Margaret Dahlberg is dedicated to inspiring joy and connection through music. Born and raised in Calgary, she is an active teacher, composer and pianist.

An award winning classical pianist, Margaret studied piano performance at Mount Royal Conservatory (A. Mus.), Cleveland Institute of Music (B.Mus.) and University of Calgary (M. Mus). She has been on faculty at the Mount Royal Conservatory and the Mount Royal Academy as a teacher, chamber musician and coach and has performed throughout Western Canada and the United States.

Margaret injured her hand in 1998, bringing her classical piano performing career to an unexpected halt. She then combined her musical knowledge and her love of children to create a music program for pre-school aged children. Her program, Music Kids at Chinook School of Music, has a team of teachers and sees hundreds of children every year from babies to 5 year olds.

In recent years, Margaret has become a singer-songwriter and has written songs and albums that have been on the Grammy Awards long-list for both popular music and children’s music.

Currently, Margaret is a teacher and Director at Music Kids and Chinook School of Music, as well as the Choral Music Specialist at Calgary Arts Academy. Side projects include writing music for Meditative Massage as well as creating a musical of original songs.

Allen is passionate about children and the arts and has been an active volunteer at Calgary Arts Academy for over 9 years, prior to taking on the position of Student Logistics Coordinator. As an enthusiastic supporter of CAA, he believes whole-heartedly in CAA’s education methods and community culture, having seen first-hand the incredible benefits his 3 sons have received from attending.

As a professional musician for over 35 years, Allen has many highlights including performing for the Prime Minister of Canada and touring internationally with country recording act Jo Hikk. He has shared the stage with some of music’s biggest names, earned 4 CCMA nominations and released several songs to radio and videos to CMT.

Allen has actively embraced opportunities that allow him to be a positive role model in children’s lives including his past experience as a school bus driver for 7 years. He enjoys providing a safe, supportive environment for the students at CAA and encourages random acts of kindness every chance he gets!

Ms. Walker started at Calgary Arts Academy in 2017.

With the “Abitur” (High school matriculation equivalent / international baccalaureate) she earned an apprenticeship as a ladies’ custom tailor at the Hiberniaschule in Germany.

After studying violin privately in Amsterdam, Cologne and Berlin and playing in several orchestras, she focused more on chamber music and being a freelance violinist.

Teaching has always been a big part of her life and she gave private lessons.  She also earned a Teaching Certification as Junior High School English / Textile Science / Home Economics major at the Hochschule, a university in Freiburg, Germany.

She is very excited to teach at Calgary Arts Academy!

Mrs. Schiffner has been associated with Calgary Arts Academy since 2006.

Initially, she was involved as a parent, and then took on the role of School Council chair for two years before becoming the Administrative Secretary.

Jo Ann has an extensive educational background and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, a bachelor of Education degree and a Master of Arts degree.  In her pivotal role in the school, she provides support to students, staff and parents.

She particularly enjoys her role as school counsellor with the Knob Hill Middle School Campus students.