Truro

Sarah Glinz

Sarah is thrilled to be giving back to the to the music community where she grew up as Lessons Coordinator here at Long & McQuade. With a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education, Sarah has been an avid music educator for the past 10 years teaching private vocal and piano lessons, directing local children's choirs, and as music director of the Marigold Spotlight Youth Theatre program.

In her spare time Sarah performs with her music group Brigid, and is a busy mom to her three wonderful children. As both an educator and a parent, she knows how much of an impact music can make in a child's life and is passionate about sharing the gift of music with others!

beth terry (Group, Pre-School)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Saturday

Beth Terry is the mother of four outstanding humans, Creator and Director of Mini Musicians, and member of the music trio, Brigid. When she isn’t teaching music at her private studio, she is organizing concert tours and events, writing songs for Brigid, or learning to play the cello.

Originally from Newfoundland, Beth moved to Nova Scotia 21 years ago and found a new home in Truro in 2005. Performing since age 5, Beth has a life-long passion for the Arts and is at home working with actors, musicians, and younger "Mini-Musicians"!

Beth developed the Mini Musicians program and has been offering the program to Truro and area since 2011.

brenna conrad (Voice, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, musical

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday

Brenna Conrad is a professionally-trained Soprano with over 15 years of experience in Vocal Performance, Music Education and Music Ministry. A standout talent from a young age, Conrad honed her craft at University of Toronto’s prestigious vocal performance program. She has been the female soloist for the Nova Scotia Tattoo for over 16 years. She has performed in several Tattoo’s , including multiple appearances in the Hamburg- Germany, Malmo- Sweden, and Ottawa- Parliament Hill Tattoo’s. She continued to perform both in Canada and Europe before embarking on a career as a vocal instructor and music educator. Prior to moving back to Nova Scotia, she served as Choral Conductor and Youth Music Director at Islington United Church in Toronto while also teaching privately. Brenna is thrilled to be back in Nova Scotia and is currently the co- conductor for Impact!, a mixed voice youth choir with a focus on bringing awareness to social justice issues, through music, acting and dance. She currently runs a thriving private vocal studio in Truro, NS, is proud to be launching the first Stagecoach School in Truro, and has recently joined the teaching team here at Long & McQuade Truro! Brenna's rate is $26 per 1/2 hour lesson.

cal johnson (Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Rock Skool, Rock Camp)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: jazz, rock

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

With folk-pop song writing roots, a jazz harmony influence merged into a rock n’ roll edge- Cal Johnson, or formally known as Caleb Johnson is a 2 time Music Nova Scotia award nominated, multi instrumentalist & singer-songwriter. No stranger to the scene, Johnson has had the pleasure of composing for Ondinnok, a theatre project in Montreal (2020), debuting solo live on Global News Halifax (2018) as well as performing with “The Blue Lane” at Halifax's TD Jazz Festival (2016), Bell FibeOP's "Club One New Releases" and CTV’s Breakfast Television (2016). Along with these experiences, Johnson has also obtained a diploma in music arts and has been privileged to attend private songwriting workshops under the instruction of East coast artists such as Matt Anderson, Thom Swift and Christine Campbell.

Today, Johnson is currently based out of Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, performing with his new indie blues-rock group “Cal Johnson & The Former Cause.” You can find his debut solo EP “Come and Go” on all digital streaming platforms. Cal's rate is $24 per 1/2 hour private lesson.

catherine johnston (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Tuesday, Friday

Catherine Johnston-Bent is a vocalist, composer and instructor from North River. Prior to returning home, Catherine spent 12 years in Toronto performing (from Operas to Cabarets) and teaching (Bach Childrens' Chorus, Suitcase Theatre), and was the Alto Soloist at Cummer Avenue United Church. She founded the caroling troupe "Vagabond Voices" in 2012, which she hopes to continue here in Truro. She also holds a degree in music from Dalhousie University (2007). Catherine recently established "Songwriting Bootcamp" at Long & McQuade, a musical theory class for those wanting to expand their knowledge for creative purposes. Catherine’s rate is $23 per ½ hour lesson. Longer lessons are available upon request.

chris ryan (Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday

Music excites our world and creates culture! Learning an instrument teaches us about different people and to appreciate one another through the unity of music. What better instrument to explore this landscape on than the drums? And Chris Ryan is the teacher to take you! A new addition to our faculty of teachers at Truro Long and McQuade, Chris arrives with a wide range of experience in touring, recording, booking and promoting, while regularly performing in musicals, plays, jazz and rock shows, even film and video work or rapping and producing. With over 20 years of of playing and teaching, Chris is an expert in all styles of modern drumming and is enthusiastic about music education. Chris' rate is $26 per 1/2 hour lesson.

craig wood (Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Tenor, Plectrum, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Thursday

Craig Wood is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele) with influences that range from country, jazz, rock and folk to musical theatre. After working professionally in his late teens as a Las Vegas performer, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and founded the eclectic rock group “Papa Bears” before becoming a national CBC Radio Variety Producer for the west coast, including the network jazz show “Jazzland”. As a professional musician and musical theatre performer, he has appeared at the Royal Alex in Toronto, the Summerside Theatre in Prince Edward Island, The Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver, CBC Television and NBC. His song-writing and composing abilities garnered him a Number 1 Canadian single (the 1970’s classic “Peter and Lou” by Canadian folksinger, Valdy) as well as film score honors at the Canadian Hot Docs festival in 2006. As a guitar instructor, he has taught private lessons for more than three decades. Craig lives in Great Village, Nova Scotia where he records under the “Paradise Public Radio” label in his home studio. His rate is $22 per 1/2 hour private lesson.

danielle richard (Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Friday

Growing up in both PEI and then NB, Danielle Richard always had a love for music. From a very young age she was involved in choirs, voice lessons, and musical theatre productions, and now is the music teacher at Redcliff Middle School where she directs the school choir and musical.

