Our People

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Michael is one of Toronto’s most in-demand private music instructors. An honours graduate in Music and English from the University of Guelph and a member of the legendary Canadian band Skydiggers, Michael brings together classical technique, folk traditions, pop sensibilities and an unwavering ear for his students through a supportive, energetic and focused teaching style. Above all, Michael takes a learner-centered approach and works to build on his students’ existing musical interests and talents. Michael is the co-owner of MJMS. He teaches Piano, Singing, Songwriting, and Accordion.

An Honours graduate from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program, Adam plays and teaches many styles of music including rock, jazz, funk, hip hop and various styles of latin music. He has performed and recorded alongside artists such as Brownman Ali Brownman Ali, Don Naduriak and Nick Maclean. He is excited to help support each individual’s unique path to reach their personal goals. Adam teaches Drums and percussion.

Born in Peterborough Ontario, Angie moved to Toronto in 2007 for school and stayed in the city after graduating from Humber College with a Bachelor of music. With more than 12 years of teaching experience, Angie continues to mentor young musicians and performers as they begin their musical journey. Angie continues to deepen her connection with the music culture in the city and internationally and is a sought-after performer in the Toronto music scene. She believes that lessons should be a fun and a rewarding experience for all. Angie teaches Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano and Songwriting.

A warm, compassionate, and enthusiastic instructor, Carolina recently completed her degree in music from Humber College. Carolina has been a much-loved addition to our MJMS summer camp family and we are so pleased to have her bringing her joy and talent to students of all ages and abilities this studio year. Carolina teaches Voice, Ukulele, Guitar, Theory, and Piano.

Born and raised in Toronto, Dan graduated from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program where he majored in guitar. He is an experienced player of jazz, folk, and indie, but his passion for music extends across all genres. Dan is always excited to help his students cultivate their creativity, while showing that the musical journey is both fun and rewarding. He teaches Guitar, Piano, Theory, Songwriting, and Improvisation.

Devon was born in Vancouver and spent his formative years in Europe. He returned to Canada for university, and has called Toronto home for the past 17 years. A graduate of York University with a degree in Jazz Performance, Devon enjoys the spontaneity and energy of performing, but also loves immersing himself in the quiet solitude of songwriting. He has built his life around the joy of music making and has many years' experience sharing this joy through teaching music to students of all ages and skill levels. Devon teaches Guitar, Bass, Piano, Ukulele, Drums and Songwriting.

Emmett’s kind and attentive teaching style mixes with his passion for music to provide a fun, productive atmosphere for students of all ages. He has studied classical trumpet & music education at the University of Toronto and received his teacher certification from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. His music is fast-paced, thoughtful punk rock, and he has taught with MJMS since 2019. Emmett teaches Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, Singing, and Songwriting.

Originally from Vancouver Island, Erin completed his ARCT Pedagogy in Piano Diploma with the Royal Conservatory of Music in June 2024. Erin teaches with a fun, student-led approach; their passion is cultivating a lifelong love of music in all students using exposure to lead sheets, improvisation, music theory, ear skills, and sight reading across a variety wide variety of musical genres. We are thrilled to have Erin joining our MJMS community for the 2024-25 studio year! Erin teaches Piano and Theory.

Ivana is a Toronto-based keyboardist, singer-songwriter and music producer. In addition to years of classical training through RCM’s curriculum, Ivana holds a bachelor of music degree from Humber College. She works with students of all ages and widely varying musical interests to help them achieve their personal goals. Ivana teaches Piano, Voice, Songwriting, and Production.

Originally from a small town in Nova Scotia, Kate has taught with MJMS since 2015. Her exuberant stage presence and contagious enthusiasm have found their way into her teaching style – Kate enjoys connecting with students and helping them to access their unique strengths in order to further their musical journey. Kate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Humber College. She teaches Drums, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Accordion, Singing, Songwriting, and Theory.

