Nanaimo

Anatol McGinnis (Violin, Cello, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Guitar, Upright Bass)

Online Lessons:

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

Anatol studied Jazz Performance at VIU. He’s played in many ensembles covering a wealth of genres, from classical, latin, jazz, country, rockabilly, to celtic, and rock. He is a multi-instrumentalist teaching violin, cello, bass, banjo and guitar and plays in Bossa Loca, Kiltlifters, Hub City Hooligans, Kings Without, Myc Sharrat, Karuna, Musica Vagaboundo, the Calgary Chamber Orchestra, and the Nanaimo Dance Salon Orchestra among many other groups.
His rate is $33 per half hour.

Angela Wilson (Voice, Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Saturday

Angela Wilson is a dynamic vocalist, piano player, and composer from Nanaimo, BC. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Vancouver Island University. Most recently, Angela has been teaching music privately and performing at a variety of local venues on the island including the Vault Café, the Queens, and Hermann's Jazz Club, and also frequently plays music on her church's worship team. Angela is well-versed in multiple styles of music such as R&B, soul, neo-soul, pop, funk, jazz, alternative, CCM, and gospel. She believes providing hands-on experience is essential to her students' musical development. Angela values a holistic music education approach which helps students of all ages achieve their goals. Her rate is $32 per half hour

Arvon Brunt (Voice, Piano)

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Teaching Style: Musical Theatre

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

Arvon studied at VIU and has performed throughout the Cowichan Valley and Nanaimo, and her work was behind the musical success of the Nanaimo Theatre Group’s productions of Godspell and Cabaret. Arvon is brimming with enthusiasm for teaching and she brings out the very best in those who work with her.
Her rate is $33 per half hour.

Ben Darwin (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz

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

Ben studied at VIU and received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz. Accepting all skill levels from beginner to advanced, Ben teaches skills and techniques that are both enjoyable and fulfilling in a variety of different styles. His rate is $32 per half hour.

Brad Shipley (Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Banjo, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday

Brad has a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from VIU and enjoys teaching music to all ages. he has been performing since 1998 in many different styles and genres. He believes music is in everyone and that you are never too old to learn.
His rate is $33 per half hour.

David Proctor (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

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

David has been playing guitar and bass for over 25 years, and teaches a wide variety of styles. In his teaching approach he focuses on students' individual strengths and interests in order to foster a life-long curiosity for music. He believes patience, encouragement, and experimentation are some of the most useful tools for learning music. David holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and performs in a handful of rock and jazz-oriented bands. His rate is $32.00 Per half-hour.

Elan Tombs (Piano, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Thursday, Friday

Elan Tombs teaches piano, voice and music producing at Long and McQuade. He has been playing music since he was 6 years old, and graduated from the VIU jazz program in 2020. Elan has been teaching music since 2019. He creates a calm and fun atmosphere for all ages and skill levels to learn more about music. His rate is $33.00 per half hour.

Graham Villette (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Graham Villette has been playing music professionally since the age of 15 and teaching drum set since 2015. He earned a Masters’ Degree in Jazz Performance from The University of Toronto after completing a BA in Jazz Studies at Vancouver Island University in 2017. Having grown up on Vancouver Island, Graham is an active member of the music community as both a freelance musician, bandleader and teacher. You can hear him at BC venues including Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria, Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver, and the Lighthouse Bistro & Pub in Nanaimo. Over the years, Graham has had the great fortune to share the stage with some of the best musicians in Canada and abroad. He has been lucky to work in local bands like the NMA Big Band, with Bryan Stovell, the NOLA Nighthawks, with Andrew Homzy, and he is frequently found performing with the John Lee Trio. Hi rate is $32 per half hour.

Hayden Lister (Guitar, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday

Hayden has been playing and writing music since the early 2000s, with a focus on guitar, bass, vocals, and songwriting. He completed a Bachelor of Music degree from VIU in 2013, where he specialized in Jazz guitar, and has performed with a number of jazz, and rock groups over the years. Since 2017 he has been the leader and songwriter for the local alternative rock band Cosmosaurus. He is an enthusiastic teacher who loves learning and sharing knowledge and passion for music, whether with beginners who are starting their journey, or with those who want to dive deeper into technique and music theory. His rate is $32 per half hour.

