Music Teachers | World Academy of Music
Piano
Dr. Tofa Abdulaeva is a distinguished pianist and educator with extensive international experience. She holds a Master’s degree from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory and completed postgraduate studies at the Moscow Conservatory under Dr. M. S. Voskresenskiy.
She served as Head of the Music Department at the Pedagogical University (1980–1986) and taught for over 30 years at the renowned Bul-bul State Music School. Dr. Abdullayeva has performed widely in Baku, Tbilisi, Moscow, and Toronto, and currently performs in Canada with the Prater Chamber Ensemble.
Since 2019, she has been a dedicated piano instructor at the World Academy of Music, bringing exceptional artistry, deep pedagogical expertise, and a strong classical foundation to every student.
Youtube Link to Performances:
Yuliia Miroshnyk
Violin, Piano, Band Leader
Yuliia Miroshnyk is a Ukrainian-trained violinist and music educator. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music and began her career as First Violin with a Philharmonic Orchestra in Ukraine, performing classical symphonies, operas, and film music across Europe.
Her international solo career includes performances in India, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, at venues such as Shangri-La Delhi, Kempinski Al Othman, and the Armani Hotel Dubai.
Yuliia teaches violin from beginner to advanced levels, leads youth orchestras and string quartets, and offers RCM piano instruction, with full preparation for exams. Her teaching emphasizes strong technique, musicality, theory, ear training, and confident performance.
Anastasia Pogorelova
Vocal
Anastasia Pogorelova is a coloratura soprano with extensive performance and teaching experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Opera, Chamber Music, and Vocal Pedagogy from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music and has performed widely across Europe and Russia.
Since relocating to Toronto in 2016, she has appeared as a recitalist and collaborator with organizations including SOLT, Opera in Concert, Elora Singers Academy, Opera NUOVA (Edmonton), and the Halifax Summer Opera Festival.
Anastasia is an active and inspiring educator, leading vocal workshops for arts high schools, choirs, and community organizations. She teaches students of all ages and levels, preparing them for RCM exams, competitions, auditions, and stage performance. Fluent in English, Russian, Spanish, and Italian, she brings a creative, multidisciplinary approach to vocal training.
Youtube Link to Performances: https://youtu.be/m-47ycy8TxI?si=rOxbpUhgZI_t14Ov
Svetla Novikova
Flute
Svetla Novikova is an accomplished, classically trained
flautist who holds a Master of Music in Flute Performance and Pedagogy from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory named after N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov (Russia).
Throughout her career she performed professionally with orchestras in St. Petersburg, Russia and Seoul, South Korea, gaining an extensive ensemble and orchestral
experience. Since immigrating to Canada in 2004, Svetla has been a respected flute educator across the Greater Toronto Area. She is delighted in helping students to improve their skills and musical confidence. Her students are regular prize
winners at the Kiwanis and North York Music Festivals, and many have continued their studies at leading university music programs in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, Munich, Germany and Toronto and Montreal, Canada.
Svetla’s passion for music and her engaging teaching style and personality make lessons both inspiring and enjoyable for students of all ages.
Olesia Marchuk
Vocal
Olesia Marchuk is an accomplished professional pianist and singer with a career spanning Europe’s leading opera houses and concert stages. Born in Ukraine, she earned her Master of Music degree from the Kyiv Music Academy in 2004.
For over 17 years, she was a distinguished member of the Kyiv Opera House, performing as a choir soloist in major operatic and musical theatre productions, including La Traviata, Notre Dame de Paris, and Mozart. She has toured extensively across Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and other European countries.
Since relocating to Canada, Olesia has continued her artistic and educational work, offering piano instruction, vocal coaching, accompaniment, ensemble work, conducting, and music theory. Her depth of experience and musicality make her a highly sought-after performer and teacher.
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/jm0UTcZUihk?si=0bhiiQd0sP3YHjp5&t=526
Dr. Aslan Gotov
Piano, Composition
Dr. Aslan Gotov is a Canadian composer, arranger, and educator known for his stylistic versatility across classical, folk, pop, and jazz music. He earned a Master’s degree in Piano Performance (1993) and a PhD in Composition and Orchestration (1996) from the Rostov State Conservatory,
He has collaborated with major orchestras and artists, including the Yu. Silantiev Academic Grand Concert Orchestra and the Russian National Radio and Television Orchestra, with professional work spanning symphonic composition, jazz orchestration, and digital music production.
In 2024, Dr. Gotov co-founded Ethnosonic, a Toronto-based world-fusion ensemble blending Circassian, Armenian, and Ukrainian folk traditions with contemporary jazz and funk. Supported by an Ontario Arts Council grant, the ensemble released its first compositions in 2024 and is preparing a debut album.
Youtube Link to Performances: https://youtu.be/ed2j8-328OQ?si=-x9bG88WFTv9ie61
Ralph Detko
Guitar, Band Leader
Ralph Detko is a Toronto-based guitarist, band leader, and music educator known for his versatility across jazz, funk, blues, rock, and contemporary styles. He performs regularly throughout the Toronto jazz scene, leading ensembles such as Studio62 and collaborating on a wide range of live projects.
As an educator, Ralph brings real-world performance experience directly into his lessons, supporting students on electric, acoustic, and bass guitar. He emphasizes improvisation, groove, creativity, and ensemble skills, and leads student bands with a focus on teamwork and authentic musical expression.
Ralph offers students a motivating, artist-driven learning experience shaped by years of professional performance and ensemble leadership.
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/sq5soUQn3LM?si=3GsaeJlZ1iRINPCq
Julia Semina
Piano, Theory, Band Leader
Julia Semina is an experienced band leader and music educator holding a Master’s degree in Musicology from the Moscow State Musical Pedagogical Institute.
Before joining the World Academy of Music, she worked internationally as a music editor, producer, and sound engineer, contributing to major television productions, live events, and large-scale music festivals.
Julia leads rock and pop ensembles and teaches beginner piano and begginer to advance music theory, harmony bringing real-world industry experience into rehearsals. She is passionate about helping students develop confidence, stage presence, collaboration skills, and a genuine love of making music together.
Ric Galvez
Guitar, Band Leader
Ric Galvez is an accomplished guitarist with over 20 years of performance experience and 7 years of teaching. He specializes in rock and metal guitar, helping students overcome technical challenges, build precision, and develop confidence.
He is the creator of Malice Divine, a melodic black/death metal project with internationally acclaimed releases, and has appeared on Banger TV’s Shredders of Metal.
Ric has Bachelor of Music from York University and brings strong technique, theory knowledge, and a personalized teaching approach. His lessons are motivating, structured, and focused on helping students achieve meaningful breakthroughs.
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/I3NzH88VSI4?si=MoP85XLbmT-YkfyR