Read About Me - My Biography.

Hello and welcome to the portion of this website where you will learn all about me and my passion for teaching and playing the flute!

My name is Shauna Basiuk, and I am a flute teacher and performer in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and I knew from a young age that I loved music. Initially, my instrument of choice was piano. I loved piano, and performing- even taking exams. It was such a rush, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I'll always be thankful to my mom for making me practice when I would have rather been playing outside!!! It SO paid off.

In Junior High, I was encouraged to take band. I REALLY wanted to play trumpet or tuba- something loud!! But my parents thought it might be nicer (on their ears?) for me to play the flute. So, for grade 7, I played flute. In grade 8, my wish for something loud came true- and I was switched to saxophone. I really enjoyed the loud part, but I hated the whole reed business, and it weighed a ton to carry home each day after school. So, half way through grade 9 I smartened up and went back to flute- such a lovely instrument......... and it even fit in my back pack!!

High school brought the beginning of what was to be my career. I started taking flute lessons just before I turned 16, and there was no turning back. With a new flute in my hands, my passion for music really began to blossom. I was still taking piano, and was encouraged by both of my amazing teachers to pursue music.

With University on my mind, I found out that my family was planning to move to Calgary. So, naturally, I decided to go to the University of Calgary- where I received my Bachelor's of Music in Flute Performance. After graduating, I had an awesome studio of flute students, and was performing regularily. Both playing and teaching were going great. My students were winning band awards, and most improved awards. One of my students even got the highest mark in the province (and won a silver medal!) on her Grade 2 flute exam. So, naturally, it was a tough decision for me to decide to leave them behind and move to Toronto to focus on performance.

I came to Toronto to attend the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of music, where I would receive an Artist Diploma in Orchestral Performance. While studying, I also did a ton of travelling. And so far, I've performed in Scotland, Bermuda, China, Holland, California, Texas and of course across Canada. Recently, I've begun performing with a harpist and we have had great reviews for our concerts, as well as for different private functions we've performed at. (Check out the Coach House Music Ensembles link for more information!!) I also freelance around the Toronto area, both as a soloist and as an orchestral performer.

My flute studio here continues to thrive. Every year here brings more fantastic students. During the school year, I teach at St. Clement's Private Girls School, as well as out of my own home, the home of Coach House Music. And in the summer I have the pleasure of teaching in various music camps across Canada.

I hope you've enjoyed learning a tiny bit about me. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Have a Great Day!