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 22 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 22 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 19 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 Cup 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. Yoanna's list of teaching credentials include being a fully certified Yamaha instructor as well as achieving her A.R.C.T in voice and Gr 9 RCM Piano. Yoanna has been and continues to be one of our most valued instructors.
Nicole is a pianist, vocalist, composer and teacher, with 19 years of musical experience, 9 of those in teaching. She achieved her A.R.C.T. in Piano Performance, and subsequently studied at the University of Toronto, with a major in Classical Piano Performance. While at U of T, Nicole sang with the Macmillan Singers, and performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing and recording, she has been composing songs for 15 years, and in 2001 received VideoFACT and PromoFACT awards. Nicole is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Contemporary Music at Humber College, with a major in Jazz Vocals, and is very happy to be joining us for another year of teaching.
Elise grew up taking violin and trumpet lessons, and playing in the community orchestra and school bands. In high school, she started singing in choirs, musicals, and her own jazz combo. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.Mus. in Classical Voice Performance with a minor in Jazz Studies, and received the convocation award for top graduate in the fine arts. Elise also has her Grade 8 RCM (high honours) in violin. She currently performs with the experimental group Christine Duncan’s Element Choir, Saskatoon’s professional big band, and sings and writes for her own 6-piece indie pop band.
After graduating from the Etobicoke School of the Arts, Piera went onto to complete an Honours Degree in Music, Voice Performance with a minor int Piano Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also holds her Grade 10 RCM piano, Grade 9 RCM Voice as well as Grade 4 RCM Harmony and History. Along with teaching piano and voice for the past number of years, Piera has also been actively involved with the Canadian Opera Company assisting with their Youth Program. Now back in Toronto full time we are very pleased to have the opportunity to have Piera join our teaching team. Be it piano or voice her delightful disposition combined with her impressive credentials and teaching experience, Piera is just another great option here at KAOS.
Shannon is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, dancer and composer. Having performed with her father for 12 years, she has been featured among many successful recording artists, and in turn has become one herself. She was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In Toronto, she has recently performed alongside Jazz wizard Chris Potter, and with Terrence Blanchard. Shannon has also performed in Nashville, TN for the Music City Roots show at the Loveless Barn, co-headlining with artists such as Alison Brown, and Maura O'connell. She is currently entering her 3rd year of a music degree at Humber college in Toronto. Shannon holds her RCM Grade 8 in both piano and violin as well as her grade 3 Harmony and History. Taking over for a departing teacher last year, Shannon has quickly become a welcome and valued member of our teaching staff.
Emily is a multi-instrumentalist having completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree from Humber College. Adding to her 15 years of experience on piano, Emily primarily plays trombone, and has studied with and performed alongside many of the country’s greatest talents. Her eclectic musical taste has led to experience with the renowned Toronto All-Star Big Band, rock groups, an R&B band and even brass quintets, as well as performances with jazz greats including Benny Golson and Terence Blanchard. Emily brings several years of teaching experience from various establishments, and is excited to start at Kaos this fall.
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.
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. In more recent years, Everett has become one of the main coaches in our Rock Band Experience Program.
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.
Amy is a young respected and experienced performer and music educator who possesses the ability to blur the all borders separating the classic genres of music with a wide range of influences from folk, soul, jazz, rock, house and pop. Amy was schooled in jazz/contemporary music at Humber College where she studied with some of the world’s best jazz and contemporary musicians. She is currently a full time student working towards an Honours Degree in Humanities with a minor in International Development Studies concurrently with a Bachelor Primary/Junior Education at York University. She spent 3 months this past summer in Kenya teaching orphaned children through York’s prestigious International Internship Program. We are very pleased to welcome Amy to our teaching staff. Her years of teaching, performing and humanitarian efforts make her a wonderful addition to our unique group of teachers.
Alyssa brings a host of interesting talents and experience to her teaching here at KAOS Music. Musically, Alyssa holds her Bachelor of Music as well as her Diploma in Vocal Performance, Jazz Studies from Humber College. Additionally, she has recently completed her Bachelor of Education from York University. Along with years of music teaching experience, Alyssa has two years of school classroom experience gained during her teacher's college years. Beyond teaching, Alyssa has been involved with the Kiwanis Club working with their music and drama programs as well as time working as an Occupational Therapist Assistant for children. And if that weren't enough, her delightful and intuitive disposition help, in part, make her a wonderful music teacher.
