Meet the Executive
Treasurer
Ms. Thuy Vi Bach joined ORMTA in October 2008 and has been a treasurer for ORMTA Etobicoke-Mississauga branch since September 2013. She has a thriving Etobicoke studio Bach to Music Studio where she provides online and in-person lessons to 67 students (ages 5 to 20). Ms. Thuy has also been active as a pianist for a worship team, an adult choir and a children choir at her Vietnamese Baptist Church in Mississauga since 2011. Her students had won many awards throughout the years, among them are RCM Level 2 Gold Medal in 2003, scholarships from Milton Festival, ORMTA Etobicoke-Mississauga branch competitions, Vietnamese Talent Show and Peel Festival. Recently, her advanced student Matthew Dao won 1st place at the ORMTA GTA level Provincial Instrumental Competition in June 2022 and a 2nd place at the Provincial level at the Kingston ORMTA Convention, in July 2022. Ms. Thuy is the winner of the ORMTA Contribution to Teaching Award (OCTA) awarded at ORMTA Convention in Kingston in 2022. Ms. Thuy was studying under the guidance of Christopher Kowal, Jana Skarecki, and Martha Dorland. In 1998-2004 in addition to teaching piano daily in the evenings, Ms. Thuy was also a Parenting supply teacher for the Toronto District School Board, working at 14 different schools around GTA. When her second child Lucas was born in April 2004, Ms. Thuy decided to only focus on teaching piano.
Instrumental Adjudicators Liaison
Lisa Iwasaki is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, University of Toronto and Southern Methodist University in music education, psychology, and piano performance. A nationally certified teacher, she has been active with the Music Teacher’s National Association, Rochester Piano Teachers’ Guild, and the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association. Formerly on the faculties of the Royal Conservatory and of the Eastman School of Music, Ms. Iwasaki is currently active as an adjudicator, examiner, teacher and accompanist.
Vocal Assessments & Vocal Branch Competition
Sofia Peycheva is a voice teacher and owner of Sofia’s Voice Studio specializing in teaching children and amateur adults since 2015. Sofia is a Certified RCM Teacher, member of Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA) since 2018 where she also volunteers as Vocal Coordinator for the Etobicoke-Mississauga Branch since 2022, and a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) since 2020. Her students received awards from many local competitions including Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival, Peel Music Festival, North York Music Festival, Hamilton Music Festival, Niagara Festival of Performing Arts, Oakville Vocal Festival, ORMTA Branch Competition, NATS Showcase. Her students became finalists, winners and scholarship recipients at the OMFA Provincial level, received RCM gold medals and were accepted to music programs of their choices at various high schools and universities including Cawthra Park Secondary School, Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School and Regional Arts Centre, Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, University of Toronto Vocal Performance program.
Instrumental Assessments, Masterclass Coordinator & Branch Competition Coordinator
Rocco Signorile has been an active member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) since 2019. He established his mobile piano studio in 2012 while completing his Bachelor of Business Administration at York University’s Schulich School of Business. As his studio grew and his passion for teaching developed, Rocco transitioned to teaching piano as a full-time career.
In 2016, Rocco began studying with the late Virginia Taylor, a respected and devoted member of the Etobicoke-Mississauga ORMTA branch. Virginia was known for her dedication to her students and for the important role she played in bringing members of the organization together. Under her mentorship, Rocco earned his Associate Diplomas (ARCT) in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from The Royal Conservatory. He remains deeply grateful for her influence and is committed to carrying forward her legacy of dedication, mentorship, and genuine care for his students.
Rocco’s students regularly achieve success at music festivals and competitions, including ORMTA branch competitions, the Contemporary Showcase Mississauga Festival, and other festivals across the GTA. His students also consistently achieve First Class Honours and First Class Honours with Distinction in Royal Conservatory practical examinations.
Rocco currently teaches more than 50 students each week through his mobile studio, travelling to students’ homes throughout Vaughan and surrounding communities. His teaching focuses on developing strong musical skills while fostering confidence, creativity, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for music.
Secretary & Outreach
Paula Stellato is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as well as the University of Toronto (Music English, Education). She has taught private music lessons and Elementary School for over 30 years. Paula is a Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She maintains a busy studio, teaching students from near and far. She teaches in person as well as online, and her online students are from Australia, United States and Ontario. Paula is new to ORMTA and is happy to get involved with the Etobicoke-Mississauga Branch. Her students have won awards at the Contemporary Showcase and ORMTA branch competitions. Her students also obtain first class honours in RCM practical exams.
Website Administrator & Social Media
Jocelyn Chong is a passionate and dedicated piano teacher based in Mississauga, Ontario. She has her own private studio Jocelyn Chong Music where she guides students of all ages. She holds a Bachelor of Music in French Horn Performance from the University of Toronto where she studied under Nicholas Hartman. After completing her degree, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a military musician and is a new member of ORMTA.