Teacher Bios
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Ms. Sarah Saskin (she/her)
0.5 Music Teacher &
0.5 English as a Second Language Teacher
Through singing in elementary and high school choirs and musical theatre productions, Sarah's passion for music grew. Sarah began taking private piano and voice lessons around age 10. After studying music at university, Sarah spent 5 years touring in various bands in places such as China, Bolivia, France and Germany. Some highlights of Sarah's performance career include receiving a grant from the government of France for her compositions, performing as a soloist and back up singer in "A Night a Massey Hall", and recording 5 albums of original music (1 album with Mark Pelli from the Pop-Reggae band, Magic!).
After spending 10 years performing, Sarah decided to become a music teacher! Sarah began working for the Toronto District School Board in 2008, with breaks to care for her two children. Sarah, her husband (also a teacher : ) and their two children live in Toronto's west end.
As a teacher, Sarah is best known for creating a safe environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and diving into the creative process. She has hosted Music and Technology teacher and student workshops with Douglas Friesen, successfully obtained a MusiCounts Band Aid grant to purchase instruments for J.R. Wilcox Community School, and taught Strings at Agincourt Collegiate Institute and Winona Drive Senior Public School.
Currently, Sarah writes and performs original music in a band, volunteers with the Canadian Children's Opera Company, and teaches K-8 Vocal - Orff Music at Lanor Junior Middle School.
- B. Ed. Music (J-I Vocal Studies) - University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario
- B.F.A. Honours, specializing in Classical & Jazz Vocal Studies, Additional focus: Theatre - York University, Toronto, Ontario
- K-6 Orff Music Specialist Teacher - Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Ontario
- Grade 6 Piano, Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Ontario
- Certified Yoga Instructor, Octopus Garden Yoga, Toronto, Ontario
Ms. Tatianna Bouts Grade 7 & 8 Strings Instructor, Lanor Junior Middle School
Tatianna Bouts is a highly professional, dynamic, and results-oriented violinist and strings instructor. She is best known for effectively identifying and maximizing student abilities in order to increase their growth and development. In addition to being artistic and creative, Tatianna is also patient, kind, and gets along well with children. With over 30 years of teaching and performing in Orchestras, Tatianna is vastly knowledgeable in a variety of musical styles. Tatianna enjoys preparing students for school concerts, festivals, orchestra performances, and music camps. But above all, Tatianna strongly believes in music education for all students.
Mr. Michael Samotowka Grade 7 & 8 Band Instructor, Lanor Junior Middle School
Mike Samotowka has been an Itinerant Music Instructor for 22 years now with the TDSB. He is currently assigned to 6 schools where he teaches Grade 5-8 band. Band under his direction have had great success at various music festivals and competitions in Toronto and across North America. Notably at the Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival where is has placed first and best in class. Outside of teaching, he conducts the Etobicoke Youth Band and the Etobicoke Junior Youth Band. These community bands offer students an opportunity to create music together from a variety of schools in the GTA. He is also the Camp Director for the Toronto Summer Music Camp, a camp run by the TDSB.
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