Lessons available in English or French

Domanie Billinghurst-Schadek is a Winnipeg singer, violinist and music educator. She began her musical journey at the age of 8, first studying violin at the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts and later with Carlisle Wilson. She is an alumni of the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra as an Assistant Concertmaster, and enjoys many local freelance opportunities. After performing in dinner theatre and as a church vocal soloist during her teenage years, she focused her studies on classical voice with Kelly Robinson and Valdine Anderson. She has enjoyed performances with the Manitoba Opera Chorus and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and enjoys a freelance career in Winnipeg. Awards include the Gordon Hignell Memorial Trophy and being a finalist for the Rose Bowl Trophy at the Winnipeg Music Festival in 2013.

Currently, Domanie spends most of her energy on teaching and pedagogy. She has formal training as a Suzuki Pedagogue in violin, and is currently exploring further training in vocal pedagogy with the Suzuki Association of America. Most recently, she completed specialty training in early childhood music education at the Suzuki Talent Education Society of Calgary.

What is your education and experience?

Royal Conservatory of Music, Suzuki Association of America.

What makes your lessons different from the rest?

As a trained Suzuki teacher, I encourage all parents to stay for their child’s lesson so that they can be part of the learning process and become able to support the child at home. For students of all ages, I put developing the student-teacher relationship first so that everyone feels safe to succeed and fail alike in my studio.

What do you love about teaching?

I love finding small successes every day and feeling like I can have a positive impact on somebody else’s life, just like that adjudicator did for me. I love the unlimited potential of kids and find them inspiring.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking music lessons?

DO IT! Studying music will be the best thing you do for yourself or your child.