After numerous years of success as a musician, a director of musical performances, a business management specialist and client services professional, Leanne decided to embark on building a business of her own, teaching and developing musicians. Her passion for music, and for growing musicians of all ages, has afforded her many rewarding opportunities and experiences including:

• 15+ years in private piano instruction (Royal Conservatory, improvisation and worship)
• 10+ years of private vocal instruction (Royal Conservatory, contemporary and worship)
• Director/co-director of six separate children’s musicals, as well as adult choirs
• Instructor of private and group piano lessons for more than 8 years
• Worship Band leader, keyboardist, and vocalist
• Winner of numerous Kiwanis and Strathfort music festival competitions
• Vocal soloist for numerous events and occasions
• Facilitator of vocal coaching workshops

Leanne started Crescendo Music Studios in her home in 2004. It was her desire to provide a nurturing and unique approach to learning piano and voice, that included improvisation, songwriting, music reading, recording projects, and even computerized theory learning. She firmly believed that the best way to achieve these goals was to create a structured, yet fun learning environment with a foundation of business excellence.

Crescendo Music Studios quickly outgrew The Cummings’ home and as a result, they purchased commercial space in Sherwood Park, Alberta, fulfilling a life-long dream for Leanne. Please do not hesitate to call Leanne personally, if you have any suggestions for our studio or questions about us!  She would love to connect with you.

I am the co-owner of Crescendo Music Studios with my wife, Leanne.  We became business partners in 2009 and I bring many years of experience with me, in customer service management and business leadership.  I have an immense passion for supporting student growth and development by working with our team to build, coach and mentor our teaching professionals.  I work very closely with our staff team through regular coaching sessions, mentorship coordination, and customer service training.  I also oversee the operations of our organization.  As an aside, I also enjoy fiction writing and I am working on my third novel!  

Leanne and I have been married for over 24 years and our two boys, Spencer and Nolan are also involved in the business in various capacities.  We consider ourselves a very family-oriented business designed to meet your music education needs.  We are excited to share our passion for music learning and providing quality music education with you and your family through Crescendo Music Studios.

Teaches: Private Piano Lessons, Private Voice Lessons, Musical Theater Program, & Crescendo Chorus

Hi there! I’m Leanne, the founder of Crescendo Music Studios. I have the privilege of teaching voice and piano to students!  It is a thrill to have taught music for over two decades in various capacities!  I worked up to Grade 9 Royal Conservatory in piano and Grade 8 Royal Conservatory in voice.  Over the years, I have taught various choirs, musical theatre classes, and workshops. I take joy in working with students to unleash their potential and to help them realize a lifelong passion for music and music learning. I also love getting to know my students and building a meaningful relationship with them!  Really… I can’t imagine life without them.  They inspire me and challenge me to bring my best to work every day.  I have the best career ever!

Current Projects: I continue to take improvisation lessons, vocal coaching instruction, and I am involved in a number of business entrepreneur groups.  I also consult with local daycares and schools to bring music classes to their environments.

Fun Facts: I have an adventurous spirit. I have skydived and bungee-jumped a few times in my life! My favourite composer is Claude Debussy and my favourite artists are Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones, and Nat King Cole. I consider it a privilege to bring music appreciation and exploration to the lives of my students.

Teaches: Private Guitar, Ukulele, & Bass Lessons, Drum Lessons & Digital Music Production Lessons

Hi there!  My name is Robert Back. I love inspiring students and exploring music in a deep and meaningful way.  I completed a Music Diploma as a guitar major and more recently, a Music Degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music with a focus on Sound Recording and Music Production from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton.

I have performed with various bands over the years. I also enjoy working on recording projects and sound engineering.  I consider myself a diverse artist and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share the love of music with my students! I believe that your focus determines your reality and if you learn with me, we will work hard to achieve your goals.

Current Projects: I am a member of the band, Old Jack Tap with my co-worker at Crescendo, Nick McDonald.  We released our debut album “Ain’t Gettin’ Any Better” in December of 2017 with myself as the lead Recording Engineer.

