Prospective students at Renaissance can learn classical violin and viola, studying technique and repertoire using traditional musical notation, or can study traditional and contemporary fiddle music.

The Suzuki method is also taught, giving students the option to begin using their ear from a young age. Our teachers' schedules cover five days a week.

Alec Donaldson

Alec has been teaching at Renaissance since 2002. Playing for several years in the strings program of the Kingston Youth Orchestra and studying under Katherine Fraser of the Kingston Symphony has made him an accomplished classical violinist, and Alec supplements this knowledge with a background in the celtic tradition and the fiddle repertoire. In addition to the violin, Alec plays the bagpipe, electric and acoustic guitar, and the piano and is the leader and guitarist of a reggae/ska band known as Tea For The Voyage.

He is currently enrolled in the Concurrent Education program at Queen's University, minoring in music history, and plays in the violin section of the Queen's Symphony Orchestra.

Doug Handforth

Doug has studied the violin and viola since age six. He achieved his A.R.C.T. in Violin Pedagogy from the University of Toronto in 1976. He studied in Canada with Albert Pratz and Stanley Soloman of the Toronto Symphony and John Gomez of the NACO. Doug has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and numerous professional orchestras and chamber ensembles.

In addition to his background in music performance, he brings many years of experience teaching private and classroom lessons on Violin & Viola. He believes that everyone can learn to play an instrument and enjoy making music, with the appropriate guidance and inspiration.

Ivan Stoiljkovic

Bio coming soon!