TORONTO GUITAR SCHOOL - Key Persons
Trained as a classical violinist, Toronto musician Alex Cheung is continuing his journey through many different musical styles and genres. He performs folk, Celtic, pop/rock, country, jazz, R&B and classical music and is proficient in improvisation and string arrangement. Alex teaches violin, chamber music and music theory at his private studio as well as at University Settlement Music & Arts School in Toronto and at Yip's Music and Montessori School in Thornhill and Markham. In the summer, Alex runs a strings camp for young students at Yip's in Markham and teaches at Lakefield Music Camp for adults.
Alex loves performing live. He has entertained audiences from intimate venues such as Free Times Cafe and C'est What in Toronto to large stages of the Montreal Jazz Festival. He fiddles in the Celtic/East Coast band Up All Night and over the years has collaborated with many artists and bands, including Julie Crochetiere, the late Kenny Maclean, the BIG SOUND (Motown), bluegrass/roots band Often Running and acoustic 80's band the McFlies. In 2006, Alex entered the "Shock the Monkey" Remix Competition hosted by Realworld Records and earned an honourable mention by Peter Gabriel.
Recognized for her energy, musicality, and charisma, French Canadian-born conductor, Alexandra Bourque, has been working on the musical scene in North America since 2015. She was the Music Director and Conductor of the Toronto Community Orchestra from 2017-21 (2017-18, 20-21) and was teaching Strings and Band at Branksome Hall in Toronto from 2018-21. For the 2022-23 school year, Ms. Bourque was the Orchestra Director at Forsyth Country Day school in Lewisville, NC. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education from McGill University with distinction, and a Master in Music Performance (conducting) from the University of Toronto.
Ms. Bourque worked as the assistant conductor of the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble from 2015-2017 where she also founded and conducted the University of Toronto Brass Ensemble. In 2016, she was also chosen to work with Orchestra Toronto as their assistant conductor for one of their concerts.
Ms. Bourque is known for her versatility in the musical world. As a violinist and conductor, her experience extends to both wind bands and ensembles, as well as symphonic orchestras. Prior to attending the University of Toronto, Ms. Bourque was the assistant choir director for the DOXA Choir in Terrebonne from 2012-2014, the assistant conductor for the Cercle Philharmonique de St-Jean in 2014-2015, and the student conductor for the 2014 Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra. Ms. Bourque has had the opportunity to conduct the McGill Wind Symphony, the McGill Beethoven Orchestra, the Ensemble à Vents de Sherbrooke (EVS), the Royal 22e Regiment, the Orchestre à Vents Non Identifié (OVNI), and the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
She has participated in music symposiums across Canada and has been chosen by the University of Michigan and the New England Conservatory in Boston for their summer conducting programs in 2016. She has studied under Maestros Uri Mayer, Alexis Haüser, Alain Cazes, Dr. Jerry Luckhardt, Dr. Rob Taylor, Dr. Michael Haithcock, Dr. Charles Peltz, and Mr. Frank Battisti.
Ms. Bourque is also recognized as an acclaimed pedagogue in the musical scene. She has been teaching violin at the University of Toronto, the Collège Régina Assumpta, Le Jardin des Violons, and in her private studio. She has also been working as a music specialist for many French and English school boards in the province of Quebec. She was the Senior School Music Teacher at Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill for the 2017-2018 academic year.
She is the recipient of five scholarships from McGill University, and the Al Mercury Scholarship from the University of Toronto. Most recently, she received the prestigious Women's Musical Club of Toronto Foundation Graduate Fellowship for the 2016-2017 academic year.
Job Titles:
- Member of Toronto
- Trombone and Low Brass Instructor
Anders Azzopardi is a Toronto-based trombonist, composer and educator. He is thrilled to be involved once again with The University of Toronto after having received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto in 2011.
Anders is an active member of Toronto's music scene performing his own compositions and collaborating with others for large ensemble music, community and private events. Anders' theatre composition credits include: Terra Incognita (Terra Incognita Collective, 2016); There is No Word for Wilderness (TRCA & Evergreen Brick Works, 2018) and Finding Home (Animacy Theatre Collective, 2022) which was just nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Musical Score. Anders' recent accomplishments include arranging and orchestrating works with Barbra Lica for their 2022 tour of her original music with a 16 piece orchestra.
