Belleville - Piano Lessons

Joëlle Turner (Voice, Songwriting, Theory, Piano)

Online Lessons: No

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

Joëlle believes the most powerful teacher is you: your own voice, your own hands, your agency and intuition - your courage to “give it a try” and your willingness to experiment.

In lessons, you are the leader. Joëlle is there to listen and help co-create a learning experience with you. Structure and spontaneity thrive together in a space where curiosity leads. What do you think? What are your goals? What wants to be expressed? How can we discover that together?

This philosophy grew from Joëlle’s diverse music background which is rooted in everything from western classical training (RCM voice/piano, Ontario Youth Choir, Nathaniel Dett Chorale) to a BMus in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto. Further education includes studies in vocal anatomy/pedagogy with Dr. Shannon Coates and years of experience recording & touring as a vocalist/guitarist/songwriter/producer in award-winning bands (including a Trille Or for best roots artist and a Stingray Rising Star Award).

These experiences give Joëlle a flexible, multi-instrumental based approach that help you build a range of skills, enabling your musicianship to move freely - whether you’re refining classical piano pieces, reading jazz lead sheets, belting soul tunes, working out R&B runs, singing while playing guitar, crafting original work—or all of the above.

Joëlle offers private lessons in voice, piano, ear training, theory, performance prep, exam prep, songwriting, arranging, production, recording, and training for multi-instrumentalists (including voice, guitar, ukulele, and piano), to students of all ages and experience levels at Long & McQuade Belleville both in-person or online.

Lesson Rate: $30 per half-hour session.

Rob Waite (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Drums, Ukulele)

Online Lessons: Yes

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Rob has been teaching music lessons for 26 years and has been playing for 38. A versatile musician, he offers lessons in guitar, bass, piano, and drums—though guitar holds a special place in his heart. “Guitar is my baby. That’s what I always come back to. Guitar is my passion but everything else kind of flows from there.”

Rob started playing music at age 13 and went on to build a professional career in the Toronto music scene before moving back to his hometown of Belleville in early 2003. During his time in Toronto, he worked with the alternative rock band Our Lady Peace and the French-Canadian band Simple Plan.

With a deep belief in the power of dedication, Rob encourages students of all backgrounds to explore music. “I believe you can play any instrument, all it takes is the want to do it and then sitting down and making the effort,” he says. “That's where I come in. I love having students because they inspire me and I can inspire them.”

Rob teaches students of all ages and skill levels—from five-year-olds just beginning their musical journey to seniors looking to improve or revisit their skills. His goal is to help each student grow, no matter where they’re starting from.

Lesson Rate: $30 per half-hour session.

Rob Waite offers in-person and online private and group lessons on guitar, bass, piano, and drums to all ages at Long & McQuade in Belleville.

Spencer Barriage (Piano, Theory, Ear Training)

Online Lessons: Yes

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday

Spencer began studying piano at age 11 through the Royal Conservatory method. His musical journey quickly progressed before pursuing formal music studies at Western University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Philosophy.

After completing his degree, Spencer worked overseas with the Daegu Theatre Group in South Korea as a piano accompanist and musical director. Upon returning to Canada, he continued to teach privately, perform with local bands, and collaborate with theatre groups across the region.

Spencer's lessons are tailored to each student’s goals—whether that’s preparing for RCM certification, building strong technique, improving ear training, or simply enjoying the process of learning music. His well-rounded, goal-oriented approach ensures that students build both skill and confidence as they grow.

Lesson Rate: $30 per half-hour session.

Spencer offers private music lessons in piano, Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exam preparation, theory, and ear training to students aged 7 and up at Long & McQuade Belleville.