Premier Music School Vancouver BC & Richmond BC

Cello in classical interior representing Ars Madrigal Academy goals

Experience Vancouver's Top Music Teachers
& Tutors

Where passion meets practice.

Ars Madrigal Academy is dedicated to you and your family’s musical goals.
Should it be complete mastery of an instrument or even just for the joy of creating music, our teachers are ready to meet your every need.

Learn from currently performing music instructors.

Discover a wealth of first hand performance knowledge.

Meet Our Team

Ars Madrigal Academy member Steven Zhang in Vancouver & Richmond, BC

  • Founder

    An alumnus of New York University and RCM with a diverse background of teaching and performing, Steven has been awarded first place in Canada for his performances. He teaches saxophone and piano at AMA.

Ars Madrigal Academy member James Tu in Vancouver & Richmond, BC
  • Piano Instructor

    James Tu first started piano at the age of 5 under Ms. Hong who was a relatively well-known piano teacher in Beijing, China. After moving to Vancouver, Canada, he studied with Ms.Rebecca Kelly. After completing ARCT under Ms. Rebecca Kelly, he continued studying classical music with Dr. David Warwick. Under Dr. Warwick’s teaching, James completed both ATCL and LTCL with Distinctions and Honors. He also won multiple regional and provincial awards.

    James first came into contact with jazz in grade 10 while participating at Sir Winston Churchill Jazz Band. With performing at different locations, he quickly fell in love with it and broadened his knowledge in improvisation and collaborating with jazz bands.

    After being accepted into Berklee, James joined and held the role of secretary for both Berklee Chinese Students Scholars Association (Berklee CSSA) and Berklee Chinese Music Industry (Berklee CMI) and helped manage all major events that happened between 2017-2019 such as Berklee Chinese New Year Concert and Berklee X Chinese Summit. He also performed at multiple bars and pubs during his years in NYC and Boston during his time at Berklee College of Music.

Ars Madrigal Academy member Sam Meyer in Vancouver & Richmond, BC
  • Trumpet Instructor

    Sam Meyer is a Vancouver-based musician who recently graduated with honours from UBC, where he studied orchestral trumpet performance with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra principal Larry Knopp.

    He enjoys working in music, and regularly plays for private events and local churches. Sam loves teaching, helping to instil in his students a passion for music and seeing their enthusiasm grow with their progress. It is a continuing interest of his to find ways to engage, motivate, and communicate with students regardless of whether they are a beginner adult, a more advanced youth, or anything in between.

    Sam started music on the violin, which he began playing after being enamored by cassettes of children’s stories about Vivaldi and Handel. After studying with a member of the VSO violin section, he has continued to play violin throughout his trumpet degree, performing with the UBC orchestra and learning about various fiddling traditions. Sam enjoys researching Celtic music.

    In his free time, as well as biking, backpacking, and learning Dutch.

Ars Madrigal Academy member Liam Tupling in Vancouver & Richmond, BC
  • Percussion Instructor

    Liam is a second year BMUS student at the University of British Columbia, specializing in Percussion Performance, with plans to pursue the Dual Ed. Program.

    He has studied with The principal percussionist of the VSO, Vern Griffiths, during his time at UBC. Liam has also studied with other VSO percussionists, as well as local and national freelancers and drummers.

    He has been an involved percussionist and drummer for almost a decade, and has a diverse experience learning and performing many kinds of music. Liam has played with Jazz bands, metal bands, symphony orchestras, percussion ensembles, and wind bands.

    In similar variety, Liam has a year of private teaching experience for both drum set and percussion, and has been working and volunteering with youth as a mentor and counsellor since the age of 13.

    Liam is passionate about sharing the love of music with others, and strongly believes in the value of music education for young people. He is creative, motivated, and well-equipped to provide fun and engaging lessons for students at Ars Madrigal.

Ars Madrigal Academy member Jack Zhang in Vancouver & Richmond, BC

  • Flute & Piano Instructor

Ars Madrigal Academy member Amanda Andrishak in Vancouver & Richmond, BC
  • Piano & Violin Instructor

    Pianist Amanda Andrishak is an active performer and teacher in Vancouver. She holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana University, where she studied under the tutelage of Professor Evelyne Brancart. Previously, Amanda has pursued undergraduate studies in piano at the University of British Columbia, where she received her Bachelor of Music in 2020, studying with Dr. Terence Dawson. Upon graduating from UBC, Amanda was awarded the coveted Catherine-Cooke Topping Memorial Medal for musical excellence and creativity. She has been highly successful in her competitive endeavors; accolades include first place in the Alberta Provincial Music Festival, as well as prizes and scholarships from the NSAL Piano Competition, Vancouver Women’s Musical Society, Canadian Music Competition, and the BC Bösendorfer Piano Competition. Amanda has also performed in masterclasses for renowned pianists including Yoheved Kaplinsky, Angela Hewitt, and André Laplante.

