa with 2 children and her son, Andrew, a professional actor on stage and screen. Since graduating from Mt. A. and representing the university on concert tour as a pianist, Marlene has taught hundreds of piano students, as well as other instrumentalists, many of whom have gone on to professional music careers. Marlene taught high school bands and choirs both before her children were born and after they were grown. These groups won many golds in Music Festivals. In addition to her private teaching she continues to serve on many boards and volunteer groups.
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Box 15, 123 Paisley Ave.
Berwick NS B0P 1E0
902-538-8326
jacksonmarlene272@gmail.com
Misty Banyard Kelley
Voice, Rudiments
Misty Banyard- Kelley is an arts administrator, vocal teacher and technician, adjudicator, workshop leader and professional vocal soloist. She holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Acadia University and a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Ottawa. She has been described as “A stunning instrument of great value on the national and international stage,” as well as “An artist with a fine voice and touch for the theatrical.”
Born and raised in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Ms. Banyard-Kelley spent 22 years in Ottawa where, in addition to her busy teaching and performing schedule, she was the General Manager for the prestigious Ottawa Bach Choir, the Ewashko Singers and Bytown Operaworks. Additionally Misty served several terms on the executives of both NATS and ORMTA.
Her career highlights include solo recitals at Christ Church Cathedral (Dublin, Ireland) and the Grange School (Hartford, England), The Canadian Premier of Llama’s Popule Meus with Coro
Vivo Ottawa, "Flora" in Pellegrini Opera's Production of La Traviata, " Musetta" in Capital City
Opera's Inaugural production of La Boheme, and as the soloist in Paul Mealor's stunning Stabat Mater with The Cantata Singers of Ottawa. Her theatre credits include “Miss Andrew” in Mary Poppins, “Kala” in Tarzan, “Mrs. Hamilton” in the world premiere of Scary Poppins, and “Momar” in the World premiere of Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.
Ms. Banyard returned to Middleton, NS in the fall of 2021 intending to semi-retire, but it just wasn’t in her nature. She instead has embraced work with NSRMTA (President), CFDMTA
(Delegate and chair of the Bylaw Committee), The Annapolis Valley Music Festival (General Manager), Nictaux Baptist Church (Music Director) and the Frugal Mums Society (location supervisor) – This is all IN ADDITION to her busy teaching load!
Misty enjoys working with students of all ages in voice, piano, woodwinds, brass, and all types
of musicianship skills. Please feel free to contact her at any time to begin your musical journey!
42 King Street, PO Box 846
Middleton, NS B0S 1P0
Phone: 613-291-3694
Email: mistybanyardmusicstudio@gmail.com
Dr. Krissy Keech
Aural Musicianship, Piano, Rudiments, Beginner Improvisation and Composition, Accompanist, Clinician, Adjudicator
Dr. Krissy Keech is passionate about piano, pedagogy and practising!
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She completed her PhD in Music Education at McGill University, where she focussed her doctoral research on elements of piano pedagogy and teacher effectiveness—in particular, applied teachers’ identification and correction of students’ errors. She continues to research teacher effectiveness, effective practice methods, and best practices for error correction.
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Dr. Keech has a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Acadia University, where she studied under Prof. John Hansen, and a master’s in piano performance from McGill University, under Profs. Marina Mdivani and Sara Laimon.
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While her university training is in classical music, she has broad experience performing piano music in other styles: jazz, blues, folk, congregational, show tunes, Latin-American, and pop. As an accompanist, Dr. Keech is especially recognized for her rehearsal and performance skills in choral settings. She has worked with the Annapolis Valley Honour Choir, Nova Scotia Youth Choir, Canadian Chamber Choir, and numerous internationally renowned choral conductors (e.g., Elise Bradley, Scott Leithead, Michael Zaugg). She has been on the accompanying staff at Acadia, collaborating with and coaching woodwind students. As a gig musician, she continues a busy schedule of playing and singing at weddings, conferences, church services, restaurants, and other special events.
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The guiding principle behind her research and teaching philosophy is the belief in the importance of the well-rounded musician, which includes being able to improvise and compose, in addition to the more traditional skills of learning to read and interpret Western music. Mistakes are also fascinating as they are inevitable and integral to the learning and creative processes. How do teachers, on the one hand, create an atmosphere where mistakes aren’t feared, where errors are embraced as learning opportunities, while on the other hand, maintain high standards of performance?
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In addition to teaching full-time at Acadia, Dr. Keech has also been operating a private home piano studio for over 25 years. She adjudicates at music festivals and conducts workshops on topics such as teaching students to improvise, how to practise, and the pedagogy of practice.