Job Titles:
- Mandolin, Ukulele and Piano Instructor
Brazilian multi-instrumentalist André Valerio is in high demand as a guitarist, composer, and arranger. Andre's versatility has taken him around the world to perform in internationally recognized music festivals and venues in Canada, The U.S., Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK, and Brazil. His interest in music began at a very young age after listening to Brazil's most enduring musical genre, Bossa Nova. Inspired to compose and arrange since his teenage years, André took a strong interest in classical music and jazz among other styles, a passion that led him to learn his six instruments: acoustic guitar, piano, mandolin, cavaquinho, bass, and electric guitar.
André started his musical studies at twelve years of age with guitar professor William Gomes in his native city of Sao Paulo. Shortly after, Valério was admitted into one of Brazil's most prestigious music schools (EMESP) where he studied with the Brazilian guitarist virtuoso, Olmir Stocker. As part of his musical formation, André completed studies in performance, theory, harmony, counterpoint, and choral conducting in multiple institutions, and studied improvisation and piano with numerous internationally renowned professors. His passion for teaching and education led him to complete a Pedagogy degree in 2009 from the University of Guarulhos in São Paulo, where he acquired the knowledge to develop his extensive teaching techniques.
André completed his studies in guitar performance in 2017 at Canada's Jazz leading academy Humber College and has the distinction of winning the David Stillwell Arrangement Award twice. At Humber, André has studied with some of the most accomplished musicians in Canada such as Ted Quinlan, Geoff Young, Brian Dickinson, Pat Labarbera, Mark Promane, Nathan Hiltz, and more.
André leads Jazz, Brazilian, and Classical music ensembles that perform regularly around the city. His first album Chrysalis was released in 2017, it has ten songs composed and arranged by him. The album features some of Toronto's leading musicians such as Mark Promane on woodwinds. Chrysalis is available on multiple digital platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, and Google Play.
André is also part of the group Tio Chorinho, the only ensemble in Canada dedicated to performing choro music, the "New Orleans jazz of Brazil." Exciting, intimate, nostalgic, and virtuosic, choro is an infectious urban-folk style whose universal appeal belies its musical complexity. The group's debut CD received two nominations from the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards. The second album has original songs composed and arranged by Andre Valerio.
Job Titles:
- Guitar and Songwriting Instructor
Arianna Rueda is an Ecuadorian singer, songwriter and guitar player. Growing up in a Latin American musical environment, she was introduced to voice and guitar early on. She performed Latin folk, boleros and Mexican rancheras since childhood. In pursuit of a musical education she moved to Toronto to study Musical Theatre at Etobicoke School of the Arts.
Having developed a strong songwriting repertoire, she debuted her own musical project in 2018 where she composes and arranges original music with rock, folk and Latin influences. She has become an active member of the Toronto music scene and has played at numerous music venues and festival across the GTA, including Array Music for EquipKids International, YogaFest, Drom Taverna, and the Unplugged North Series at The Rivoli.
Her diverse musical ability has also led her to sing Latin repertoire with Mitch Frohman and the Merriam Music Orchestra, performing the songbook of Tito Puente at festivals in the GTA, including the Oakville Jazz Festival and jazz fusion with the Michael Murray Group. She co-founded the Toronto-based Latin folk band, Tayua, which showcased traditional musical rhythms and instruments from South America combined with contemporary music styles. With Tayua she often performed at the Stratford Music Festival, and recorded an album.
Arianna has extensive teaching experience and brings a profound understanding of music to her students. Her multifaceted approach to education has led her to work in music camps, including the esteemed Guitar Workshop Plus and to lead Early Childhood Education music classes for babies and young children. She prides herself in helping students of all ages achieve their individual and diverse goals, while fostering good technique and a deep appreciation for music.
