6065 Cunard Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 1E6
Lesson Centre: Phone or Text (902) 496-6970
Store Phone: (902) 496-6900
Fax: (902) 423-0633
Lesson Centre Email: halifaxlessons@long-mcquade.com
Store Email: halifax@long-mcquade.com
Lesson Centre Hours
Monday: 1:00pm - 9:00pmTuesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 5:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED
This Location Offers:
Online Lessons All LessonsPrivate Lessons
Welcome to the Halifax music lesson centre, located at 6065 Cunard Street. We offer 18 well-equipped studios and a faculty of 25 engaging and dedicated independent music teachers. Our aim is to provide music lessons catered to the needs of each individual student We offer instruction in a wide range of instruments from piano and voice, to strings, percussion, and guitar. Whether you want to join a marching band, or start the prog-rock band of your dreams, call us on (902) 496-6970
Group Lessons
We offer a wide variety of group classes, from Drumline to Classical Guitar Ensemble, Music For Young Children, and Rock Bands! Reach out to see what our current offerings are!
Our Teachers:
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday
Al studied at the University of Miami along side world famous Joe Morello and the Paul Robson Toronto Percussion Program. He has played with or toured with legends Dutchy Mason, John Allan, Sam Moon, Mat Minglewood, Bucky Adams, The Werzels, Ice Capades, BB King Band, Eddie Richards Big Band, Johnny Manders Dixie Band, Canada Brass, and John Stockfish with Gordon Lightfoot. He is endorsed by Zildjian Cymbals and a member of the Vic Firth PTA Educational Team. Al founded the NS School Drumline Project and is the host of the NS Student Drum Festival, and is the Director of the semi annual Drum Camps held at Long&McQuade Halifax. He is currently the drummer for Terry Edmunds and travels to schools in Nova Scotia. He teaches private lessons at L&M Halifax branch in all styles electric or acoustic, as well as hand drums. His rate for a 1/2 hour private lesson is $29.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday
Allie has been in the Canadian Music Industry since 1975. He has toured Canada, the U.S., Britain, Sweden, Australia, and Germany and has over 125 album credits as a studio musician. In 2003 he was Musical Director of The Rise And Follies Of Cape Breton - The Second Coming. In 2005 he was presented with the East Coast Music Association’s Musicians Achievement Award. Nominated for 2 Music Nova Scotia Awards – Educator of the Year and Traditional / Roots Recording of the Year for his CD “Full Circle.” Allie has been teaching music since 1992 and his rate for a half hour private lesson is $26.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Style: pop
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Avery Dakin is a ECMA nominated composer, singer-songwriter, band leader, and multi-instrumentalist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Acadia University, and has been teaching since graduating in 2018. Her passions lie in finding the elements of music-making that interest each individual student across genres and styles, and supporting young musicians in their musical journeys with fun and exploration at the forefront. In 2021 Avery won bronze in The Coast’s Best-Of Halifax Awards for Best New Artist, and this year has been nominated for Best Songwriter and Best R&B Artist after releasing her debut album, "Bloom". Avery also works as a supporting keyboard player and vocalist for other local artists and bands. Her lesson rate is $25/30 minutes.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Benn studied drums and percussion at Dalhousie University and has been playing professionally since 1993. He has toured and recorded with Joel Plaskett, Matt Mays, Erin Costelo, Amelia Curran, Alan Syliboy, and The Mellotones. Ben has been teaching music since 2006 and excels in working with students of all skills and ages, catering his curriculum to meet each students' individual goals and interests. Lessons with Benn are $26.00 per private 30 minute lesson.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday
Brad has a music degree from Dalhousie University and has been playing in local and national bands for the last 17 years. He has appeared on stage with a number of acts such as Nathan Wiley, Blue Rodeo, Sam Roberts, Dutch Mason, Matt Mays, and Jill Barber, received a Juno during his tenure with “Johnny Favourite” and currently he plays regularly with “The Mellotones”, “The Metric System”, “Joe Murphy”, “The Hopping Penguins”, and hosts a long standing weekly blues jam at Bearly’s. He’s been teaching for the last 16 years and is a regular coach at Summer Rock. His rate for a 1/2 hour private lesson is $26.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Clare Macdonald is active in the Halifax music community as a percussionist and drum kit player. Their facility with multiple styles has led to work with a diverse list of groups and artists, including Hillsburn, Symphony Nova Scotia, Ria Mae, WAANTS, Meg Warren, Kim Harris, Catherine McClellan, and No It’s Fine. Clare studied music at Dalhousie University and is a proud former student of D’Arcy Gray, Tom Roach, and the late Jim Faraday. They also spent a year studying drum kit with Don Vickery at Humber College in Toronto. Lessons with Clare are $26 per 30 minute lesson.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