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287 old Post Rd.
Grand Pre, NS B0P 1MO
Phone: 902-410-5725
Email: krissy.keech@acadiau.ca
Website: https://krissykeech.wixsite.com/soundadventures
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Maureen MacLean
Harmony, History, Organ, Piano, Choir, Analysis, Rudiments, Accompaniment
Box 775
Middleton NS B0S 1P0
​902-825-3387
owleye2@bellaliant.net
Daniel MacNeil
Guitar, Oud, Analysis, Counterpoint, Harmony, History, Rudiments, Clinician, Lecturer
2356 Agricola St
Halifax, NS B3K 4B6
​Phone: 902-425-5301
Email: danielmacn@gmail.com
Website: http://www.danielmacneil.ca
Rebekah Maxner
Piano, Composition, Notekidds, Adjudicator, Author
23 William St. PO Box 524
Hantsport NS B0P 1P0
​902-684-1063
rebekah.maxner@gmail.com
Jasmine McMorran
Piano, Traditional Music (fiddle), Music Research, Accompanist
Jasmine McMorran holds a Bachelor of Music (piano performance) from the University of Lethbridge and a Masters of Arts (Ethnomusicology; the study of music in a sociocultural context).
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She is an accompanist for community choirs, and an active and dynamic pianist, fiddle player, researcher, and educator. Her studio is located in Cambridge, NS and she offers lessons for both piano and fiddle.
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6321 Highway 1
Cambridge Station, NS B0P 1G0
​Phone: 902-579-3659
Website: http://musicandchores.com
Evelina Khustavino Moran
Conducting, Violin
Evelina obtained her Diploma of Music Specialist, Violin Major, Musical Art, Teacher of Music, Artist and Conductor of Orchestra in Ukraine in 2006, and has been giving back since then. Close to a decade of teaching experience from novice to professional, Evelina is confident she can motivate students of any age and level. With tailored lesson materials, individual goals, proper techniques and high level of theory. Evelina is ready to inspire our future artists!
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1675 Northfield Road
Upper Kennetcook, NS, B0M 1S0
Phone: 902-275-8315
Email: justavinoeva@gmail.com
Website: evaviolin.com
Heather Pineo Regan
Piano, Theory, Recitalist, Recording artist, Accompanist, Coach
1008 Rawding Dr, PO Box 294
Port Williams NS B0P 1T0
902-542-7154
Email: hp_regan@hotmail.com
Website: www.heatherregan.ca
Elizabeth Sircom
Cello
Elizabeth Sircom is a cellist and visual artist. She is the Program Director for the Acadia Regional Youth Orchestra (ARYO) strings program, and a member of the Acadia University String Orchestra. She teaches cello privately at her studio in Hantsport and online via Zoom. She has been a member of NSRMTA since 2018. In 2021 she was awarded the NSRMTA Trust Janet K. Leffek Professional Development Fellowship.
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681 Lockhartville Rd
Hantsport, NS B0P 1P0
902-237-4549
Marilyn Whiteway
Piano, Rudiments, Substitute Church Pianist, Aural Musicianship
13 Henry St.
Kentville NS B4N 2L3
902-678-3009
magwhiteway@ns.sympatico.ca
Kathy Neufeld
Piano, composition, voice, aural musicianship, rudiments, guitar, choir, performance
Kathy Neufeld is a dedicated and experienced music teacher offering piano, voice, and guitar lessons at her private studio in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. With over 20 years of international teaching experience spanning Thailand, Spain, the U.S.A., Canada, and Vietnam, Kathy has worked with students from diverse cultural backgrounds, sharing her passion for music education. She holds two Bachelor of Music degrees and a Master’s Degree in Education, bringing a rich blend of academic expertise and practical knowledge to her teaching.
Kathy’s journey in music is as vibrant as her teaching career. Educated in Canada, the U.S.A., and England, she honed her skills in opera technique through intensive studies in England and the U.S.A. Kathy has performed in operas, musicals, folk festivals, concerts, and renaissance fairs in Manitoba, British Columbia, Minnesota, England, and Pakistan. Originally from Manitoba, Kathy has recently settled in Wolfville, where she is excited to provide a welcoming space for students of all ages to explore their musical talents.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, 7 years old or 70 years young, Kathy’s personalized approach ensures every student thrives.
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73 Eden Row
Greenwich NS
902-229-7330
Email: kathysneufeld@gmail.com
Website: https://kathyneufeldmusic.weebly.com