Job Titles:
- Bass, Ukulele and Improv Instructor
Benjamin Bullett Mortlock is a session musician, musical director, and educator. Having studied under and lectured alongside world-renowned musicians and lecturers qualified from Berklee College of music, Musicians Institute, and more, Ben has developed his own level of professionalism delivering consistent, high-quality lessons.
Brian Abbott has been teaching music for over 20 years and has taught people of all ages and ability levels while preparing students for recitals performances and post secondary music programs. He has a long history of teaching guitar, bass, and beginner piano and is adept atmaking musical concepts clear for his students while at the same time making lessons fun and accessible. Brian teaching philosophy centres around his belief in splitting up lessons between the technical skills students need while also teaching them the music they are excited about.
He has a masters in Music Composition from York University and completed his undergrad at the Berkee College of Music in Boston.
As a performer he has toured the U.S. and Canada performing in rock bands, and jazz/improv groups for several years. As a professional composer, his works have been performed in Canada, the U.S., Portugal and Budapest.
Bryn Scott-Grimes is a US-Canadian professional harmonica player, guitarist, producer, & singer-songwriter based in Nashville. With influences ranging from psychedelic, baroque pop, blues, rock, folk, jazz, and Americana all the way to hip hop, reggae, and broadway show tunes, Bryn's musical tendencies are diverse. Since 2014, Bryn has released 1 album and a slew of singles. Slated for release in early 2024 is Bryn's debut EP The Build, funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
Having grown up asthmatic, carrying puffers around everywhere, it is an utter paradox that Bryn now makes a living with his lungs as a virtuoso harmonica player. His intricate breath-work can be heard on numerous singles, albums, films and shorts, including CBC Gem's Rockin' the Coffin (2020), Danger Dolan's "The Ant Who Complains All Day" (2016), and Stealing the Sky (feature film by Marie Dame, directed by Megan Follows; for release in 2024). Bryn was also featured in JbyJ's documentary Me & My Harmonica which won best documentary at the Canadian Ethnic Media Association awards in 2017. As a go-to session harp player, Bryn has played on recordings by Anna Gutmanis, Taylor Abrahamse, Steve Koven, and Goldpine to name a few.
Complimentary to his creative life, Bryn has a strong track record of teaching & entrepreneurship. Bryn has taught over 3,000 1 on 1 harmonica lessons to people of all walks of life and has been a staple instructor for numerous acclaimed music schools including The Canada Music Academy, TIFEM, & Mint Music. Bryn is also the founder of the BENDR Harmonica App, the world's first all-in-one diatonic harmonica mastery app featuring courses, riffs, custom tabs, forums, backing tracks, and beyond. Before moving to Nashville in 2022, Bryn co-founded Silverthorn Studios, a professional recording studio built to support emerging and under-served artists in Toronto. Since its inception in 2015, Silverthorn was home to many up and coming musicians, songwriters, producers, and engineers in addition to hosting established acts and music industry personnel like Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo), Canadian roots music heavyweight Ken Whiteley, legendary Eddie Kramer (producer; Jimi Hendrix, Woodstock), and Canadian radio broadcaster Alan Cross. Silverthorn closed its doors in April 2022, and as its founders now focus on their solo music careers.
Job Titles:
- Guitar and Band Instructor
Camila is a music composer, guitarist and educator. She has been playing and performing for almost 13 years, has played in several projects, including rock bands and contemporary music festivals, and has written soundtracks for short films and animation films. In 2013, she started working on a music degree (Composition for Audiovisual Media); she began teaching by her second year. A few years later, Camila also began pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Education, so that she could also work as a secondary school teacher.
Camila has also worked extensively as a solo artist, and has a significant and dedicated fan base on social media. Due partly to this visibility, in 2018 Ibanez Guitars made Camila part of their family, granting her the opportunity to be one of the first women from South America to be part of their Artists' Catalogue. Recently she also got the support of Yamaha Canada to be part of their Influencers fan base. She enjoys teaching rock, jazz, pop, modern metal and much more. Camila always aims to improve her students' self-confidence; this way, she can encourage them to be curious and creative.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Producer
- Mixing, Production and Live Sound Instructor
Carlin Nicholson is a Canadian mixing/mastering engineer, producer, and songwriter based out of Toronto, Ontario. He has been a studio owner for 25 years, working as a professional sound engineer and musician - he co-founded XM award-winning and Polaris Prize-nominated Arts & Crafts band, ZEUS. Trained at world-renowned Revolution Studio in Toronto, Carlin has worked on a multitude of albums and musical projects, including award-winning and nominated artists. Carlin blends his passion for analogue sound with modern digital tools, employing different techniques and various pieces of outboard equipment to suit the unique nature of each project.
