Our Team
Nikita Labdon: Voice & Piano Teacher
“Hi! I am the owner of Labdon Studios. I have been teaching private music lessons for over 10 years and have my Bachelor of Music Vocal Performance degree from the University of Manitoba. Music has always been a big part of my life. As a child, I was involved in piano and voice lessons, band, choir and Musical Theatre productions. I am currently an active member of our performing arts community and have had the pleasure of performing Opera, Jazz and Musical Theatre in Winnipeg and abroad. Being able to have music as a part of my life from such a young age allowed me to not only develop my passion for performing, but helped me discover my love for teaching and fostering a love for music in others.”
Ethan Lee: Voice & Piano Teacher
Ethan: “Hi my name is Ethan Lee I have been teaching at Labdon Studios for 3 years now and I am in my last year of musical education at U of M. I look forward to inspiring my students to learn and play music. I’ve been singing all my life and have sung every genre of music you can think of! I have been playing piano for many years now and I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and to share it with all my students! I’m super passionate about music and I can’t wait to share my knowledge of with you and make some beautiful music and memories together.”
Sonia Campbell: Voice & Piano Teacher
Hello! My name is Sonia Campbell I have been teaching with Labdon Studios for 2 years and am in my last year of my Masters degree at the University of Manitoba after completing my Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at the University of Alberta. I’ve been in music lessons since I was 4 years old, first studying piano, and later adding voice and flute. While I focus primarily on classical voice and piano I have experimented with many other genres including pop, musical theatre, and folk! I had the pleasure of teaching voice, piano, and music theory during my undergraduate degree, and am so excited to continue my teaching journey here at Labdon Studios. The best feeling in the world is sharing excitement for music with new students, and I can’t wait to help you discover that excitement for yourself!”
Sarah Schellenberg: Voice & Piano Teacher
“Hello! My name is Sarah Schellenberg I have been teaching at Labdon Studios for 2 years and I am in my 3rd year of my my bachelor of music degree as a voice major. I am so excited to be teaching with Labdon Studios! Music has always been a big part of my life. I have always loved to make and share my love for music with others. I look forward to making beautiful and fun music with you!”
Ariel Recksiedler: Voice & Piano Teacher
Ariel Recksiedler has loved music for as long as she can remember. She started playing piano at the young age of three and later began to take voice lessons. She has experience in band and choir as well as many musicals. Ariel will begin studying voice at the University of Manitoba in the fall. Ariel has always looked up to all the music teachers in her life and cannot wait to teach students of her own!
Rick:
Voice & Piano & Saxophone & Clarinet Teacher.
Offers lessons in Cantonese & Mandarin.
Meet Rick, a music education graduate from The Education University of Hong Kong. 🎓 With 4+ years of experience as a private music tutor, he specializes in teaching clarinet, singing, saxophone, and piano. Rick has spent 2 years as a secondary school music teacher in Hong Kong, where he inspired students from grade 7 to 11 and nurtured their love for music. 🎵 He also provided support as a counseling teacher, assisting students with special educational needs. 🌟 Currently pursuing a music therapy degree at Canadian Mennonite University, Rick enjoys jamming and sharing music with his friends and students. Join him on a musical journey today! 🎶
Emily NG:
Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone Teacher
Offers lessons in Cantonese and Mandarin
Emily Ng was born in Hong Kong and will be able to teach in english, cantonese and chinese! She is currently pursuing her second year major in clarinet in the University of Manitoba. She has been playing piano since young and has been playing the saxophone for several years as well. She looks forward to join the Labdon Studio as a clarinet, piano and saxophone teacher and would like to share her passion for music to others!
Eric:
Guitar, Ukulele, Drums, Piano, Bass Teacher
Offers lessons in Cantonese & Mandarin
Eric is a passionate musician who has dedicated himself for years to music performances and education. He has been teaching at Labdon Studios for 2 years. Music is a universal language that everyone can express themselves through playing instruments, writing songs and sharing them with others. His philosophy of teaching is that anyone has the right to enjoy and learn music no matter what their background is. Eric has been playing guitar for 13 years, and he specializes in different styles of music, such as classic rock, blues, R&B, gospel, funk, soul and pop. Currently, Eric is studying at Canadian Mennonite University to pursue his music therapy degree. Along the guitar playing journey, he has also expanded his musicianship by learning bass guitar, drum, keyboard, and vocal. Lately, accordion and clarinet are his new targeted instrument to learn. In his free time, he likes exercising, playing games and spending time with friends.
Vina Dimayuga: Voice & Piano & Ukulele Teacher
Vina Dimayuga is a voice major at the Canadian Mennonite University, pursuing a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. With 18 years of voice lessons and experience in guitar, ukulele, and piano, Vina has learned various genres including musical theatre, classical, pop, R&B, and jazz. She has participated in music competitions and festivals across Manitoba, Vancouver, Hollywood, and Chile. Outside of school, Vina is active within Winnipeg’s performing arts community through music, storytelling, and dance. Passionate about making new connections through music, Vina is thrilled to be joining Labdon Studios and looks forward to fostering her students’ creativity and self-expression on their musical journeys.”
