2444 Barton Street E
Hamilton, Ontario, L8E 2W7
Lesson Centre: Phone or Text 905-538-0248
Store Phone: 905-538-0247
Lesson Centre Email: hamiltonlessons@long-mcquade.com
Store Email: hamilton@long-mcquade.com
Lesson Centre Hours
Monday: 1:00pm - 9:00pmTuesday: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Lessons Coordinator
Julia Doran
Julia is a graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Creative Industries program in which she studied the music industry. She started piano and guitar lessons at a young age and later attended the University of Toronto playing French Horn. Julia understands the importance of music education and is excited to watch the students in our lesson centre grow into great musicians!
Our Teachers:
Ameera Razek (Piano)
Registration RequestOnline Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday
Ameera is a pianist with a passion for learning and teaching. After attending college for classical performance and receiving a diploma in Applied Music, she has since obtained a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Music, concentrating in Music Education. Ameera is currently working towards a masters degree in Music Education. As a hobby, she enjoys arranging/orchestrating, composing, participating in choirs as an alto, and performing as a percussionist in a wind ensemble. Ameera is a strong advocate for learning an instrument, and strives to help her students find fulfillment and joy through music. Ameera's rate for a half-hour private lesson is $26.00.
Borys Franiczek (Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele)
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Teaching Day(s): Saturday
Borys Franiczek is a professional guitarist in the music scene around Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe area. He is a graduate of the York University Music Program with a B.F.A. Honours degree that he earned in 2014. His education and practical experience allow him to express himself confidently in the various styles that he performs in today, such as rock, R&B, bluegrass, bossa nova, and classical. Lessons with Borys are rooted in the fundamentals of musicianship. Students can expect an emphasis on key concepts such as theory, rhythm, ear training, sight-reading, and other skills that will pave a clear path towards functioning in real-life musical settings. Borys’ rate is $25 per half hour lesson.
Breanna Tesoro (Piano, Voice)
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Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Saturday
Breanna Tesoro is a pianist, vocalist and performer based in Hamilton. Starting at a young age Breanna has had a passion for the arts having been involved in voice, piano, dance and musical theatre lessons. At the age of 11 Breanna began receiving extensive training in piano and music theory with the RCM. Currently, Breanna is completing her RCM level 10 in piano, music history and harmony and counterpoint where she will then go on to complete her ARCT. In addition to being a Fist Class Honours student of the RCM Breanna is studying at Redeemer University towards a double Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance and Honours Psychology. She has also performed with several vocal ensembles and orchestras, including the BR Xpression Vocal Ensemble, McMaster Musical Theatre and MacSci Musical Orchestras, and National Academy Orchestra of Canada. Breanna's rate for a half-hour private lesson is $25.00.
Chelsea White (Guitar, Ukulele)
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Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Chelsea is a graduate of the Mohawk College Applied Music Program. An accomplished guitarist and songwriter, she has been performing a wide variety of music across Southern Ontario for 10 years. Chelsea has been featured on several releases in that time and has comprehensive experience in the professional recording environment. She is fluent in many styles and can create individual lesson plans that cater to each student. Her rate is $25.00 per half-hour private lesson.
Chris Wheeler (Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin)
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Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Chris comes from a musical family and a tradition of career musicians. A graduate of Mohawk College Applied Music program, he currently plays with Hailee Rose and Dave Rave, Golden Feather, Rolling Floyd and Sharon Musgrave’s Soulcake. Chris was a music director for Tony and Tina’s Wedding at Second City as well as the house band for CHCH’s Tiny Talent Time reboot in 2014, backing up tomorrows stars today! Chris has been a band leader for Theatre Ancaster. Chris’ rate is $25.00 per half hour private lesson.
David Simpson (Drums)
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Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday
Dave has studied jazz performance at Mohawk College and Classical Percussion at the University of Toronto. As a percussionist, Dave has performed with several orchestras including: The Hamilton Philharmonic, and the NAO with Boris Brott. Dave currently works with many pop/rock, jazz groups including: Hailee Rose, Big Rude Jake, Dave Rave, Reflexion, Fiction and The Chris Wheeler band. He also performs frequently with Theatre Ancaster, and Drury Lane Theatrical Productions. As a teacher, Dave has over 30 years experience working with students from 4 to 74 yrs old, in both private, and group settings. He recently published an instructional book for beginners and his rate is $25.00 per half hour private lesson.