Fun Facts:  I am an enthusiastic learner! I am consistently expanding my understanding of core musical concepts and read daily to discover everything I can about the topics that capture my interest.  I have published two online courses on Music Production, and recently I published my first book on Recording and Microphone Technique. I also run an online blog and youtube channel regarding Music Production called Learn Audio Engineering (LAE)!

Teaches: Private Piano Lessons, Private Digital Production Lessons

Hello! My name is Samantha, and I teach piano, voice, and digital production for Crescendo Music Studios. My favourite part of teaching is helping students explore their own passion for music through performing and creating!  I started my own musical journey when I was 8 when my Mom put me in piano lessons. I continued lessons all through high school and was obsessed with Band class! This is where I discovered my love for composing and songwriting. I then went on to complete my Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music from MacEwan University, majoring in Composition. I have experience writing for and performing with many different ensembles and have had an original piece performed by Pro Coro Canada and The Accord Ensemble. Throughout my time at MacEwan, I gained experience and training in voice as well as learning/exploring music technology and film scoring. My goal as a teacher is to show students that music is an outlet for creativity and can be so much more than what is written on the page.

Current projects: I am currently singing and songwriting as much as I can!

Fun Fact: I have two favourite seasons, Summer and Winter because I love snowboarding in the mountains and wakeboarding at my grandma’s cabin on Bear Lake.

Teaches: Private Voice Lessons, Private Piano Lessons, Girls’ Chorus & Musical Theatre Program

Hello! My name is Steph Bent.  I consider myself a fun and caring vocal and piano instructor for Crescendo. I have been teaching privately for over 9 years, and love my students. I took classical voice and opera performance at King’s University College before transferring to the University of Alberta to complete my Bachelor of Arts in Music. I have performed in many opera and theatre companies including the Edmonton Opera Chorus and I have many years of Royal Conservatory training in piano. I truly consider it a joy to teach, and I believe music opens up a world of expression and beauty that enriches the lives of my students!

Current Projects:  I am excited to be a featured soloist with the Edmonton Metropolitan Orchestra in their spring concert.

Fun Facts:  I have sung in over 12 languages, including Polish, Latin, and Hawaiian. In university, I toured France and Germany performing in many historic cathedrals and basilicas with the King’s University Chamber Choir. I enjoy spending my a good part of my summer working and performing at the Edmonton International Fringe Festival.

Teaches: Private Vocal Lessons

Hello! My name is Sue Bischoff and I love to sing! I have taught voice for more than 20 years now, and have also taught a music program for very young children for the last 12 years. It is an honour for me to share music with my students and support them in their musical journey.

My whole life has been music. I was a child performer in a traveling family band, and continued my musical education in both the professional gigging world and also at MacEwan University, taking both the education and the jazz performance programs.

Learning music is a lifelong commitment for me. I will always strive to further my knowledge, whether it be through teaching or taking my own voice lessons and workshops. That is the beauty of music, you can learn it forever!

 Fun Fact: I love to knit, especially my own clothes.

Teaches: Private Piano, Private Voice, Private Guitar & Private Ukulele Lessons

Hi there, my name is Julia Borden. I was very young when my parents started me on music lessons and by the time I was 4, I started piano lessons. Music has also been a passion of mine and the passion for learning has never stopped! I took lessons for several instruments growing up and have fallen in love with teaching music and watching my students grow into musicians of all varieties! I completed the Piano Performance program at Juilliard in 2020 and have been blessed to perform at all types of cool places around the world.

Current Projects: With COVID-19 pausing far away shows I’ve been keeping busy indoors restoring and painting an old piano and learning the literal insides and outs!

Fun Facts: I’ve been to most known music festivals and have even played at some! I own a pet bunny named Tiger and I love dancing!

Teaches: Private Voice Lessons & Private Piano Lessons

Hi there! My name is Shalynn Cavanagh. I consider it an honour to teach music to my students.  I have taught privately for over five years at Crescendo Music Studios and absolutely love my students. I fell in love with the piano and voice when I was young, and have now been studying piano and voice for over 18 years!  I completed my Education Degree at the University of Alberta and went on to teach elementary music in a public school environment for a few years, which was a rewarding experience. Since then, I have flourished in teaching piano and voice to my students! I have a desire to inspire and teach students and I consider myself a dedicated teacher with a creative approach to teaching.  I love to help students explore music in a fun and meaningful way, and watching them grow and advance their musical skills and confidence!  I hope you will join me at Crescendo Music Studios!

