Fields of Study:
Guitar
Bass guitar
Ukulele
Pop piano
Drums and percussion
Singing
Trumpet
Ear training/transcription
Theory
Arranging
Songwriting
Demo Production
Improvisation
Production
Band coaching
Youth music programs
Instrument Building
Instrument Maintenance
Guiding Principles
Having taught music to people of all ages and abilities over more than 25 years, my approach to helping people wit
h their music starts with creating an individual education plan for each new student. I believe it is vital to learn to play the music that you enjoy hearing so that you find greater enjoyment in your playing. I encourage all of my students to keep a list of the pieces of music that they might like to learn so that we can work on them in the lessons. This can include movie/game music, TV themes and jingles as well as any genre of popular music. All resources are provided either in the form of paper lesson notes, web link, PDF via email or video lesson recap via FaceBook Messenger. Students are also welcome to bring their own sheet music or books to lessons. All students are taught correct technique, technical exercises, how to read for your instrument and ear training in addition to their favourite songs. Depending on a students ability level, preferred music style and instrument I use a variety of music notation styles to provide notes for lessons. This includes standard notation, tablature, chord charts, diagrams, phonetic patterns and alpha numeric sequences. I use these other notation styles purely to help students learn songs faster. All students are taught to read the appropriate notation style for their instrument. I believe that beginner students should be free of the burden of performance. Performing is not for everyone and the added stress it brings to beginners can have a negative effect on one's enjoyment of playing. Once a student reaches a level where they can complete whole songs, I encourage those under 18 to join one of the youth band programs I run year-round at Mash Musique and each spring in partnership with Ottawa Bluesfest. Adults are encouraged to come to the Open Stage that I run at Kaffe 1870 in Wakefield on Wednesday nights from 8pm. Selected Educational Accomplishments
1995-2000 Guitar/bass/drums teacher - Troy House of Music, South Yarra, Vic, Australia
2000-2009 Director of Music - Brighton Secondary College, Vic, Aus
2001-2009 Produce 10 albums of original music by kids in the Kool Skools program including multiple award winners.
2005 Band Coach for Showcard - Statewide Battle of the Bands winner, Vic, Aus
2010 Established Wakefield Music School, QC, Canada
2014 Established Wakefield chapter of Bluesfest Be In The Band
2016 Former songwriting student Sarah Aarons Nominated for Songwriting Grammy
2021 Over 50 of my former students have released original music in the last 3 years
September 2022-Open new music teaching and recording studio in Sainte-Cécile-des-Masham and rebrand to Mash Musique