Dylan Wright (Trumpet)
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Teaching Day(s): Thursday
Dylan helps students of all ages and skill levels play their favorite music on trumpet, including video game music, pop songs and more, while building the foundation needed to succeed in school and beyond. Dylan is a Burlington Teen Tour Band alumnus, serving as section leader, soloist, and fanfare trumpet performer during his 5 years with the band. He is a graduate from Western University with a Bachelor of Music. When not teaching, he works as a brass clinician and video game composer. Dylan's rate for a half-hour private lesson is $27.00.
Ian Brown (Piano)
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Teaching Day(s): Monday, Sunday
Ian Brown (Aisling) is a composer, producer, and pianist based in Hamilton. Since graduating from the Mohawk College Applied Music program, he has been present in the scene writing music for films, games, and various collaborative projects while also performing as a sideman (ianaisling.com). In addition to learning piano, Ian’s approach to teaching caters to those interested in writing music, jazz improvisation, and how to connect with others musically. Ian always encourages an easygoing and fun learning environment for his students. His rate is $25.00 per half hour private lesson.
James DeGeer (Guitar, Bass, Ukulele)
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Teaching Day(s): Sunday
James DeGeer graduated with honours from Mohawk College's Contemporary Music Program. He actively works as a studio musician and performs around the GTA in many groups, playing a wide range of styles. James has been teaching since 2016 and likes to put emphasis on music theory, rhythm, technique and skills for playing with others. James specializes in Jazz fusion, Rock, Metal, Progressive Music, R&B and Brazilian. James's rate is $25 per half hour private lesson.
Janelle Burton (Flute, Piano)
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Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Sunday
Janelle holds a Bachelor of Education from The University of Western Ontario and an Honours Bachelor of Music from McMaster University, where she studied classical flute. She has worked in diverse schools across Hamilton and London as a music and arts teacher. As a woodwind player, she has performed in various ensembles and musical theatre settings around Ontario. Janelle is welcoming to all types of learners, offering flute lessons at all levels and introductory piano. Janelle’s rate for a half-hour private lesson is $25.00.
Jeff Taylor (Violin)
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Teaching Day(s): Tuesday
Jeff is a graduate of York University, focusing on Jazz Violin Performance. He is a founding member of The Blazing Fiddles, performing for hundreds of thousands of people at Grand River Dinner Cruises. Jeff performs regularly across Southern Ontario, playing with his Jazz combo and with the Motown group The Big Sound. Jeff has been teaching for more than 25 years, specializing in Classical (Suzuki and RCM), Fiddle and Jazz. Jeff's rate is $26/half hour lesson.
Justin Dunlop (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele)
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Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday
Justin is a singer/songwriter, bass player, and guitarist with a Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College, focused on performance and production. He is also an Honours Graduate from the Mohawk College Applied Music program. He has received grants from the Ontario Arts Council for songwriting and recording, and has numerous albums available on all online listening platforms. Justin releases music under his own name, and as part of The Dunlop Brothers, whose second studio album, Vol.2, is being released later this year. Justin's rate is $25.00 per half hour private lesson.
Karen Kinchlea (Piano)
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Teaching Style: classical
Teaching Day(s): Thursday
Karen has her Gr 8 RCM as well as extensive training through the Montessori Early Childhood
Teacher Program. Karen began teaching piano when her own children were young and soon
discovered it was a passion. She truly enjoys building rapport and creating an open and
non-judgemental learning environment for her students. She has been teaching privately and
in-classroom for over 20 years. Karen's rate is $26/half hour lesson.
