Cassa Musical Arts

🎹 Meet Dr. Karen Gerelus! ✨

We’re thrilled to have Dr. Karen at Cassa Musical Arts as both an expert instructor for the Piano Immersive program and our Social Media coordinator! 🎶📱

Dr. Karen is a third-generation piano teacher, musician, author, and scholar. She has an ARCT in Piano Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music, an LTCL in Piano Performance from Trinity College of London, a Master of Arts in Piano Pedagogy from the University of Ottawa, and recently completed her PhD at the University of Calgary.

Her doctoral research explored “The Musical Identities of Piano Students,” focusing on motivation, identity, and the role of social environment in musical growth. Karen is also an examiner with the Royal Conservatory of Music, an active member of the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers’ Associations, and has published scholarly work in leading music education journals.

In addition to teaching, Karen regularly presents workshops and masterclasses, adjudicates festivals, and shares her passion for music education through podcasts and community engagement.

We are so excited for our students and community to learn from Karen’s expertise, creativity, and passion for music! 💛

Follow her musical journey at 🎹

Keep your eyes open 👀✨ You might spot our signs around Calgary!

Summer is right around the corner, and we’ve got something special waiting for you 🎶☀️ Spots are filling fast—don’t miss your chance to be part of the experience.

Register now for our Summer Programs at Cassa Musical Arts 🎼 www.cassamusicalarts.com

🎶✨ We’re so grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association!

Since 1993, ARMTA has been a proud supporter of Cassa Musical Arts, helping us grow a vibrant music community and create meaningful opportunities for both our students and instructors.

Many of our amazing Cassa Experts are ARMTA members, sharing a commitment to excellence in music education and mentorship 🎹💫

Through generous financial support and scholarships, ARMTA continues to uplift our students—encouraging young musicians to pursue their passion and celebrate their achievements.

Thank you, ARMTA, for championing music education and supporting our community. We’re excited for many more years of collaboration! 💛

🎶 Meet Katrina, President of the Board of Directors 🎶

Katrina Thompson Fost began teaching music in 1994 and has been passionate about it from the first day. With 30 years of teaching experience, her students have ranged from preschoolers to university students, from beginners of all ages to advanced level pianists. Katrina’s students have continued to study music at post-secondary levels, received recognition at festivals, and achieved success on conservatory exams. Perhaps closest to her heart are all the students who have shared their gift of music with their families or in their communities at weddings, funerals, church, senior’s residences, and school functions. The greatest honour is to see how students keep music in their lives long after lessons have ended.

Katrina completed a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition (Honours) from Memorial University. After teaching and training with Music for Young Children for many years, she then earned a Master of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma, where she received the award for Outstanding Graduate Teaching. Since moving to Calgary, Katrina has taught piano, pedagogy and theory, worked as a workshop clinician, arts administrator, church musician, adjudicator, and accompanist. Most recently, she has been working with Korean-speaking pianists to further their English language and pedagogy skills. Her community volunteer work includes Chairperson for the Calgary Contemporary Showcase, and as a member of ARMTA and APTA.

Balancing a life in music with raising three kids is Katrina’s latest great adventure. Together they bike, play soccer, swim, dance, hike, sing, and every spare minute is spent on skis in the mountains. 💙

☀️ Summer is just around the corner—and there’s no better time to explore your creativity through music!

🎶 If you’re looking for an inspiring and enriching way to spend your summer, Cassa Musical Arts has an exciting lineup of programs designed for students, adults, and teachers of all levels.

📍 Based in Calgary, Cassa Musical Arts is a registered charity dedicated to delivering high-quality music and performing arts education through immersive, hands-on experiences. With over 30 years of programming, their summer offerings continue to inspire creativity, build confidence, and develop musical skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.

📆 Programs run throughout July and include both in-person experiences and online options, making them accessible to a wide range of participants.

🔗 Register today! https://www.cassamusicalarts.com/