Herbert Pauls: Piano Teacher
Herb Pauls has been teaching at Labdon Studios for the past year. He was born in Saskatchewan, where he did his Bachelor of Music with pianist Robin Harrison. In his late teens and early 20s, he competed nationally, participated in regional CBC broadcasts, and performed concerts with top Saskatoon musicians. Physical problems with his right hand forced him to pull back from playing and he earned advanced degrees in music theory and history. He also lived in Germany for three years (2005-2008) where he learned the language and became the principal translator for Spektral Records. He has translated over 100 of their CD booklets. In the last 10 years his hand has been gradually restored to health by extensive care and treatment and he is now able to play again. Part of his current focus is on building a studio of music students of all ages and levels.
Delainey Theissen: Piano Teacher
Hey there, my name is Delainey and I am eager and excited to continue teaching piano lessons at Labdon Studios for my fourth year! I am very passionate about music and am in my final year of music at University of Manitoba. I have grown up playing many different instruments such as piano, violin, French horn, acoustic and bass guitar. I have completed piano and violin exams and hope to continue to perform and grow in my musical ability in the future. I love working with others and would love to teach anyone who ready to learn!”
Krista Hartley: Piano Teacher
”Hi my name is Krista, and I’m so excited to be part of the team at Labdon Studios for my fourth year! Music has always been a big part of my life. I started taking piano lessons in kindergarten, and I haven’t stopped since. In the fall I’m going into my final year of university at the Desautels faculty of music for piano, which is something I am super pumped about!
I’m excited to begin teaching and building relationships with my students! I love working with kids and I’m excited to see them learn and have fun as they grow in their abilities. I can’t wait to meet everyone!”
Adam Kupiak: Piano Teacher
Pianist Adam Kupiak has been working at Labdon Studios for the past 2 years and has been sharing his passion for music with others for upwards of 10 years. Adam has fully engaged in a broad assortment of musical techniques and appreciation. He has enjoyed learning a variety of instruments, including clarinet and saxophone, and especially piano.. He has shown an immense appreciation and recognition of piano practices and techniques from all eras of composition, and skills pertaining to piano performance, as well as rhythm, technique, and sight reading. In addition to the classical repertoire featured prominently in the RCM curriculum, he has experience in a large variety of genres, including jazz and contemporary movie/musical soundtrack components. He loves to engage with each individual and help them with their unique learning methods. Adam is looking forward to continuing to do so and applying his experience in this area, as well as sharing his music knowledge and piano expertise with others throughout the future years!
Hailey Witt: Voice Teacher
Hailey recently completed her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Literature at Western University with Jackie Short. Since then she has been performing and teaching around Winnipeg. Hailey brings performance arts to young artists, schools, summer camps, and rural communities as a guest artist and voice teacher. Hailey’s teaching practice focuses on cultivating self-confidence, communication skills, and musical technique, while celebrating art, creativity, and storytelling through song.”
Paul Baek: Violin Teacher
Paul Baek is a violinist and graduate from Western University. He began playing the violin at the age of four, taking a four year break from lessons along the way, reigniting a passion for music at age fourteen after being introduced to the famous Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Paul was a featured soloist with the London Youth Symphony, playing the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, and was a finalist in the Don Wright Faculty of Music Concerto Competition. Paul holds a Masters Degree in Violin Performance and Literature from London, Ontario, having studied in the studio of Annette-Barbara Vogel. He has performed with several orchestras in Southern Ontario, including the Western University Symphony Orchestra, International Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed with members of the Tafelmusik Baroque Ensemble. A passionate teacher as well, Paul began private teaching in 2021 and is continuing to develop his skills as a violin pedagogue. Paul now resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba with his wife and two cats.
Erin Lamb: Piano, Singing, Guitar & Ukulele Teacher
Hello, I'm Erin and I'm so excited to teach at Labdon Studios! I'm in my final year of a Bachelor of Music Therapy where I get to play all sorts of instruments with all ages of people. I've always loved music, and started with classical piano lessons when I was 7. Throughout university, I've taken lessons in guitar, voice, and jazz piano, also learning ukulele. I love to share music with others, and I'm excited to help my students reach their goals while fostering their love of music with fun and creativity.”
Yanzhi Zhang: Piano Teacher
Born in Hefei China, pianist Yanzhi Zhang is a prizewinner in numerous local and provincial competitions. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (B.Mus.) from the Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music under the tutelage of Dr. David Moroz in 2020. Zhang has performed multiple solo recitals at the University of Manitoba throughout the course of his studies. Notable highlights include his graduate recital in 2019, as well as his 1st-year master’s recital in April of 2022, and his graduation recital in May 2024.
An experienced performer in the Winnipeg Music Festival, Zhang made it to the finals of the Aikins Memorial Trophy in 2017 and 2020, which is the highest multi-disciplinary award for the most outstanding diploma-level instrumentalist. In 2022, headvanced to the final round of the U of M Concerto Competitionand represented Winnipeg at the Associated Manitoba Arts Festival (AMAF) Provincial Finals where he received 3rd place.In 2023, Yanzhi won the Virtuosi Young Artist program and performed at Knox United Church. In 2024, Yanzhi was one of the winners of the Women's Musical Club competition and received the Holtby Scholarship