Our Teachers
TIHOMIR “TISHO” BALINOV
B.A., M.A., (HONS.) MUS.ED.
*6 time Gold Medalist and European Champion
*RCM Silver and Gold Medalist, 2010-2021.
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria. He attended the University of Sofia, after being awarded a full Government Scholarship. He graduated with top honors and earned a Masters Degree in Percussion and Orchestration. He also excels in Piano, Guitar and all Orchestral instruments. Tisho earned national acclaim as a world class musician by performing concerts in Germany, Norway, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Russia, Amsterdam and several Mediterranean Islands. He is also fluent in seven languages. Tisho proudly holds 6 gold medals after winning all the European Music Competitions for 6 consecutive years. Today he continues to prove he is one of most decorated musicians amongst his peers, by winning the Gold & Silver Medals from 2010 to 2014, awarded by the Royal Conservatory of Music.
KRISTIAN BALINOV
Music Perf. MUS.ED.
Rock Bands, Mini Bands, Piano, Guitar, Drums, & Vocal
Kristian grew up in his parents music studio and in 2015 he graduated from the prestigious Metalworks Institute with top honors and was the winner of the SONOR OF CANADA AWARD. Kristian studied Music Performance and Technology under the watchful eye of superstar drummer from the band TRIUMPH, Gil Moore. His natural gift of music, hard work ethics, and intense passion to succeed, has made Kristian a very versatile and successful musician and producer/songwriter. Today Kristian brings with him an element of youth to the already well established and disciplined Music Academy that his parents established. His high educational music achievements allows him to offer structured and fun lessons in drums, percussion, piano, guitar, voice, songwriting composition and lyrics, as well as Rock bands and Mini bands orchestration. His professional recording studio is equipped with the latest technology where he is able to offer aspiring artists a professionally recorded demo CD.
MARY BALINOV
Director & Program Coordinator:
Mary Balinov studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music but her love of dance has led her to pursue it as a career. She developed and implemented music and theatre programs for young children and adults in several Community Centers. Mary has won awards for her music programs as well as dancing and choreography for shows such as West Side Story and Singing in the Rain.
She also holds several excellence awards in Business Management. Her artistic talent and trained eye for showmanship, led her to global travel, where, as an Entertainment Co-Coordinator, traveled throughout Europe screening and hiring talent for European clients.
LAWRENCE BARLEY
B.A., C.D., MUS.ED.
Classical Guitar
Lawrence Barley studied guitar and lute at the Royal Conservatory of Music under William Trotter. He had advanced studies with Dr. Aaron Brock and Robert Hamilton and Guillem Perez-Quer of the Barcelona Conservatory. He studied theory with Molly Sclater and Joe Ringhofer. He is the guitar half of the flute and guitar duo Celebration Duo of Toronto. For many years he played Euphonium with the Governor-Generals Horse Guard Band in Toronto and still plays Guitar with the the LFCA Show Band.
Larry has been a valued member of Tisho’s staff for the past 10 years.
MILENA PATRONE
Piano & Vocals
Milena is a graduate from Mayfield Secondary School with a RAP Vocal Music letter, honor roll, Ontario Scholar and highest mark in vocal music award. Performed in many musical concerts for vocalists at Mayfield (Winter Music Night, Spring Music Night, Strawberry Jazz).
Performed in various musicals: Hairspray, Grease, Anne of Green Gables. Currently has RCM Piano Level 9 performance, history and theory. She is a high achiever who’s pleasant personality and patience makes her popular with young students. Milena is passionate about everyone being involved in music, no matter who they are, and supports inclusive education, where everyone has a safe space to learn and grow!
ALINA PETROVA
M.A (HONS.) MUS.ED
Violin, Piano, Vocal
Alina is a violinist, performer and teacher with over 15 years of experience .In her early years she started practicing violin. She performed in a Philharmonic orchestra in Khmelnytsky ,Ukraine. Alina received her first musical diploma in the Khmelnytsky Musical College as a violin teacher and orchestra performer. She also graduated from the Kmelnytsky Academy of Humanities and Pedagogy.
DIANA VALITUTTI
Diploma – Business Management – Humber CollegeHuman Resources Certificate – Humber CollegeMember of the British Association of Teachers of DancingFitness Instructor Specialist – CPR & AED Trained – Canfit Pro
The youngest of the Balinov family, Diana also grew up surrounded by music. Although she studied piano, drums, guitar, and vocal for several years, Diana’s passion for dance was undeniable. She trained and competed at the National level for 15 years in all disciplines, such as ballet, jazz, tap, acro, and hip hop, winning many 1st place and overall titles along the way. Diana also represented Canada on the World Stage in Germany as Team Canada attended the World Dance Championships in 2010 where she earned a Bronze Medal. Diana has now joined the rest of her family at Tisho’s Music Academy offering private one on one dance classes and managing our office. Diana also provides music classes to individuals with special needs through the Meaghan’s Music Room for Disabled Individuals. She is excited to finally share her love and passion for music and dance at Tisho’s Music Academy!