Raised by a jazz pianist & a music teacher, Kathryn Merriam is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter with over 10 years of teaching experience. She has a BA in piano performance from Brigham Young University and studied songwriting at the renowned Berklee College of Music. Kathryn has an active creative life, collaborating with many bands/projects in the Toronto music scene. She also performs & records her own original music and is perpetually bettering herself as a musician, composer, improvisor & collaborator. Kathryn gifts her students with the ability to speak the language of music, and encourages them to use this skill to bring more joy, connection & meaning into their lives. Kathryn teaches Piano, Voice, Songwriting, Guitar, Ukulele, and Theory.

Originally from Eastern Ontario, Lila moved to Toronto in 2018 to attend arts school as a Vocal and Musical Theatre major. As a young teenager, Lila founded her own musical theatre summer program in her hometown of Elphin, Ontario. She is the lead singer of Toronto indie-pop band Meteor Heist, and holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. Lila specializes in vocal technique, vocal health, and performance, and loves to share her passion with students of all ages. She teaches Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, and Theory.

Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Maddy is a recent graduate of U of T’s Music Education program. She has spent much time writing and performing music in a variety of genres, settings, and communities. She has been lucky to learn not only from traditional instructors, but also from her peers and the musicians she has encountered within the Toronto music scene. Being involved in this unique combination of musical environments has helped shape Maddy into a versatile and open-minded teacher. Maddy teaches Piano, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Drums, Trombone, and Trumpet.

Morgan grew up in the east end of Toronto and is a trumpet player, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, sound designer, and educator with over a decade of experience as a professional musician. As an educator, Morgan is committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment with his students to discover what motivates them in exploring the world of music. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Toronto. Morgan teaches Piano, Trumpet, Theory, Composition/Production, Ukulele, Guitar, and Beginner Drums.

Originally from Mississauga, Nirvana’s musical journey began at age 10 when she began studying classical piano. With piano as a foundation, Nirvana went on to study both flute and saxophone, playing and performing with big bands across the GTA and earning her degree from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program. Nirvana continues to collaborate with her mentors and peers in live shows throughout the city. Nirvana teaches Piano, Flute, Saxophone, Theory, and Composition.

Nolan is a performer and composer born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario. He holds certificates from Humber College for Jazz Bass and Seneca College for Independent Music Production. In addition to teaching, Nolan has performed all across Canada; scored award-winning short films; and worked on a slew of genre-spanning recordings. His easy-going and encouraging personality allows students to enjoy cultivating their creativity and strive towards becoming the musician they would like to be. Nolan teaches Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Drums, Songwriting, Theory, and Piano.

Saba has a deep love and passion for music. Originally from Iran, she began her journey in music at age four, and by age 12 was studying with some of the great masters of classical piano. Saba is a self-taught singer and songwriter who learned her craft through studying the work of her favourite artists, including Adele, Sam Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James. She has a wonderful connection with students of all ages and believes that the key to a lifetime of music learning lies in connecting to students’ personal interests, and discovering the true joy of playing and singing music that they love. Saba teaches Piano and Voice.

A graduate of Humber College's Bachelor of Music program, Simon has a deep love for songwriting. theory and performing. Simon creates a personalized approach to learning in a friendly and non-judgemental environment. He is an active member of Toronto's thriving rock scene, and is passionate about a wide variety of music styles. Simon teaches Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Voice and Songwriting.

Lila is an enthusiastic and encouraging instructor who brings kindness and joy to every lesson. A student of music from a very young age, born right here in Roncesvalles, and an instructor with MJMS since 2020, Lila has an encyclopedic knowledge of pop music and a keen ear for new ideas. Lila teaches Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Singing.

Karandeep is an active member of Toronto’s music community and a graduate of Humber College in Jazz Guitar. Karandeep has composed, performed and recorded in a wide range of genres from jazz, rock, pop, and indie to classical and experimental music; he is also an enthusiastic teacher and a valued collaborator, and we are so pleased to have him join us at MJMS this year. Karandeep believes that every lesson is a step in your musical journey and he is thrilled to be a part of it. Karandeep teaches Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Piano, and Drums.

