Toronto (Danforth) - Ukulele Lessons

Justin Orok (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Friday

Justin Orok is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and guitarist best known for his narrative songwriting and approach to the guitar influenced by folk and classical music. A passionate music teacher, Justin incorporates his diverse experience in life and music into each lesson, and has been an encouraging and empathetic mentor to many young guitar students. His main goal is to make music a fun and inviting experience so that listening and practicing become an essential part of their lives. Creativity is wholeheartedly encouraged through activities like writing original songs, performing at recitals, and a yearly holiday recording project. Students are given monthly practice incentives, musical riddles to solve, listening reflections and more activities, making their progress feel even more rewarding.

His debut album, Kanata (2022), was released independently in Canada and on Paraphenalia Records in Japan. The record garnered a small but passionate fanbase and made multiple year-end lists abroad. It features Canadian luminaries including Justin Haynes, Felicity Williams, Christine Bougie, and was a collaboration with Polaris-prize winning producer Jean Martin (Tanya Tagaq). Following up Kanata in 2025 were two new collections of songs: a four-song EP of covers, Debt, featuring songs by Justin Haynes, Sarah Greene, John Southworth and Kim Barlow, as well as his sophomore full length California Shutters, a carefully crafted collection of modern folk songs exploring the subtle emotional distance between family members and friends.


In addition to his original music, Justin performs as a guitarist with John Southworth, Andrew Downing, Jessie Gosling, and more, and works as a freelance media composer and songwriter under the moniker Stream Cafe, with a catalog of over 10 million + streams. You can hear him live mostly at the Tranzac: every two months at his ongoing series which is focused on presenting the music of emerging songwriters in a new light, as well as frequent appearances with the Holy Oak Family Singers.

Justin's rate is $35 per half hour.

Tak Arikushi (Bass Guitar, Composition, Guitar, Ukulele)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday

B. Mus Jazz Studies (Capilano University)

Tak Arikushi is a seasoned instructor with 18 years of experience and a Jazz Studies degree from Capilano College. He moved from Vancouver to Toronto in 2013 and has since been an in-demand musician in the jazz scene. He teaches students, young and old, from beginners to advanced, and in a variety of musical genres, with a holistic approach that includes instrumental technique, aural skills, repertoire, and most importantly fun! With his methods he helps students learn their favourite songs, overcome performance anxiety, and even start a band. Outside of teaching, Tak performs regularly in Toronto and some of his career highlights include recording music for the popular Cuphead video game series, performing at the National Arts Centre (Dear Canada, Letters from the Second World War), and playing for Geddy Lee’s (Rush) mother’s 90th birthday.

Tak's rate is $35.00 per half hour.