ABOUT US
Michael Johnston Music Studio
119A Roncesvalles Ave.
Toronto ON
M6R 2K9
The Michael Johnston Music Studio teaches and celebrates music rooted in traditions of diverse Canadian communities. We are comfortable working in many musical styles: folk, pop, jazz, classical, blues, rock, country, indie, and various world musics.
Founded in Toronto in 2006 by Michael Johnston and his wife, Annie McDonald, the Michael Johnston Music Studio provides a wide range of music lessons to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
The Michael Johnston Music Studio started with a handful of students taking lessons in our apartment on Geoffrey Street in 2006.
From 2007 - 2010, hundreds of students came to our home studio on Ridley Gardens for lessons on piano, guitar, accordion, voice, songwriting, recording, and theory.
In September 2010, a new chapter began for the Michael Johnston Music Studio, with a dedicated music studio now open at 119A Roncesvalles Avenue.
Our 4th annual Michael Johnston Music Studio Student Recital and Spring Celebration, held on April 2, 2011 featured over 70 student performers playing piano, guitar and singing on stage at Hugh's Room in Toronto.
We love what we do!
"Keep playing."
(We'd trademark it if we knew how)
We believe that music lessons should be, above all, fun.
Challenging, inspiring, eclectic, reflective, engaging, disciplined - yes! - but isn't it time we all accepted that music-making should be, at its very core, joyful!
Over the years, we have made a simple but powerful discovery: if a student enjoys playing, playing (and progress) will continue.
We believe that feeling comfortable with the fundamentals is the first step on the road to a lifetime of musical enjoyment. We encourage our students to be involved with making decisions about what songs and artists they'd like to study; we supply arrangements and instruction based around that material.
The "Glee" songbook? The theme from "Le Destin Fabuleux d'Amelie?" Your favourite Neil Young song? The snippet of a tune that you made up yourself, that you think might make a great song? All are good starting points! Of course, we have our own suggestions and favourites that we're happy to share.
We welcome everyone; our only pre-requisite is a love of music, and a desire to learn.
From "The Little Paper" (April 2011), check out a profile of Scarlett, one of our students, here
piano/keyboards/voice/accordion/songwriting/recording/theory/ear training
With over 15 years of teaching experience, Michael Johnston is one of Toronto's most in-demand piano/accordion/vocal instructors. An honours graduate in Music and English from the University of Guelph, Michael brings together classical technique, folk traditions, pop sensibilities and an unwavering ear for his students.
Writes former CBC personality and student Philly Markowitz: "Michael's approach is active, engaged and intuitive - he cuts right to the chase so you'll be creating the music you want faster than you expected."
Writes student Tom Robson: "Lessons with Michael far exceeded my expectations. His gift of fusing the rudiments of musical theory with joy and spontaneity is refreshing. Every session was a musical retreat amidst my hectic urban schedule, as I always walked out of each lesson tapping my hand whistling a new tune.
"Above all, Michael takes a learner-centered approach and works to build on your existing musical interests and talents. He gets excited with his students through a supportive, energetic and focused style. His love of music, in all its forms, has inspired me to continue..."
Lori Cullen
acoustic guitar/voice/songwriting/recording/ear training
With several years of teaching experience, Lori Cullen also brings to our studio an interest in technology - she loves to record students using her portable recording equipment.
In addition to her fluency in many styles of guitar playing, Lori carries an enthusiasm for helping vocal students connect with their voices.
Lori's eclectic musical style lies at the crossroads of folk, jazz, pop and experimental music. Lori has released 5 albums, one of which, "Calling For Rain", was a Juno nominee for best vocal jazz album in 2006. She has performed at folk festivals, jazz clubs and coffeehouses across Canada and South Korea.
Lori has recorded with the True North Brass Ensemble, Owen Pallett (The Arcade Fire) and Jory Nash. Her 2011 recording, "The Certain Chartreuse", features brilliant interpretations of both jazz standards and modern songs.
Charles James
acoustic & electric guitar/electric & upright bass/piano/voice/theory/ear training
Since graduating with honours from the Humber College music program, Charles James has been active on the Toronto music scene playing with a number of critically acclaimed acts, encompassing a wide variety of styles.
Charles has been performing and recording with Anne Lindsay (Blue Rodeo), as well as being a regular member of Scott McCord and the Bonafide Truth, Alejandra Ribera and Michelle Willis. Charles also writes, records and performs his own material.
Charles has also been teaching for several years to enthusiastic students of all ages. His fun, encouraging, hands-on approach brings out the best in his students. He is thrilled to be offering his years of knowledge and experience at Michael Johnston's Music Studio!
Kelly-Anne Vander Meer
piano/accordion/voice/percussion/theory/ear training
From leading percussion workshops for retirees in Kingston, to teaching community piano lessons in Peru, to directing choir rehearsals in Eastern Ontario, Kelly-Anne Vander Meer has over seven years of diverse teaching experience, integrating creativity, theory, technique, ear training, and above all, fun into lessons.
