Dini Westman has been a music educator for 25 years. Her vast choral experience include the Toronto Children’s Chorus, Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, Tafelmusik Choir, Deer Park United Church, and Opera in Concert. Dini studied choral conducting at the University of Toronto and mentored with Jean Ashworth Bartle obtaining a BA in voice, education. She is a passionate and knowledgeable educator who has earned an impressive reputation in the musical community in Canada.

In 2017, Westman started the Stratford Youth Singers. A children’s choir of 30 members. In 2019 it expands to a junior choir (ages 6-9) and a main choir (ages 10-17) and select singers for a chamber choir.

The SYS is committed to the enrichment of children’s lives through the discipline, teamwork and unique camaraderie of fine choral singing. The unparalleled music education and life-changing opportunities to perform exceptional music in many venues help to promote the personal welfare, growth and a portfolio of life skills that prepare children to become effective citizens:

• Excellence and quality treble choir through continuous learning, improvement, and personal growth
• Providing unique musical and educational opportunities to children and youth, offering life enhancing experiences through the study and performance of the choral art 
• Performing the finest repertoire and championing Canadian works and new commissions 
• Performing and recording in Canada and internationally
• Creating a respectful and collaborative environment that supports the well being of children and families
• Fostering a love and appreciation of music in our local, national, and world communities

For any information on voice or choral education please contact Dini Westman at:

• website: www.stratfordyouthsingers.ca
• personal email: thewestmans@yahoo.ca
• cell phone: (519) 274-9522

Dini Westman was a member of the University of Toronto Opera Orchestra and University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Leaning towards her passion for children’s music education, she mentored under Dorothy Jones and obtained here ECE Suzuki training in 1996.  Dini continued her violin and ECE studies at the San Francisco Conservatory.

She began teaching Suzuki in Toronto in 1993 with TCI (Toronto Children’s Institute for Music and the Arts). In 1995 she taught with the Toronto Board of Education, six schools including violin, viola, cello and bass. In 2002-2004 she taught violin in London Ontario at CTEC (Children’s Talent Education Centre).

She currently is director of her own violin academy in Stratford, Ontario in its 15th year.  The renowned school, Stratford Strings Academy, provides violin training for all levels of Suzuki and beyond. Royal Conservatory exams are highlighted in the curriculum past grade 4 level.  The Stratford Strings Academy provides its violinists with weekly group classes, many performance opportunities, master classes, and summer camps, Disney performing excursions and exchanges with other violin schools throughout the world.

She is founder and director of the scholarship based, charitable, youth ensemble the ‘Kathleen Parlow Quartet,’ which provides young string players from South Western Ontario the opportunity to train and embrace chamber music.

For any information on string education please contact Dini Westman at:

• website: www.stratfordstrings.com
• personal email: thewestmans@yahoo.ca
• cell phone: (519) 274-9522