• “With Candice’s help, I am learning to sing better and am gaining confidence. Candice is relatable, friendly and knowledgeable. I am extremely glad that she is my teacher. Learning to play an instrument with Candice is just as fun and helpful. She can clearly explain how to fix problems and improve skills, all the time being an outstanding teacher. She is helping me sing and play things I never would have thought I would be able to. Looking back at when I started, I can see how much I needed working on. Candice is skillfully helping me to increase my musical talent. She is definitely someone to go to for anything musical.”

    – Ruhani

  • “…I thank Candice for encouraging me, for believing in me and for motivating me to do my best even when I felt she would be mad with me for not practicing enough. Indeed her encouragement was a gift to me considering my busy schedule. Candice’s giftedness and her style of teaching is a priceless gift to the music industry and to the Kingdom of God. For anyone who means true business and wants to learn how to play the piano, call Candice and you will be playing in no time.”

    – Winnie 

  • “I’ve really been enjoying my classes this year I’ve learned so much in my private lessons whether it’s Candice helping me learn guitar and teaching me new chords and keys, to her helping me learn new piano pieces, to us going over classical and jazz vocal pieces and music homework from school, or even to her preparing me for a performance at church. Even in theory classes this year I learned a lot. Every time I go to my classes at Nova I learn something new! One thing I really like about classes at Nova are that the lessons move at a pace that I’m comfortable with and able to manage so it doesn’t become overwhelming. Classes are just fun, learning music is fun!”

    – Arianna

Meet the Team

Candice Saffrey

Piano, Voice, Beginner Guitar, Drums, Alto Sax, Theory, History

Piano, Voice, Beginner Guitar, Drums, Alto Sax, Theory, History

Candice holds a B.F.A spec. hons in Music from York University. She has been playing the piano for the past 30 years and has gained additional experience on drums, guitar, alto sax, djembe, steel pan, and voice.
Among Candice’s playing experience, she has been teaching for over 20 years. Candice has worked as a private piano and vocal instructor at Long and McQuade and In Key Music Studio. She has also worked with bands and ensembles and currently functions as the Worship Pastor at The Family Life Centre. Candice works with advanced music students to shape their pedagogy skills by mentoring and training them to teach and work with students of their own and form their own businesses for the future. Currently Candice is pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counselling with hopes to couple a therapeutic approach to music education as well as expand to offer additional services.

Tameisha Perry

Piano

Piano

Tameisha has been playing the piano for 22 years and has been teaching piano for the past 9 years. She has attained level 9 piano and advanced theory in the RCM. As a former pianist in the Mayfield Regional Arts Program, she brings a rich background in performance and musical education. Tameisha enjoys teaching piano and making piano lessons a fun and engaging experience. Her ultimate goal is to help all students become confident in their musical abilities.

Nicholas Paolone

Voice

Voice

With over 10 years of Performing under his belt, Nicholas has had a passion for the arts for as long as he can remember! He is a very energetic teacher, who loves to have fun and loves to watch his students succeed! Nicholas is a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Regional Arts Vocal Program, Mohawk College’s Applied Music Preparatory Program, and Applied Music Program for Classical Voice. Nicholas has experience in various genres, including Musical, Pop, Rock, Classical, and Choir. He has done musicals such as Hairspray (Edna), Les Misérables (Valjean), West Side Story (Diesel) Shrek the Musical (Shrek), Spongebob the Musical (Spongebob), and so on. Nicholas has also Performed at Diamond Tooth Gerties for their 2023 Season (Dawson City, Yukon) and performed under Canada’s Wonderland for their “Winterfest” season as a Christmas Caroler! He is an active performer who loves working and connecting with others, and tries to bring out the best in others as he continues on his own Musical journey!

Victor Malbarosa

Guitar

Guitar

Victor has a joy for playing and teaching music as he comes from a background of being both trained and self-taught. He has been honing his guitar skills since the age of 11. Victor has experience teaching guitar theory at Harmony at Home Music and is currently playing a significant role in his church’s worship team as a lead guitarist and vocalist. Victor is excited to inspire a love and passion for music by exploring not only the technical side of music, but fostering a love for the classics and modern music.  Aside from his passion for music, he is a youth worker at Hope City Church and is happily married to his wife, Tomi.

Alexia Olsen

Violin & Piano

Violin & Piano

From a young age, Alexia has been immersed in music, whether it was listening to her older sisters practice, performing in the Rosebud Orchestra, or dedicating countless hours to her own practice. With over a decade of experience on both piano and violin, she has achieved her Level 9 RCM certification in piano and is currently pursuing her Level 8 RCM certification in violin. Recently, Alexia has also begun learning the clarinet and is eager to broaden her musical skills. Passionate about sharing her love of music, Alexia is committed to helping aspiring musicians achieve their goals and discover the joy of music.

Alexis Fernando

Piano

Piano

Alexis has been culminating her piano-playing experience since 2014 and currently holds her Level 8 RCM piano and theory credentials. Alexis volunteers weekly as a tutor and has gained experience teaching a variety of ages through a fun and inspirational teaching approach. Alexis regularily accompanies the St. Anne’s Church Youth Band which plays for masses and performs at other parish events. Other playing experience includes accompanying choirs for local competitions, concerts, exams, and bands. Alexis is eager to assist students in developing their talent and to help them in reaching their musical aspirations.