Strings
Since 1959, the Music Enrichment Strings Program has provided quality instruction on violin, viola, cello and double bass. Its success is based on two key principals - dedication and enjoyment. Our orchestra program gives students the opportunity to apply their skills in an ensemble setting.
Strings
Group instruction on violin, viola, cello, or bass is available at six levels for students in grades 3 to 12, offered on weekdays at locations throughout the city. The instructors are experienced educators known for excellence in their discipline.
After their first year, string students are strongly encouraged to participate in an Enrichment orchestra to expand their musical skills in an ensemble setting. Students may join the Junior Orchestra without an audition; placement in Intermediate, Senior or Singing Strings Orchestras is by audition.
The orchestras play at a number of concerts during the year including a combined event with the All-City choirs Winterfest, as well as Edmonton Public’s Night of Music, and a spring tour. The senior performing orchestra, Singing Strings also performs at public and private functions and has toured to the United States, Europe and Asia.
Ensemble Instructors
John Fedor | Cello, Orchestra Conductor
Born in Edmonton, John began his cello studies at the age of ten, with Josephine van Lier. He recently received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Alberta, under the direction of cellist Tanya Prochazka. John has been teaching cello with the Edmonton Public School Board’s Music Enrichment Program since 2008. He is currently in his first year as conductor for the Senior Orchestra.
Petar Dundjerski | Conductor, Singing Strings
Petar was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia and has lived in Canada since 1994. He received his Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Toronto and continued his studies at the American Academy of Conducting and at the University of Cincinnati. In 2002 he was the Assistant Conductor with the National Academy Orchestra of Canada and in summer of 2004 served as a Resident Conductor at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Petar was the Assistant Conductor in Residence of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra 2006/08. Petar is currently the Director of the University Symphony and Academy Strings Orchestras at the University of Alberta.
Meghan Rayment | Choral Conductor, Strings Coordinator
Meghan holds a Bachelor of Music from the Augustana Faculty of the University of Alberta, as well as a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta. Meghan has had the pleasure of working with various ensembles in Edmonton and surrounding areas, including the Graduate Recital Choir and Orchestra. Meghan’s academic achievements include the Beryl Barnes Memorial Graduate Award, the John and Logie Drew Graduate Scholarship in Choral Conducting, the Swiss Ethnic Music Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship.
Mathias Silveira | Violin, Orchestra Conductor
Mathias has taught at the Alberta College Conservatory of Music, Grant MacEwan University since 1998 and for the Music Enrichment Program as an instructor and conductor since 2008. He completed his practical examinations through Trinity College of Music in London, England in 1989. Mathias received his B.Mus (Violin Performance) from the University of Alberta in 1998. Mathias is also an accomplished performer, who has appeared as a soloist and concertmaster both locally and internationally.
Joanne Yu | Cello
Joanne completed her undergraduate degree in Chicago and then moved to Montreal, where she received a Master’s degree in performance from McGill University. She has toured with the National Youth Orchestra and was part of music festivals in Banff, Domaine Forget, Orford, and Colorado Springs. Joanne Yu attended the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute and was recently part of the National Academy Orchestra, and was member of Orchestra London in London, Ontario. Future projects include concerts with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and chamber concerts at the University of Alberta.
Christina Jang | Violin
Christina’s music education started at the age of four on piano, followed by cello in grade three with the Music Enrichment program and finally violin in grade four. Christina is a graduate from the University of Alberta with a Bachelors of Education (Secondary Route), has an Associate Diploma of Performance from Conservatory Canada on violin and Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10 Piano. This is Christina’s 12th year teaching with Music Enrichment.
Jodi Archibald | Violin
Throughout her formal education, Jodi Archibald studied violin through the Music Enrichment Program under the tutorial of Ms. Mary Clarke and Ms. Sharon Lang. Jodi has been a member of both the Association of Ukrainian Canadians Orchestra and the Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, Jodi teaches mandolin to children for the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians and beginner violin for the Music Enrichment Program.
Ted Tessier | Bass, Guitar, Orchestra Conductor
Ted has taught for Music Enrichment for seven years. He has a B.Mus,B.Ed from the University of Alberta and has studied at the Victoria Conservatory, Fresno University and at the Port Townsend Jazz festival. He has played with various groups including the University Symphony Orchestra, Academy of Strings, Symphony Orchestra At the Pacific, Cosmo, Spectrum Jazz Band, and the Blues Wiremen. Ted continues to train in Suzuki teaching techniques at the Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
