Edmonton Highlands - Guitar Lessons

BILL THAIN

Lesson Coordinator
780-479-1643
[email protected]

Aaron Matheson (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Aaron Matheson has taught private music lessons for 12 years. He is a graduate of the MacEwan University music program with a Bachelor of Music majoring in guitar performance. He is currently studying education at the University of Alberta. 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, Krooked Kings, 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.
Aaron's rate is $29 per half hour.

Adam Lefaivre (Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Adam has taught guitar through Long & McQuade for several years, inspiring many students through private instruction, music camps, and adjudication. He teaches exclusively online, offering flexible and accessible lessons.

Adam has been playing guitar for most of his life, both as a solo performer and in various musical acts. He composes and produces regularly for his music project Bloom Filter, which has been heard internationally and across Canada on college radio. In 2021, he received a federal grant for Bloom Filter and collaborated with several world-class session musicians

Adam holds a Bachelor of Music in Audio from the University of Lethbridge, where he studied classical guitar, and completed a Master’s degree focused on music genre research. He continues to learn and write as much music as possible and loves to share that enthusiasm and excitement with his students.
Adam's rate is $25 per half hour. Online lessons only.

Alex Moxon (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo)

Online Lessons:

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 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's rate is $31 per half hour.

Edward (Ed) Smith (Guitar, Piano, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Ed Smith has taught music lessons privately for over 14 years and has been an active member of the Edmonton music community for 21 years as a performer, studio musician and arranger. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Francis Xavier University (Antigonish, NS) in 2002,
Ed began to build his experience as a freelance musician and educator, performing in a variety of acts in Atlantic Canada, and also as a keyboardist on cruise ships with Holland America Line. He has gained a wealth of experience as a music educator since then and has also performed and recorded in Alberta with groups that cross a wide variety of genres, spanning rock, blues, jazz, country, and even salsa. Ed currently plays bass and keyboards in the Derina Harvey Band, a five-piece Celtic rock act based in Edmonton
Ed’s rate is $32 per half hour.

Ryan Simmons (Guitar, Drums)

Online Lessons:

Ryan is a multi-instrumentalist performer and educator who recently completed his studies in the Grant MacEwan University Bachelor of Music program as a guitar performance major.
Having grown up as a metal and rock musician who now focuses on jazz performance and composition, Ryan is a versatile musician who prides himself on adapting to students interests and ability. As a lifelong student, Ryan has been fortunate to study privately in New York City with acclaimed guitarist Max Light as well as with renowned Edmonton based educators such as Jim Head and Brett Hansen. In his lessons, Ryan ensures that a solid technical and theoretical ability is developed while doing so through learning music relevant to the student.
Ryan’s rate is $30 per half hour.

Tyson Pilling (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Tyson Pilling is a passionate music educator with over five years of experience teaching private lessons. He is a graduate of MacEwan University’s music program, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Music Education and he plans to continue his studies at the University of Alberta to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree.
Tyson has been playing guitar and bass from a young age and is well-versed in a range of musical styles, including acoustic fingerpicking, electric guitar, jazz, alternative, country, rock, and pop. He also has extensive live performance experience, having played in jazz bands, pit orchestras, percussion ensembles, party bands, and concert bands.
Tyson enjoys working with students of all ages and skill levels. He strongly believes there’s no bad time to learn the guitar. His teaching style focuses on encouragement, creativity, and helping students reach — and exceed — their personal musical goals in a supportive environment.
Tyson's rate is $28 per half hour.