Melanie Pos comes from Pictou County, Nova Scotia. She grew up taking part in as many musical opportunities as possible, from playing percussion in school band, singing in musicals and music festivals, to the provincial choir and jazz programs.

While earning her Bachelor of Music Degree at Acadia University, Melanie’s studies focused on classical vocal performance. She performed in university recitals, operas, musicals and choirs while also studying music theory, history and furthering her piano skills. On top of coming from a family of music teachers, studying vocal pedagogy inspired her to teach and pass on her passion and knowledge to others.

Melanie specializes in classical voice and beginner piano. She also loves teaching and performing a variety of singing styles including musical theatre, jazz, pop and rock. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help others develop a strong foundation in healthy technique and understanding of music, to see them develop pride and confidence in reaching their goals. And having fun doing it!

Whether you want to learn how to play piano for the first time, to improve your karaoke skills, or you’re ready to prepare for public performances, music festivals or Royal Conservatory exams, Melanie will help you with a smile.

Adam Mansfield is an honors graduate from Humber College’s Bachelor of Music program. During his studies, he had the privilege of learning from world-class drummers such as Marito Marques and Joaquin Hidalgo and was honored with the ‘Mark Kelso Award’ for exceptional talent in his first year. Adam’s deep passion for music and dedication to his craft have led him to perform alongside a diverse array of esteemed musicians, including Brownman Ali (Montreal Grand Prix de Jazz award winner), Nick Maclean (2023 Juno Nominee), Vasyl Popadiuk (world-touring violin virtuoso), Oleg Skrypka (Ukrainian punk rock icon), Dr. Aslan Gotov (renowned Canadian-Russian composer and arranger), and Josh Cohen (multi-award-winning electric bass virtuoso).

In addition to his steadfast commitment to his instrument and creative pursuits, Adam finds great joy in mentoring others in their drumming journey. Whether working with beginners or advanced students, he is enthusiastic about meeting them where they are and helping them achieve their goals, whether for casual enjoyment or a more dedicated practice.

Alyssa Giammaria is a vocalist and composer based in Toronto. Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Alyssa has been involved in the arts from when she was four. She grew up performing in musicals and studying Royal Conservatory of Music piano and voice until pursuing jazz at her hometown college, Mohawk. Since then she has studied at The New School in Manhattan and has recently completed her master’s of music at the University of Toronto. She released her debut EP, “Moments” in 2021 with a seven piece band of her own compositions and arrangements, and released her first full length album with her quintet, “In Time” in September 2023. 

Alyssa has been teaching voice, piano and theory lessons since 2017 and prioritizes encouraging students’ creativity while developing a technical foundation that is tailored to their individual interests.

Andrew Furlong has been active as a bass player and guitarist since 2005, first in Edmonton and, since 2012, in Toronto. In 2016 he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, following a 2010 Performance degree from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton. Previous to these academic pursuits, Andrew spent many years learning by ear and teaching himself guitar and piano. All of this education has found a place in Andrew’s teaching method, which he has been sharing with students of all ages since 2008
 Andrew enjoys teaching all styles of music and is focused on helping students learn the music they are interested in playing, including rock, folk and pop styles, as well providing theoretical and technical knowledge as needed. As a teacher he aims to tailor lessons for each student, emphasizing the fun in music, while helping each student explore their own creativity and interests. As a performer, Andrew is active locally in Toronto and nationally with his co-led group Luscar, as well as improvising ensembles with some of the city’s best musicians, including Ken Aldcroft, Joe Sorbara, and Colin Fisher. In Summer 2016, Andrew was awarded first place in The Emerging Artist series at the Sudbury Jazz Festival for his duo with vocalist Laura Swankey.


LUSCAR.ORG

Bennett Rouleau is a Toronto based Saxophonist and Composer. He is a recent graduate from the Jazz program at the University of Toronto, receiving a bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance. As a performer, Bennett’s musical background is varied, beginning with classical training on the violin and including experience in rock and pop as a keyboardist and guitarist as well as numerous jazz settings on the alto and tenor saxophone. As a saxophonist, Bennett is known to be an expressive and passionate improvisor. Compositionally, he pulls on a wide breadth of influences from classical and jazz music to the sounds of nature and the city, with the resulting approach being heavily focused on musical texture and timbre. His work as a film composer has been featured in several festivals across Canada. As a teacher, he believes a broad appreciation for music and a solid foundation of fundamentals is the key to fostering progress. Additionally, he believes a unique approach is necessary for every student and approaches his teaching with this adaptability in mind.

