Meet Your Partner in Unlocking the Magic of Reading
Hi, I’m Chris. I am a Kingston native, raised on the tried-and-true phonics and Science of Reading methods at Collins Bay Public School. Today, I am dedicated to helping children who are struggling to read find their footing, build their confidence, and discover the joy of language.
When your child works with me, they aren’t just getting a tutor—we become a team. I pride myself on building a strong learning partnership with my students, guiding them step-by-step toward figuring out reading and writing.
Watching a child experience that definitive “a-ha!” moment is the nearest thing to magic I know. It creates a positive spiral of joy and confidence that transforms not just the student, but the whole family.
My Literacy Superpower: Where Sound Meets Science
I hold a Bachelor of Music from Queen’s University, a Master’s in Music, Literature, and Performance from Western University, and a TEFL certificate from the University of Toronto. You might wonder how a classical musician ends up running a literacy clinic!
While it sounds like a different world, my professional opera background is actually my greatest asset as a reading specialist.
Through years of elite opera studies, I was trained to meticulously dissect foreign languages—their exact speech sounds, their physical production, and their structural rules. I love this sort of study! Such deep, specialized understanding of phonetics allows me to support students on a level few can match. If your child faces dyslexia-related sound comprehension hurdles, I know exactly how to break those sounds down so they finally click.
I am firmly rooted in the gold standard of literacy education: Structured Literacy, Orton-Gillingham principles, and the Science of Reading. Because of my background, I know how to take this rigorous science and turn it into engaging, creative, and joyful lessons.
Published Children’s Author: Bringing Stories to Life
Beyond my work in the classroom and clinic, I have also been passionate about the world of children’s books. Most recently, I collaborated on a three-language children’s book, The Icicle Egg (available on Amazon), for which I wrote the English version.
A Few Fun Facts & Hobbies
When I’m not analyzing phonics and writing, I keep active with some eclectic hobbies:
🤓 Language Learning: I loved studying Japanese during my time abroad, and since returning to Canada, I’ve been working hard on my rusty French with the goal of becoming fluent.
🎵 Music & Sound: I still play the shakuhachi (a traditional Japanese bamboo flute), which connects beautifully back to my love of breath, tone, and sound production.
👾 Gaming: I’m a fan of the Nintendo Switch! My absolute favourite games to dive into are The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing (which gives me instant common ground and massive street cred with many of my younger students).
🧩 My Brain-Saver: My most “embarrassing” hobby is jigsaw puzzles. I used to think they were a huge waste of time, but I’ve realized they’re the perfect way to slow my brain down and practice the same patience I ask of my students.
The Power of True Empathy: I Know How It Feels
My passion for this work was born out of my own struggles. I spent five years living in rural Japan, teaching English in the public school system and then eventually running my own English school.
While I loved teaching, I found that learning to read Japanese myself was incredibly hard. I remember the strange feeling of knowing that I was a thoughtful, intelligent, enthusiastic person, but being completely unable to parse the language in front of me.
I remember the anxiety of opening an email. I remember worrying that people thought I was lazy or unintelligent because I couldn’t read well.
But I will never forget the rare people I met who looked past the difficulty to see the person behind my reading abilities.
That is exactly what I do for your child. I see their intelligence, their potential, and their humanity, and I provide the safe, patient space they need to thrive.