Bedford - Guitar Lessons

Apryll Aileen (Guitar, Voice, Piano, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

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

Apryll Aileen is a pianist, guitarist, and singer-songwriter from Atlantic Canada. Her recent album, “Bad Things,” fuses alt-pop and electronic styles reminiscent of the 2000s: her vocal style influenced by Adele and Stevie Nicks, her cadence and performance art influenced by Madonna.

Trained as a classical musician from the age of five, Apryll works this foundation into pop music that is both sophisticated and catchy. Her lyrical storytelling and stage presence have made her a favourite at music festivals from Halifax to Los Angeles and London.

Doug Cameron (Drums, Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Doug has a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music from St. Francis Xavier University. He has been playing in various groups in Halifax for many years, has toured the continent with Aide de Camp and played in the ECMA-nominated band Doctor Dfunkt. Doug teaches rock, jazz, and other styles of drumming, and his rate per 30-minute private lesson is $27.

Jessica Crowe (Songwriting, Voice, Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Jess is a Cape Breton born vocalist with a passion for live performance. She completed NSCC's music arts program in 2024 and has since been specializing in voice lessons for all levels and beginner guitar. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and creative environment for students of all ages. With years of live performance experience and a deep love for songwriting, Jess brings a wealth of knowledge to each lesson, whether it's preparing students for a stage performance or helping them find their unique musical voice.

She believes in a personalized approach, tailoring lessons to fit each student's individual goals and musical journey. Whether you're looking to improve your vocal technique, explore the basics of guitar, or dive into songwriting, Jess is here to guide you every step of the way.

Mike Farrington (Guitar, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

A founding member of Halifax funk and soul legends The Mellotones, Mike has over 25 years of live and recording experience in the music industry. He’s performed with a diverse list of Maritime artists including Garrett Mason, Dutch Mason, Matt Mays, Matt Andersen, Jill Barber, Erin Costello and of course The Mellotones. Mike studied bass with Pat Riley, and has been teaching guitar and bass alongside Pat at Long & McQuade since 2016. His rate per 30-minute private lesson is $28.00.

Mike Miller (Guitar, , Ukulele, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Mike has a Bachelor of Education from Acadia University and has been teaching guitar, bass and ukulele at Long & McQuade since 2016. He has played guitar and bass in various bands and worked as a sound tech for other groups. Mike teaches all styles, loves classic rock, and welcomes students at all levels of experience. He has also conducted beginner classes for students of all ages. Mike's rate per 30-minute private lesson is $29.

Nicholas MacLean (Guitar, Ukulele, Lap Steel)

Online Lessons:

Nicholas received a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz Studies, First Class Honours) from St. Francis Xavier University. He has studied privately with internationally renowned jazz musicians Howard Alden, Oz Noy, Wayne Krantz, Jerry Granelli and Ari Hoenig. Nick has toured across Canada and internationally and is active in the local music scene, playing with Juno-nominee Kim Barlow, ECMA-nominee Alana Yorke, award-winning songwriter Carmel Mikol to name a few. Nick teaches rock, jazz, blues, country, R&B, folk, pop and heavy metal to students of all ages and levels of experience. His rate per 30-minute private lesson is $27.

Omar Ashour (Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Omar Ashour is a guitar player and instructor who has spent years teaching students of all ages in both Canada and the Middle East. After graduating from the music program at Dalhousie University in 2008, Omar has been actively teaching private one-on-one lessons, as well as leading group sessions and workshops at schools and private centres. By helping his students establish a solid musical foundation, many of them have gone on to join professional bands, pursue deeper musical training, and even work as instructors themselves. While his main focus has been electric guitar, Ashour has also played bass with many independent rock artists, and has more recently taken an interest in Middle Eastern music by picking up the oud. Omar's rate per 30-minute private lesson is $27.

Pat Riley (Guitar, , Songwriting)

Online Lessons:

Father of five musicians, Pat has a Certificate in Arranging and Composition from the Berklee College of Music, has gigged with many of the top names in the musical universe, and is mentor to some of the best musicians in Atlantic Canada. He was the main host of the CBC Rock Camp series and also sings, writes, produces, and is a top session player. He is one of the founders and the current director of Summer Rock Camp. Pat has been teaching award winning students since 1991. His rate per 30-minute private lesson is $27.

Peter Davison (Guitar, , Ukulele, Harmonica, Mandolin, Looping, Songwriting)

Online Lessons:

Peter has a Bachelor of Arts with Music from St. Francis Xavier. For five years he was a solo and ensemble guitarist on Norwegian and Princess Cruise lines playing everything from rock ‘n roll through jazz, country, R&B, various finger styles, and classical music. Pete has played drums, bass, guitar and keyboards in a variety of local bands. He won the 2010 Canadian Boss Loop Station championship as "The Duke of Loops". Pete has been teaching music since 1996 to students of all age and level of experience. His rate per 30-minute private lesson is $27.

Rheo Rochon (Guitar, Bass Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Rhéo Rochon is a Galaxie Rising Star award-winning professional bassist / guitarist / drummer who attended the jazz program at Humber College of Music in Etobicoke, Ontario. He has appeared on many acclaimed studio recordings and has toured extensively in Canada as well as in Scotland and The U.S.A. with several acts including Garrett Mason & Keith Hallett, The Chronos Band, Cyndi Cain, Alan Jeffries, Tim Chaisson (East Pointers), Modern Grass and Carleton Stone (Port Cities).
Rhéo has shared the stage opening for many great artists such as Buddy Guy, Lauren Hill, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Charles Bradley, John Scofield, Junior Watson, Miles Goodwin (April Wine), Joel Plaskett, Matt Mays, and The Trews.
He currently enjoys working in concert and in the studio with Keith Hallett, Wharf Rats, The Ordeals, The Living Walls, and The Chronos Band.
Rhéo is also busy as a sub filling in with many artists including The Mellotones, Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound, Jimmy Rankin and Canadian icon Jann Arden.
Rhéo's rate is $27 per half hour lesson

Skip Holmes (Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle, Mandolin, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Skip played in rock and blues bands before getting into traditional music. He was a member of the house band on the iconic Up Home Tonight show on ATV. He's performed with The Ladies Choice Bluegrass Band, The Gordon Stobbe Trio, and The Richard Wood Band, and has toured and recorded with a wide range of musicians such as Graham and Eleanor Townsend, Calvin Vollrath, and Peter Dawson. Skip has transcribed a number of books of fiddle tunes for Mel Bay and has been teaching for over 35 years. His rate per 30-minute private lesson is $27.

Zach Maclean (Guitar)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Zach MacLean is a Cape Breton-born guitarist now based out of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Having grown up in a musical family, he started out strumming guitar along with relatives who played everything from fiddles to bodhrans. For several years he studied bagpipes and briefly played with the Gaelic College Pipeband, but his instrument of choice remained the guitar. After deciding to make guitar his primary instrument, he enrolled in St Francis Xavier University and graduated 2007 with a Bachelor of Music. He was a regular member of The Tom Fun Orchestra, Rock Ranger (bass), and Carleton Stone before moving from Cape Breton to Halifax. He started writing and releasing with Halifax-based band, Young River, and eventually became a steady guitarist for Adam Baldwin, Mo Kenney, and the Town Heroes. He currently resides in Dartmouth, NS and, when time allows, is a guitarist-for-hire. He has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists such as
Gordie Sampson, Matt Mays, Willie Nile, Dwight Twilley, Elliot Murphy, Alejandro Escovedo,
David Lowery, and Art Bergman.