Jennifer Pos is a pianist and trumpet player from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. She was born missing her left hand, but that has not stopped her in pursuing her goals as a musician. She began playing piano when she was 8 years old and frequently participated in the New Glasgow Music Festival and Nova Scotia Honour Jazz throughout her childhood and adolescence. In 2015, she completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Humber College in Jazz Performance. She is equally adept at classical music, and earned her Grade 9 piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music with first class honors with distinction.

Jennifer’s teaching style has a strong emphasis on understanding the fundamentals of learning music and applying them in practical situations. She draws upon her 10 years of teaching experience to create the best lesson plan for each individual’s needs. Jennifer is well versed in classical music, jazz, rock, pop, and many other styles, which allows her to help students to learn music in a variety of genres. Her students have had success on their exams, in music festivals, and on their university auditions. Jennifer has experience teaching students with both mental and physical disabilities. Being an arm amputee who plays piano, she understands how to think outside the box and to be creative in order help any student succeed.

As a performer, Jennifer leads and writes music for Strike Scream Run, a jazz fusion band based in Toronto. Strike Scream Run released an EP in 2015 and can be found performing at a number of venues in Toronto and Hamilton, including Lee’s Palace, The Painted Lady, Junction City Music Hall, and The Doors Pub. In addition to Strike Scream Run, Jennifer be found playing with The Purcell Project, playing various jazz gigs, or working as an accompanist. Jennifer also played trumpet in the Medieval Times show, The Northman.

Also see:

www.jenniferposmusic.com

www.strikescreamrun.com

What is it to remain sensitive in an increasingly distracted world?

Toronto-based artist Marshall Jacklin pries this question open with every note that leaves his mouth. Trained at York University as a pianist and vocalist, Jacklin has crafted a distinct sound that bridges the past, present, and future. Influences such as Ravel, Monk, Simone, Newman, DangerMouse, and Sparklehorse converge in Jacklin’s sonic universe. His approach merges classic songwriting and traditional arranging with modern production techniques—think string quartets over 808 beats, musique concrète blending with wavetable synthesis, and Harry Nilsson-inspired harmonies enveloping Carver-esque narrative lyricism.

 “I am primarily interested in what songs can be, in a belief that they can exist beyond emotional immediacy; the form can express complex stories with the same diversity of subject and nuance as film, literature, or painting,” Jacklin says.

Following two live recordings in the summer of 2023, Jacklin released his first official single under his own name on November 23rd, 2023. A complete reworking of the emo classic “Came Out Swinging” by The Wonder Years, the song was featured on blogs Surviving The Golden Age and Tinnitist, and received airplay on numerous Canadian college radio stations. His subsequent two singles, “Movement” and “Salt,” were both featured on Exclaim’s The Eh List and received press from Canadian Beats and Obscure Sound. Currently, he is putting the finishing touches on his debut EP, “Your Hands – From Mine,” scheduled for release in late 2024.

A complete artist, Jacklin writes, produces, performs, arranges, and records his material. He has graced stages across Canada, connecting audiences with his crushed-velvet tenor and keyboard virtuosity. During his formative years, he performed alongside rising Ontario acts like Aysanabee, Jeremie Albino, and Ten Kills The Pack, and has opened for indie legends Dizzy and Chastity as a member of the band Native Other. Recently, at The Listening Party—an event showcasing new music from emerging artists held at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre—Jacklin’s latest piece left the audience in awed silence.

If you feel a wish to remember the immense beauty and gravity of everyday living, this music is for you.

Nirvana is a saxophonist/multi instrumentalist/composer and arranger who is currently a student at Humber College in the Bachelors of music program. Her musical journey began when she started playing classical piano at the age of 10 where she would continue her training for 7 years on the instrument. During this time, Nirvana also picked up the flute at the age of 12, then the tenor saxophone at age of 14. After finding her voice on the saxophone, she decided to pursue her musical as her journey by auditioning for music programs and big bands in the GTA. Moreover, her training primarily consisted of classical piano and saxophone during her high school years at Cawthra Park Secondary school where she was accepted into the music program. Moving forward to 2015, Nirvana got her first taste of big band music when she joined the Etobicoke Jazz where she would be a member of until joining The Toronto All-Star Big Band in 2019. While in the Etobicoke Jazz Band, Nirvana had been awarded with the Judy Reynolds award from the organization. This award helped fund some of her school where in 2018 she had started Humber Collage’s Bachelor’s of Music program. Currently, Nirvana is playing shows around the GTA, as well as teaching piano and saxophone while attending school full time.

