Summer Music Academy - Instructors

Originally from Grande Prairie, Alberta, Catherine Donkin is an active piano teacher and performer in Ottawa. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree with Distinction from the University of Alberta, and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Ottawa, both in Piano Performance.

Career highlights include a duet performance at Carnegie Hall after placing first in the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, and another at the Grieg International Piano Competition, where she performed in the Duo Rideau piano duet. She has also performed with orchestra at the University of Alberta, the University of Ottawa, and in a piano duet concerto written by Canadian composer Christine Donkin with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra. Other groups Catherine has played in include the Ottawa Chamber Players and the Donkin Trépanier Piano Guitar Duet.

She currently performs with Gertrude Létourneau in a flute and piano ensemble called Duo Cecilia which focuses on French Romantic and Impressionist music. She maintains a busy private teaching studio, with students of all ages and levels, and some students attaining recognition nationally and internationally. Catherine is the current president of the Suzuki Association of Ottawa-Gatineau and is also a founding member of both the uOttawa Summer Music Academy’s piano course, and the Ottawa Piano Festival.

Victor Avila is an active performer, piano teacher, and piano collaborator who achieved a wide piano repertoire, playing anything from Baroque to contemporary music styles throughout Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Victor holds a Bachelor of Music degree, a Diploma in Piano Performance, and a Master of Music. He has received multiple awards and scholarships such as the Zoya Solod Piano Scholarship, the Mitchell Sharp Commemorative Bursary, and different top places in competitions. Victor had studied under world-class artists such as David Jalbert, Sara-Davis Buechner, André Laplante, Jordi Savall, Martin Karlicek, Jan Bratoz, Pamela Viktoria Pyle, Enrike Solinis, Leopoldo Erice, Edgar Dorantes, Rocio Gonzales, and Jorge Covarrubias. As a performer, Victor played at several International Festivals including Orford Music Academy, Adamant Music, NUNTEMPA, several radio stations in Mexico, and collaborated with institutions such as University of Guadalajara, University of Xalapa, University of Ottawa, Veracruz Institute of Music, Escuela Superior de Música de Sinaloa, among others. He also was the pianist at University of Ottawa Calixa Lavallée Choir, University of Ottawa Vocal Repertoire, Esperanza Azteca Choir, and Xalapa Philharmonic Orchestra where he performed as soloist.

As a pedagogue, Victor is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, certified in composition, counterpoint, and piano teaching by the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association and was featured on the list of student-teachers and student-performers by the University of Ottawa. Victor offered multiple masterclasses, lectures, presentations, and adjudicated local competitions and auditions in Mexico and Canada. Some of his students have been laureates with top prizes in competitions national and international wide. He lives in downtown Ottawa where he has his private studio and collaborates with the local scene.

Sherry Lu leads a vibrant private piano studio in the Ottawa region. Music had an early influence in her life as she was accepted into the Xinghai Music Conservatory in Guangzhou, China, with a focus on piano performance at the age of twelve. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance at Xinghai as her program continued through her university years.

She first established her studio just over 25 years ago, after immigrating to Canada. During this time, Sherry obtained her performer and teacher Associate Diplomas (ARCT). Sherry is closely involved in the Ottawa music community. Sherry is a long-time member of the Ontario Registered Music Teacher’s Association (ORMTA) and has served in council with ORMTA for 15 years. She has also served as an executive member of the Kanata Music Club for nearly 20 years. Sherry’s students perform regularly at the Kanata Music Club, win scholarships and trophies in local festivals, advance to provincial level festivals, participate in master classes. She also enjoys accompanying her students for concertos.

While not teaching, Sherry loves outdoor activities, travelling, and is an avid runner.

Professor Yves Laroche studied piano with Dave Hildinger and Douglas Voice, among others. He is a jazz piano performance instructor at Carleton University and has been a part-time professor at the School of Music of the University of Ottawa for over 25 years, teaching the courses Elements Of Music, Arranging and Jazz Ensemble. Yves directed the music for the convocation ceremonies at Saint Paul University from 2010 to 2022.

Yves helped establish the jazz programming for Café Nostalgica and the Jazz Vespers Series at All-Saints Anglican Church in Westboro. He has adjudicated the jazz band categories for the Rhythms Festival and MusicFest. For three decades, he has performed at major events, including the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Tulip Festival, Festival Franco-Ontarien and Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. He also worked as an arranger for CBC Radio’s Ottawa In Concert featuring Vanessa London. Recently, his jazz composition For Oscar was aired on a CBC Radio jazz music program. Yves Laroche has performed with the Ewashko Singers, the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, Capital Vox and the Orpheus Theatre Company, and he was musical director and pianist for the National Art Centre production of Angel Square by Brian Doyle.

His vast musical theatre experience includes productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell and Once Upon A Mattress. As a jazz pianist, he plays regularly with the Yves Laroche Trio, Rick Rangno Duo/Trio, Doug Martin Group, Wade/Laroche Duo and other professional groups. He regularly plays private engagements at the Embassy of France, Rideau Hall, the Chateau Laurier, the Parliament of Canada and seniors’ residences, and is often featured at the Brookstreet Hotel, Apothecary Cocktail Lounge and Montgomery Scotch Lounge. Yves’ latest CD, Harlem Bounce, dedicated to “kids interested in delving in jazz,” is available on popular music platforms.