Brantford

Gabe Castro

Gabriel Castro is a Composer and Audio Engineer originally from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Today, Gabriel is best known for his work in the Kentucky (USA) based band, Johari, as well as his progressive metal solo project, Yurei. Having taken lessons since he was a child, and then going on to pursue music in college, Gabriel knows how important lessons are to creating a passionate and skilled player. His goal as lesson coordinator is to make sure students have a blast and develop the passion for music themselves!

adam inrig (Drums, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday

Adam Inrig has been studying and playing drums since the age of four. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, drumming and music always played a central role in his life and still does today as music is what Adam is most passionate about. Adam is an alumni of the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band and is an honours graduate from the Mohawk College Applied Music Program. He is also a graduate of the Bachelor of Music Jazz Performance Program at the University of Toronto where Adam obtained his degree in 2021. Adam performs with various local bands and acts around the GTA which have allowed him the opportunity to play at several well-known festivals and venues such as Hamilton Supercrawl, Burlington Sound of Music Fest and The Rex Hotel. These acts allow Adam to perform a wide variety of music including rock, big band jazz, pop, funk, theatre and more. Adam is friendly, honest and reliable and genuinely enjoys sharing the world of music with others.

Adam's lesson rate is $24/half-hour

aoife doyle (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Aoife’s musical influence began at an early age in her family home. Being raised in Ireland in a
family with a heavy footing in Irish folk music and contemporary genres, Aoife’s experiences
created an eclectic ear. From Irish sing alongs to artists like The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Billie
Holiday and Bing Crosby, Aoife’s exposure to many styles influenced the musician she is today.
Now as a Mohawk College vocal graduate in Jazz/Contempory music, Aoife has built ten plus
years in her professional career ranging from teaching, songwriting, recording & releasing
music, performing with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and having a stage at festivals like
Winterfest and Supercrawl. Aoife continues to build her career and finds great joy in teaching
fellow musicians with a shared passion

Aoife's lesson rate is $25/half-hour

branson palanio (Piano)

Online Lessons:

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

Branson has been surrounded by music from a young age coming from a musical family, and soon taking up the piano. He took RCM lessons to start, but later gained a passion for jazz, funk, rock n rock, RnB, indie and many more. While studying jazz and music theory he has started to perform in bands and duo acts locally in southern Ontario. Now Branson can be found preforming instrumental jazz, playing organ and keyboards with bands, funk acts and accompanying acoustic singers. Having such a passion and widespread love for music he has been able to share this by becoming a music teacher, keeping lessons informative and inspiring to have fun with music.

Branson's lesson rate is $24/half-hour

dave o'neill (Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Friday, Saturday

Dave is a performer and educator of all things musical. He has toured Eastern Canada and parts of the U.S., performed at numerous venues, music festivals, theatre productions, conducted clinics and workshops, and has extensive experience in the recording studio. He spent four years on the music faculty at Mohawk College, and 12 years as a supply teacher for the Waterloo Region District School Board. He has served as an adjudicator for the Arts Education Project grant selection process with the Ontario Arts Council. Dave has been a keynote speaker for ETFO, and conducted motivational clinics in various institutions including a master class at Carleton University. Dave has taught privately for the last thirty-five plus years, is on staff at the Beckett School of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, and is a paraprofessional for the Integrated Arts Program at Eastwood Collegiate in Kitchener. Dave holds a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto, as well as a Diploma in Applied Music from Mohawk College. He is endorsed by Headhunters Drumsticks. Dave has studied with drummers Bob McLaren, Barry Elmes, Ernie Porthouse, John Cheeseman, and Memo Acevedo.

Dave's lesson rate is $25/half-hour

johnny nixon (Banjo, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Friday

Since graduating from Humber College for Jazz in 1994, and also studying Classical guitar with Eli Kassner (former head of Classical guitar at the University of Toronto). Johnny has performed with some amazing talent-The Toronto Mass Choir, Pat & Debbie Boone, Kathy Troccoli, Mark Masri (The Tenors), Robin Mark, Dan Macaulay, Andy Timmons, Gary Hoey, For The Master, The Tonettes, Ben Heppner, Kevin Pauls, and many others) and has played at some amazing venues (FirstOntario Centre, Scotia Bank Arena) as well as many Jazz Festivals, Churches and Theatres. Johnny has also performed/produced many themes/commercials for film, television and radio (Michael Coren Show, Huntley Street and CTS themes, Energizer, Canadian Tire, Hard Music Library, YouTube Fireplace Channel Christmas themed, etc).

Johnny's lesson rate is $25/half-hour

vincent tarlton (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

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

Inspired by his fathers love for playing music, Vince took up the bass at age 12 followed quickly by the electric guitar. Playing in bands in and around the GTA in various bands over the last 15 years, Vince has played alt rock, metal, country rock, folk, Motown and much more. He studied music theory at Mohawk College and through private lessons with a Mohawk music program Alumnus studying guitar technique and theory.

Vince loves to teach music and makes his lessons engaging, fun, and geared towards a students musical interests.

Vincent's lesson rate is $25/half-hour

will fachin (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Will’s passion for music started at a young age in 2003 and it has continued to grow ever since. After years of studying he decided to take him drumming to the next level. He attended Mohawk College for Jazz Performance, and then briefly Humber College for Bachelor of Percussion. Will is fixated on being a versatile and complementary player and teacher. He has experience doing live sessions, including a number of genres such as jazz, funk, R&B, hard rock, indie rock, metal, and more. Will has also studied under many renowned players such as: Lorne Nehring, Mark Kelso, Anthony Michelli, Kevin Dempsey, Adrean Farrugia, Sophia Perlman, Ted Warren, Matt Halpern, Navene Koperwies and many more. Will has also recently become an endorser for Murat Diril Cymbals, and this is just one of the many milestones to come.


Will's lesson rate is $25/half-hour