Briercrest’s Conservatory of the Performing Arts (BCPA) is a welcoming and supportive community-focused program that enriches the lives of students through excellent musical training and performance opportunities. BCPA offers affordable lessons with highly educated and experienced teachers through Briercrest College for students in grades K-12 and adult community members. We offer private lessons in voice, piano, violin, guitar, drums, clarinet, cello, and group classes in dance.
![piano](https://brierweb.com/images/content/piano.jpg)
Instructors
![Chris Kayler](https://brierweb.com/images/content/kayler_1.jpg)
Chris Kayler
Piano
Recently appointed the Principal Keyboard of the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Christopher Kayler completed his DMA in Accompanying and Chamber Music at the esteemed Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) under the tutelage of Dr. Jean Barr.
An accomplished performer, he was awarded 1st prize in the 2017 Jessie Kneisel Lieder competition, which was judged by the internationally renowned pianist-scholar Graham Johnson, and performed as a piano soloist with the University of Manitoba Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. While at Eastman, he received an Excellence in Accompanying award, and held graduate assistantships in opera coaching, studio accompanying, and as a teacher's assistant. He has participated in numerous prestigious summer music programs, including the Vancouver International Song Institute, SongFest (Los Angeles), and the Franz Schubert lnstitut (Baden bei Wien, Austria). His academic awards include Eastman's Jerald C. Graue Fellowship for excellence in musicology and the University of Manitoba's Gold Medal for the highest graduating average in music.
At Briercrest, he teaches piano lessons and various music courses, performs in concerts throughout the year, and directs the Briercrest Orchestra. He has adjudicated at music festivals across Saskatchewan and Manitoba and also typesets music for academic publication. Chris' interests include reading, cooking, and exercise, each of which he enjoys with his wife, Heather. Chris lives in Moose Jaw with his wife Heather and sons Benjamin and James.
![Elena de Jager](https://brierweb.com/images/content/elena.jpg)
Elena de Jager
Piano
Elena de Jager's life has been entwined with music ever since she began formal piano lessons at age 7. In April of 2006 she graduated from Briercrest College and Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with an emphasis in Piano Performance.
While teaching and maintaining a vibrant piano studio, Elena completed the requirements for an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto (ARCT). She has served as an accompanist for auditions and recitals at the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels and was an accompanist for the Contemporary Opera Lab at the University of Manitoba.
Although she is equally at home accompanying singers and instrumentalists, Elena's primary musical collaborations have been with singers. She has served as an accompanist for vocalists at the regional and provincial levels of the Saskatchewan Music Festivals. In addition, she has collaborated with singers at both the local and regional levels of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions. Recently, Elena received a Master of Music in Piano Performance degree from the University of Regina under the tutelage of Dr. Katherine Dowling. Currently Elena lives in Caron, where she enjoys investing in the lives of her piano students as well as her three children.
![Marlene Pullman](https://brierweb.com/images/content/marlene.jpg)
Marlene Pullman
Piano
Marlene Pullman began piano lessons at age seven, and by age twelve was the only pianist in her small church. She played for choirs, small groups and soloists in church and high school. Marlene began teaching piano students of her own during her teens, and at age 18 completed her A.R.C.T. degree in piano performance. She also spend a summer studying Piano Pedagogy with Lyle Gustin in Saskatoon.
Marlene came to Caron port to attend Briercrest College, and taught piano lessons as her student work. It was here that she met, and eventually married, her husband Ellery. They have been living here at Caronport since 1979, and raised their three girls here. Marlene has taught piano lessons, both privately and for the college, for many years, and enjoys accompanying vocal students and classes.
![Brett Mitchell](https://brierweb.com/images/content/brett_2.jpg)
Brett Mitchell
Voice
Brett Mitchell, a native of Southern Saskatchewan received his bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from Briercrest College. After having completed his bachelor's degree, he taught private voice lessons at Briercrest College and was highly involved in the Briercrest Onstage productions including Christmas Musical and Briercrest Summer Stage productions. While teaching at Briercrest, Brett had the opportunity to co-direct The Wizard of Oz and Honk! Jr. for Caronport High School. He has recently graduated with honours from the University of Montana with a master's degree in Classical Vocal Performa nee.
During his studies Brett gained experience in performing as well as teaching, having participated in both University and community theatre in Missoula, Montana. While in Montana, Brett was an active member of the opera community, performing in productions such as Mozart's ldomeneo and Gilbert and Sullivan's Gondoliers with the University of Montana's Opera Theatre. Brett was involved with the famous Missoula Community Theatre, taking the role of Pirelli in Sweeney Todd and assistant music directing The Drowsy Chaperone. Brett's favourite endeavour during his time in Montana was artistic and music directing Menotti's The Old Maid and the Thief. In May and June of 2016, he returned to Caronport to play the role of Frederick in the Briercrest Summer Stage production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance. Recently, Brett has completed a professional run of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella with RuBarb Productions Inc.
