OUR INSTRUCTORS
DANIEL
Piano - Songwriting - Composition
Using techniques and lesson plans developed by the Royal Conservatory of Music, along with his experience as a professional songwriter and composer, Daniel Martins creates a hybrid of traditional rudiments and modern practicality. Daniel develops unique lessons that are suited to beginners, performers, composers and enthusiasts of all ages.
The lessons are tailored to suit all levels, interests, and goals.
LINDSAY
Guitar - Ukelele - Songwriting - Piano
Lindsay is a singer, songwriter, guitar player, sports and outdoor enthusiast with an innate curiosity about music and life. He studied music at Malaspina College in Nanaimo BC and has traveled the world, entertaining and sharing the gift of music, in a long and varied career in the music industry. With his wife and son he has recently settled in the Cowichan Valley and is happy to join the team of enthusiastic music educators at Blackbird School Of Music.
MAX
Drums
Max first started playing the drums when he was 8 years old.
Throughout his musical education, Max had been in numerous bands, drumming for his school theater program and becoming the main drummer for his church worship team. He also continues to attend workshops and drumming seminars to deepen his understanding of drumming fundamentals.
Max is a recent graduate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
ANNALOUISE
Piano - Twinkle Tunes
AnnaLouise is an accomplished concert pianist, with a wealth of teaching experience, and a degree both in piano performance and teaching.
She started learning piano at the age of 4 with May Ling Kwok, Dr. Robin Wood and Winifred Wood from the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
Graduating with distinction with her ABRSM in piano, she then went to Toronto and successfully auditioned to study with Marietta Orlov, obtaining her BMus with first class honours.
AnnaLouise has always had a passion for travelling, and when she was younger, this took her to a variety of wonderful places around the world. She has been a
volunteer in the Mother Theresa house in India, a missionary in Australia, an ESL teacher in South Korea, and a Montessori teacher in England. This is where she completed her teaching degree, and secured a dual role as a classroom teacher and the head of music in Christ Church Primary School in Bristol for 10 years.
Today, she is happy to be back on Vancouver Island, with her husband and her 4 year old daughter, and plans to stay here for a good long while! In addition to teaching piano, she runs Twinkle Tunes; a vibrant and joyful music and movement classes for children ages 0-5.
NOELLE
Piano - Early Music Education
Noelle is our Student Teacher who specializes in piano for the young beginner to the intermediate student. Her passion for teaching music and working with children, make her a favourite among our youngest students. Noelle creates a fun and informal learning environment that supports the varied learning styles of children and teens.
WARREN
Drums - Percussion
I'm Warren du Mailo, and in 1973 at age 8, I sat down behind my Uncle Jacks snare drum and I've been playing drums ever since.
Since the early 90's I've been studying, teaching and performing with some amazing musicians & mentors playing pubs, clubs, special events & summer festivals in Canada & the US. I've
played & toured all styles of music both Cover & Original from Jazz to Ska & Funk, R&B to Country rock, Rockabilly & Zydeco, and even a stint with a bluegrass quartet. I'm also very
proud of my 8 years as a weekly special needs music therapy volunteer & event organizer.
My philosophy is that Together the teacher & student create the teaching. I believe the path that the student wishes to follow be the foundation with which all other musical expressions &
avenues become possible by way of the teacher hearing the students wishes & needs.
I've studied with masters, and learned from every student that I've ever met, and I revel in the opportunity to inspire, be inspired and to make space for growing minds to find their way to
make their dreams come true.
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ANGÉLICA
Piano - Composition
Master of Music in Performance
Angelica is a graduate of the National University of Mexico and studied her Master´s in
Piano Performance in Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. During her career
she has received multiple awards and scholarships.
As a soloist she has performed in Mexico, Cuba, Bolivia, USA, and Canada. She also has
collaborated as a musical arranger, soloist pianist and accompanist with music producers
in radio and TV channels.
She is passionate in the performance and teaching of music and composition with the aim of motivating the love to the music. Angelica is committed to seeking students' own voice
to motivate their artistic sensitivity and creativity, as well as making musical learning a fun experience.
HANNA
Voice - Introductory Piano
A singer since birth, Hanna believes that it is everyone’s birthright to sing!
During her youth, Hanna dedicated many years to studying classical voice technique and performing as a singer, dancer and actor throughout the land of Hulq’umi’num speaking peoples, or the Cowichan Valley, where she is from.
From 2015-2016, Hanna attended the Victoria Conservatory of Music in the Diploma in Music Performance Program, specializing in Classical and Contemporary Voice. She continued her studies in Montréal at Concordia University with her BA in Communication Studies, where she focussed on sound production. Since then, Hanna has written, composed and co-produced a self-released album, and consistently performs with her shared musical project, Emergence, and as a solo singer/songwriter. She also facilitates in-person song circles for women, and offers 1:1 voice sessions both online and in-person.
Her teaching style is grounded in healthy, gentle breath and vocal technique, as well as play, movement, and improvisation! She strives to create a safe enough environment so that students can access joy and freedom expressing themselves with their voice
JENNY
NeuroMovement Practitioner
Jenny is our resident Certified NeuroMovement Practitioner, (All levels completed, including Children's, Healthy Aging and High Performers Mastery levels)
She has been studying Chi Nei Tsang/Tao Touch, nearing completion. Relating as both a professional, and a parent of a child with special needs, supporting families as a Behavioural Interventionist.
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Jenny has extensively researched nutrition and science-based holistic and traditional modalities in combination.
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When she is not booking clients through her private practice at Blackbird School of Music, Jenny can be found offering her NeuroMovement services to artists and touring musicians, at recording studios and on the road. Jenny's work with musicians and performers of all levels, puts the artist at ease, allowing them to create, perform and produce their best possible work.