Meet the
Teachers

Blair Fix, Drums / Music Theory

B.Mus (North Texas)

Blair has been teaching at ABC Academy of Music for 2 years. He has a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas. He specialized in jazz studies and music theory. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, specializing in physics and math.

Favourite type of music: Jazz, Rock

Favourite Song: Seven Days by Sting

Favourite musician: Tony Williams (drummer for Miles Davis in the late 60ʼs)

Favourite movie: Manufacturing Consent –Noam Chomsky and the Media

Favourite movie music: Once

Favourite music theatre/opera: Phantom of the Opera

Favourite book: The Grip of Death by Michael Rowbotham

Other instrument played: a little Piano

Best thing about teaching at ABC: the fantastic students, of course!

Favourite Quote: “I listen to what notes I can leave out.” Miles Davis

Favourite thing a music teacher ever told you: “Technique is whatever you need to get the job done.” – Ed Soph

Dr. Penny Johnson, Piano / Music Theory

DMA (Manhattan) , M.M. (Eastman), B.Mus (Eastman),
ARCT (RCM)

Penny is happy to be on the faculty at ABC and enjoys working with students of all ages and levels of abilities. In addition to having completed her studies in New York, Penny has performed on an international level both as a soloist and collaborative pianist. Her primary teachers include Constance Keene, Barry Snyder, and Jean Paul Sevilla. Penny is currently completing the Examiner Apprentice Program at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and is also a contributing author for The Glenn Gould Foundation in Toronto. In addition to ABC, she has taught at the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Long Island Conservatory, and the Amati Conservatory, and is in demand as an adjudicator and coach.

Favourite Pianists: Glenn Gould & Ignace Jan Paderewski

Favourite Song: Anything by the Carpenters

Favourite TV Shows: Mary Tyler Moore & I Love Lucy

Best thing about teaching at ABC: ABC respects, appreciates, and celebrates the achievements of both its students and teachers. This is an ideal environment in which to study music, and a great place to feel good about ones self.

Favourite thing a music teacher ever told you: "D-minor is the saddest of all keys." - Dr. Steve Laitz, Eastman School of Music