![Nancy Loper](https://brierweb.com/images/content/nancy.jpg)
Nancy Loper
Voice
Nancy Loper dreamed of pursing a singing career since childhood as she developed a love of music from her father. Nancy moved from Ontario to study at Caronport SK in 2016 and now lives in the prairies with her husband, Jon. In 2020, Nancy graduated as the valedictorian from Briercrest College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music concentrating in Vocal Performance. Studying closely under Dr. Ron de Jager, she studied a wide range of Mezzo-Soprano repertoire including musical theatre, opera, German lieder, French art song, Italian art song, and contemporary.
Some of her major Musical Theatre roles include Tzietel from Fiddler on the Roof, Millie in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Laurey from Oklahoma!, and Elsa from Sound of Music. She was actively involved in Briercrest's opera scenes performances, starring as Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Cenerentola in La Cenerentola, and chorus roles in Die Fledermaus, Die Zauberflote, and Pirates of Penzance. Nancy has been teaching voice at Briercrest for two years and looks forward to share her love of singing with students in Caonport and surrounding areas for years to come!
![Daniel McElroy](https://brierweb.com/images/content/daniel.jpg)
Daniel McElroy
Voice
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, bass-baritone Daniel McElroy is completing his Master of Music
(Vocal Performance) degree at the University of Regina. He graduated from Briercrest College and Seminary in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts (Vocal Performance). A prolific performer, Daniel's recent roles include Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Adam in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Briercrest Onstage. Daniel has studied voice and piano from a young age and completed his Grade 9 RCM piano exam in 2017. He teaches voice, piano, music theory, and choir with the Briercrest Conservatory of the Performing Arts and has extensive experience with students of all ages. He's delighted to help the next generation of young musicians realize their potential!
![Melissa Wood](https://brierweb.com/images/content/melissa_1.jpg)
Melissa Wood
Voice
Originally from Manitoba, Mezzo-soprano Melissa Wood has called Saskatchewan home for the past eighteen years. A graduate of Briercrest College, Melissa received her B.A. In Music Performance: Voice under the tutelage of Dr. Ron de Jager.
Since graduating, Melissa's passion has been to teach and perform. She has starred in numerous productions encompassing musical theatre to opera. Some of her more recent performances include, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance, the Duchess in The Gondoliers, Miss Todd in Old Maid and the Thief, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof, The Mother Abbess in Sound of Music and Marilla in Anne of Green Gables.
In 2020 Melissa completed a Master of Music degree at the University of Regina. Her final Graduate recital featured the music of Canadian composers such as Beckwith, Somers, Ford, Greer, Archer and Forsyth. Melissa has taught at Briercrest College in Caron port, SK for the past 16 years where she enjoys working with young singers and participating in their vocal development. She is the proud mother of three young children, Isabel, Hannah and Felix, who enjoy music just as much as she does.
![Carmelle Pretzlaw](https://brierweb.com/images/content/carmelle.jpg)
Carmelle Pretzlaw
Violin
Regina violinist Carmelle Pretzlaw's formative years of musical training were spent at Regina's Conservatory of Performing Arts with various teachers, including Elman Lowe and Dr. Howard Leyton-Brown, under whose guidance she received the Conservatory's President's and Director's Gold Medals, the Dr. Howard Leyton-Brown Bow Award, and the string category in the Shumiatcher Competition through the Regina Music Festival. Studying with Calvin Dyck, Carmelle received her bachelor of arts from Trinity Western University, and with violinist Ed Minevich received her master's degree in violin performance from the University of Regina.
Carmelle is a section violinist with the Regina Symphony Orchestra who has also played and recorded freelance with multiple Saskatchewan artists such as Poor Nameless Boy, Jason Plumb, Jeffery Straker, Belle Plaine, Scott Richmond, Wolf Willow, and Indigo Joseph.
In addition to performing and arranging popular music with her string quartet Pile of Bows, she occasionally plays jazz, rock, and other instruments including bass guitar and piano. She's involved with her church's worship bands and previously directed their Christmas productions with choir and orchestra. By day, Carmelle works at SK Arts as an administrative coordinator.
![Kyleigh Coad](https://brierweb.com/images/content/Kyleigh-Picture.jpg)
Kyleigh Coad
Dance
Kyleigh began dancing at the age of two in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where she cultivated a lifelong passion for movement.
After two years with a performance company in Edmonton, she returned to Moose Jaw to teach dance for fifteen years, specializing in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Acro, Hip-Hop, and Lyrical. Certified in ADAPT, Acrobatic Arts, and ADTA, as well as an affiliate with CDTA she has become an esteemed figure in the dance community, leaving a lasting legacy through her teaching and mentorship.
Married for 22 years with two kids, a Rottweiler, a cat, and two goldfish, she continues to inspire others with her dedication to the art of dance.
![Luke Jongsma](https://brierweb.com/images/content/luke.jpg)
Luke Jongsma
Drums and Guitar
Luke Jongsma is a gifted guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from Toronto, Ontario. As a graduate of the Humber College music program, Luke has a Bachelor of Music (BM us) in jazz and commercial music on his primary instrument - guitar.