Current Projects:  I love to sing and perform, and can often be found writing my own songs. I also love to play the ukulele and guitar!

Fun Facts:  My favourite artists are Adele and Pearl Jam, and I once saw them both live in the same week, which was incredible. I also love to write stories and poetry and have published books on Amazon!

Teaches: Private Piano Lessons, Theory Lessons, Vocal Lessons & Crescendo Vocal Chorus

Erin Craig is an in-demand conductor, clinician and vocalist in the Edmonton music community. She sings professionally in Pro Coro Canada and Richard Eaton Singers, works as a pianist and musical director in Edmonton’s musical theatre community, and composes and arranges choral music!

Erin’s music education is rich and varied: her advanced musical training began with her Performer’s ARCT in Piano Performance, concurrently with her diploma in jazz piano performance at MacEwan University in 2005. She completed her undergraduate music studies at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2008 in Boston, MA, and when she returned to Edmonton, she taught jazz arranging, theory, and ear training at MacEwan, in addition to working as a gigging jazz and rock keyboardist.

In 2013, Erin re-discovered her passion for choral music after many years of absence, and felt called to pursue conducting. In 2018, she received her MMus in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta, under the direction of Dr. Leonard Ratzlaff. Erin continues to juxtapose her love and knowledge of jazz music with her choral activity in her accessible, yet high-quality, choral arrangements of pop and jazz tunes. She looks forward to watching her students grow in their love of music!

Current Projects: Erin is the Artistic Director of the Accord Ensemble, an auditioned chamber choir for young adults focused on new and inclusive repertoire, and of the BALM Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the leadership of women in the arts.

Fun Facts: Within BALM, the Accord Ensemble, as well as in her other work, Erin is an advocate for gender equality and diversity in ensemble make-up, concert programming and artistic leadership.

Teaches: Private Guitar Lessons

Hi, I’m Kyle Cullen. I have spent the past twenty years developing my skills on the guitar and then furthered my education by studying music at both Red Deer College and Grant MacEwan. I enjoy playing guitar in several musical groups in Edmonton and area! I have now been teaching guitar for more than seven years, and I truly enjoy watching my students grow in their musical knowledge and confidence. I look forward to meeting you!

Teaches: Private Guitar Lessons, Private Ukulele Lessons & Private Saxophone Lessons

Jackson has been playing music since he was five years old when he began piano. At ten, he picked up a guitar, and a saxophone at 11; this eventually led to him attending Concordia University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in math and music, graduating with high distinction. Jackson loves music and is thrilled to be able to pass on his passion for music and to have his students grow in their musicality and advance their music skills.

Current Projects: Jackson loves to play and perform with both his guitar and saxophone and can often be found composing and playing with various groups.

Fun Facts: Jackson is an avid skier and can also solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute!

Teaches: Private Drum Lessons & Private Percussion Lessons

For six years David Leibel has been nurturing and instructing students of all ages, and guiding them down a musical path! He is a graduate of Grant MacEwan University’s performance diploma, as well as a lifelong student of music, who continues to take lessons from the masters. David is looking forward to laying a strong foundation in technique for his students, as well as various styles of music such as rock, jazz, hip-hop, funk, and Latin. David is both friend and mentor to his students, most of them are long term with some new stars!

Current Projects: David plays for rock and jazz bands around the Edmonton area.

Fun Facts: David loves hockey, swimming, camping, and reading! 

Teaches: Private Bass Lessons & Private Guitar Lessons

A professional musician of over 20 years, Kim Lesaca has performed in different parts of the world on various stages with some of the world’s best musicians. Kim was already one of the Philippines’ premier electric bass players, having done countless live and studio performances with the country’s top performers before moving to Canada in January 2009. Since then, he has established himself as an outstanding bass player with some of Canada’s best music performers, live and studio musicians, and as well as music producers, performing a wide selection of music genres — Jazz, R&B, Pop, Rock and Country.

