THE INSTRUCTORS OF KAOS MUSIC
If there is one thing which makes our school better than others it is our staff. Hand picked over the past 15 years, most of our instructors have been with us for many years and call Kaos their primary job. While uniquely different, each of our teaching staff share one very important quality, they are all wonderful people. We believe that all of the music education in the world means nothing if it can't be communicated to the student in a fun way. Music lessons are an elective activity for most which means it should be first and foremost, fun. It is with this in mind that we consistently produce high quality results from students who can enjoy music for the rest of their lives.
If there is one thing which makes our school better than others it is our staff. Hand picked over the past 15 years, most of our instructors have been with us for many years and call Kaos their primary job. While uniquely different, each of our teaching staff share one very important quality, they are all wonderful people. We believe that all of the music education in the world means nothing if it can't be communicated to the student in a fun way. Music lessons are an elective activity for most which means it should be first and foremost, fun. It is with this in mind that we consistently produce high quality results from students who can enjoy music for the rest of their lives.
Sheri is a veteran educator with over 17 years experience, most of which is with us here at Kaos. Sheri not only teaches a full schedule of private students, she is a fully certified Yamaha Music Education instructor as well as our school administrator. Sheri and colleague Yoanna Mesa have developed our early childhood education program using Yamaha’s Music Education System. When asked, Sheri would tell you that she gets the most joy out of her teaching when her students enjoy their lessons and leave feeling good about their accomplishments. When not working for us here, Sheri spends many hours volunteering in the community and relaxing with her husband Jon (also a talented piano player) and friends. She also enjoys a good hockey game and can always be found watching football on Grey Cub Sunday.
Many years ago, Yoanna and her husband Rubens relocated their lives from Cuba to Toronto, lucky for us. Since then she has established herself as a valuable member of the music community in Toronto. Yoanna performs regularly in Toronto’s better Latin night clubs. Classically, she has performed many times with the Toronto Operetta Theatre company. While she continues to work on the performing aspects of her career, Yoanna maintains a full schedule of private and group students for us here at Kaos. Privately, Yoanna teaches piano and voice. As well, Yoanna is a certified Yamaha Music Education Instructor which qualifies her to teach some of our young children group classes. Yoanna has been one of our valued instructors for the past 7 years.
Karen joined our school in 2008 filling in for a maternity leave. She quickly became well liked by our existing students and has become a popular choice for new students. Karen has tons of relevant experience for her to draw on in her teaching. In voice, she holds her RCM grade 8 with studies up to the ARTC Level. In Piano she holds her Grade 8 RCM with studies in Grade 9. She holds her Grade 2 RCM Theory with 100% grades in all of her exams. She also holds a BAH in vocal music and drama from Queens University. Karen also has extensive experience in musical theatre. With all this experience and her delightful personality, Karen has become a valued member of our staff.
Tiffany has been involved with music since an early age participation in various choirs and musical theatre groups. She attended Cawthra Park High School for the Performing Arts, majoring in voice. During this time she received numerous awards and scholarships. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music Degree at Humber College. During her spare time she takes pleasure in composing her own music as well as taking in the vibrant Toronto live music scene. We are pleased to have had Tiffany join our staff in ’06 as she brings a great combination of technical know how and young enthusiasm. Her casual yet no nonsense approach has produced great results among her students.
Everett obtained his bachelor of Music through the Humber College extended Bachelors Program and holds his Grade 8 RCM. Beyond his piano accomplishments Everett is an high level guitarist. He has worked as an educator in many different settings including music schools, dance schools and music theatre schools as music director. In and around Toronto, Everett can be found playing in many different jobbing bands where he plays guitar and sings. Everett joined our school during the ’07 year and has quickly become a valued and popular member of our teaching staff.
Stacey joined our staff earlier this year and has quickly become a favorite teacher among the younger crowd as well as the adults. Stacey holds her grade 9 RCM and was awarded one of the top examination scores in Canada. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Sacred Music at Canada Christian College in Toronto. She has also completing her grade 3 Music History and Harmony with the RCM. Aside from studying piano, Stacey has extensive performance experience and incidentally, plays the bag pipes as well. We are more then pleased to have Stacey teaching for us here at KAOS.
Tyson joins our school with over 8 years of teaching experience. Having taught all ages in various styles, Tyson can handle just about any teaching situation. While he does specialize in jazz and pop he is also comfortable with classical theory and repertoire. Tyson graduation form Grant MacEwan College with honors. He is currently completing his degree in Jazz performance at the University of Toronto, majoring in piano. When not studying, Tyson has been and continues to be active in the music scene in Canada performing regularly. Add to his piano abilities, Tyson has experience in composition, voice and trumpet. His calm, gentle disposition also add to his appeal and effectiveness as an instructor. We’re happy to have him on board.
