Piano Accompaniment
Bonnie Shewan-Burroughs
For over 20 years, Bonnie Shewan Burroughs performed, toured and recorded with the Amabile Boys’, Young Men’s and Primus Men’s Choirs. She has been 'Substitute Pianist' in many classes for FCTE, and is now delighted to play for the Senior Violin Class.
After graduating in Piano Performance from UWO, with Dr. Damjana Bratuz, she studied and attended master classes in Salzburg, Vienna, Siena and London, England. During her years in Toronto, Bonnie performed Chamber Music with leading instrumentalists from both Canadian and American Orchestras, played for many graduating recitals at the University of Toronto, and taught piano at both Branksome Hall and Havergal College.
With the Ardeleana Trio, Bonnie premiered many newly commissioned works and recorded “Spinners of Starlight”, a CD of contemporary trios. More recently she has performed Chamber Music in the Aeolian Concert Series and the Millennium Summer series in Winnipeg.
Bonnie’s "2nd career" after earning her Bachelor of Education degree at UWO, was teaching music in elementary school, JK to Grade 6, for 16 years.
Beth Hickey
Beth Hickey grew up in northern Ontario. She attended the Cambrian College Fine Arts Programme for 2 years where she played in many recitals and accompanied the faculty choir as well as numerous instrumentalists and singers including Joanne Kolomejic and students of Metro Kozak. She transferred to UWO where she graduated with a BA(MUS), studied with Dr. Damiana Bratuz and accompanied students of Ralph Aldrich and Fiona Wilkinson. While studying Music Ed, she saw her first demonstration of a Suzuki group led by Karen Zelinski.
She is a long-time Suzuki parent, coach and accompanist, beginning with the London Suzuki Parents Association (LSPA) and joining Forest City Talent Education in 1997 where she accompanies ensembles and coaches individual students. At an early age she began her work in church music, learning the organ and choir leadership skills. She has been the Music Director at Chalmers Presbyterian Church for 36 years, playing organ and piano for church services, weddings, funerals and leading the choirs and is a member of the RCCO.
As a choral accompanist, Beth has played for many school choirs and is the current accompanist for Cantorion, South Huron Community Choirs and UWO Choir.
She believes in the healing power of music and finds it very rewarding to bring longterm care and Alzheimer’s residents the music of their era on a regular basis.
Beth also enjoys teaching piano students in her private studio.
Claire Kim
Claire Kim holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from 1994. After graduating from university she has served as a music director of several churches for over 20 years.
Since first entering university, Claire has worked as a piano accompanist with many violinists, vocalists, cellists, flutists and brass players. She has a music studio, teaching piano and music theory to young and senior students since moving to London in 2001.
Claire joined Forest City Talent Education in 2012 to share her musical experience with other musicians, children and parents. She also very much enjoys volunteering to play piano in Senior Retirement homes.
Gillian Laidlaw
Gillian holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Western University. She was Director of Music at Central United Church in St.Thomas for 25 years. She is a retired elementary teacher (French and music) with the TVDSB.
Presently, she is a charter member of the Karen Schuessler Singers and volunteers as a piano instructor with the non-profit arts programme Arts4AllKids.
