Edmonton Highlands

BILL THAIN

Lesson Coordinator
780-479-1643
[email protected]

aaron matheson (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

Aaron Matheson has taught private music lessons for nine years. He is a graduate of the MacEwan University music program with a Degree majoring in guitar performance. He also received a Music Diploma from MacEwan University majoring in Composition. He studied jazz and contemporary guitar with Juno-nominated guitarist Jim Head, as well as composition with acclaimed contemporary Canadian composer Allan Gilliland. He performs regularly throughout Alberta and has played in opening slots for artists such as Coleman Hell, The Zolas, Scenic Route to Alaska, Busty and the Bass, and The Royal Foundry. He has toured across Western Canada and India. He teaches all skill levels and genres, but specializes in genres like rock, pop, jazz, blues, funk, folk, and R&B.
His rate is $27 per half hour.

adam lefaivre (Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday

Adam has taught guitar through Long and McQuade for seven years, impacting and inspiring many students through his one-to-one teaching, music camp instruction, and adjudication. Adam has played guitar for most of his life, either as a solo performer or in different acts. He is constantly composing and producing for his music project Bloom Filter - which has been listened to internationally and throughout Canada on college radio stations.  In 2021, Adam was awarded a federal grant for this project and was able to work with several world-class session musicians.  Adam received his Bachelor of Music in audio while studying classical guitar at the University of Lethbridge and went on to do his master's degree in computer science (music technology). He continues to learn and write as much music as he possibly can and loves to share that enthusiasm and excitement with his students. Adam teaches guitar lessons remotely through our Edmonton Highlands location.
His rate is $25 per half hour.

alex moxon (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Sunday

Alex has been teaching music for nearly two decades. He received a Bachelors of Music with highest honours in 2012 from Carleton University with a focus in jazz studies. Since then the Ottawa-raised guitarist has played with a who's who of local and national talent in all genres, including Juno-winning artist Kellylee Evans, The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, HILOTRONS, Miguel De Armas, Roddy Ellias, Shawnee Kish, Iskwē, Michael Greilsammer, Petr Cancura, SOCALLED, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Among others, he has opened for Brian Charette, Bernie Worrell, Michael Winograd, Mother Mother, Kevin Drew, and Brian Blade. An up and comer on the world jazz stage, his debut record as a leader, “Alex Moxon Quartet” has received international radio airplay and stellar reviews. He's played with the National Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as touring Broadway musicals Beautiful: The Carole King Story and Mean Girls.
Alex has experience teaching and performing in all major musical styles. He is happy to teach students of all ages and all experience levels. He has a flexible approach to teaching that addresses students' individual needs. He can also prep students for RCM Classical Guitar exams as well as university auditions for jazz studies. Alex teaches at both our Edmonton Highlands and our Edmonton South locations.
His rate is $29 per half hour.

anna beukes (Composition, Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Saturday

Classically trained, Anna Beukes has been playing piano for 15 years now. She has her level 8 RCM theory certification and currently attends The King's University to receive her Bachelor of Music degree. Anna believes that the best teachers are also students and as such she is often throwing herself into new experiences and environments. She composes often and engages with many different areas of music: playing in her university’s classical music season and recitals, as well as engaging in local band and music scenes.
Anna is dyslexic and is no stranger to learning disabilities as well as alternative forms of learning/teaching. She will work with all of her students to make sure they not only sound nice, but they understand what they are doing and feel confident in themselves and their music. Her rate is $26 per half hour.

breanna antosh (Clarinet, Flute, Sax, Woodwinds)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday

Breanna is a classically trained musician who studied at The King's University to earn a Bachelor of Music degree. She enjoys participating in community bands and choirs, and has a passion for learning about different instruments and musical styles. Breanna believes that music should be accessible for everyone, and she is excited to connect with students at any level who are ready to learn. Breanna teaches woodwind lessons at both our Edmonton Highlands, South, and Mayfield locations.
Her rate is $28 per half hour.

craig doll (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Craig Doll has been playing drums almost 18 years. Drumming has enabled Craig to play many live shows, record, and tour. The drums have been Craig's life’s passion since he started playing and he hopes to instill that same passion with you on your journey!