Carlos del Junco first picked up a harmonica in 1972 and got a taste of playing in front of a live audience at a student talent night, jamming on a couple Leadbelly tunes with his high school math teacher. While his first interests were definitely rooted in the blues, studying players like Paul Butterfield, Little Walter, James Cotton, he was also attracted to more progressive players like Lee Oskar and perhaps one of the most unsung heroes in his mind, David Burgin. Eventually after 15 years of playing, Carlos studied with Howard Levy for 4 years in a row when at Augusta Heritage Centre in West Virginia for the Blues and Swing week back in the late 1980's. He also received a grant to study with Levy privately for 2 months in 1995.
His first love has always been blues. To sum up his playing "style" as a "harmonica voice", he would describe it as a marriage between early David Burgin and Howard Levy: a blues attitude with a jazzy sensibility. So, definitely a more progressive voice. His 7 full band recordings to date delve into all types of "roots music" which encompasses many styles of blues, jazz, New Orleans second line grooves, Latin, Ska, folk, "world music".
Carlos has over 30 years experience teaching both private and group music lessons, including workshops and master classes throughout Canada, Europe and the U.S. and online sessions worldwide.
Job Titles:
- Member of Lawrence Gowan
- Recording and Mixing Instructor
Danny J. Ricardo, a.k.a. ‘Danny J', is a Toronto native who started his Rock n' Roll journey at the age of 13. Danny attended Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton C.S.S and graduated top of his class with an "Excellent Achievement Award" in music. He continued his post-secondary education at Humber College where he studied Jazz. After a short year, Danny decided to study Audio Engineering at Trebas Institute for the Recording Arts and received a Diploma in Audio Engineering.
Upon graduating, Danny quickly made a reputation for himself, not only as a guitarist but a composer as well. In 2004, Danny collaborated with actress/singer Cassie Steele, known for her role as "Abby" on CTV's The L.A. Complex and as "Manny" on the hit show Degrassi The Next Generation. The debut album "How Much for Happy" had a cross Canada tour in support of singer Keshia Chante. In 2006 it was featured during Canadian Music week and received a gold certification in Canada.
In 2009 ‘JUSTUS', one of Danny's long-time music projects came to fruition. In February of 2010, JUSTUS won 1st prize in a band contest called "4 The Rekord". In April of that year, they also qualified for TIMA, the Toronto Independent Music Awards for "Best Live Act". 2011 they hit the studio with producer/engineer Joel Kazmi (Sum 41) and released their debut EP "Don't Surrender" in May of 2012. "Back In" the band's single, was received extremely well and was featured on CBC radio. Q107'S Dominik Diamond says "JUSTUS…good band, good tunes and great musicians".
In 2010, Danny became a member of Lawrence Gowan's (Styx), legendary solo band GOWAN. Also on the roster are Todd Sucherman (Styx) Taylor Mills (Brian Wilson) Peter Nunn (Honeymoon Suite) and Terrence Gowan (Gowan). In May of 2010, Gowan performed two sold-out shows celebrating the 25th year anniversary of the multi-platinum album "Strange Animal".
Job Titles:
- Bass and Ukulele Instructor
Dave Kirby is a freelance professional guitarist from Toronto, Canada. Teaching has always been a big part of Dave's professional life, and he has been teaching professionally for over twelve years. Over the span of his career, Dave has performed with many internationally recognized artists across a range of genres from pop music with Johnny Orlando and Scott Helman to country music with Madeline Merlo and Tebey. Dave received his BMus from Humber College in Toronto in 2012.