Having completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Concordia University in 2021 as a Music Major with a focus on classical piano, Janae joins us after completing two years of full-time piano teaching in British Columbia. She loves working with students of all ages and skill levels, helping them to discover (or rediscover!) their love for playing the piano. Janae brings a classical background to her piano instruction and loves to blend foundational skills with creativity, making lessons as engaging as they are educational. Janae has played piano all her life and most enjoys instilling her love of music in her students by finding what they LOVE about piano! Janae teaches Piano and Theory.

Having grown up in a musical household, Max has had a passion for music all of his life. He’s written and performed various styles of music, including rock, blues, jazz, funk and folk; and has played in numerous bands throughout Toronto. In his own words, “my musical capabilities come from both formal and informal settings; from classrooms and studios; from teachers and friends.” A graduate of Humber College, Max believes that teaching is of vital importance in order to create a better tomorrow, and that sharing music is a wonderful gift. Max teaches Guitar, Bass, Voice, Drums, Harmonica, Songwriting, and Ukulele.

Charles James is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who began with MJMS in 2011 as one of our first instructors. His musical versatility has allowed him to share the stage with acclaimed artists across a wide variety of genres. Charles takes great joy in creating a fun, focused, and engaging atmosphere, tailoring lessons to each student’s needs and goals. Charles teaches Piano, Guitar, Voice, Bass and Theory.

A graduate of Humber College’s Bachelor of Music Program, Ray is a songwriter, teacher and performer in the Toronto area. Ray is dedicated to communicating musical ideas in an inspiring way, incorporating songwriting and improvising as creative tools for his students. He considers each lesson a positive space for growth, and is dedicated to helping learners find their musical voice at any stage, and any age. Ray teaches Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Songwriting, piano and Drums.

Born and raised in Toronto, Gillian has a passion for pop, musical theatre, and classical music from every decade and all parts of the world. Gillian’s enthusiasm for her work has provided her with an inspiring breadth of experience, from working as a back up vocalist for a folk-rock band to singing with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Since graduating from the Queen’s University School of Music, Gillian has been dedicated to sharing her eclectic, joyful approach to learning with students of all ages. Gillian teaches Voice, Piano, and Theory.

Born in Toronto, Adrian Thornton-Mark is a Drummer, Pianist and Percussionist who is currently completing the Bachelor of Music program at Humber College. Starting at age 4, Adrian has experience with performing and composing in many styles including Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop, Latin and Metal. As an educator, Adrian aims to bring out every student’s unique musical expression through a fun and enthusiastic teaching style, and to create a positive environment for his lessons. Adrian teaches Drums, Piano and Percussion.

Sienna is a graduate from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program. She is an experienced songwriter and accomplished multi-instrumentalist. Sienna has studied music in many different capacities throughout her life, from private lessons to bands to the classroom, and is excited to create personalized lessons for each child to help them recognize and craft their own talent and musicianship. Sienna teaches Vocals, Songwriting, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Ukulele and Theory.

Joel Visentin started teaching with MJMS in 2010. Originally from Manitoba, and a graduate of the Humber Music program, Joel has worked with JUNO-Award winners Kelly Lee Evans and Splash & Boots, as well as Grammy nominee, Darryl Neudorf. Joel’s own band – JV’s Boogaloo Squad – has headlined at jazz festivals across North America. His original music has also been featured on “This American Life” and several CBC documentaries. We are so pleased to welcome Joel back to MJMS for the 2023-24 studio year. Joel teaches Piano, Voice and Songwriting.

Originally from Chatham, Ontario, Sarah is an award-winning singer/songwriter who brings a wealth of knowledge to her teaching practice. Sarah is an active member of the Toronto music scene, has released four records in the past decade, and collaborates with some of the most talented and cherished artists we know, including Charlotte Cornfield, Colleen Brown, Angie Hilts, and Tim O’Reilly. Sarah teaches Voice, Songwriting, Guitar and Piano.

A graduate of Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program, Mitch has toured across France, the U.K, the U.S, Belgium and Canada opening for such bands as Kiss, Pearl Jam, Scorpions and the Glorious Sons. He currently plays with Juno winner JJ Wilde and has an extensive knowledge of Jazz, Rock, RnB, Hip Hop, Brazilian, Cuban and Electronic music. Mitch teaches Drums, Percussion, Guitar, and Voice.