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Music Teacher Bios at 12 String Studios Music School Saskatoon

 * To view a list of all our instructors: CLICK HERE

GUITAR/SONGWRITING/UKULELE

Micheal Lander - Click here to Register with Micheal

Songwriter and Guitar Specialist Micheal Lander has taught for 12 String Studios since 2004 and has a strong foundation of Blues, Rock, Country, Classical, and Jazz influence. Even with over 25 years experience and studying music under the tutelage of two Juno Award winning musicians: Hugh Fraser and Brad Turner, he still continues to learn new things to improve his craft and share it with anybody interested in learning. A Top 25 Finalist for a Canadian Songwriting Competition regarding his song called "Long, Cold Run", Micheal also leads the Songwriters Association of Canada Saskatoon Regional Writers Group

From his lessons, you'll find he brings a warm and comfortable environment to students of any age above the age of six. Not only will he teach you how to play songs you know and love, he can and will teach you how to improve your technical ability and musical knowledge through physical exercises and theory studies which can apply to all songs. One of his greatest attributes is his ability to teach improvisation and analyze songwriting.

“My guitar playing has definitely improved thanks to Micheal. The quality of musical instruction and education is great especially if you put the time and effort into honing your skills!” - Lucy V. 

GUITAR/BASS/UKULELE

Sean - Gr. 8 RCM  Click here to Register with Sean

Sean has been playing guitar since 2005, and has been teaching since 2012. He has won numerous awards in guitar including the Metis Recognition Award, and the Award for the highest grade in Guitar throughout Saskatoon. Sean is currently studying at the University of Saskatchewan towards a PhD in Musicology. Sean specializes in Classical and Rock/Metal genres of guitar, but there is no style of guitar that he cannot play. Other genres of skill include Flamenco, Jazz, Blues, Folk, World Music, Video Game/Television Soundtracks, and much more. In addition to guitar Sean is also able to teach Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Double Bass (both with and without a bow), Banjo, and Lute. Beyond performance Sean has a strong grasp on theory and music history, and can teach music theory. Sean also plays in an active, local Rock band called Witherfire as lead guitarist and vocalist.

Putting a strong emphasis on performance practices, Sean offers a challenging repertoire of sequences and songs that will put you, the student, on the fast track to guitar wizardry. Lessons are tailored to the individual students’ needs, starting with fundamentals and leading to transcriptions of any song the student desires. Preparation for University level music auditions are available upon request, and Sean is able to teach the Royal Conservatory of Music. Theory Workshops that are designed to prepare a musician for University auditions are available to any music student regardless of instrument.

PIANO and/or VOICE

Chandra - Piano - RCM 8  Click here to register with Chandra

Chandra Hollands teaches piano and loves to bring her practical experiences to the joys of playing - especially for young beginners! Music has been a constant companion for Chandra. She sang as soon as she could talk and started piano lessons as soon as she could reach the keys. Growing up, she took every opportunity she could to learn an instrument or perform in a group, accumulating skills on the ukulele, bass guitar, and a few band instruments along the way. 

After 10 years of formal piano training, Chandra focused on keyboarding and accompaniment for a smatterings of projects with friends and family. She loves bringing these two worlds together in her teaching, combining the structure of method books and the flexibility of interest-lead learning to grow each student’s skills and enthusiasm in playing while maintaining a functional understanding of music theory. Chandra has a wide range of experience working with kids and is passionate about facilitating learning through interactive fun. She incorporates the intention and flexibility she’s learned in children’s programming into lesson time with students of all ages, especially the youngest ones.

Paulette - Piano - RCM 10 Click here to register with Paulette

Bringing 25 years of piano teaching experience, Paulette guides students throughout their process of discovering, developing, and sharing their authentic musical talent. With connection and communication, together they will uncover a student’s personal learning style to create an approach that supports the acquisition of the principles of music. Her students will explore a wide repertoire from classical to contemporary and jazz that will spark curiosity and ignite creativity. While learning and refining technical abilities and artistry, students will experience the joy that comes with the development of their musicianship. Performance opportunities throughout the year will allow students to showcase their progress and talent while enhancing confidence and composure.

Carson - Piano/Voice  Click here to register with Carson

Carson first fell in love with music at six, playing piano at his grandparents and singing everywhere he went, but he didn't fall in love with learning about it until his first band class playing the alto saxophone. Obsessed with learning the "why?" factor behind every good sound, Carson would continue his musical education mentoring under soul/r&b producer Roy Hamilton III and later video game sound designer G.W Childs. He would go on to work for MK's Music Management at their studio in Atlanta, Georgia as Executive Producer where he worked with dozens of artists on hundreds of songs over thousands of hours in studio. While doing so, he found his passion for teaching, especially in regards to vocals and songwriting. 

Carson focuses on rhythm, timing, and helping students to sink in with the music. He loves giving students the moment of everything coming together, and introducing them to the emotions of music. He believes creativity is massively important towards learning, and helps to nurture student's confidence by exploring unique concepts and learning strategies. 

Leslie - RCM 9 - Piano/Voice Click here to register with Leslie

Leslie was born in Toronto Canada and is a Royal Conservatory trained and platinum selling recording artist (The Pursuit of Happiness, Universal Honey, Tucker Lane). She has put out 11 albums, has had songs on the radio, as well as placements in over 50 television shows and movies. Her first instrument was piano, which she started playing at the age of 4. As a teen she fell in love with the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, so she took up the guitar and started singing and writing songs.  She received training from top professionals in the music industry on all her instruments and vocals. Her father being a top Canadian trumpet player who played on hundreds of recordings and live shows with some of the world’s greatest artists (Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, etc.)..  Her vocals were featured throughout the movie “Stone Angel”, which received a Genie award for the score. Leslie has toured the world and played hundreds of shows and now calls Saskatoon her home with her fellow musician and recording artist husband along with their musical son. They are truly a musical family with her and her husband constantly releasing new music. With accomplishing so much Leslie now loves to share her knowledge and experience with anyone who is eager to learn and who loves music. She teaches piano and voice to most levels and all ages.

Leslie likes to meet the students where they are in their journey with music.  She likes to make the experience of learning music fun and something to look forward to while incorporating structure and sharing her professional knowledge to achieve both.  Through the joy of music that Leslie has and loves to share students will gain the importance of theory, technique, ear training and musicality as she builds her lessons that way.  Leslie believes that music provides a lifetime of joy and wants to instill that in her students.

Celestia - Piano Beginner - Click here to register with Celestia

Celestia first started her piano lessons at eight with her music teacher in high school who had lightened the passion for piano for her where she fell in love with letting herself follow the feeling of the melodies. She eventually realized that she was interested in spreading the joy of playing piano to everyone interested in learning. 

Celestia loves to assist students in their journey to find their enthusiasm for learning piano. She wants to help them learn and acquaint themselves with the piano through easy, funny, and sustainable techniques and theory, letting them feel the joy and confidence in learning piano the moment those discrete sounds become a beautiful melodious melody.