MODERN MUSIC STUDIO BARRIE
ABOUT US
Our music teachers are not only local award winning musicians, but possess years of experience working with young musical minds.
Bob Cole - Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Piano
Bob began teaching guitar in 2004 at one of the largest music schools in Canada. Bob has won awards as a singer songwriter, gigged in bands and as a solo artist, played and recorded with members of the Tragically Hip, shared the stage with Bedouin Soundclash and Sloan, shared representation with I Mother Earth, and engineered live sound at music venues across the country. He's also produced music that has been featured on "The Shot Canada Season 2" and writes and produces podcast theme songs. Bob grew up right here in Barrie, and now he has returned to share what he's learned over the years, hopefully spreading some of his enthusiasm and love for all things music along the way. Bob started the Modern Music Studio with the hope of building a community of young musicians, and providing a space for both young and old to discover their musical passions on their own terms.
Kenny Parry - Vocals, Drums
Kenny has been involved in music from a very early age, starting with drums at 2 years old! Since then he has become a multi-instrumentalist, lead vocalist and songwriter, forming the band progressive metal band Jupiter Hollow in 2015. Kenny studied at Centennial College in the Music Industry Arts Program where he developed knowledge and awareness of his talents as both a performer and teacher. Kenny now has years of experience as a performing vocalist with songwriting and recording experience. He can help singers expand their skills and confidence while helping them to learn to protect and understand the fragility of their instrument. Kenny brings a passion for music to every lesson, and believes most importantly that his student should learn the songs they want to learn, while having fun and leaving every lesson feeling rewarded for following their own passion.
Sammy Johnston - Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Bass, Vocals
Sam is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, as well as a recent music graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University. She fronts a local heavy blues & rock band Sammy & the Band, and in 2021 she won the Orillia & District Arts Council Emerging Artist award. Sam enjoys many genres of music from blues to heavy metal and everything in between, and she is also a huge lover of music theory and the technical aspects behind a song. Sam loves to share knowledge and hopes to bring a fun and exciting atmosphere to new musicians!
Nathaniel Rice - Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Bass, Vocals
Nathaniel Rice is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and independent recording artist from Georgian Bay. Nathaniel has been playing and writing music for over 15 years, and has studied music at Fanshawe College's renowned Music Industry Arts program. Nathaniel's primary areas of expertise are electric and acoustic guitar, banjo and vocals, and he is also proficient in piano, bass, and music production. With experience both studying and teaching music, Nathaniel believes learning an instrument should be fun, and caters to all musical interests and experience levels.
Alondra Vega-Zaldivar - Piano, Vocal
Cuban-born Alondra Vega-Zaldivar is a composer, performer and teacher residing in Barrie, Ontario, where she vehemently strives to promote and disseminate contemporary music. Her pieces have been performed across Canada, the United States and reaching as far as Milna, Croatia. She is the founder, curator and performer/composer of the Art Song Collaborative Project (ASCP) which brings Canadian and International composers together for the collaboration of a new opera through art songs. Since 2016 Alondra has produced, performed and composed for 6 operas through art song.
Alondra is also a part of the Advisory Board for the Canadian Music Centre.
Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh - Drums, Guitar, Bass
Nate has over 20 years experience, the last 10 devoted to playing in original bands as well as being a hired live/session musician in the GTA. Nate covers all genres from latin, afro-cuban, funk, and fusion, to hard rock and metal. With patience and keeping things fun, he will having you grooving and shredding in no time!
Adam Crossman- Guitar, Bass, Piano, Drums
Adam is an award winning solo acoustic guitarist and composer. He has been playing and performing professionally for over 10 years, he has toured internationally through Canada, USA, and has successfully performed a solo concert series throughout China. In 2015, he won 2nd place at The Canadian Guitar festival international fingerstyle guitar competition. Adam has been highly recognized by the progressive guitar community and labels such as (CandyRat Records & FretMonkey Records) He has been teaching throughout Durham Region & Kawartha Lakes in an academic geared environment for over 7+ years. Adam has a strong passion for teaching and sharing concepts and ideas, and guiding you along on your guitar journey!
Jane Law - Piano, Vocal
Jane is an accomplished pianist and piano instructor, having won awards for her instruction in her homeland of China. She holds a degree in piano performance from the esteemed Berkeley College in New York, as well as a degree in Education from Western University in London. She is multi-lingual, fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and even knows some French! She has taught music in North America for over 5 years, and finds that making lessons fun and engaging, using games and finding songs that kids can connect with is the best way toward building a lifelong love of music for young learners.
Aiden Butterworth - Guitar, Bass, Drums
Aiden is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter with years of experience performing live and recording music with acts such as progressive metal outfit “Colony” and melodic hardcore punk outfit “Rosewood Annie”. Aiden got his start playing bass at age 10 when him and his friends wanted to make a band. Learning tunes by Billy Talent and the RHCP led to a lifelong passion and love for the bass guitar that led him into genres such as jazz fusion and metal. In high-school, Aiden gained experience travelling and competing with school concert and jazz bands. Around this time Aiden played bass for several musical productions including “RENT” and “Miss Saigon” where he solidified his musical theory knowledge and sight-reading abilities. He believes there is value in all genres of music, and you should play what inspires you. Aiden loves to share his passion for music with students of all ages and abilities.
Sabrina Merks - Vocals, Clarinet
Sabrina has over five years of experience as a performer, director, and choreographer in the Canadian arts industry. As an arts educator, Sabrina's ultimate goal is to motivate individuals and drive them to achieve their personal and artistic purposes. Sabrina is passionate about empowering and inspiring the next generation, working to develop bold and confident artists. Mx. Merks is a true triple threat singing, dancing, and acting educator. Sabrina's approach incorporates techniques like somatic voice work and Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract (SOVT) exercises, which they find incredibly effective in helping students build healthy vocal techniques and improve their overall performance. Additionally, Sabrina's experience as a stage director and performer has given them a unique perspective on integrating technical skills with expressive performance, which they strive to impart to their students.
Friday Night Jam Nights
Our Friday Jam Night crew meets every Friday night at 730 pm at the studio to play songs together in a band setting (led by one of our fantastic teachers). There are multiple opportunities for the band to perform throughout the year, including at the Santa Claus parade in November, at our biannual concerts at the Five Points Theatre in December and June and at Innisfil’s Music in the Park in August. We have 3 sessions and we try to combine students with similar interests and abilities. Cost is just $10/week and we run this as an open house format (meaning any may attend, and no committment is necessary).
TO FIND OUT WHAT WE ARE UP TO CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
Modern Music Studio
111 Toronto st. Barrie, Ontario
705-770-0826
modernmusicbarrie@gmail.com
© Modern Music Studio 2021