* Please note: All of our instructors are not listed here. For more information on the instructor best suited for you, please contact us!
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
Carson - 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 - 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.
Liz - RCM: Gr. 8 Voice, Gr. 9 Piano - Click here to register with Liz
Liz (she/her) is a singer and actor originally from Treaty One Territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba). Studying piano since the age of 4, she considers herself a lifelong musician and a lifelong learner. Through her parents’ vinyl collection, Liz fell in love with classic musicals like The Sound of Music and Oliver - this eventually turned into a full-blown obsession with musical theatre, prompting her parents to finally put her into voice lessons. Her love of music and singing only continued to grow, eventually turning into a career. In 2015, she acquired her BA: Honours in Theatre from the University of Winnipeg, and has continued to study classical, musical theatre and pop vocal styles with teachers across the country. As an actor, she has worked professionally in Toronto, Winnipeg and Saskatoon performing with such theatre companies as Rainbow Stage, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Studio Theatre, and, this upcoming season, Saskatoon’s own Persephone Theatre.
Liz’s goal as a teacher is help students find joy in performing, whether they are performing for others or just for themselves. She wants to help them learn healthy, sustainable techniques; explore many styles and genres of music; and to create a space where they feel empowered and confident. She has experience working with beginner and intermediate pianists, and singers age 8 and up.
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.