Over the years, Dave has taught students ranging in age from six years old to retirees, and while he has lots of experience teaching beginners, Dave is also great at teaching intermediate students, as well as students who are preparing for University or College level auditions.
Stylistically, Dave is strongest at teaching music theory, jazz, rock and pop, and country music.
Toronto guitarist and composer David Riddel is a versatile and in-demand musician. Since graduating from the University of Toronto in 2016, he has toured and recorded with some of Canada's most notable musicians. He boasts a vast repertoire of rock, jazz, blues and folk, and he transcends genre with his adept improvisation and soulful tone.
David has released original albums with art-rock outfits The Consonance and Delusions of Grandeur. His second album as leader of avant-garde/chamber jazz outfit Dr. Purgatory is expected in late 2024.
David is a passionate and experienced teacher with over 8 years of experience teaching all styles, ages and skill levels.
Job Titles:
- Classical Guitar Instructor
Accomplished classical guitarist, music composer and arranger Gaby Al-Botros nurtures his passion for guitar by playing Flamenco, Jazz, Celtic, Folk, and Middle Eastern music. Throughout the span of his impressive career he has performed solo concerts, baroque ensembles, orchestras, with a focus on guitar ensembles. Creating a unique and fascinating fusion influenced by distinctive Middle Eastern melodies, Gaby has composed for solo guitar, guitar quartet, string quartet, and many other chamber ensembles.
Notable past performances include Vivaldi's Concerto in G major with the Damascus Baroque Soloists and the Concierto Andaluz by Joaquín Rodrigo with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his classical music concerts, Gaby has performed with the Oud master Naseer Shamma and the virtuoso Brazilian guitarist Celso Machado. Working in the world music genre, he also arranged and recorded several compositions with the great Syrian composer and oud player Husam Numan.
In 2016, Gaby made his conducting debut with a performance of his own arrangement of Joaquín Rodrigo's Fantasia para un gentilhombre featuring soloist Susan McDonald and a guitar orchestra. The Damascus Guitar Quartet, of which Gaby was a founding member, has paved the way for other musicians in Syria to form guitar ensembles. Gaby continued this work by co-founding the Orontes Quartet and this has helped to highlight the possibilities of the guitar as a concert instrument. The Orontes Quartet released their first album "The Clock" in 2016, which was recorded during the war in Syria, under sirens and bomb blasts. In 2019, the quartet received a fellowship grant from the Artist Protection Fund, a New York-based program that supports threatened artists around the world. They were hosted by the University of Victoria for one year during which they worked with Dr. Alexander Dunn. The quartet toured across Canada with over 30 concerts, including the Alberta Winter Games 2019 opening ceremony, and was featured in The Globe and Mail.
When not performing, Gaby is a guitar and music theory teacher who believes that a solid foundation in effective performance and musical communication should be a teacher's first priority. As a guitar teacher and coordinator at Solhi Alwadi music school and a guitar teacher assistant at the Higher Institute of Music, Gaby was in high demand. Gaby worked as a teaching assistant for the renowned U.S. classical guitarist and composer Susan McDonald at the YES Academy in Lebanon. During his stay in Lebanon, Gaby developed a guitar curriculum for Syrian refugee students at Jusoor NGO.
Musician and educator Glen Alan has been actively involved in the Toronto music and recording scene for more that 20 years. As a voice, piano, ukulele, guitar, songwriting and theory teacher Glen has helped thousands of individuals from children to adults sing, play and write songs more effectively. Over the years Glen has produced and led various seminars and master classes on songwriting, music theory, voice, microphone technique, music business and studio recording for clients of Mint Music (formerly Find A Way) - a music company Glen Alan founded in 1996.
Glen began playing the piano when he was 7 years old and after that learned the ukulele and played acoustic bass in his father's school ukulele band when he was a young teenager. Glen's father who was an accomplished organist and choir director had Glen sing in church choirs from an early age until his early 20's. Later, Glen double majored in voice and alto saxophone in high school and was the bass singer and also helped manage and run the critically acclaimed No Nonsense a cappella Quartet. Later, Glen taught himself to play guitar when he attended Humber College in 1993. Glen began his first formal guitar lessons in 1996 and quickly began composing and performing with the guitar in the years that followed.