Kim’s education includes (but is not limited to) a Diploma in Music (Major in Contra Bass; Minor in Piano sans recital) from the University of the Philippines (U.P.). He held the bass chair of the Philippines’ finest big band, U.P. Jazz Ensemble from 1992-1995. In 1994, he co-founded the band Parliament Syndicate which became one of the most respected and sought after bands in the Philippines. After eleven years with the band, Kim focused entirely on session work with the country’s top recording and concert artists.

Kim puts premium on the groove, the proper tone and fitting musical taste. He believes that music comes before the artist. Being a musical educator as well, this is the philosophy that he shares with all of his students! He taught bass and acoustic guitar at Sherwood Park Music and is excited to now be joining the team of Crescendo Music Studios.

Current Projects: Kim does session works with Western Canada Music Award winner Krystle Dos Santos. Kim Lesaca is also an artist/endorser of iGIG Bass Guitar cases (www.flyigig.com), Genz Benz Bass Amplification and Spector Bass.

Fun Facts: Kim lists James Jamerson, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, Miles Davis and his uncle, violinist John Lesaca as his musical influences.

Teaches:  Private Drum Lessons, Private Guitar, Bass, & Ukulele Lessons

Hi there, I am Nick McDonald!  I enjoy working with students of all levels and experience at Crescendo Music Studios.  I have been playing the drums for over fourteen years now, guitar for over eight, and am a graduate of both the Music Degree and the Performance Major Diploma from Grant MacEwan University.  These were both rewarding and challenging experiences for me!

In the past, I have played in a number of assorted bands in university, as well as high school concert, jazz, and contemporary bands. I have been teaching privately for over 7 years.  I look forward to helping students progress and enjoy watching them grow and become better musicians.

Current Projects:  I have played in a number of bands, with a range of different styles. I currently enjoy playing with ‘Old Jack Tap’, where we have released our debut album, “Ain’t Gettin’ Any Better”, and are working on some new music!

Fun Facts:  I like to travel and am often found wherever live music concerts are, and I love the music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Teaches: Private Guitar Lessons, Private Ukulele Lessons, Private Bass Lessons

Hi there, my name is Tanner! I teach private guitar, bass, and ukulele for Crescendo Music Studios. I have achieved my Diploma in Music from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. I have enjoyed performing with various bands in our community and beyond. I teach all levels and ages of students and work well with pretty much everyone!

Current Projects:  I perform on a fairly regular basis with local bands and even for senior centers in our area!

Fun Facts:  I adopted a new kitty a few years ago, and despite many sleepless nights filled with meowing I still love my cat!

Teaches: Private Drum Lessons & Private Guitar Lessons

Hello, I’m Dale Osbaldeston! I have been playing drums for over 12 years, and love to perform around Edmonton and surrounding areas. All my life I have been immersed in music, and recently I graduated from Grant MacEwan with a major in drum set performance. I play a variety of musical styles, including Jazz, Hip-Hop, Fusion, Rock, Pop, Folk, Funk, Country and Classical.

I have been teaching music to a variety of ages, and I look forward to continuing watching my students grow and develop a love of music at Crescendo Music Studios.

Current Projects: Dale enjoys playing in the band the “Tsunami Brothers” who are a local instrumental surf rock band that plays in and around the city!

Fun Facts: When Dale isn’t playing music, his favourite activity is going snowboarding!

Teaches: Private Piano Lessons, Private Voice Lessons, Musical Theatre

“I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales.” – August Rush

Hello! I am a fun-loving and hardworking teacher and have been involved in music for as long as I can remember. I have been playing piano for 23 years and have completed Grade 9 in the Royal Conservatory of Music. I graduated from the Theatre Arts Intensive Diploma program at Grant MacEwan University where I learned so much about the voice, singing technique, choreography, theatre history, and performing. I have worked with classical & jazz piano, chording, improvisation, some songwriting, and also have experience playing the clarinet, ukulele, and cello. Previously, I was in choir for 11 years and took many years of private voice instruction. I have taught piano, voice, and musical theatre private lessons since Spring of 2018 with Crescendo, and for two years prior to that at other studios/home lessons. I’ve also been lucky enough to work with several schools in the area helping with their drama and music programs developing and leading workshops as well as helping to direct and choreograph different musicals.

Music is such a beautiful and rewarding gift to be shared and I am thrilled to be teaching at Crescendo!

