Performance Studios
"Growing With Music"
Ben's friendly smile and personality help motivate his students both young and old. This is Ben's third year teaching piano, guitar and ukulele.
As a Keyfest and Music for Young Children graduate, as well as his years of private lessons he has aquired many teaching resources. Ben was also very popular and helpful during our Summer Music Camp. Ben has completed his advanced Level 8 Theory and will have his Level 8 Piano in June. We are so proud and happy to have him at our studio!
Ben Griffith
Enio DiReto
Enio DiReto took an interest in the drums at the age of seven. He would tag along to many of his fathers gigs. (Enio’s father is a sax player). By the time Enio was twelve, the same drummer he had watch for years had become his teacher. Enio studied with Nick Macerlollo(Gino Vanelli) for several years, learning many different styles and techniques and is currently studying with Dave Langguth (Nellie Furtado, Kim Mitchell) to further his playing. Enio’s influences include drummers such as Vinnie Colaiuta, Stewart Copeland, Dennis Chambers, John Bonham, Steve Gadd, and Billy Martin to name a few. Enio is best known for his eclectic style and energy behind the kit. He also displays strong technique and an incredible sense of dynamics. Enio’s recording credits include Jason Ras’s “Live on Planet Bop” – 2002, “Detour” – 2005, Brian McGees “Turn the lights out” – 2015, Ripper Royale “LA Pinup” - 2016.
Over the years Enio has taught on and off. As a dad of two children under 10, his main focus now is teaching and playing. We welcome Enio to our studio!
Debbie Leworthy is a Registered Early Childhood Educator who has been working with children and their families for over 20 years. She has a passion for singing with children and has taken the Early Childhood Music course at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto and is Musikgarten certified.
Debbie believes that music helps a child develop in all areas and has been offering music and movement classes for 18 years. In her spare time, Debbie loves community theatre and has done several plays in Fergus.
She looks forward to meeting you and your child. This is a picture of Debbie with her nieces.
Debbie Leworthy
Jonathan Markov
Jonathan Markov is an extraordinary musician, singer-songwriter who began piano lessons at age 7. At 9 years old, he joined the Cambridge Kiwanis Boys Choir, where he travelled across Canada, England, The Netherlands, and The United States. Through his 9 years with the choir, he has become an amazing vocalist and singing harmonies has become second nature. Jonathan was given the role of head chorister, where he learned to work with and lead younger choristers in a gentle and understanding manner.
Through high school, Jonathan played trombone in the school Concert and Jazz Band. Jonathan grew up with his father’s finger-styled folk-rock guitar playing and inherited a similar technique, but has evolved to his own style, and adapts well to many other different styles and genres. Not only does he play acoustic guitar, he is a proficient electric guitar, bass, trombone, and ukulele player, and has recently picked up the banjo (he says it weighs about 10 lbs). Along with his array of instruments, Jonathan has an extensive knowledge of loop stations and guitar effects pedals. His intricate looping during his performances have been compared to that of Ed Sheeran. He performs regularly as a solo artist with his trusty loop station, as well as in a duo and band.
Jonathan is very excited to be teaching at Performance Studios for a second year, and sharing his love of music with his students!
Ashley Stewart has been actively studying music for over 20 years. She has won many awards, some of which were for achieving the highest marks in examinations both in practical piano and theory. She specializes in preparing students for the academic and musical challenge of Royal Conservatory Music examinations, as well as for festivals and competitions. Ashley greatly enjoys teaching music of all levels to students of all ages.
Ashley has a long list of achievements from winning the Maude Fleming Memorial Scholarship for one of the highest marks in RCM pedagogy, to the Most Promising Musician Award at the Orangeville District Music Festival, and various Kiwanis Festivals, just to name a few.
As a Grade 10 RCM 1st class honours graduate, Ashley recently completed her Intermediate Pedagogy Exams in August and is currently working on her Advanced Pedagogy. She supports herself by performing for various events, people, and organizations, as well as teaching. Ashley is happy to become part of our musical family.
Ashley Stewart
Madison Galloway is a Music for Young Children and Keyfest Graduate (a student of Performance Studios) who has been playing piano and performing for 11 years and recently received Honours with Distinction for her Advanced Theory Rudiments and Honours on her Grade 8 Piano Exam through the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM).
At the prestigious Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Madison played in the Fiddle Group, played piano and drums in Junior Jazz Band, and was is in the percussion section in Junior Band. The bands received silver at the Kiwanis Music Festival and gold at the 2015 Musicfest Nationals.
She taught herself harmonica, ukulele, banjo, violin, bass, and glockenspiel. However, playing guitar and singing is Madison's true passion. She performs regularly at community events, festivals, and many different cafes and restaurants across Ontario as a solo artist, duo, or band.
Madison is also a singer-songwriter, who in 2015, released an EP with five of her original songs and is currently working on a full album. Madison’s love for songwriting, has inspired and encouraged many of her students to write their own songs. After seeing such an interest in writing from her students, Madison will be offering a songwriting & recording group-class this year.
Madison is looking forward to her fourth year of teaching at Performance Studios and creating more beautiful music with her students!
Madison Galloway
Polish-born Alina Kazmierczak has Masters of Arts degree in Classical Guitar Performance, Pedagogy Diploma and a Professional Musician Diploma in Classical Guitar and Piano. Lives in Canada and successfully teaches both instruments for over 25 years.
Performed in many concerts in Ottawa region as well as for television. For 9 years worked as a Music Director for secular The Paderewski Choir in Ottawa directing the choir on many cultural events in the Nation's Capital and on tours.
Teaches now in GTA and area. Believes in good work and her teaching methods are based on combining student's talent and natural personal work to create a lasting musical personality. Her students get high marks in Guitar, Piano and Rudiments RCM exams.
Rachel Brown
Rachel has been playing and enjoying music for as long as she can remember, starting in Kindermusik and continuing through Music for Young Children. After years of private lessons, she completed her Royal Conservatory of Music grade 8 piano and advanced theory. She enjoyed teaching private lessons and watching her students grow for four years as a high school student. She has also enjoyed performing with the Not So Grand Player, and being involved with school choirs and musicals. She spent the last four years pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy at McMaster University, and is continuing on to a Master's degree at Western.
Rachel looks forward to coming back at Performance Studios to help with Summer Music Camps!