Since founding Mint Music and the Toronto Guitar School Glen has taught many private lessons and group classes in guitar and ukulele. Glen brings a wealth of over 20 years teaching experience, passion and fun to every class he teaches.
Holding an Honours Diploma in Vocal Performance from Humber College and a Grade 8 RCM Piano Certification with Honours, Glen has over 25 years performance and studio experience working with well known artists such as Keifer Sutherland (Star of acclaimed Television Series 24), Natalie MacMaster, Brian Dickinson, Jackie Richardson, Sterling Jarvis (Lion King), Mark Dubois, Chris Birkett, Don Ross, Paul Delong (Earth, Wind and Fire), Steve Hunter, Denis Keldie and Melinda Shankar (Star of Degrassi - The Next Generation)
Job Titles:
- Acoustic and Electric Bass Instructor
Graham Smith enjoys a busy and varied freelance career as a double bassist, electric bassist, composer, and educator. He has more than two decades of performing and recording experience in diverse settings from orchestral and chamber to jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary popular and world music styles. As a composer, Graham's interests are broad, spanning the neo-baroque to twelve-tone technique and contemporary jazz.
Music education forms the backbone of Graham's musical life. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, he welcomes students of all levels and all ages. On faculty at Branksome Hall's Music Conservatory since 2017, he also maintains his own teaching studio in central Toronto. Graham offers instruction on the double bass and electric bass, and in all areas of music theory and composition. Former students have gone on to study music at prestigious institutions such as Berklee College of Music in Boston and the University of Toronto. Graham is also a faculty member at National Music Camp of Canada as double bass and composition instructor.
Graham received his PhD in Composition and Musicology from York University and was awarded a prestigious SSHRC Graduate Scholarship for his dissertation research. He also holds an MA from York, and a BMus from Queen's University. Graham resides in Toronto's Christie Pits neighbourhood with his spouse, cellist Erika Nielsen. For more information, please visit grahamsmithphd.com.
Job Titles:
- Guitar and Ukulele Instructor
Award winning bassist and multi-instrumentalist Jack-James Lemaire has been playing and performing for over 17 years in the Toronto and Montreal music scenes. Known for his ability to be a "musical chameleon," Jack has played and performed with musical groups in a variety of genres, including pop, folk, jazz, punk and more.
Born in southern Quebec, Jack attended CEGEP Vanier in Montreal where he received a DEP in Professional Music and Song-writing Techniques. His passion for theory and performing brought him to Toronto to attend Humber College where he received a Bachelor's of Music. During his time at Humber, he studied under Mike Downes, Pat Kilbride, and Rik Emmett, to name a few. He was in the top profile bands three of his four years at Humber and eventually was awarded the opportunity to tour and perform in Mexico with Hilario Duran.
Jack's ability to adapt to any musical environment has given him a robust career. His work with Toronto folk artist, Jeremy Voltz has won awards from Folk Ontario, Indie Gathering International Film Festival and Open World Toronto Film Festival. He has performed at Toronto Beaches Jazz Fest, SpringTide and has opened for The Arkells. He currently plays for some of the top wedding groups in Toronto as well as renowned fusion groups, Mike Murray and Yiannis Kapoulas, and up and coming local artists, Jeremy Voltz and pop act Lyzzie.
With over 7 years of teaching experience, Jack's compassionate and individualised approach to teaching emphasises his student's unique learning styles and interests. Though primarily a bassist, Jack is an extremely competent guitarist and has led a number of guitar courses and rock bands with the school. An expert in beginner guitar instruction, he believes that learning should always be an enjoyable experience that uplifts students and promotes a sense of accomplishment. Out of the many group guitar courses and private lessons Jack has instructed at the school, his students always appreciate his positive and thoughtful approach to learning.
Jacob's life has been spent tapping into both the music released around the time of his birth at the turn of the millennium and the music his parents, peers, and the internet introduced him to-this includes jazz, funk, pop, hip-hop, neo-soul, house, and more. Jacob's unique taste is made apparent through the way he plays trumpet, the songs he writes, and how he produces records.
