The music instructors at Orillia Music Centre have more than 100 years of combined teaching experience. They know all the tips and tricks for helping students nurture a love for learning music. And that’s what makes OMC students so successful!
Since 1999 I have had the privilege of teaching over 1,700 MYC students and their families! Sharing my love of music and helping them to build a strong musical foundation in a fun way is why I chose to teach the MYC program.
Since grade school Gayle has been actively involved in learning, teaching, and performing music. Her specialty is voice, but she also enjoys piano and ukulele. Gayle loves instilling the joy of music in children and encourages them to perform often—it helps build confidence and shares the gift of music with others.
Jaclyn Kenyon is a recording and performance artist coming to our studio by way of Nashville, TN. Her professional journey began at age 12 receiving national attention as the youngest performer in Canada’s prestigious Honey Jam showcase, by Warner Music.
In 2023, under the mentorship of Wendy Starland (who discovered Lady Gaga), Jaclyn emerged victorious on the Banded Music Reality TV show with her band “Starland”. Jaclyn has garnered recognition for her mature songwriting and performance skills, leading to co-writing opportunities with major labels such as Warner, EMI and Sony.
In 2023, under the mentorship of Wendy Starland (who discovered Lady Gaga), Jaclyn emerged victorious on the Banded Music Reality TV show with her band “Starland”. Jaclyn has garnered recognition for her mature songwriting and performance skills, leading to co-writing opportunities with major labels such as Warner, EMI and Sony.
Laura grew up taking piano lessons and discovered the love of music at a young age. She has over 15 years of musical experience which includes both classical training as well as playing in various jazz, rock and pop bands. She is classically trained in piano, saxophone, and also plays the guitar, bass and ukulele. Laura is thrilled to be part of the team at OMC and to share her passion for music through teaching.
Alex completed her Bachelor of Music degree at McGill University in 2015. While in Montréal she was a member of many ensembles, including: Orchestre symphonique des jeunes de Montréal, McGill Baroque Orchestra, McGill Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestra for Stu&Jess. Alex currently plays as a section violist in Orchestra Toronto. She has a long-standing relationship with St. Paul’s United Church, having grown up and sung in the choirs under musical director Blair Bailey from a very young age. Since she was four, Alex has played the violin, and along with being a violist, she is also leaning to play the double bass.
Olivia is an Orillia based musician and singer/songwriter who holds a degree in fine arts – Film- from Ryerson University. In addition to having studied image arts, Olivia has dedicated her life to studying music. She plays guitar, piano, and bass and is most excited about her newest instrumental love, the drums. Olivia has played many venues in the Orillia and Toronto area both as a solo, duo and part of the local band “Hobo Jam” She is currently in her first year of a Bachelor of Education at Lakehead University in Orillia. She considers herself a lifelong learner and is eager to share her gifts and excitement for learning with her future students–both in the classroom and private lessons.
Blair Bailey is well-known throughout Orillia and surrounding area as a concert organist/pianist,
choral conductor, music theatre music director, church organist and music teacher.
A native Orillian, Blair attained the Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music diploma in Piano Performance upon graduating from secondary school and subsequently completed the Bachelor of Music in Performance and Masters of Music degrees from the University of Toronto. Throughout his lengthy tenure
as organist and choir director of St. Paul’s United Church, Orillia, Blair has shared the joy of music with generations of children, youth and the ‘young-at-heart.’ Many of his students have gone on to successful careers as musicians. Blair is very much looking forward to sharing his love of music with ‘the next generation’ of music students, ‘team teaching’ here at OMC with one of his most recent ‘proteges’, Grace Liu.
choral conductor, music theatre music director, church organist and music teacher.
A native Orillian, Blair attained the Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music diploma in Piano Performance upon graduating from secondary school and subsequently completed the Bachelor of Music in Performance and Masters of Music degrees from the University of Toronto. Throughout his lengthy tenure
as organist and choir director of St. Paul’s United Church, Orillia, Blair has shared the joy of music with generations of children, youth and the ‘young-at-heart.’ Many of his students have gone on to successful careers as musicians. Blair is very much looking forward to sharing his love of music with ‘the next generation’ of music students, ‘team teaching’ here at OMC with one of his most recent ‘proteges’, Grace Liu.
Jeanette Martin has over 40 yrs experience training young musicians. She is known across Southern Ontario as a singer, pianist, flautist, accompanist, choral director, and teacher. She founded Music in Motion Performing Arts Studio in 2008 in Bradford (ON), then moved to Angus (ON) where she founded Music in Motion Angus in 2018. For more than 40 years, since she started as a teenage music director in the Salvation Army, Jeanette has been driven by an unwavering desire to help young people develop both their performing arts skills and positive character traits. Jeanette is a Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Certified Teacher in Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels of Piano, Voice, Flute, Speech Arts and Drama, and Theory. Her students have won multiple RCM Gold Medals (their highest award), plus hundreds of her students have won local, national, and international scholarships and awards. In addition, Jeanette was Awarded by the public the Reader’s Choice Award for BEST PIANO TEACHER! Jeanette is an accomplished Choral Director with 40+ years of experience in multiple Choral genres, including church choirs, youth choirs, school choirs, and more. Because of her stellar reputation and past accomplishments, in April of 2022 she was invited to bring her choir to participate in the National Festival Chorus at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City – the only Canadian group so honoured.
Hearts & Crafts Studio Teachers
This mother – daughter team are working together to provide drop in art, fashion design, and jewelry making classes to children. Sabrina is not only a special needs teacher but also a fashion and jewelry designer whose work has been featured internationally in fashion shows, magazines and digital media. Together her and her daughter work side by side to bring the love of creative arts, design and fashion to others.