Our Instructors
All teachers for the Huntsville Suzuki School of Music are Registered SAA Suzuki Teachers. They have taken extensive training in Suzuki teaching offered by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and teach using the Suzuki Method. Learn more about this method at www.suzukiassociation.org
All teachers for the Huntsville Suzuki School of Music are Registered SAA Suzuki Teachers. They have taken extensive training in Suzuki teaching offered by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and teach using the Suzuki Method. Learn more about this method at www.suzukiassociation.org
Philip Kashap
Violin/Viola Teacher
Philip Kashap is one of the most accomplished violin teachers in Canada. In March 2025 he was awarded the Violin Teacher Trainer Certificate by the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the highest level of certification in the field, becoming the eighth person in Canada to achieve this milestone.
Philip attended Yale University where he received his Bachelors' and Masters' Degrees with Distinction in Music. He has taught violin full-time for nearly 40 years, and many of his students have gone on to successful careers in music.
He has been the Director of the Huntsville Suzuki School since 2012, taking over in that year from the founder, Linda Drennan. Since then he has guided a new generation of musicians, helping them with the kindness, care and attention to detail that are his hallmark as a teacher. Philip welcomes students of all ages and levels of ability to join his studio, from beginners to advanced, from young children to seniors.
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Shannon Lai Cello Teacher Shannon Lai is a teacher, administrator, and performer based in Parry Sound, ON. She is teaching with the Huntsville Suzuki School of Music courtesy of Whispering River Music, Parry Sound where she is employed full-time. Shannon began studying cello with Brenda Muller when she was 15 years old, already having received a Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10 Piano Certificate with First Class Honours by this age. She later studied Cello Performance at Wilfrid Laurier University, receiving a Bachelor of Music and a Chamber Music Diploma. Shannon completed Suzuki Cello Teacher Training Levels 1 through 10 with mentors David Evenchick and Susan Gagnon through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She has also taken Creative Ability Development Training with Laura Nerenburg, a pedagogical study of music improvisation based on Suzuki principles. Shannon enjoys building Whispering River Music’s programs which feature the intersection of contemporary music, community music, and interdisciplinary arts. She received the Platinum Award for Best Musical Instructor in the 2025 Parry Sound and Almaguin Readers’ Choice Awards. |
Albert Kashap
Classical Guitar Teacher
Albert Kashap is a classically trained guitarist who began his studies with Ben Schenstead in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He has performed in the master classes of some of the most famous classical guitarists, including Martha Masters and Scott Tennant of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. He has given many live concerts, performed on television, and appeared as soloist with orchestra.
Alber holds a Grade 8 Certificate in Classical Guitar from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He plays a large repertoire of classical guitar music (especially Spanish classical guitar), but also enjoys blues, jazz, classic rock, the Beatles, reggae, and modern hip hop. He often entertains guests at events around Muskoka.
Albert is certified in SAA Levels 1 and 2 by the Suzuki Association of the Americas, and has been teaching guitar for over ten years.