Jacob first experienced live music and recording sessions first hand thanks to his late father-an award-winning keyboardist and producer. This combined with encouragement from his mother who worked as a radio host led to him picking up the trumpet and drums in elementary school.
After being admitted to four of the top post-secondary jazz programs in the country, Jacob ultimately decided to attend Humber College in Toronto where he completed his Bachelor of Music degree and met the contributors to his debut album.
Kendra Grittani started playing cello at age four. She completed her Masters in cello performance at McGill University with accomplished symphonic/chamber musician and cello professor Elizabeth Dolin.
Kendra has performed with various orchestras including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the McGill Symphony Orchestra, the McGill Opera Orchestra, the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
Kyle Nethersole is a performing musician, music producer, and music teacher. His passion for all things musical led him to explore myriad contemporary styles and genres, including jazz, rock, metal, hip-hop, electronic, and many more. Kyle hopes to share the joy of music with all of his students through the central tenets of curiosity, practice, and creativity!
Liam is an electric and double bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and guitar and bass instructor. He began playing music at the age of 3 when he picked up his sister's starter violin and began to imitate her playing. Over the following 15 years he studied a multitude of instruments including piano, clarinet, trumpet, french horn, drums, guitar and bass.
In 2004 he joined the afro-funk outfit, Mr. Something Something, and subsequently played well over a thousand shows with the band over the following 8 years. He recorded bass on all of their albums, including the 2007 Juno nominated album, The Edge. Also in 2007 he entered the Jazz and Contemporary Music program at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario.
Over the past 20 years he has recorded and performed with with a wide range of artists including The DoneFors, Fantahun Shewankochew, The Jessica Stuart Few, Surefire Sweat and Emily Millard. A lifetime student, performer and bass instructor, Smith has toured extensively both domestically and internationally. He is currently a member Idioteque, the Ole Fashion, and occasional bassist with Jaffa Road.
Having studied classical guitar in four countries, Navid Niknejad has extensive international experience as a guitarist and instructor. He began his musical training in his native country, Iran. After finishing his bachelor's in music at the University of Tehran in 2011, he moved to the Netherlands to study at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with Lex Eisenhardt. In 2015, he received a full-tuition scholarship to study a Master of Music in guitar performance at California State University, Fullerton with Dr. Marth Masters.
Navid is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto with Dr. Jeffrey McFadden. Navid has also studied in masterclasses of some of today's most prominent guitarists, including Alvaro Pierri, Judicael Perroy, Marcin Dylla, Zoran Dukic, and Pavel Steidl, among others.
In addition to pursuing a career as a soloist, Navid has been active as a pedagogue in all the countries he lived in. Since 2017, he has worked as a Teaching Assistant at U of T, coaching the guitar chamber music ensembles. He has also appeared in different chamber music settings, including duos with flute, voice, and guitar in the Netherlands, USA, and Canada.
Job Titles:
- Songwriting and Band Instructor
Neil Quin is one of three singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalists in Toronto-based rock band Zeus. Since 2008, Zeus released three albums on the record label Arts & Crafts (Say Us, 2010; Busting Visions, 2012; Classic Zeus, 2014), won the XM Canada Verge Music Award for Album of the Year (2011), been longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize (2010), charted on Canadian rock radio ("Hot Under the Collar," 2010; "Are You Gonna Waste My Time?," 2011), and served as the backing band for Jason Collett and Bahamas. He's the singer/songwriter behind Zeus' top three original songs on Spotify - "Marching Through Your Head" (87.28 million), "Marching Through Your Head" (87.28 million), and "Are You Gonna Waste My Time?" (2.89 million plays). Before Zeus, Neil was a member of Toronto rock band The Golden Dogs. Since joining Zeus, Neil has also performed on albums by Jason Collett, Bunny, Doctor Ew, Sam Cash, Brave Shores, Carleton Stone, Wax Atlantic, The Young Novelists, Marlon Chaplin and Matt Mays.