We know there are lots of options in Winnipeg for families when choosing a music educator or therapist. So why choose Prelude Music?
All of our specialists have university education, experience performing, competing and a passion for teaching. If fun and engaging lessons are what you are looking for, then Prelude Music is the place for you!
Michelle (Lawrence) Yaciuk, MM, MTA, (Owner)
Specializations: Music Therapy, Melodies & ABC’s, Piano
Michelle is certified music therapy in both Canada (MTA) and the United States (MT-BC). She holds a Masters of Music (MM) (Western Michigan University, 2009), with an emphasis in Music Therapy, and also holds undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Special Education (University of Mary, 2003).
Michelle has specialized training in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), which can assist those individuals who have rehabilitation and/or neurological needs as well as Neonatal Intensive Care Music Therapy (NICU), assisting premature infants and their families.
Since becoming a music therapist in 2007, Michelle has had the privileged of working at BC Children’s Hospital, Victoria Conservatory of Music and starting Prelude Music. In 2016, Michelle became a part-time Professor of Music Therapy at Canadian Mennonite University, where she gets to share her passion for the field with up and coming therapists.
Some of Michelle’s achievements are: creating Melodies & ABCs curriculum, 2012 judge for the Juno’s in the category of Best Children’s Album, 2014 the winner of the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Business and being a guest speaker throughout North America.
Jacqueline Arthur, MM, BMus
Specializations: Voice
Jacqueline is a passionate and encouraging voice teacher who enjoys teaching singers of all ages and skill levels. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from University of Lethbridge and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Manitoba. Jacqueline is an experienced performer who has had the opportunity to perform several operatic roles such as Fernando (Rodrigo), Maurya (Riders to the Sea), and La Peinture (Les arts florissants). As a teacher, Jacqueline strives to create a fun, safe environment in which her students can grow as artists, improve their musicianship and vocal skills, and achieve their personal goals.
Kelly Beaton, BMT, MTA, MT-BC
Specializations: Voice, Piano, Music Therapy, Melodies & ABCs
Kelly Beaton is completing the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, and will begin her music therapy internship at Prelude Music under the supervision of Michelle Yaicuk in February, 2015.
Kelly has completed music therapy internship placements at the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg and at several elementary schools in Winnipeg.
She has also taught vocal and piano lessons for the last 5 years, and has studied and performed classical voice and piano since the age of 5.
Kelly studied vocal jazz at the International Music Camp, and was heavily involved with the Performance Arts Program while attending Westwood Collegiate, receiving the award for Outstanding Recognition in Music for three consecutive years.
In addition to formal training, Kelly has traveled throughout North America and Europe with musicians from Winnipeg performing at large, international music festivals and venues. She continues to teach and perform regularly in Winnipeg, and is looking forward to joining Prelude Music’s team.
Jenna Coombs, BMT, MTA, MT-BC
Specializations: Music Therapy, Melodies & ABC’s
Jenna graduated from Capilano University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy and was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement. She did the first half of her internship at St Amant in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities; the second half of her internship was completed in the Brandon School Division working with children from ages 6-21 in the life skills program. Jenna is accredited with and is a member of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT), and is a Neurological Music Therapist (NMT). Jenna has pursued continuing education to teach early years music and enjoys teaching family music classes. She has worked with children and adults in both individual and group sessions, ranging from babies to older adults in long-term care. Jenna enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities and loves watching others grow and develop through music therapy.
Paige Drobot
Specializations: Guitar, Ukulele
Paige Drobot is a young and enthusiastic teacher with experience teaching in many different environments. She has worked with students of all ages and skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced musicians. She has studied jazz guitar and ethnomusicology at universities and can teach nearly any style of music you can name.
When not teaching, Paige is busy writing, recording and performing across Canada with her band.
Naomi Friesen, BMT, MTA, MT-BC
Specializations: Music Therapy, Piano, Guitar
Naomi is a classical pianist at heart though she has training in jazz piano, acoustic guitar and voice. Naomi completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy coursework at Canadian Mennonite University in 2020 and moved on to intern at Selkirk Mental Health Centre where she established services for ages 65 plus. She has enjoyed practicum experiences with groups and individuals ranging from children to older adults in settings like disability support, mental healthcare and long-term care.
Naomi has taken courses in early music education and taught adapted piano lessons for several years prior to joining Prelude Music. She strives to support students to practice self-compassion and appreciation for every step toward discovering their love of music.
Heather Grafe, BEd, BFA, BSM, ARCT
Specializations: Piano
Heather is a dedicated and caring instructor who has been privileged to teach and learn with a wonderful diversity of students, in various subjects on three continents for the past 30 some years. She taught French, English, Social Studies and General Music in the school classroom and piano lessons in many homes, studios, churches and schools. At York University in Toronto, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) and Bachelor of Education. Prior to those degrees, she completed her ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Sacred Music at Briercrest Schools in Caronport, Saskatchewan. As a pianist, she enjoys accompanying vocal and instrumental students and colleagues. Choral singing is another musical passion. As a teacher, she prioritizes holistic musical literacy and seeks to build collaborative relationships with students and their families that motivate, inspire and empower them on their musical learning journey.
Sarah Kroeker, BMT, MTA
Specializations: Music Therapy, Melodies & ABC’s, Cello
Sarah Kroeker graduated with a Bachelor of Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2014 and received her MTA in September 2015. Sarah was trained with an improvisation-based/creative music therapy focus and has worked with a range of clients, primarily school-aged children and adolescents. Sarah splits her time as a Music Therapist at Prelude Music between private clients, kindergarten classrooms and instructing Melodies and ABCs.
Sarah’s primary musical love is the cello which she has played since she was four. She has studied cello locally with Adeline Muller, Andrea Bell and Karen Sunabacka. In her spare time, Sarah serves on a number of professional and arts organization boards.
Danielle Siemann, BMT, MTA, MT-BC
Specializations: Music Therapy, Melodies & ABCs
Growing up, Danielle Siemann had always been involved in music in some capacity. Throughout the years she found herself taking lessons on a total of seven instruments including piano, violin, flute, saxophone, clarinet, voice, and guitar. Danielle fell in love with the saxophone and felt a special connection to jazz. This lead her to continue to play in a big band jazz band throughout her university career.
Danielle completed the Bachelor of Music Therapy program at the Canadian mennonite University in Winnipeg, and will be completing her music therapy internship at Prelude Music under the supervision of Michelle Yaciuk in 2020.
Danielle has enjoyed having opportunities of past practicum placements that gave her experience with many different populations of all ages. Danielle is looking forward to joining Prelude Music’s team.