Frank has been playing guitar for longer then he'd care to admit and teaching for well over 20 years, most of that time for us. In fact, Frank was Kaos Music Centre's first ever guitar teacher starting with us in late 1989. Besides having years of playing experience, Frank attended Humber College taking part in their prestigious music program. Frank is a well known Blues guitarist in the Canadian music community and has many original CD's to his credit. As a teacher, Frank is well known for his enthusiasm and enjoys a loyal following of students. His specialty is The Blues and Frank has helped many students explore this age old genre in detail with great success.
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.
Chris has been teaching guitar and bass since 2002. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels, and is comfortable with all styles from rock to jazz and fusion to blues. "My number one priority with every student is to make music fun for them". Chris earned a Bachelor of Music Degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Guitar Performance from the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston. He also holds a Diploma in Jazz Studies from Camosun College in Victoria B.C. His performance experience spans many years and many provinces. Having recently relocated to Toronto, we here at KAOS are happy to welcome such an accomplished player and instructor to our faculty.
Ryan has played guitar for as long as he can remember and taught it for the past 5 years. After completing his degree in Music Performance through the Humber College Jazz Program Ryan came to work for us as a sales person. His intense interest and knowledge of all things guitar equipment made him a fast friend to many KAOS customers and a valuable sales person. However, his undeniably great playing ability and his urge to share made him a natural prospect to teach. So, in recent years Ryan has become a multi talented employee here at KAOS teaching part of his time and working on our sales floor the rest of the time. His natural playing ability is a great asset when selling instruments and his equipment knowledge is a great asset in the classroom.
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.
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".
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 Brisbois has been playing the guitar for 21 years and is internationally renowned for his rich musicianship and brilliant artistry. He has taught and performed professionally across Canada for the past 8 years while obtaining advanced degrees in classical guitar performance and pedagogy from Capilano University, the University of Toronto and the Royal Conservatory of Music. His extensive studies of the Classical and Flamenco guitar styles have been guided by world renowned performers and educators such as Stephen Boswell, Alexander Dunn, Jeffrey McFadden, Nicholas Goluses, Alejandro Valencia and Ruben Diaz. Colin is currently recording selections from his classical guitar repertoire, exploring the claw-hammer style of Chet Atkins and composing the first album of original material for his violin and guitar duo, Kico. His fun and outgoing disposition keeps his students laughing and learning. Colin has been teaching regularly at KAOS for the past two years and is well known and sought after as a teacher and performer.
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.
After completing his degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from Humber College Nathan went on to keep a full schedule of performing and teaching accumulating years of valuable experience. Durning that time he also developed his fine woodworking skills and began working in the field of carpentry building custom wood products. Now splitting his time between his full time carpentry job and music Nathan brings his teaching talent to our school each and every Saturday.
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 is a drummer and percussionist with over 15 years of professional experience. Through classical piano training at a young age, Marco developed a delight for music and all things rhythmic. Further musical studies with the Royal Conservatory of Music, Etobicoke School of the Arts, and Humber College gave him the tools and experience necessary to excel in his field. Marco has earned a solid reputation that affords him opportunities to create music with many talented people and wonderful organizations. Highlights include custom drumming and sound design for corporate clients (CTV, TVO, Bravo, TTC), student productions at Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, and numerous club and festival dates throughout Ontario. As a teacher, Marco encourages all of his students to develop practical and applicable musical fundamentals. A strong emphasis is placed on keeping time, reading music, and having fun. When he is not teaching, performing or recording music, he likes to stay active, read books, and relax with his family.
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dominique began playing alto sax in school band. By high school he had switched to tenor sax and was playing in two provincial bands (Nova Scotia Honour Jazz & Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble) In 2001 he enrolled at Dalhousie University and studied with Don Palmer. In 2005 he received the East coast "CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award". Later that year he enrolled at Humber College and in 2009 graduated from the new degree program. Dominique is now playing around the GTA with several bands covering many different styles of music. With many years of teaching experience and his gentle disposition we are pleased to add Dominique to our faculty.