CMC Notes Newsletter – February 2026 - Classical Music Conservatory

CMC Notes Newsletter - February 2026

In this issue

1. Important Upcoming Dates

2. Summer Camp Registration & Discount!

3. Teachers Upcoming Gigs & Releases

4. Featured Students

5. Featured Teacher

Important Upcoming Dates

Saturday, February 14th: Lessons are still ON as scheduled, but NO Musical Preludes classes today!

Monday, February 16th: CMC is closed for Family Day!

Tuesday, March 3rd: Deadline for registration for the May/June 2026 Session of RCM Exams

Click HERE for our private lessons 2025-2026 CMC School Year Calendar!

Click HERE for our Musical Preludes 2025-2026 Calendar!

Summer Camp Registration & Discount

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN: EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!

Music & Art Creations Summer Camp:

A magical fun-filled week for 4-7 year olds with music, art, movement, drumming and instruments exploration!

Monday to Friday from 9am to noon, $325/week.

SAVE $30 by registering before February 14th and pay only $295!

Week 1: July 13-17, 2026
Week 2: July 20-24, 2026
Week 3: August 10-14, 2026

Please click HERE for more information or to register – space is limited to only 8 students per week!

Teachers Upcoming Gigs & Releases!

Alex

Alex has an upcoming gig:

Garden of Forking Paths V: Triio + High Alpine Hut Network @ BSMT 254, Feb. 20th, 7-9:30pm

Emmett

From Emmett:

I will be playing a weekly solo jazz piano residency at the jazz bistro in downtown Toronto, every Wednesday in February 5-7pm. It is PWYC, and all ages welcome!

Here is the location of the jazz bistro – 251 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8

Enjoy!

Featured Students!

Clarabel and Myrna Toliver (Voice)

1. How old were you when you first started music?

Clarabel: 11
Myrna: 8

2. Why did you choose the instrument you currently play?

Clarabel: Singing makes me feel happy.
Myrna: My sister chose it and I like music and I like singing.

3. What do you like most about your music teacher?

Clarabel: She’s really nice and gives us good tips on our singing.
Myrna: That she’s nice and gives us helpful tips and she’s kind and funny.

4. Do you have a favourite piece to play?

Clarabel: I really like singing Idol by Yoasobi
Myrna: I like singing Idol, both the English and Japanese versions, by Yoasobi.

5. If you could play any other instrument, what would it be?

Clarabel: Piano because I really like the sound, especially minor chords.
Myrna: Piano because a lot of songs you can play on piano and we have a keyboard at home.

6. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Clarabel: I like art and will probably be an artist when I grow up.
Myrna: Drawing and reading and playing games with my sister.

7. Who are some of your musical inspirations?

Clarabel: Ariana Grande because she inspired me to sing more, and ILLIT got me singing more J-pop and K-pop.
Myrna: Ava Max would definitely be one and my sister, Clarabel.

8. What do you like most about CMC?

Clarabel: I really love the recitals! And the space where we sing is so bright and colourful.
Myrna: The space is light and has plants. I like how Clarabel and I get to do classes together. And I really like our music teacher.

9. Anything else you want to add?

Myrna: I like the recitals and I like the pictures in the newsletters.

If you are interested in being featured in our CMC Notes, please email us at cmc@cmccanada.com!

Featured Teacher!

Aimi Howden (Piano, Theory)

1. How old were you when you first started music?

I was three years old. I begged my parents for piano lessons, and was so persistent that they gave in! I began in group classes and my mother sat in and participated alongside me- an experience I still have delightful memories of to this day.

2. Why did you want to make music your career?

Music, specifically piano, has been my passion since I began lessons and it has brought me immense joy throughout my life. When considering what I wanted to spend my days doing, there really was no doubt- I wanted to play the piano and share my love of music with others! When I explored other career options, none of them sparked the same excitement or sense of purpose. Every day I feel so lucky that I have a career in music and can make a living doing what I love.

3. Which groups are you currently playing with, if any?

Most recently, I have performed with the Victoria Symphony as part of their “Carnival of Our Animals” concert and educational performances. I am also part of a piano duo with my close friend and colleague, Jany Lu.
In addition, I continue my journey as a solo pianist and look forward to recitals planned for 2026!

4. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

What I enjoy most about teaching is watching every student grow and progress- and getting to know each of them as individuals along the way. Seeing their musical curiosity, their personalities and their confidence develop is incredibly rewarding and I love that teaching allows me to share music while forming meaningful relationships with every student. Every day is full of surprises and getting to see how each student enjoys music in their own way is so special.

5. Some students have challenges with consistent practicing. What advice would you give them?

Consistency is key! Short, focused practice sessions daily are more effective than long occasional ones. Also making sure that students connect with their pieces is so important. I also find that understanding why we practice certain things- like technique, sight reading, and ear training- makes it much easier to stay motivated. Setting goals, celebrating progress, and having a practice area that you feel happy and comfortable in can turn practicing into less of a chore and into something positive and exciting!

6. What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a lot of hobbies- I love snowboarding, golfing, camping and cooking! Exploring recipes from different cultures is one of my favourite things- I truly live to eat, not just eat to live 🙂 I also have two cats and spend much of my time annoying them. Like many others, I love to travel as well!

7. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I am currently on Ishigaki Island in Japan as I write this! If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend travelling to Japan. I was born in Sendai, Japan and always end up coming back instead of going to new places… but somewhere else I would love to go is Jamaica, as my fiancé’s family is from there!

8. Anything else you want to add?

I teach online with CMC as I am based in Victoria, BC- I want to give Lusiana and Wanda a shout out for being amazing and for keeping me around after all of these years! I’ve been teaching with CMC since 2018 and am very fortunate to be a part of a wonderful team 🙂

If you are interested in being featured in our CMC Notes, please email us at cmc@cmccanada.com!

All Posts
Blog Posts
CMC Notes Newsletters

End of Content.