Current Projects: I am currently writing the music for my 3rd Fringe Show, working towards earning my Grade 10 certification with RCM, and learning to play the guitar for fun.

Fun Facts: I am bilingual en Francais and in English, I have a pet bunny named Morty, a pet fish named Beethoven, and I love Musicals.

Teaches: Private Piano Lessons

Hello! My name is Sandra. I began learning piano at the age of 4 when my parents enrolled me in group piano lessons, which then led to many years of private lessons. After high school, I continued to take lessons at college and continued to receive certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music as well. During my college years, I also took a number of other music courses as well as a religious curriculum and graduated with an AARS Degree.

Besides learning and teaching piano, music has always been a large part of my life. I have been involved in various musical activities such as performing and accompanying on the piano, playing in bands with my synthesizer keyboard, singing in choirs, performing in musicals, etc. I love to play, listen to, and teach various types of music. I’m so excited to be sharing my love of music with my students and helping them develop their artistic talents and musical abilities on the piano in a fun and enjoyable learning environment.

Current Projects: I continue to increase my knowledge of music, especially in regards to playing piano and keyboard; and I love to participate in musical activities with others!

Fun Facts: Other than music, a few other activities I love are sports, acting, travelling, reading and learning about various subjects! I also love to spend time with family, friends, and pets. Alongside English, I also speak German! 

Hello! My name is Kate Southwell. My goal as a music teacher is to provide an engaging and educational environment for each of my students so they may grow and fall in love with music, just as I did. I started music lessons in my youth and from that point, I was hooked. Every waking hour was filled with as much music as I could fill my day with! Between a mixture of private lessons and band classes throughout junior high and high school, I learned to play the saxophone, flute, guitar, bass, piano, and I studied vocals.

As a teacher, I pride myself in providing engaging lessons that are tailored to each individual student and fostering real growth that promotes success and a love of each student’s chosen instrument. I am so happy to be part of the team at Crescendo and I look forward to sharing all the joy and sense of accomplishment music brings.

Current Projects: This year I graduated with my Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Music from Grant MacEwan and I am currently working toward my Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in Vocals. As well as a love and appreciation for many genres of music, I especially enjoy performing and regularly attending music festivals, concerts and shows. Upon completion of my music degree, I aspire to also gain my post-graduate teaching certification.

Fun Fact: Music and teaching are without a doubt my two passions. Throughout university, when not teaching private music classes, I worked as a swim instructor and library summer reading games assistant for Strathcona County. This led me to teach all age groups in a variety of settings, children to adults, and it is something I found most fulfilling!

Teaches: Private Guitar Lessons, Private Ukulele Lessons, & Private Banjo Lessons

This is Cam Steele. One of his sayings is “living the dream every day.” He takes special care to think about what he wants to do and then he tries his best to pursue it! He has a dream to be the best teacher he can be for his students. When he was 10 years old, he got a guitar for Christmas. Like all children should, he was blessed with opportunities to do things like hockey, swimming, martial arts, science camps, golf and many other fun activities. Music became something that he chose for himself. His goal for his students is to find something for them to believe in too. He hopes to spread the joy of music, the empathy it instilled in him, and the critical thinking it helps develop.

Cam’s background in music started in rock and blues. In high school, he started digging jazz, video game, movie soundtracks, classical guitar. By the time he got into MacEwan University’s Music program, he was listening to hip hop, EDM, bluegrass, country, and anything else under the sun!

Teaching is one of Cam’s favourite things to do. He enjoys helping students find what they like. He loves getting people started on their music journey, broadening horizons of intermediate learners, and helping students reach their goals! Something very important to him is getting his students to really play music rather than just learn it. The difference is developing a deeper understanding of music beyond just instruction. He teaches music like a language, to assist in making a voice for his students!

Current Projects: As a musician, Cam plays in all kinds of bands with different genres. It seems the more he listens to different music, the more stuff he likes. Just like food, he likes it all and he’s always hungry!

Fun Facts: When he’s not teaching guitar, Cam enjoys writing for bands, orchestration, playing shows, running, going to the gym, and loving life. Part of living the dream every day is being grateful for all the wonderful things around you!

