Christina Puhacz
Artistic Director and Founder
I'm Christina Puhacz, founder of Leading Note Music, a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA), and a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM)–certified piano teacher with 20 years of teaching experience.
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I began teaching piano before earning my Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 1987. Although I went on to spend more than 20 years in the business and engineering world, I never lost my connection to music. I continued teaching a small number of students, including my own children, throughout my career.
In 2009, I returned to piano teaching full-time and to the part of my life that I had always loved most. Since then, teaching has become not simply a career, but a true passion.
My own musical journey continues as well. I studied with Dr. Michael Esch, a former collaborator with the Canadian Sinfonietta Chamber Players and recipient of the Steinway Top Teacher Award. In 2010, I competed in the RCM’s own music festival and was honoured with a bronze award. I also enjoy composing, and from time to time my students have performed my original pieces at recitals and salons.
But the most rewarding part of my musical journey has been my students.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of watching children, teenagers, adults, and seniors discover their musical abilities, overcome challenges, build confidence, and experience the joy of making music.
That is what Leading Note Music is all about: helping each student develop a lifelong relationship with music—one note at a time.