Robert Chapman is a guitarist from Hamilton, Ontario. As a teen, Robert completed his Grade 8 guitar studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music and also joined the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band, which awarded him a scholarship to attend Mohawk College’s music program. After graduating from Mohawk, he then completed his Bachelor’s of Music at Humber College in Toronto. Since graduating from school, Robert has been performing at many of Toronto’s premier jazz clubs, including The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, and The Jazz Bistro. He is also a member of the Brad Cheeseman Group, which won Montreal Jazz Festival’s coveted Grand Prix de Jazz in 2016. The band was also nominated for "Jazz Album of the Year (Solo)" at the 2018 JUNO Awards for their 2017 recording, The Tide Turns. Robert has been teaching guitar and piano lessons for over a decade. He has experience teaching many styles of music, including rock, pop, blues, jazz, and classical. The focus of his teaching is to provide a comfortable learning environment and have lessons that are geared towards each individual student’s learning style.

Savic has been an active musician and educator since 2008. Born and raised in Edmonton Alberta, he spent 10 years studying piano with Patricia Frehlich and completed his Grade 9 Practical Examination for the Royal Conservatory of Music. He went on to study saxophone at Grant MacEwan University where he completed diplomas in Jazz Performance and Composition. In 2011 Savic moved to Toronto and studied at Humber College under Pat Labarbera and Alex Dean. He completed his Bachelors Degree in Jazz and Contemporary music in 2014 and has been teaching and performing throughout the GTA since.

Savic tailors his teaching to each individual ensuring that every student is studying the material and the music that they are most interested in, while also maintaining a focus on fundamental skills such as reading musical notation, theoretical comprehension, and ear training. Savic believes that everyone can find something they love in the world of music and he works to guide his students to achieve whatever goals they have, whether that be completing examinations, performing in festivals, or learning songs for fun in their free time.

Teri Parker has been playing the piano for 28 years and completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Toronto in Jazz Performance and her Master's in Composition at York University. Originally classically trained, Teri earned her Grade 10 classical piano and Grade 5 theory with the Royal Conservatory of Music with first class honors. She has participated in numerous workshops including the Roma Summer Jazz Workshop in 2015, Banff Winter Creative Music Residency in 2013 and School of Improvised Music Brooklyn in 2009. In 2014 and 2018 she received study grants from the Ontario Arts Council to take lessons in New York City and Italy with piano greats Aaron Goldberg, Sophia Rosoff, Fred Hersch, Guillermo Klein and Enrico Pieranunzi.

Teri draws on her twenty years of teaching experience to share her joy of music with others and enjoys the challenge of creating an individual program for each student. Her varied musical background allows her to provide solid guidance to students pursuing many genres such as jazz, classical, pop and rock. Her teaching approach spells success for her students: she has led winning piano groups in competitions and many of her students have achieved high marks on their exams. Teri is also in demand as an examiner and adjudicator at the Niagara Conservatory and Milton Academy of Music and as a clinician at public schools and colleges across Canada.

As a performer, Teri leads her own groups the Teri Parker Quartet and Free Spirits. Her quartet features all original music and Free Spirits performs the music of Mary Lou Williams and Geri Allen; both ensembles have performed at jazz clubs throughout Canada such as the Rex, Upstairs, Manhattan’s and festivals such as the TD Toronto and Halifax Jazz Festivals. With the Parker-Abbott Duo (2010-17) Teri released three albums; Gallery in 2011, The Wayfinders in 2014 and Elevation in 2016 - each garnering positive reviews from the press and extensive radioplay. Parker has received numerous grants from the Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council to compose music and record music for her groups, and most recently released her album In the Past with the TPQ (2017). In addition to leading her own groups, Teri is an active member of the Torono jazz scene and the keyboardist for the Radiohead tribute band Idioteque

Also See

TeriParkerMusic.com