Kelly-Anne was formally trained in classical piano, choral singing, and music education at York University and Queen's University, graduating from Queen's with a B.Mus in 2005. She then completed a Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto where she studied music pedagogy and community arts.
Kelly-Anne has studied Latin percussion for the past eleven years, both locally, with Rick Lazar as a member of Toronto's Samba Squad; and in Lima, Peru, where she received instruction from Afro-Peruvian drumming master Emma Cardenas. Since 2005, she has been involved with the local community organization Drum Artz.
"Sharing music with others is such a source of joy for me. I am over the moon about teaching at the studio, where I know the goal of teaching is to foster a love of music."
drums/piano/guitar/voice/songwriting/recording
A graduate of the Etobicoke School of the Arts, and former student at Humber College's esteemed music program (as a drum major), Steven Foster is an enthusiastic and energetic musician who thrives in situations here he has the opportunity to teach and learn.
Steven has been active in the Toronto music scene as a drummer, guitarist, singer and songwriter, and his work with Toronto group Donlands + Mortimer has recently been heard nation wide through television placements and songs in two films screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Steven strives to be creative in every aspect of music, whether it's writing, practicing or performing, and likes to pass on this spirit of musical curiosity and exploration to his students. Steven loves teaching, as it gives him a unique way to explore how different people learn and express themselves through music; and several years of teaching experience have prepared him to work with people of various learning styles effectively.
Steven is looking forward to meeting new students at Michael Johnston Studio this year!
piano/theory/jazz/improvisation/classical
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Joel graduated from the renowned Humber College music program. A versatile pianist, Joel is the musical director for chanteuse Alejandra Ribera. He leads his own jazz ensemble - Trace Element - and performs across Toronto in a wide variety of styles including folk, funk, R&B, latin, and rock.
After some occasional supply work at Michael Johnston Music Studio last year, Joel will be joining the staff of teachers at the studio for the 2011-2012 year.
guitar/voice/songwriting/recording/piano
A fixture in John McDermott's touring band, Brian is a well-loved singer-songwriter and multi-insrumentalist who has released three solo albums. He appears on recordings by Barenaked Ladies, Wailin' Jennys, Garth Hudson and our very own Lori Cullen.
He has mentored youth performers at the OCFF (Ontario Council of Folk Festivals) conference and created music programs for Where are the Mothers (an art project pairing musicians with women living in the Toronto shelter system) and CICO (Community In Community Out, an alternative school).
Brian has a warm personality, fantastic sense of humour and gentle spirit. He will join the staff of teachers at the studio for the 2011-2012 year.
guitar/piano/voice/songwriting/recording
A Toronto native, Suzy Wilde grew up in a musical family and began performing, composing and teaching at an early age. Growing up, she studied classical piano and voice through the Royal Conservatory and eventually broadened her focus to include musical theatre, folk and jazz. She also became interested in guitar, teaching herself to play and developing a passion for songwriting as a teen.
She has since graduated from Humber college where she earned her Bachelor of Applied Music, majoring in vocal performance and composition. A passionate, caring and energetic teacher with years of experience, Suzy has a knack for recognizing and targeting the true potential in all of her students.
piano/fiddle/improvisation/composition
Emilyn loves teaching, especially when it comes to sharing her passion for music. Having begun to give lessons when she herself was just 14 years old, she has had experience teaching private lessons to students of all ages and levels, in workshop settings and intensive camp settings.
A classically-trained pianist, Emilyn has also developed a unique method of teaching piano which includes a combination of learning by ear, reading music, and self expression through improvisation. She also thrives in sharing her love of playing with chords on the piano with those who are only used to playing with sheet music. She has a special way of breaking down the barriers of sheet music for those who want to use their ear more and let their fingers be dictated by their ear.
Emilyn has taught as a fiddle instructor, piano instructor, and led various workshops including improvising, ensemble work, and composition.
Emilyn studied closely with world-renowned violinist and producer Oliver Schroer. Together they worked on various projects, including the Smithers album (Big Dog Music, 2007); they also collaborated on a number of fiddle and piano duets. In 2010, Emilyn released her solo piano project, Holding Time, featuring 12 improvisations recorded just weeks after losing her good friend and mentor to leukemia.
Emilyn has recently returned to Toronto after a year spent studying music in Holland and we are delighted to have her join our studio community
piano/voice/songwriting/accordion
Originally from Stratford, Ontario, Anika Johnson grew up in a musical family and studied classical voice and piano before getting a BFA from Ryerson Theatre School. She maintains a diverse career of performing, writing and teaching; credits include international touring with CORPUS DanceProjects, two original musicals (presented at Summerworks and Factory 161 in Stratford), seasons with Drayton Entertainment and the Stratford Festival, and the recent launch of Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute Band!
Anika is passionate about sharing her love for music and the performing arts and is thrilled to be teaching at Michael Johnston Music Studio.
Please email: mail@michaeljohnston.ca for all inquiries.
The studio is located at 119A Roncesvalles Ave. in Toronto.
Please contact us for our studio policy and fees for the 2011- 12 studio year.