Born into a musical family, Luke's childhood was filled with music from a young age. Picking up the guitar at age 9, Luke's passion for music was quickly ignited and continued to this very day, over 19 years later. With his roots firmly set in jazz & blues, Luke's passion, education, and extensive playing experience enable him to draw on a variety of musical influences from genres such as rock, folk, gospel, and pop.
Luke started teaching music in his second year of college and quickly realized his passion for mentoring and guiding young musicians. As a teacher Luke's passion and love for music is undeniably vibrant, and his demeanour upbeat and positive. Luke prioritizes building positive relationships and a relaxed learning environment for students to grow and realize their potential. Experienced and highly knowledgeable, each of Luke's students enjoy uniquely tailored lesson plans based on individual learning styles and musical preferences.
![Alaina Majewski](https://brierweb.com/images/content/cello.jpg)
Alaina Majewski
Cello
Alaina started her musical journey at age three in the Music for Young Children Program and began studying cello under the instruction of Barbara Fitzpatrick in the Child Parent String Program at age four. With initial instruction from Cameron Lowe and Sandra Cosbey, then under the direction of Simon Fryer, Alaina completed her A.R.C.T in Cello Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2016 and in 2017 her Bachelor of Music Performance with Distinction from Campion College at the University of Regina. In 2020, Alaina completed her Master of Music in Performance at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Faculty of Music under the instruction of Dr. Minna-Rose Chung. As well as holding a Bachelor of Education with Great Distinction (Music Education, Inclusive Education) from the University of Regina, Alaina has completed ECS and levels one through three of Suzuki Cello teacher training at the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute. Professionally, Alaina has performed as part of the Regina Symphony Orchestra as well as backing orchestras for 2Cellos and Michael Bublé. Additionally, she regularly appears in the pit orchestra for Sterling Productions.
Alaina is also an accomplished flute player having studied under Michelle Wheeler, Marie-Noelle Berthelet and Layla Roberts. She earned the RCM Gold Medal for her Grade 8 Flute exam in 2012 and represented Manitoba at the 2019 Federation of Canadian Music Festivals National Competition. While studying at the Conservatory of Performing Arts in Regina she was awarded the Silver Medal for Woodwinds in 2012 and 2013 and the Director’s Gold medal in 2017.
Alaina enjoys teaching cello both at Briercrest and at the Conservatory of Performing Arts in Regina.
Caronport
Private Lessons
Private lessons in voice, piano, violin, guitar, drums, clarinet, cello, and group classes in dance for students in grades K - 12. Our pricing for private lessons in Caronport, which is based on 12 lessons per semester, is as follows:
- $28 per 30-minute lesson x 12 lessons = $336
- $39 per 45-minute lesson x 12 lessons = $468
- $50 per 60-minute lesson x 12 lessons = $600
Dance Classes:
- Beginner and Intermediate 30-minute classes x 12 weeks = $120.00
- Intermediate/Advanced 45-minute classes x 12 weeks = $135.00
- Intermediate/Advanced 1-hour classes x 12 weeks =$150.00
All dance classes will be held in the Landing in Caronport. The days and times are TBA.
NOTE:
Private dance lessons are through audition only and will be charged the college rate.
Lafleche and Kincaid
Our pricing for private lessons (piano and voice) in Lafleche and Kincaid, which is based on 12 lessons per semester, is as follows:
- $28 per 30-minute lesson x 12 lessons + $60.00 service fee = $396
- $39 per 45-minute lesson x 12 lessons + $60.00 service fee = $528
- $50 per 60-minute lesson x 12 lessons + $60.00 service fee = $660
*the service fee covers travel, admin, and rental costs
Coronach and Rockglen
Our pricing for private lessons (piano and voice) in Coronach and Rockglen, which is based on 12 lessons per semester, is as follows:
- $28 per 30-minute lesson x 12 lessons + $60.00 service fee = $396
- $39 per 45-minute lesson x 12 lessons + $60.00 service fee = $528
- $50 per 60-minute lesson x 12 lessons + $60.00 service fee = $660
*the service fee covers travel, admin, and rental costs
Additional Information
- Lessons may be dropped by the third week of Sept/Jan for a full refund. After this date, there is no guarantee of a refund for the rest of the semester. Full-year registration packages (24 lessons from September - April) are also available to purchase.
- Payment is due by the first day of lessons, with 1.5% interest charged on accounts overdue by 30 days.
- You can pay when you register online (see registration areas above) with your credit card. Alternatively you can arrange to pay via etransfer or cheque, or pay with a credit card later on our main payment portal. You will find those instructions in the registration form.
- Though private lesson registration is open throughout the year, students are assigned to teachers on a first come, first served basis. Mid-term registrants may only be able to reserve a limited number of lessons due to teacher availability and fixed end-of-term recital dates.
- Studio recitals happen in December and April, and while they are not mandatory, Conservatory students are strongly encouraged to participate in them.
More Information
Have questions? Drop by the Performing & Worship Arts office, give us a call at (306) 801-4899, or email us at performingarts@briercrest.ca.