Danielle has a Bachelor of Music (vocal performance) from MTA and Bachelor of Education from StFX. Danielle loves musical theatre and has performed in and directed many productions over the years. She currently performs with the Cantabile Singers and the First United Handbell Ensemble, and is on the board of directors for Truro Music Festival and Orff Nova Scotia. Danielle enjoys sharing her passion for music through teaching. Her rate is $24 per 1/2 hour lesson.

ibukun olomodosi (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz, rock

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

Ibukun is a pianist with a passion for all musical genres, including classical, pop, rock, jazz, musical theatre, and more. He is also a multidisciplinary performer, composer, and music director. Ibukun has been a self-taught pianist ever since his interest in the piano began during his senior year of high school. He made the decision to take music more seriously and began taking classes from professors and accomplished musicians. Ibukun wants to give students a comfortable environment where they can express themselves creatively and make them feel and enjoy every note they play. As a performer, his music captivates audiences with its delicacy and thoughtful humour.

Ibukun holds a certificate in Music Technology from The Polytechnic Ibadan, a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Lagos, and a Master’s in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ibukun’s rate is $25 per 1/2 hour private lesson.

james hill (Group)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday

A 'third-generation' Canadian ukulele player, James was a student of Jamie Thomas and Peter Luongo, themselves former protégés of ukulele visionary J. Chalmers Doane. After a decade spent honing his skills as a member of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble, James continued his study of music at the University of British Columbia where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in 2003.

In the mid-2000s, James collaborated with J. Chalmers Doane to create the acclaimed Ukulele in the Classroom method book series. In 2010 he launched the JHUI Teacher Certification Program for ukulele instructors, the only course of its kind in the world. The Ukulele Way, a method for solo ukulele technique, was launched in 2014 and was followed by Booster Uke two years later. Recently, James amalgamated his diverse education initiatives with the launch of Uketropolis.com which spurred the creation of several popular courses including the free Peace Like An 'Ukulele, the beginner course Ready, Steady, Ukulele and the ever-popular Ukulele Jazz. James is also the host of the Uketropolis Podcast which can be heard weekly on all podcast listening platforms.

marree mackenzie (Fiddle, Violin)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Saturday

Marree Mackenzie, originally from Northern Nova Scotia, has had a musical career spanning 27 years. She teaches and performs a wide range of genres, including but not limited to traditional Cape Breton/Celtic, Old-Time fiddle music, and Classical with a fun and varied approach to learning new techniques. Marree has performed as a solo artist as well as with various bands over the years, ranging from Celtic rock, to traditional country. Mentors include but not limited to Jerry Holland, Brenda Stubbert, and Fleur Mainville.

When she is not working for VON or teaching, she spends her spare time learning new songs and techniques, recording with friends, and engaging her children in their musical abilities. "There is music in every child. The teachers job is to find it and nurture it" -Frances Clark. Marree’s rate is $24 per 1/2 hour lesson.

michelle thibault (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical

Teaching Day(s): Thursday, Saturday

Michelle is a mother and an elementary school teacher. Throughout her teacher career she has been school music teacher for 7 years of her 19 year career. Having played piano since the age of four, Michelle has a love of music that she expresses through many musical outlets.
Michelle has recently moved back to her hometown of Truro after three years teaching in the North, and is looking forward to nurturing young musicians in her home community! Michelle's rate is $24 per 1/2 hour lesson.

rhonda maclellan (Piano, Fiddle, Viola, Scoring The Ear)

Online Lessons:

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

From a long line of Celts (Cape Breton, prior to that Western Highlands of Scotland), Rhonda MacLellan has been performing and teaching Celtic music – fiddling with interspersed vocals – for more than 30 years. This type of fiddling is also for those that want to learn to play by ear and capture the harmonies and counterparts on a fiddle; additionally, learn to perform. Rhonda will also be teaching chording and accompaniment on piano. Rhonda has done a lot of solo work, plus played, and sung with numerous bands, choirs and orchestras, all including a large component of solo/leads. A few examples of performing and teaching – opening act (solo fiddle and vocals) on the Vanoc Stage at the 2010 Olympics, International choir ‘Spiritsong’ that toured Europe, taught fiddle at College of the Rockies in BC, two Messiah choirs, and presently keyboardist for Caledonian Orchestra of NS. Welcoming all skill levels including beginners age 7 and up. Rhonda’s rate is $26 for a 1⁄2-hour private lesson.

ryan white (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Rock Camp, Drums)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz, rock

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

Ryan White is a performer, composer, and arranger who hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He plays several instruments including electric bass, guitar, ukulele, drums and auxiliary percussion, piano/synthesizer, kalimba, and voice. He has taken influence from and worked in a wide variety of genres including rock, alternative, pop, folk/indie, classical, jazz, funk/soul, R&B, hip-hop, jazz-fusion, and world music. Ryan graduated from the Dalhousie music program in 2016 and has been performing and teaching professionally ever since. Ryan's rate is $23 per 1/2 hour private lesson.

sappho thompson (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Sappho Thompson is a grade 12 I.B. student at Cobequid Educational Centre. She has played piano since age 5 and is currently working on her Grade 10 certificate at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In 2022 she was selected as a qualifier for the Provincial Music Festival of Nova Scotia and has competed locally for several years, winning awards including the Truro Music Festival Cup in piano and voice. She also plays clarinet in the CEC Symphonic Band and the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble. Sappho has taught private lessons from her home studio and is excited to share her passion for music with others here at Long & McQuade! Sappho's rate is $22 per 1/2 hour private lesson.