Ben Tizzard is a Calgary-based musician with a Bachelor of Music Degree at Ambrose University in Jazz Guitar. He has had the honor of studying with leading Calgary musicians such asRalf Bushmeyer, Neil McVey, Stefano Valdo, Pat Belliveau, and Aaron Young. Playing since the age of 13, Ben has never thought twice about dedicating his time to studying and performing the guitar. His past experiences include being a finalist for the Stampede Talent Show, performing as the guitarist in the Badlands Passion Play, studying under the Calgary-based Flamenco guitarist Holly Blazina, and participating in local jams/open mics in various venues across town.
Ben fills his time professionally through teaching privately, engaging in clinics, and performing at Calgary venues such as the Ironwood Stage and Grill, Café Koi, SAIT Jubilee Auditorium, Mount Royal University, University of Calgary, Lolita’s Lounge, Hyatt Hotel, Ambrose University and many more.
Read MoreAs a distinguished graduate of Berklee College of Music, David Blitt received a world-class education in harmony, ear training, guitar skills as well as arranging and composition. David received Berklee's Professional Music Division Achievement Award for Outstanding Musicianship as well as the Louise McKinney scholarship two years in a row. David also performed as a featured instrumental soloist in Berklee’s prestigious Guitar Night concert and received Berklee's yearly North American tour scholarship. Other notable performances include playing electric guitar for Taiwanese Pop Stars Kevin Lin And Kay Huang at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts for over 1500 people.
An active recording guitarist, David released two original music EPs on iTunes in 2015. David excels in blues rock, instrumental music, rock/metal, pop and acoustic guitar including fingerpicking. In addition to his music degree from Berklee College of Music David has several years of teaching experience and a degree in Biological Science from the University of Calgary.
Read MoreDylan Cooney is a talented performer and dedicated teacher. Dylan is currently in the BMus program at the University of Calgary with a focus on classical guitar. He has 10 years experience performing various rock, pop, classical, and country genres in and around Calgary. Performances include the University of Calgary, cafes, weddings, and private venues.
Dylan has been teaching for over 3 years and is committed to being a role model to his students. He is passionate about music and guitar with a strong desire to share this love of music with his students. Dylan's teaching style is focused on creating individual lesson plans as well as exploring what has drawn the student to music and the guitar. As students advance, Dylan incorporates instruction in theory, note reading, improvisation, and technique. He works with his students to develop their own personal repertoire of songs. Key to Dylan’s success in teaching is ensuring that practice is fun and personally rewarding for all students.
Read MoreJames has a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing & Production from Berklee College of Music and has been teaching and playing professionally for 6 years. James enjoys teaching jazz, rock and indie music.
James teaches students songs they enjoy listening to by ear and through sheet music. He has an array of teaching materials and musical activities that help foster a love of music. James is happy to teach students music for their own personal enjoyment, for bands they play in, or for school.
James teaches guitar for all ages and skill levels as well as beginner and intermediate piano.
Read MoreAn extremely talented Malaysian-born musician, Lone has taught guitar, ukulele, bass guitar and drums for over 18 years. He has a wide range of experience with a diverse group of students having taught all styles of music to children as young as three years old, and adults up to 75 years old, in two countries – Malaysia and Canada, as well as internationally through online channels.
Over the years, Lone has developed his own distinctive and versatile style of teaching. His lessons are tailor-made for each individual student’s learning style and experience to keep interest and enthusiasm levels up. Lone also encourages his students to push through their comfort zones and improve their skills through performances and various music activities.
Lone is a passionate musician and a well-loved music teacher. He is dedicated to sharing his love of music and cultivating the musical talents and abilities of his students and music lovers everywhere.
Lone Chu can teach lessons in English, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese, and Malay.
Read MoreMichelle Kyle is a performer and music educator based in Calgary, Alberta. Originally from Manitoba, Michelle has been performing since she was 12 years old, playing a wide variety of venues and styles. Michelle can be seen performing anything from coffee shops to pit bands or jazz ensembles. After being inspired by her band teachers Michelle decided to study jazz guitar at Brandon University where she completed a bachelor of music and education. She has nearly 10 years of experience teaching private lessons from ages 5 to 65 and has taught concert band, jazz band and guitar in classroom settings.
Michelle is passionate about helping others experience the joy and community that music has brought her. Michelle believes that music is for everyone and works hard to adjust every lesson to suit each student's individual goals and interests.
Read MoreFor nearly half a century, Ryan Aguilar has been immersed in music. At the tender age of six he began tinkering away on the piano and shortly after, picked up guitar, bass, ukulele, and vocals. His naturally gifted ear revealed an almost sixth sense for replicating the tunes he heard on his grandmother’s radio. He was insatiable. Soon, Ryan found himself at college for piano and vocals and then university, majoring in piano performance at Southwest Texas State. Since 1993 he has played in several quintessential Texan rock and country bands (Derringer, Sheila Marshall, The Triumphs) touring the southern US, Canada, and even into Mexico. Then in 2003, he felt nudged to give back all he gained on the stage—he began to teach others how to be rock stars. His personal mantra, ‘practice as joy’, sets the tone for each lesson. Watching students’ faces light up when a piece comes together is what continues to stoke the fires of his musical and teaching passion.
Read MoreRyan Ronksley completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Calgary for classical guitar in 2009. In April of 2006, he received a Music Performance Diploma from Mount Royal College. Ryan enjoys teaching all types of music such as rock, pop, classical, folk, acoustic, bass, and flamenco. Ryan has taught acoustic, electric and bass guitar for over sixteen years at Chinook School of Music.
Read MoreTony Zazula was born and raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He has 16 year of musical experience which includes performing and teaching since 2017 and composing for over a decade. Tony also created his own Youtube channel, Zazulastudios which highlights his guitar performances of standard repertoire, original compositions and his arrangements of anime and game music.
Tony began his formal college training in Grande Prairie and then moved to Lethbridge, Alberta to further his studies in classical guitar performance. It was at the University of Lethbridge that he further developed his craft, knowledge and love for the classical guitar - graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree.
Tony can help you prepare for an RCM exam, a university audition, or to develop your understanding of music and hone your skills further. His teaching style is focused on building a strong foundation to help every student succeed in their musical goals.
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