Melissa joined our school in 2009. Melissa has complete her music degree in Jazz studies at Humber College where she had the opportunity to study under many of Canada’s greatest musicians. She has also attended York University where she also studied jazz. To add to her abilities, Melissa holds her grade 8 RCM piano and her grade 2 rudiments. She brings years of performance and teaching experience with her and combines it with her delightful personality to offer her students a fun filed lesson experience in either piano, sax, clarinet or flute. Even though Melissa is relatively new to our school she has quickly become a favorite among the students.
Frank is one of those guys who truly is one of the hardest working guys in the business. Franks has been performing for well over 20 years in and around the Toronto area. He is well known as one of this cities finest blues guitarist. While not teaching for Kaos, which he does 5 days a week all year, every year since 1989, Frank is likely performing with his own band somewhere in the GTA. While Frank practices hard, he is well known as one of our easiest going teachers. Don’t mistake a relaxed attitude with a lax teaching attitude. Frank gets great results and is no question one of our favorite teachers.
Chris has been playing guitar for over 20 years and teaching for over 10 years. As a teenager, Chris studied rock, jazz, classical and theory at the Eli Kassner Guitar Academy in Toronto under renowned instructor Rob Campbell. He has recorded 3 CDs with his own band and has been labeled by the Toronto Sun “ a songwriting Charles Atlas” He continues to play live in Toronto with his own band and many others. Chris believes anyone should walk out from their first guitar lesson with three chords under their belt and a smile on their face. His approach emphasizes fun for the student, technique on the instrument and enthusiasm for music.
Ayron was born in Stratford, Ontario and grew up taking guitar and theory lessons in Kitchener. He has played guitar for 25 years and has taught for the past 7. He studied jazz guitar performance at Humber College and graduated in 1998. He has been a constant in the Toronto live music scene for over 15 years playing guitar, bass, mandolin, drums and accordion with the likes of Kevin Quain, Taxi Chain, The Mahones, Wild Strawberries and has been a sideman for dozens of singer/songwriters in this fair city. Ayron's incredibly positive approach to his work and life in general has earned him one the top spots in the hearts of our students.
Heather started taking classical guitar training at the age of nine and discovered her true love, the Fender Stratocaster, by age 12, when she began to pursue her passion for the blues and rock & roll. She graduated from Cawthra Park's Regional Arts Program with honors before being accepted into the Humber College jazz program, where she completed a degree in contemporary applied music. Heather brings a young enthusiasm combined with a serious musical ability to her lessons. As a result, students young and old find their lessons fun and productive.
Jeremy Bellaviti has lived in Canada for the past ten years, during which time he studied for a number of years with guitar great, Rob Piltch. He also spent three years studying under Canadian cellist, Shauna Rolston among others. Jeremy also took several lessons in musical composition with multi-instrumentalist/composer, Phil Dwyer. He is actively involved in a variety of groups, including his original 'Americana' string trio and has toured Italy on several occasions including a duo-tour with slide guitarist, Don Rook (The Henry's). Jeremy has been teaching for us here at Kaos for many years. He has developed a faithful following of students likely due to his extremely calm and friendly disposition. He consistently achieves great results from his students while providing a fun weekly activity.
Gino began his music career in 1981 playing in cover bands in Sudbury, Ontario. Gino became interested in jazz music, so he enrolled in the music program at Humber College in 1995. While at Humber, Gino studied with such notable guitarists as Ted Quinlan, Tony Zorzi, Lorne Lofsky and Rob Bulgar. He played with the Humber College big band, which featured Don Thompson and Pat Labarbera. Upon graduating with honors in 1998, he formed his own jazz group now performing at parties and functions. Gino has over 30 professional musicals to his credit including A Chorus Line, Joseph and Fiddler on the Roof to name a few. He has worked with many artistes including Alfie Zappacosta and Terry Hatty of “The Guess Who”. Over the past 10 years, Gino has taught for us here at Kaos. Gino combines his considerable experience with a highly formated lesson approach to guide his students.
Justin is a fellow that wears many hats. While Justin mainly teaches bass for us here at Kaos, he is completely capable of teaching guitar and drums. Justin is truly one of our most versatile teachers. Aside from teaching full time for Kaos, Justin keeps a busy playing schedule. With no less then two original and two cover bands at any given time, Justin is playing essentially all of the time. Justin’s extremely easy going disposition is a great asset when it comes to providing his students a fun and relaxed learning environment. As with many of our teachers, their easy going outer dispositions are not to be mistaken for a serious commitment to learning.
