Meet the
Teachers

Quyen Raceles, Voice/Singing

B.Mus (U.Manitoba), B.Ed (U.Manitoba)

Quyen Raceles holds a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba, and is a member of ACTRA and the Canadian Actorsʼ Equity Association. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Quyen moved to Toronto a little over a year ago and is absolutely in love with the city. As a performer, Quyen has performed leading and supporting roles in many musical productions including the following selected credits: The King and I; Miss Saigon (Rainbow Stage), Honk! (Manitoba Theatre for Young People), Illuminati: The Musical; Conclave: The Musical; A Midsummer Nightʼs Fever (The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival), Spirit of a Nation (The Canadian Heritage Arts Society). Selected theatre credits include: The Two Gentlemen of Verona; The Tempest; Chutney, Kraft Dinner and Egg Rolls (Riverʼs Edge Theatre Company), The Spice of Life: Part 1-4 (Leithelle Productions), Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes (Winnipeg International Childrensʼ Festival). Selected Television/Film credits include: The Atwood Stories: Man from Mars, 2030 C.E., Category 7: The End of the World, with student films including Grown Up for a Day, Red Envelopes, The Mailboy and Running Dry. Quyen has taught for the Winnipeg School Division as well as many music and dance studios in Winnipeg. Quyen also plays the Piano and is now learning to play the three main instruments for the Brazilian Martial Art, Capoeira – the Berimbau, the Atabaque and the Pandeiro. She has also recently picked up the Recorder and delights in playing it during her spare time. With over 10 years of teaching experience, including Choir, Private Voice and Piano, Musical Theatre and Drama classes, Quyen continues to pass on everything she has learned and delights in being a part of sharing the joy of music.

Favourite song: Way too many to name! But hereʼs one “Stars and the Moon”, written by Jason Robert Brown, sung by Audra McDonald

Favourite musician/singer: Audra McDonald

Favourite movie: The Princess Bride, My Sassy Girl (Korean)

Favourite movie music: I like all kinds of music but if I had to list some categories Adult Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Pop, Classical, music for Capoeira Favourite music theatre/opera: Into the Woods, Wicked, Carousel, Madama Butterfly, to name a few

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Happiness

Favourite activities: Singing, Playing the Piano, Training Capoeira, Samba, Salsa, Yoga and surrounding myself with creative people

Other Instruments you play: Piano, Recorder, Atabaque (a type of drum used for Capoeira Music), Pandeiro (a type of tambourine used in Capoeira Music) and the Berimbau (A String instrument used in Capoeira)

Favourite quote: “Smiling helps you approach the day with gentleness and understanding....Smile with your whole being.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

Favourite thing a music teacher ever told you: “Always keep music a part of your life” – Teresa Lee, my first private voice teacher

What you like about teaching at ABC: The positive vibe!

Simon Miron, Voice/Singing

B.Mus. (UofT), MPerf (RSAMD)

Simon originally from Winnipeg, holds a master's degree in performance from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and a diploma from the Theatre Arts program at Grant MacEwan College. He has worked as a director, music director, vocal coach, drama tutor, choreographer and workshop leader in Canada and the U.K. He is currently working with White Rabbit Productions as the Associate Artistic Director. Simon has taught and performed with various theatre groups, including WhiteRabbit Productions, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Rainbow Stage.

Hobbies: Writing music, Volleyball

Musical influences: 2, Josh Groban, Frank Sinatra

Favourite food: White Chocolate

Least favourite food: Olives

Favourite music:Folk Rock (for now)

Favourite song: When Your Mind's Made Up, The Swell Season

Favourite movie: Braveheart/ Scott Pilgrim

Favourite movie music: Soundtrack to Dragon Heart

Favourite musical theatre/opera: Parade; Jason Robert Brown

Favourite book: Love and Honor, Randal Wallace

Favourite quote: Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it

Favourite quote from your teacher: That's Magic

What you like about teaching at ABC: Getting to meet new people who love music