Calgary Chinook

Nikol Popovics

Amilia Hildahl (Violin)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Friday

Amilia Hildahl has been playing the violin since the young age of 3. A well-seasoned performer as well as teacher, she has performed as a soloist throughout North America—most notably at the world famous Carnegie Hall in Manhattan—and as an orchestral ensemble member with the Calgary Youth Orchestra in countries across Europe. Alongside performing, she is also an experienced music teacher who has worked with students of all ages hoping to learn everything from Bach to Irish fiddling. Likewise, while Amilia is classically trained, she is able to work with a wide variety of genres, and is always happy to work with the student to create an individual style of playing. She hopes that her love for the instrument will be passed down to all of her students, who she hopes will share a love for music, and a passion for creativity. Amilia offers lessons online only, and her rate is $30 per half hour.

Andrzej Ryszka (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

Family considerations brought Andrzej from Poland to Calgary in 1990, and he has maintained a thriving playing career on both continents ever since. His European work has won gold records, and in Canada he has toured with the Roadhammers, Tom Jackson, Lisa Brokop and Patricia Conroy. Andrzej is sought after as a studio musician, performer and teacher, and we are thrilled that he will be offering instruction through our studios. Andrzej offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Austin Latta (Piano, Theory, Brass, Violin)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Austin is an experienced piano, brass and theory teacher who believes that fun is an important ingredient in developing a love for music! He has taught all ages of students in many places around the world in various languages — including Swahili in Kenya and Portuguese-Creole in the Cape Verde islands — and just can't help teaching music wherever he goes! He has studied music at the University of Toronto and Ambrose University in Calgary and has performed with his trombone across Canada. He enjoys playing jazz with Calgary's own Prime Time Big Band. With a love of teaching children and an easy-going teaching style regardless of age, one of Austin's greatest priorities is creating a meaningful, personal connection with each individual student. Austin offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Breony Watson (Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

As a classically trained flautist and saxophonist, Breony studied extensively at Leeds Conservatoire in the UK, where she graduated with a first class honours degree in Music. With much experience both performing in and working behind the scenes in orchestras, she is eager to share her enthusiasm for music and focuses on keeping learning creative and fun when it comes to music lessons. Though Breony is classically trained, she is happy to teach in a variety of different styles and genres and has experience in working with students of all ages! Breony teaches at our Calgary Chinook location, and her rate is $31 per half hour.

Carlos Cruz -B Mus (Guitar, Ukulele, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

As a versatile musician, he has devoted his life to music, teaching and performing in bands with different styles of music. Carlos Cruz has a Bachelor's degree in music education and winner of Rock recording of the year YYC Music Awards 2020. With over 10 years of teaching experience, he is eager to pass on his passion for music to all his students in a way that motivates them to meet their needs and goals. Carlos offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Carlos Tinoco -MMus (Saxophone, Clarinet)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Calgary native Carlos Tinoco is in his second year at UOttawa in the PhD interdisciplinary research in music program. Throughout his bachelors and masters in saxophone performance at the UCalgary, Carlos had extensive performance experience both as a member and as a soloist, performing in 4 different countries and winning 3 international competitions. As a performer who experienced some of the challenges of maintaining efficient and healthy performance practices, Carlos’ focus shifted to include musicians’ health and wellness. Through his studies and teaching, Carlos is aiming to increase health literacy and promote health practices with his students and peers.Carlos offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Chase Mason (Guitar, Piano, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Friday, Saturday

Chase has had a love of music from a very young age. At 4, she started playing piano, making her way up the Royal Conservatory levels, competing in competitive shows until age 14. When she was 12, she decided to pick up the guitar, and has done many open mics during her time playing the guitar. She had also been in the Youth Singers program, as well as other choir and musical theatre programs, for many years, and has extensive knowledge in vocal techniques and performance abilities. Chase offers lessons at our Calgary Chinook store. Her rate is $31 per half hour.

Chrysanthema Pashunkova - B Mus, DMA, RMT (Violin, Viola)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Saturday

Chrysanthema has an extensive background in teaching and playing violin. She has her DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia and has studied all over the world. She is currently involved in the Vancouver Early Music Programme and is an executive on the Board for ARMTA. Chrysanthema offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

Conor Ronaghan - Jazz Diploma (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Conor is an up-and-coming, enthusiastic member of the Calgary music community. He obtained a diploma in Jazz Music Performance at Mount Royal University in 2014 and continued on to achieve a Bachelor of Music at Ambrose University in 2017. Conor has experience playing a variety of styles of music including jazz, jazz-fusion, rock, pop, blues, funk and Latin. Conor looks forward to meeting and working with students of all skill levels. Conor offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $31 per half hour.