Paul has been performing and teaching music since he played guitar in his high school Jazz band. Later he taught Jazz theory and performed regularly with the faculty of the first Jazz Diploma Program in Nova Scotia at St. F.X. University.
In 1999 Paul received a Professional Development Grant to study with Toronto jazz bassist Steve Wallace. Since then he has been active performing and teaching in Toronto and beyond. He has performed and recorded with the Jorge Miguel Flamenco Company, Sambacana, Geordie Haley's Everytime Band, Robert Michaels, jazz guitarist Roy Patterson and J.V. Dixon & Rhythm Changes. He was accepted into the University of Toronto Faculty of Education Teacher Training Program in 2006 and has been awarded a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts for composition. In 2007 he released his debut Brazilian Jazz CD "Rio Bossa".
Martin Dubeau is a well versed guitarist who is just as comfortable performing jazz standards as he is at interpreting a classic disco or current R&B songs. He has been performing in Montreal, Toronto and internationally for the last 10 years. Martin studied composition and Jazz guitar performance at Vanier College from 1996 to 2000 and has won song writers competitions held by 99.9 Buzz Fm in Montreal in 1998. He is currently is performing with singer Tracy Francis in local GTA clubs. Martin has taught guitar privately since 2000 and has taught children and adults in both french and english, he has also taught children with learning disabilities to play guitar. When he is not teaching or performing he enjoys watching movies, composing original music and listening to Jazz.
Scott joined our staff in 2007 and has had great success ever since. Scott has been studying guitar for the past 20 years and currently holds his grade 10 RCM (practical). Scott is currently pursuing his guitar education at Humber College in their Jazz program studying under some of Canada’s most advanced teachers. While not studying or teaching, Scott spends much of his time producing various artists including himself.
Scott’s gentle and calm disposition make him an ideal teacher and we are happy to have him.
Colin began his guitar career at the age of 9 studying various rock n roll and blues artistes. In his 20’s Colin focused in on Classical guitar studying at Capilano College in Vancouver BC. Colin continues today with his study of Classical guitar attending the University of Toronto for music performance. Colin has extensive performance and teaching experience. His fun and outgoing disposition keeps his students laughing and learning. While Colin only recently joined our staff he has quickly become well known and sought after as a teacher.
Matthew joined our staff in 2008. He is currently studying guitar at Humber College with some of this countries most advance players and teachers. In his younger years, Matt studied piano for the better part of 8 years before taking up guitar. Before joining our staff, Matthew spent a number of years teaching privately as well as performing regularly with the Toronto All-Star Big Band. He currently performs regular around Ontario in any number of different types of bands including rock, funk, jazz and even a bit of country. Matthew brings a young perspective to our school and an unmistakeable enthusiasm.
Jasmine joined our staff in 2006. Since then she has helped her students develop by providing a consistent approach of fun and interactive lessons. While small in stature, Jasmine more then makes up for it in her ability, her enthusiasm and dedication to all things music. We are happy to call Jasmine a member of our teaching staff. Jasmine is a honors graduate from the Humber College Bachelor of Music Program. She spends much of her time performing in various musical acts in and around Toronto in between teaching and being a new mom.
Marco’s philosophy in music and in life is simple: “Make it Groove.”
Marco began playing the drums in 1993 and has since developed over 10 years of professional playing experience with shows and features throughout the GTA. As a teacher, Marco’s approach to the drum-set is rooted in practical and musical fundamentals. He delivers a creative and enjoyable lesson by adapting to the needs of his students.
Personal achievements include touring the island of Malta with the Borg & Vella Group and creating a unique sound design for the TTC. Marco is further developing his drumming skills as a session musician with some of Toronto’s finest recording studios. When Marco is not teaching, performing, writing or recording music, he likes to practice his martial art forms, read books, cycle throughout the city and go camping and portaging with his wife Jillian-Lee and daughter Nico.
Elena Kapeleris is a freelance saxophonist and vocalist living and working in Toronto. She is a graduate of the jazz program at Humber College where she studied saxophone with world renowned saxophonist Pat Labarbera. She has also studied vocals with Shannon Gunn and jazz composition with Don Thompson. Elena can be heard playing at various clubs in the Toronto area, as well as corporate functions, and studio recordings on film scores and recordings with musicians of many different styles of music. She has been teaching at Kaos music for many years and loves the opportunity to help students love to play music.