Cristina studied music at the University of Ottawa, and has been teaching piano, acting and movement since 2004 to both children and adults. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies. Cristina specializes in creating individually tailored lessons for pianists and performers, and her passion lies in creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment to help students play and sing with ease and confidence. Lessons are available in English, French and Italian, and are $27 per 30 minutes.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday
With nearly 20 years of teaching experience, level 10 RCM, and a Bachelor of Music Honours degree (jazz piano) from St.FX University, studio lessons with Daryl Nichol provide a comprehensive approach to the musical fundamentals of theory, instrumental technique, efficient practice methods, arranging and composition, all in a friendly and encouraging learning environment. Daryl currently performs with his Jazz Trio, and has much experience playing in many genres, including: classical, folk, jazz, blues, pop, country, etc. Daryl's rate is $29/half-hour lesson.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Fiona has a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Toronto, a Master of Music from Newcastle University, where she studied composition and improvisation, and a Bachelor of Music from Dalhousie University, specializing in clarinet performance. Fiona also studied piano and voice privately. Fiona has taught music in various settings including private music lessons, workshops, and University music courses. In addition to teaching music, Fiona also works as a music director, performs music in a variety of styles, and is an award-winning composer whose song cycle “Lady of the Lake” was nominated for an ECMA for Classical Composition of the Year in 2018. Her rate is $26.00 per 30 minute lesson.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
Janet studied classical chamber music on violin in the United Kingdom, as well as guitar, piano, and vocals. She has played in all types of venues around the world. She’s worked with a who’s who of Canadian performers including Leonard Cohen, Sylvia Tyson and Lennie Gallant, among many others. Janet has been teaching groups and privately for over 25 years. Her rate for a half hour private lesson is $26.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Jason studied music at St. Francis Xavier University for two years and took private lessons with renowned Saint John, NB guitarist Mark Hill. He’s played bass and guitar with many groups over the past 30 years in many styles including rock/soul (Jessie Brown), country (Ryan Cook), pop (Christina Martin), dance (Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees, Go Go Disco), and heavy metal (Pith). His rate for a half hour private lesson is $27.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Thursday
Jeffery has a Bachelors of Arts with a major in music [saxophone] from Dalhousie , University. He played with the back up band to the Platters, Dan Aykroyd and the Blues Brothers, and others. Currently he is front man for the Mellotones and the Metric System. He has taught at Summer Rock, and the Acadia Jazz Camp, as well as privately. His rate for a 1/2 hour private lesson is $27.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday
A Halifax native, Karlene began teaching privately not long after graduating from Western University with a BA Music degree. Alongside her private teaching studio, she was a Music Itinerant Specialist with the Toronto District School Board for three years, where she taught classroom music to children using Orff pedagogy methods. She is also a certified music therapist which informs her teaching approach for individuals of all abiilities. Karlene also performs in the local scene as a solo vocalist and a cover artist on vocals and keyboards. Karlene has prepared students successfully for Royal Conservatory of Music exams and the Kiwanis Festival for solo and group competitive classes. She instructs students in classical and/or contemporary genres and encourages in her students a love of learning music, and her rate for a 30 minute lesson is $27.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday
Katherine MacGillivray studied flute with Virginia Beaton and has done workshops with Chris Norman. She played in the Dalhousie Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Hausmusik Baroque Ensemble, the Mea Culpa Trio, and was active with the Early Music Society. Katherine performs a variety of music from Celtic to Classical, from Klezmer to Jazz and Latin. She has taught creative arts in the school system for the last ten years and flute for the last two years. Her rate is $25.00 per 1/2 hour private lesson
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday
