Teachers at the Academy are all fully qualified and licensed with years of teaching experience. Every teacher is dedicated to giving high quality music instruction along with music enjoyment for each student attaining their own music goals.
All teachers prepare students for concerts, competitions, festivals and/or examinations, upon request. In addition to teaching, some teachers are active as music arrangers, examiners, adjudicators, chamber musicians, accompanists, and solo concert artists.
Michael W. Thate A.R.C.T., A.A. Mus., A.V.C.M. (Director)
Michael started his teaching career in 1976. He is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music receiving Piano Teacher and Piano Performance Diplomas. Graduate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music receiving Piano Teacher and Piano Performance Diplomas. A graduate of Camosun College receiving an Associate of Arts in Music – Piano Major and an Associate of Arts in Academic Arts.
Kelly Kirby Kindergarten and Suzuki certified. Michael studied piano and piano pedagogy with Winifred Scott Wood at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. He also attended master classes of Winifred Scott Wood, Dr. Robin Wood, Alma Brock-Smith, Edward Parker, Andrew Markow and Boyanna Toyich.
Michael competed in competitions and festivals, local and international. Also, an accompanist for choirs, chamber musician, music arranger, and featured in solo concerts. He has been on faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Classic Touch Piano Studio, and the British Columbia Conservatory of Music before founding his own music school CAMA in 1993. Michael is known for teaching all abilities of students in successfully attaining their own music goals.