As far as formal education, Craig completed a diploma in music from MacEwan University in 2020 and now is currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in music. He has studied many different styles: rock/pop, hip hop, jazz, Latin/Afro-Cuban, metal, and funk - to name a few. Craig has also spent a lot of time on rudimental practice, which is the foundation of what drummers do behind the kit and helps immensely to grow on this instrument.
Recently, Craig had the opportunity to study alongside Broadway drummer and YouTuber Carter McLean, which really elevated Craig's understanding of the drums. As of February 2021, he is embarking on studying with Dave Elitch, who works with a lot of the music industry’s top drummers.

Craig is looking forward to meeting you and starting you on your path. His rate is $30 per half hour.

curtis ross (Guitar, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Curtis has been teaching since 2008 in a variety of genres including rock, pop, R&B and metal. He has released two solo albums that charted highly on CBC and college radio throughout Canada, and was the musical director for several plays including the University of Alberta's production of Tom Waits' “The Black Rider.” He has performed with many prominent artists such as George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic, Cadence Weapon and Bill Bourne. Curtis teaches at our Edmonton Highlands location.
His rate is $28 per half hour.

isaiah roemmele (Violin, Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Thursday

Music has been a centering part of Isaiah’s life for 17 years, teaching piano and violin while doing a music performance degree in violin from the University of Alberta through the last 5. His favorite pastimes are playing the violin and piano, music composition, and piano improvisation. Isaiah is happy to help people develop their musical lives, has taught students of all levels, and has most experience with classical violin.
His rate is $28 per half hour.

jon guenter (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday

Jon Guenter is a freelance musician based in the city of Edmonton. He’s a recent graduate of MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Music program, majoring in Drum Set Performance, where he spent the majority of his studies focusing on improvisation. Throughout his studies, Jon has taken the role of bandleader, and has played in a variety of styles, from rock to pop. While Jon’s focus lies in the genre of jazz, he is well-versed in many different styles, and has a passion for teaching music to students of all ages and abilities.
Jon is a firm believer in examining the aspects of music from a variety of different angles, and believes this process is essential in the development of any musician. Jon has invested his time into understanding not only the theory that surrounds drums, but music theory as a whole. By learning music through mediums like theory, technique, listening, and instrument application, this provides students with the tools to both learn and understand music, allowing them a creative outlet that will translate into other areas of life.
Jon understands each student learns their own way and at different speeds but encourages students to spend a designated set of time each week to work on the materials discussed in class. Jon wants the best for his students and will strive to provide an environment that results in a positive experience for each student.
Jon teaches drum lessons at our Edmonton Highlands location.
His rate is $29 per half hour.

meg larose (Voice, Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Meg LaRose is a trained vocalist with twenty years of performing experience. Their training crosses a variety of genres ranging from classical and opera to contemporary music, such as jazz, rock and pop. They hold a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from MacEwan University. Most recently, Meg has completed their Master of Arts in Music and Culture at Carleton University in Ottawa. Their research at Carleton analyzed the relationship between voice and perceptions of gender by exploring the concept of transition. Meg loves all different kinds of music and is passionate about creating a learning environment where people feel safe to play, explore and achieve their individual goals for sounding.
Their rate is $27 per half hour.

tyson pilling (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Saturday, Sunday

Tyson Pilling has been teaching private music lessons for four years. Tyson is in his third year in the music program at MacEwan University with plans to later attend the UofA to obtain an Education Degree. Tyson has been playing guitar and bass since a young age. He has experience playing in a variety of styles such as acoustic finger picking, electric guitar, jazz, alternative, country and pop. Tyson has live music experience playing in jazz bands, pit bands, percussion ensembles, party bands and concert band ensembles. Tyson enjoys teaching all skill levels and ages of students and works to encourage them to achieve and surpass their goals.
His rate is $26 per half hour.

vinny willetts (Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

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

Vinny Willetts was born and raised in Manitoba and has always had a deep appreciation for all styles of music. Vinny moved to Edmonton to study music in 2002 at Grant MacEwan and also studied at the University of Alberta. Vinny offers lessons in piano, guitar, bass, drums and voice and teaches in a variety of musical genres. He welcomes students of all ages and ability levels. Vinny teaches at our Edmonton Highlands location.
His rate is $28 per half hour.