Hi, I’m Deanna—a music and art teacher who believes that creativity is for everyone, not just a chosen few. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember—I used to copy everything I saw, spending hours filling page after page. I started piano at age seven, and reading music felt like cracking a secret code. That moment of discovery sparked a lifelong love of music.

I studied illustration at OCAD University and completed my music training with the Royal Conservatory—but I also went to film school! My love of storytelling led me there, and it continues to shape how I teach. Whether we’re creating a musical composition, building a piece of art, or improvising a silly tune, I love helping students craft and share their own stories.

The most important lessons—the ones about expression, imagination, and storytelling—I found outside of textbooks. My teaching blends technical skill with curiosity, humour, and creative thinking. We play games, we improvise, we compose, we imagine new worlds—and yes, we laugh a lot. My students don’t just learn how to play or draw—they learn how to express themselves, take risks, and grow into confident, thoughtful humans.

Outside of teaching, I sell and exhibit my artwork, compose orchestral and cinematic music, and spend way too much time watching movies (especially anything magical or mind-bending). I’m a proud nerd with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets nearly memorized, and I once spent an entire summer trying to learn Elvish. My partner runs a YouTube channel all about Nintendo, so our house is full of games, ideas, and a whole lot of creative energy.

I’m endlessly curious and always chasing new ideas—I love learning, questioning, and exploring the world in all its weird and wonderful ways. My hope is to pass that same spark on to my students: to help them stay curious, think deeply, and find joy in the process of learning and creating.