Katy Maltby – Vocals
Katy started singing as soon as she could talk but her love affair with the art of voice began when she was 7. Singing in a local children’s choir, as well as musical productions held by Perth Musical Academy of Theater (Annie, West Side Story) she grew fonder of being on stage. This led her to solo work where she participated in local competitions like Valley Idol, Kanata Centrum Star Search and Stars on the Rise (held annually at the Ottawa Ex). And while enjoying the feeling of winning competitions felt great, her reason for competing was more about being able to share her gift while helping others discover their own gift for music. “It’s an indescribable feeling….”
Teacher Skills and Strengths: Making students feel as comfortable as possible, all the while encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone (“something I should have been taught long ago”); to introduce students to the true depth of how singing can touch every emotion within themselves, and those they choose to share their talent with
Tobias Meis – Double Bass
Tobias has been playing bass for over twenty years and teaching for six. He has made music his life and has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Calgary. Throughout his career he has played a huge assortment of musical styles including jazz, folk, celtic, latin acoustic and electric projects. He has worked as a session recording artist on many albums, as a bassist in several symphonies, and has gigged in the Folk, Indie, and Jazz scene in Victoria and Calgary. As a teacher he enjoys including theory and harmony on the instrument while his students progress through learning tunes and technique on electric or acoustic bass. To find out more about him check him out at www.tobiasmeis.org.
Teacher Skills and Strengths: Student oriented teaching for any level, ability to teach any style, the BIG picture of bass playing; stand-up, electric, improvisation, tone, walking, theory groove…etc.
Harriet Lavoie – Piano
Harriet started playing piano at the age of 5 when her mom enrolled her in lessons after watching and hearing Harriet play around on her grandma’s piano. Today, her mom still has to listen to her. In high school Harriet was involved in the music department, and in grade 12 she was part of the band for the school’s production of /West Side Story/. At graduation she won the Musicianship Award. Since the age of 12 Harriet was taught by the amazing Kathryn Briggs. Kathryn’s belief of allowing students to play what they liked (a belief Harriet also follows) allowed Harriet to learn not only classical pieces, but also pop/country and movie selections. She is currently working on her university degree to become a teacher. When Harriet met Taylor Swift (yes, she really did meet Ms. Swift) she was certified by Taylor as being “so sweet.” Harriet enjoys showing students the joy music can bring to their lives, and watching students get excited about music.
Christa Lowry – Brass, Piano, Theory
Christa flirted with piano, flute and saxophone until, at the ripe age of 17, she found her calling as a trumpet player. She holds a Bachelor of Music from McGill and a double Masters Degree in Music from Laval University.
Although primarily a classical player, Christa is at home in the recording studio, and also plays in a Dixie band. She has performed with the symphonies in Ottawa, Gatineau, Kingston and Quebec City, as well as various ensembles in the Greater Toronto Area and has recently recorded for the Analekta label, TSN and CBC Radio.
Christa is a sought after teacher and clinician, working in both English and French. You’ll find her anywhere from the private studio, to cadet and summer camps to the university classroom, teaching you to toot your own horn!
Pierre Kusters – Cello
George Turcotte – Drums, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro, Ukulele
George Turcotte is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who fancies himself less of a master of any instrument but more of a guy who plays the song – and thereby reaches for whatever instrument would suit the song best, which is within his grasp. His strongest suit is the guitar, but he began his musical journey at age nine on drums. He has a solid understanding of music theory, and plays guitar, bass, drums, Dobro, mandolin, banjo & lap steel, and is passionate about songwriting and recording.
Peter Brown – Piano
Peter Brown has a reputation as one of the best keyboard players in the greater Ottawa area. Performing for the past 25 years, Peter is fluent in pop, jazz and blues styles. He has recorded CDs with Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo, The Boppin’ Blues Band, Drew Nelson and singer/songwriter Elyssa Mahoney. Some of Peter’s exceptional original tunes appear on two of the Boppin’ Blues CDs, as well as the latest CD by Mumbo Jumbo Voodoo Combo.
A couple of Peter’s career highlights include opening for B.B. King and playing with former Rolling Stone, Mick Taylor on his Canadian tour in August 2003. In Spring 2008, Peter released a CD of his own material with The Peter Brown Trio (his partners in crime are Chris Breitner and T. Bruce Wittet) entitled “Franklin Street”. www.peterbrown.ca
Al Miller – Guitar
Award-winning singer/songwriter and guitarist, Al Miller is a well respected member of the Ottawa music scene. Al’s versatility spans rock, blues and R & B but his real love is Reggae.
Al has opened for such noted bands as The Valerie Capers Trio from New York, the Jamaican band Yellowman, The Band and Lorain Clawson among others. He’s played on the same bill as Bruce Cockburn and made several TV appearances on CJOH’s Mid-Day and Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. He was also featured at the Ottawa “Remember Bob Marley” shows held at Barrymore’s. www.millersgroove.com
Victor Maltby – Fiddle
Victor brings with him a wealth of teaching experience from all across the country. He’s been hooked on music since he was 3 when his grandfather gave him a violin. In high school, he took up the alto sax to learn something completely different. He’s played in numerous community bands, directed Bishop’s College School Choir in Lennoxville, played in a couple of symphonies in Sarnia and Guelph and currently plays with 3 bands in the area. Lucky us he still has time to fit lessons at Musicworks into his busy schedule!
Alex Vorobej – Piano, Voice, Brass & Woodwinds
Alex eats, drinks and breathes music and has done so for over 50 years, starting at the young age of 3. As a young student, he walked away with many awards from various Ontario music festivals. He is extremely well studied in many instruments: piano, voice, woodwinds and brass. His background includes work with the Canadian Forces as Music Instructor and Music Chief Training Officer. He currently plays with both the Perth Citizens’ Band as well as the Stittsville Community Band. Alex is also a former member of local bands, NORMANN and Saruman.
His strengths as a teacher are very much in the way he relates to his students as individuals and developing a two-way working relationship with them.
Teacher Skills and Strengths: Fun…don’t let him fool you though….he sneaks in a traditional approach to music in between the fun bits.