    As a piano teacher, Amanda is committed to fostering musical growth and success in her students, who perform well in recitals, festivals, and RCM exams. She believes that a healthy balance of hard work, creativity, and fun is paramount for student success at the piano. Above all, Amanda hopes to equip her students with the skills to play music that they are passionate about and to instill a lifelong love of music.

Ars Madrigal Academy member Trinity Collie in Vancouver & Richmond, BC
  • Voice Instructor

    Trinity Collie, a soprano from Raymond, Alberta, has cultivated a rich musical background. With a passion for performance, she has graced the stage in productions such as The Wizard of Oz, Big River, Shrek the Musical, and The Little Mermaid.

    Trinity's musical journey began with her involvement in school bands, where she showcased her talents on flute and Baritone saxophone. Over the years, she has taken on leadership roles, guiding fellow singers as a section leader at both The University of British Columbia and St. James Anglican Church. Trinity is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Opera Performance, where she has participated in several operas with the UBC Opera Ensemble: The Gondoliers(2021), Le Nozze di Figaro(2022), Rusalka( 2022), Hansel and Gretel (2022), The Florentine Straw Hat(2023), The Cunning Little Vixen (2023), Cendrillon (2024), as well as Tosca(2022) and Cavelleria Rusticana (2023) with Opera West. Trinity’s diverse vocal repertoire includes Classical, Musical Theatre, Pop, and Rhythm and Blues.

Ars Madrigal Academy member Felix Zhang in Vancouver & Richmond, BC
  • Saxophone Instructor

    Felix is a saxophone musician and educator from China, currently living in Vancouver. He is an artist of the SAHDUOO handmade saxophone brand in Taiwan. He is also an officially certified musician of the Canada Council for the Arts.

    He is currently studying at the University of British Columbia School of Music, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. His research areas include saxophone solo, chamber music, music education, and interdisciplinary research on physical acoustics and motor neurology in performance.

    He graduated from Zhejiang Conservatory of Music with a Master of Musical Arts degree. In 2016, he was awarded the China Ministry of Education Graduate Funding Project to hold a concert of Chinese works and was awarded the China First Class Academic Scholarship and Outstanding Master's Student. In 2017, Felix was invited to hold a chamber music concert at the Shanghai International Music Exhibition and published several papers in the field of music teaching methods. He also won the gold medal of the China-Japan International Music Competition and two gold medals at the Vancouver KIWANIS Music Festival. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in undergraduate studies, and his main research direction is the study of classical saxophone and piano music teaching methods. Many of his students have won awards in important international competitions in Tokyo, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Shanghai, Beijing Avenue of Stars and other places.

    Felix is also a director of the Canadian International Cultural and Art Exchange Association, mainly responsible for the dissemination of music in commercial concerts and the organization of educational activities between countries.

Why us?

  • With intimate experience of the RCM examination process, we will prepare your child to excel in the examinations.

  • Our teachers hail from esteemed institutions and all have extensive performance opportunities around the globe in world-class stages.

  • With experience and connections in the world’s top music schools, we have the expertise to guide your child through the many obstacles of pursuing music.

  • Study with us to join a wide network of talented and experienced musicians and artists who will always put you first.

FAQs

  • We welcome students of all ages. Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs and interests of learners at every stage of their musical journey.

  • Our lessons are tailored to individual needs and skill levels. Session durations vary but typically range from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the age group. We recommend children below 9 years of age 30 minute lessons and those older 60 minute lessons. Our instructors work with each student to create a customized learning plan.

  • We offer a diverse range of musical styles, catering to various interests and preferences. Whether you're into classical, pop, jazz, or rock, our instructors are skilled in adapting lessons to suit your musical taste.

  • Yes! We encourage performance opportunities! Students can participate in biannual recitals, as well as mutiple fundraising and volunteer events to showcase their progress and gain valuable stage experience.