ASSI 2026 Faculty
Flory Godinez, Violin
Flory Godinez earned her Bachelor of Music and Master degrees in Violin Performance and completed PhD studies in Music Theory and Violin. She studied in Japan for two years with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, earning a Suzuki Violin Teacher’s Certificate.
Flory is a registered Suzuki Violin Teacher Trainer and has trained violin teachers in Europe and North America. She has played solo, chamber music and orchestral concerts in eleven countries on three continents under such conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Walter Susskind, and Holywood film composer Carmen Dragon. Flory worked four years as a studio violinist in southern California playing back ups for radio and TV commercials and pop groups.
Annette Lee, Piano
In 2015, she became a registered Teacher Trainer in Piano. Ms. Lee has taught at the Music Institute of Chicago and DePaul University and is currently on faculty at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. At MacPhail, she is a Suzuki teacher, is a staff accompanist for the Suzuki Department and hosts Teacher Training for Piano.
In 2022, Ms. Lee established a Fellowship Program in which she trains young, aspiring piano teachers in the Suzuki Method. She is a frequent clinician at Suzuki Institutes, having taught in Stevens Point, WI, Blue Lake Institute, MI, Mt. Royal Academy, Calgary, Suzuki Piano Program in Saskatoon, the Wheaton Preparatory Department, IL, the Preucil School in IA, the Chicago Suzuki Institute, the Levine School in Washington, D.C. , the Memphis Institute, SMID in Dallas and at the Colorado Suzuki Institute. Most recently, Ms. Lee was selected as the only representative of the SAA to teach a master class during the International Teacher Trainers Convention in Matsumoto, Japan.
Andrea Cannon, Guitar
Andrea is an alumna Boston’s Berklee College of Music with a major in Jazz Performance as well as an Outstanding Alumni Service award. Post-Collegiate studies include extensive Applied Performance in Classical Guitar with Robert Guthrie of Southern Methodist University and Suzuki Method pedagogy courses in both guitar and Early Childhood Education. Andrea’s Guitar Arts Studio in Houston, Texas includes training in Theory and Performance skills for guitarists as well as the first Suzuki Early Childhood Music program established in the US.
She serves as a consultant to the Spring School District Music Department and directs Applied Guitar studies at Lone Star College. She is Certified through Music Teacher’s National Association and is a Registered Teacher Trainer with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Andrea is humbled and proud that arts advocacy group ‘Alarte’ of Guatemala City, Guatemala has created a Scholarship in her name. The first recipient of the ‘Beca Andrea Cannon’ is enjoying the benefits of a new guitar as well as expert Suzuki instruction.
Julia Zalkovic, Violin
Julia Zalkovic was born in Edmonton Alberta, and began playing the violin when she was 7 years old. She began her studies at the Suzuki Charter School, learning the Suzuki Method. She later studied with Violaine Melançon at the Schulich School of Music (McGill University) in Montreal where she graduated with her Bachelor in Violin Performance degree in December of 2023.
She has competed in numerous competitions, receiving scholarships as well as competing in Provincial competitions. Julia also began teaching both violin and piano (which she plays as a secondary instrument) when she was 14, and teaches both to this day. In 2016, she received the Iris Evans Scholarship ‘Most Likely To Become A Professional Artist Award’ from the Sherwood Park Music Festival. In 2017, she was a finalist in the ASA concerto competition, and won the Sherwood Park Music Festival’s Concerto competition in that same year.
In 2018, she performed the complete Mozart Concerto No. 4 in D major alongside an orchestra, as a result of her winning the concerto competition the year prior. She has also performed in orchestras, being part of the EYO (Edmonton Youth Orchestra) at the age of 12, and later playing as part of the University of Alberta’s USO (University Symphony Orchestra) and the MGSO (McGill Symphony Orchestra). While playing as a member of the USO, Julia majored in Psychology at the University of Alberta. Julia enjoys chamber work, as well as teaching one on one.
Sam Vesely, Jazz
Sam Vesely 
is an accomplished Music Educator, Composer, Arranger, Performer, and Musician currently living in the Edmonton area. He demonstrates his musical versatility as a pianist, singer, guitar/bass player, and trumpet, he has shared his talents as a soloist and with several choirs and bands over the past thirteen years.
His musical interests and styles range from classical, country, pop, jazz, and contemporary. Sam brings together talent, passion, and technical knowledge to his work after completing his Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music, majoring in Composition, and his Royal Conservatory of Canada piano and theory training (Grade 8).
With over seven years as a music educator and mentor for youth and adults, Sam’s success showcases his understanding of how to effectively engage others in their musical journey by sharing his passion for music and music creation.
As a professional freelance composer, Sam has created works for large symphonic bands, choir ensembles, jazz trios, string quintets, and reimagined covers. Sam’s familiarity and passion for a diverse range of genres, combined with his fresh approach to music, is what makes his work stand out above the rest.
Joshua Ching, Cello
Joshua Ching is a passionate musician and teacher who has performed for many years in Edmonton for various solo and group functions. Throughout his life, he has been a part of numerous community music groups including the Edmonton Chinese Philharmonica. Studying cello under Rafael Hoekman during his time at the University of Alberta, he graduated with a BSc 2017 and a BEd in secondary music in 2020.
Notably, he played in a string ensemble for the 2023 Edmonton JUNO Awards, and recently toured with the ECPA to Toronto for a joint concert with the Toronto Chinese Orchestra and Canadian Chinese Orchestra in support of the 2024 String Music Art Exhibition. He also performs regularly with the ECHO ensemble, promoting Chinese cultural music in the local community at events including “The Model Minority ‘Enough’” Project. He currently teaches cello and is a supply teacher for Edmonton Public Schools.
Emily Goldsney, Violin
Emily began her musical journey at the age of five through the Society of Talent Education, where she developed a strong foundation in violin performance. She credits her inspiring teachers, Valeria Kalinak and Mathias Silveira, with nurturing her love of music and helping shape her artistic growth. Throughout her studies, Emily actively participated in music festivals and spent many years performing with the Edmonton Youth Orchestra, gaining valuable ensemble and performance experience.
Emily has also successfully completed her ARCT Practical examination through the Royal Conservatory of Music, a distinguished accomplishment that reflects a high level of musical proficiency and dedication.
In addition to teaching violin and viola, Emily serves as the music score writer for her church orchestra, combining her passion for education, performance, and musical collaboration. She is dedicated to helping students develop strong technical skills, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for music.