A founding member of Halifax funk and soul legends The Mellotones, Mike has 20 plus years of live and recording experience in the music industry. He’s performed and/or recorded with a diverse list of maritime artists: Garrett Mason, Dutch Mason, Matt Mays, David Myles, Jill Barber, Erin Costello, The Mellotones, Matt Andersen, Nathan Wiley. He can be heard most recently on Matt Andersen’s “Halfway Home By Morning” album, which was recorded in Nashville and toured across the country in 2019. He also played on Matt Mays’ Juno award winning album “Coyote” and Garrett Masons’ Juno nominated album “Love and Sound”. Mike studied bass at the Canadian Conservatory of Music with Pat Riley. his rate for a private half hour lesson is $27.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Mike studied jazz theory, arranging, and composition with Lloyd Garber in the late 1960’s and early 70’s. He graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelors of Music in 1980. He is an accomplished jazz and classical guitarist who can teach any style requested. As well as guitar mike teaches mandolin, and bass guitar. His rates are $27.00 for a 1/2 hour private lesson.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Natasha has a Bachelor of Arts in Music [voice] from Dalhousie University. She has sung opera at Dal, is currently the soprano soloist at First Baptist Church, and has put out a contemporary CD called Johari Window. Natasha is comfortable with classical, musical theatre, pop and rock styles, and has been teaching music since 1995. Her rate for a half hour private lesson is $25.00.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Wednesday
Nathaniel is a trombonist and music educator from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He holds a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto and is equally at home with concert band and orchestral music. Nathaniel teaches several brass instruments and coaches students on fundamentals, band repertoire, solos and/or improvisation. In addition, Nathaniel is an experienced music theory and ear training teacher who has held positions with the University of Toronto and the Music Division of the Canadian Armed Forces. You can hear Nathaniel perform regularly at jazz venues throughout Halifax. His rate is $25 per 30 minute lesson.
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Rick studied guitar and graduated from the United Conservatory of Music in Calgary. He has toured as a lead guitarist, produced, and written professionally with Trooper, David Wilcox, Long John Baldry, Barney Bentall, Nazareth, Kim Mitchell, Frank McKay, Blue Rodeo, Matt Minglewood, Men of the Deeps, Motorhead, and numerous other groups. Rick has been teaching guitar for all ages, levels, and styles, since 1990 and also teaches ukulele. His rate for a half hour private lesson is $26.00
Online Lessons:
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Sam Welsh is singer songwriter/composer with over 15 years experience creatively. Sam attended Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C., where he spent 3 years fine tuning his natural ear and acquiring a diploma Composition. Since completing his schooling, Sam’s musical passion led him to composing for companies such as Universal Pictures, Red Bull, Mercedes, Fairmont, The Earth Network, Levector and the European Outdoor Film Tour. Being a freelance composer Sam has learned how to write and play in a multitude of different genres. Which allows him to teach in a wide variety of musical styles such as rock, pop, acoustic, folk, indie, metal, country and blues. His rate for a 30 minute lesson is $27.00
Online Lessons:
Teaching Style: classical
Teaching Day(s): Monday, Saturday
Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Shanti Sivarulrasa began studying violin at the age of four. She is in her third year of the Bachelor of Music program at Dalhousie University on a four-year Fountain Performing Arts Scholarship. Currently, Shanti studies violin with Leonardo Perez and serves as the Concertmaster of the Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra. Her previous violin teachers have included Sara Mastrangelo, Karoly Sziladi Sr., and Christopher Barham. Shanti is a two-time winner of the Dalhousie Concerto Night Competition and has received several awards from Dalhousie University including the Djokic Family Prize for Excellence in Performance, the Jay-MacLellan Family Award for Music Leadership, the Fountain Performing Arts Prize in Music, the Halifax Ladies Musical Club Scholarship, and the Honourable L.D. Curie Memorial Scholarship in Music. Most recently, Shanti was awarded a Music’s Future Scholarship by the New York-based Music Performance Trust Fund, a prize honouring thirty musicians across North America recognized as current and future leaders in the music industry. Shanti is pursuing concentrations in both composition and performance in the Dalhousie music program. Outside of her studies, Shanti is the first violinist and a founding member of the Rostova String Quartet, a group performing in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lessons with Shanti are $26 per 30 minutes.