Dean Lauderdale - B Mus (Voice, Piano, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz, rock

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday

Dean holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Humber College and a Diploma in Classical Voice Performance from Mount Royal University. With over 8 years of teaching experience, Dean's passion for music and performance greatly reflects that upon his own students. He understands how important it is to discover what motivates and inspires an individual, and does so in a fun & friendly manner. Dean works with many styles of music including pop, rock, jazz, classical, and musical theater. He has been successful in preparing his students for public performance, auditions, recording projects, and recitals. Dean offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $31 per half hour.

Esteban Herrera (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Saturday

Now living in Canada Esteban was born in Mexico City and began his musical formation very young. He holds a bachelor's degree in Jazz Music Performance and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences. He has 30 years of professional experience as a full-time musician and has performed, recorded and toured with artists all over North America, Latin America, and Europe. He has received numerous awards and grants and was nominated for a Juno in 2022 for Jazz Album of the Year (Group) for the album THE PROPHET by the Esteban Herrera Quintet. Esteban offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Filip Vujanovic (Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Filip Vujanovic is completing his Bachelors of Music in guitar at the University of Calgary under the tutelage of Ralph Maier. Filip’s music career started in high school by singing and playing guitar in several rock bands. With 9 years of teaching experience, he is committed to bring out the best in his students development and enjoyment of music and guitar. He utilizes a comprehensive approach incorporating guitar technique, music theory, harmony and history with a learning style that is intuitive, fun and adapts to the student in a unique way. Filip transfers his passion for guitar by believing strongly in the transforming effect that music can bring to each student. Filip offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Jack Comeau - B Mus (Guitar, Ukulele, Brass)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday

Jack returned to Calgary in 2005, after completing a bachelor of music degree at the University of Toronto. Jack has studied guitar with Jeffrey McFadden in Toronto, and Ralph Maier in Calgary. They have also performed & recorded with the University of Calgary guitar ensemble. Jack enjoys teaching all ages and levels, and believes that every student is capable, given individualized instruction. Jack offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and their rate is $32 per half hour.

Joy Andaya (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Hello my name is Joy, and I am a voice teacher here at Long & McQuade! I have been singing and taking music lessons from the age of six, and have grown to love the effects that music has in our lives and emotions. I wanted to pursue this passion of music into a career and am currently working towards my Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education degree. As a private music teacher, I want to allow my students to learn what music means to them, and how sharing it will shape any person’s life. My ultimate goal is to become a high school music teacher, and to use music to get people to talk about mental health. I am so full of gratitude and recognize my privilege of sharing my music to the world!

Joy offers lessons at our Calgary Chinook location, and her rate is $31 per half hour.

Nicole Niewinski (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Thursday

Nicole has been teaching since 2018 and has over a decade of experience playing drums, performing, and recording with bands. Utilizing skills gained from her BSc in Psychology and MSc in Neuroscience, she is passionate about teaching and applying the fundamental principles of learning and memory in a way that benefits students both in and outside of music lessons. Her lessons focus on the aspirations and needs of the individual with an emphasis on developing the passion/excitement that gives rise to intrinsic motivation and thus long-term success. Nicole offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and her rate is $30 per half hour.

Peter Vesuwalla (Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Peter Vesuwalla has been playing guitar for 30 years, and spent 11 years on the sales floor at Long & McQuade learning the particulars of the instrument. He's a veteran of Calgary's jam scene, accustomed to improvising rock, blues, funk, hip-hop, and reggae. Peter earned his BA in Philosophy at University of Manitoba, and takes a holistic approach to learning music theory, tying it together with fields as diverse as visual arts and yoga to engineering and geometry. Peter offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Ryan Milliken (Drums, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Friday, Saturday

Ryan Milliken started playing drums and guitar at age 5. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Music from Humber College and has been teaching group and private lessons for over a decade. Ryan believes in a balanced approach to all aspects of music literacy. Ryan teaches at the Calgary Chinook store. His rate is $31 per half hour.

Stewart Evans (Violin, Viola)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

Stewart has played Viva!, with the Ambrose University Orchestra, the Regina University Orchestra and the Harmony West Band. Stewart learned on the Suzuki method and has completed RCM Grade 8. He has over five years teaching experience. Stewart offers lessons at the Calgary Chinook store and his rate is $30 per half hour.

Tia Gibson (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Tia Gibson is an experienced pianist who has taught all ages. Her gift is that she can adapt her method of teaching to suit your learning style. She believes that all people are capable of learning music and she thoroughly enjoys walking through the learning process with her
students. She has earned her Level 8 Royal Conservatory of Music certification, with First Class honors. She has also participated in many music festivals across Canada, and earned several 1st and 2nd place awards, including for original composition and quick study. Tia is known for her warmth, care and patience. Tia teaches piano at the Calgary Chinook store. Her rate is $31 per half-hour.