Jake Chisholm (Bass Guitar, Guitar, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: rock, pop

Teaching Day(s): Friday, Saturday

Jake has recently come to Nanaimo from Toronto where he has been a successful and popular performer since the late 90s. His band Jake and the Blue Midnights could be heard at many popular venues and festivals. Since then he has had a great solo career and is still an in-demand performer and sideman. He started teaching in 2002 and has enjoyed imparting his professional knowledge to students of all levels. He teaches guitar, bass, singing, and band musicianship. His rate is $33 per half hour.

James Darling (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz

Teaching Day(s): Sunday

James has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from VIU and studied piano with Phil Dwyer, Bob Murphy and Steve Smith. He spent a decade working on cruise ships in lounge bands and showbands and most recently James was the keyboardist for the high energy dance band, Johnny Inappropriate, the pianist in the NMA big band led by Bryan Stovell and played keyboards in the Chemainus Theatre’s production of Rock Legends.
His rate is $33 per half hour.

Larry Miller (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone)

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

Larry (BFA, BEd, MMUS) has produced several CD recordings including Freya’s Song (1997), Storm Head (1999), Instance (2006) and taught saxophone for 10 years at VIU and has been teaching large groups and individual lessons since the early 1990s. In addition to freelance work on cruise ships, big bands, and rock groups, Larry has performed in numerous musicals over the years on a variety of woodwinds.
His rate is $33 per half hour.

Patti George (Piano)

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Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Patti George studied with the Associated Board of Royal School of Music in Belize, Central America where she began teaching piano and music theory in 2007. Since moving to Canada in 2023, she has achieved her Teacher Certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Patti's goal will always be to develop musicians with a strong musical foundation-whether the goal is to pursue music long term, or to explore and learn for pleasure- all students are welcome! Her rate is $33 per half hour.

Paul Sadlemyer (Violin, Mandolin)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Paul Sadlemyer is a violin and mandolin teacher who studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Nanaimo and is one of the few violinists to earn his Bachelor Degree in Jazz Studies from Vancouver Island University. Paul has been an active member of the local music scene throughout his musical career, sharing the stage with artists such as Delfeayo Marsalis, Rufus Reid, and Ari Hoenig. Paul is highly passionate about the study of the violin and looks forward to cultivating this passion with his students.
His lesson rate is $33 per half hour.

Phil Wipper (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Phil has been performing and teaching drums professionally since the mid 80s. Whether students are just starting out, playing for fun, or want to further advance their craft, Phil always tries to emphasize a broad overview of drumming concepts, techniques and styles; as well as give his students the knowledge and advice needed to further apply those skills professionally or otherwise. Phil currently works with award-winning and three-time June-nominated children’s performers The Kerplunks, as well as the ever popular local-favourites, Johnny Inappropriate and Wunderbread.
His rate is $33 per half hour.

Susie Craven (Brass, Piano, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Theory)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Susie Craven holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) from the University of Victoria. With over
30 years of teaching experience on a variety of instruments: trumpet, piano, French horn,
trombone, tuba, brass quintet and music theory, she has accumulated a wealth of knowledge
on teaching techniques and exam preparation. She enjoys teaching immensely and has had
students from the ages of 5 to 85 years. She plays with local groups, including the
Arrowsmith Big Band, and sings in a local choir. She runs a music studio in Qualicum Beach
and works as a freelance musician, having toured and performed throughout BC and
Alberta. Her rate is $33 per half hour.

Teighan Couch (Piano, Voice)

Online Lessons:

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

Originally from Ottawa, ON, Teighan moved to Nanaimo with dreams of becoming a vocalist with inspiration from her favourite jazz artists Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson. With a Bachelor of Music at Vancouver Island University she has taken a keen interest in jazz studies and vocal improvisation. She can be seen performing locally at venues like the Port Theatre, the Vault Cafe and the Flying Canoe. She is excited to share her ardent knowledge of music and voice with students of all levels. Her rate is $32 per half hour.