Leah Korkowski (Piano, Voice)
Registration RequestOnline Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Sunday
Leah has been a performing singer songwriter in the GTA for many years. She is an alumni of the prestigious Hamilton Children's Choir and has worked on professional studio recordings at the famous Grant Avenue Studio. She holds an Honours Diploma in music from Mohawk College, an Honours Bachelor’s degree in music from the renowned Humber College and has her grade 6 RCM in piano. She had travelled to Nashville for song writing seminars and to Los Angeles for vocal coaching from celebrity vocal coach Lis Lewis. Performance highlights include singing in sold out shows with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and performing as a pianist and vocalist to thousands of people at Nostalgia Fest in Ottawa. Throughout her exploration of many genres of music from classical to pop music, she has developed an appreciation and passion for all forms of music and is well and equipped to teach a variety of styles. Her rate is $26.00/half-hour private lesson.
Olivia Brown (Piano, Bass Guitar)
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Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
Olivia Brown is a bassist, pianist and vocalist from Hamilton. In addition to completing her Grade 9 RCM in Piano, Olivia studied classical piano at the University of Toronto and graduated from Mohawk College's Applied Music program in Bass Performance. Her performance experience includes opening for Robben Ford, playing with the Hamilton All-Star Jazz band, and performing at the International Beatleweek Festival in Liverpool. Olivia is an encouraging and open-minded teacher who works with students of all ages, emphasizing ear-training and self-expression. Her rate is $25.00/half-hour private lesson.
Pete Bailey (Guitar)
Registration RequestOnline Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Pete is a guitarist,teacher, composer and session musician based out of Hamilton. Pete is a graduate of the Mohawk Advanced Music Program. Pete has experience playing and performing all genres from jazz , country, metal, rock, blues, pop and funk. His rate is $25.00/half-hour private lesson.
Raul Gutierrez-Ruiz (Drums)
Registration RequestOnline Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday
Raul is a graduate of the Mohawk College Applied Music program and is currently enrolled in the Humber College Bachelor of Music program. Raul is passionate about teaching as much as he is passionate about music. Raul is able to teach all ages and styles. Raul's rate for a half-hour private lesson is $26.00.
Rob Holinaty (Drums)
Registration RequestOnline Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Saturday
Rob has graduated from the Classical Percussion and Education Program at Queen's University. In addition to his B.Mus and B.Ed Rob has performed with several groups of varying styles (Orchestral, Percussion, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and Music Theatre). Over the past few years Rob has performed at events for the Royal Society of Canada by request from the former Principal of Queen's University Daniel Woolf. Rob's rate for a half-hour private lesson is $25.00.
Shavini Pinto (Voice, Piano)
Registration RequestOnline Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Shavini Pinto is a Jazz vocalist and a songwriter based in Hamilton, ON. She’s an Honours graduate of the Applied Music program at Mohawk College, and has her Grade 8 RCM for voice. Shavini started her musical life at the age of 8 as a singer in her home country of Sri Lanka. Shavini has always linked her life to music through her participation in numerous choirs and bands, which she also has experience in conducting and directing. Additionally, Shavini has been a part of the Artword Artbar Theatre production 'MacBush, the Musical' (written by David Dawson) in 2016 and was a nominee for the Emerging Artist category at the Hamilton Arts Awards in 2016. Shavini's rate for a half-hour private lesson is $25.00.
Sophia Nikitin (Violin)
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Teaching Day(s): Saturday
Sophia Nikitin started her violin studies in Dundas under the instruction of Anita Hiripi. Since starting violin Sophia has become heavily involved in the Hamilton music scene playing in Cricket Chamber Orchestra as second violin lead and concertmaster, as well as playing in the second violin section of Hamilton City Ballet Orchestra. After starting her studies at Brock Sophia joined the first violin section of the Brock University String Ensemble, allowing her to expand her playing into the Niagara region. Sophia started playing at local Niagara events with Grace Notes, a luxury wedding string quartet. In addition to her local playing Sophia traveled to Szentendre Hungary in 2017 on an orchestra exchange with Cricket Chamber Orchestra performing at multiple venues around Hungary. She loved meeting the Hungarian musicians and hopes to travel to Europe to play with them. Furthermore, she has played solos and duets at Hamilton Academy of Performing Arts Spring Ball, event receptions and weddings. Sophia's rate for a private half-hour private lesson is $25.00.