Teaches: Private Drum Lessons & Private Guitar Lessons

Hello!  My name is Eric Sutherland.  It is my privilege and passion to teach music to people of all ages.  I am excited to be a member of the Crescendo team and have thoroughly enjoyed working with the talented students and incredible staff!  I have been an avid percussionist for nearly 14 years and have been studying additional instruments such as piano, clarinet and guitar since I was a young child.  I received a diploma in musical performance from MacEwan University in 2018 and have since been making my way as a teacher and performer in the Edmonton music scene.  I enjoy helping students learn to play their favourite songs, introducing them to valuable techniques in order to help them perform, and explore the vast world!  My favourite part of teaching is watching students overcome hurdles and learn to do take on new challenges.  I would love to help you reach your musical goals at Crescendo Music Studios!

Current Projects: I work as a freelance drummer and enjoy playing live shows with my friends.

Fun Facts: Aside from music, I enjoy exercising, gardening and reading.  I am an ardent learner with a curious nature, always eager to explore new territory.

Teaches:  Private Piano Lessons & Private Voice Lessons

Hello! My name is Allison Zaragoza, and I am a piano/voice teacher here at Crescendo. I’ve been involved in music for as long as I can remember! I love choir and musical theatre, and I started taking piano lessons when I was 4 years old. In 2011, I started lessons at Crescendo and have been here ever since! I have completed my Grade 8 Royal Conservatory level in piano, and have also spent many years working on other diverse skills such as improvisation, chording/singing, performance skills, and jazz music.

I’m so excited to be teaching here at Crescendo and I hope to help students develop a love for music that will last a lifetime!

Current Projects: I am currently studying at the University of Alberta, working towards a combined Bachelor of Secondary Education & Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.

Fun Facts: I am bilingual in French and English. My favourite band is Fleetwood Mac and some of the other things I love are travelling, and hanging out with friends and family!

Hello! My name is Lelin Zheng. Since the first violin lesson at the age of 10,

my violin has been my best friend and I am very excited to share that passion

and love with my students. I obtained my Grade 8 violin certificate from the

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music when I was in high school.

After that, I spent 3 years playing in my university orchestra. I have been

teaching private lessons for 2 years and I hope to see more young violinists

joining me on this fantastic music journey!

Current Projects: I am currently studying at the University of Alberta towards

a Bachelor of Education degree. I am very interested in other instruments too.

Hopefully, I will get a chance to continue learning piano and ukulele.

Fun Facts: I love to play music with my orchestra friends. My favourite group

was our string quartet and we performed at many events and weddings. I also

have two cats at home. Not a big fan of Marvel movies but I love Disney

movies for sure!

Role:  Customer Care Coordinator

Hi, I’m Esther Dueck. I am a full-time member of the Crescendo Music Studios team!  Crescendo prides itself on the fact that they are a music school that has a full-time person dedicated solely to the needs of their customers. I oversee the customer service here at Crescendo, and I love it! I am full of energy and enjoy all the amazing events that happen in the studio. I aim to be the customer’s “go to” person in Crescendo for any questions or assistance.  I have many years of administration and customer service expertise, and it’s thrilling that I can combine that with my love of music.

Current Projects:  I take both piano and voice lessons here at the studio with Leanne Cummings. I love to perform and can often be seen performing at local studio events.

Fun Facts:  I have been married for over 20 years, and my husband and I have three amazing kids, who are also involved in music.

Role:  Administration Coordinator

Hi, I’m Lori Laumbach!  I am a full-time member of the Crescendo Music Studios team. My daughter was a Crescendo Music student for many years learning both voice and guitar when she was younger, and I’m so excited to be a part of the Crescendo family again! I have 25 years of management and customer service experience here in Sherwood Park, and I’m here to help Leanne and Dean and the rest of the Crescendo staff with just about everything and anything. I love working with kids and families and look forward to getting to know you all this year!

Current Projects: I ALWAYS have a project! I love tearing things down and fixing them up! I’m currently rebuilding and redesigning a 1960’s bungalow. I love a good DIY project and binge watch HGTV at every opportunity!

Fun Facts: I also co-own a children’s character entertainment company with my daughter – I love the entrepreneurial spirit of fellow local business owners and their passion for excellence!