Accompaniment, coaching and performance support to applied student singers and instrumentalists in MUSI 1666-4666, 3660, 4660, and the MUSI 4943 Graduation Recital course.
Mary Castello has held the position of Staff Accompanist at Acadia University’s School of Music since September 2017. Since her arrival in Nova Scotia she has established herself as a sought-after freelance collaborative pianist, recital partner, and piano teacher in the Wolfville area and beyond. Mary is the accompanist for the Aeolian Singers in Halifax, and a member of the Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association.
Mary has been engaged in recent seasons by Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Halifax Summer Opera Festival, Acadia Summer Band Camp, and Saratoga Sings for Seniors (Opera Saratoga). Her recital partners have included cellist Rachel Desoer, saxophonist Tristan De Borba, mezzo-soprano Paula Rockwell, flutist Jack Chen, mezzo-soprano Marie Engle, soprano Bethany Hörst, mezzo-soprano Christianne Rushton, and flutist Melissa Mashner. She is an alumna of several collaborative pianist training programs for Art Song and Opera internationally including Franz-Schubert-Institut (Baden Bei Wein, Austria), Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program, Opera Saratoga, Centre for Opera Studies in Italy (COSI), Sulmona, Italy, Opera McGill, and Opera on the Avalon.
Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Mary holds performance degrees from Wilfrid Laurier University and McGill University.
Mary’s work at Acadia’s School of Music includes supporting students in their principal applied study through regular collaborative rehearsals, coaching sessions, recital preparation, and performance opportunities.
Education
Since 2019 - Nova Scotia Registered Music Teachers Association (NSRMTA) - active member
2016 MMus Collaborative Piano Performance, McGill University
2014 BMus (Honours) Piano Performance, Wilfrid Laurier University
2010 Associate of Conservatory Canada in Music (ACCM), Pedagogy
Website
https://www.marycastellopianist.com