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Director / Piano & Voice Instructor/ Music Tots & Tykes / Musical Theatre

"I like to keep things fun and creative!" 

 

Megan Epp is an Owner,  Music Instructor and Preschool Director  for the House of Music teaching studio and Creative Arts Preschool Program.  Megan started her teaching career in Red Deer 2005 while completing her last year of the RDC Music Diploma program.  In 2009 she decided to call Sylvan Lake her home and dove into the musical community here. In 2016, the Chamber of Commerce awarded the House of Music Small Business of the year and in 2017 Megan was awarded Business Woman of the year.  She has personally designed many of the music programs being run at the studio, and has at one time or another taught most of the classes.  In September 2023 Megan and her Sister-In-Law Hope Callan  newly founded House of Music's Creative Arts Preschool Program. Also in 2023 the Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce   awarded House of Music  with the Business Resiliency Award.  Megan instructs Private Piano lessons, Musical Theatre classes,  Music Tots & Tykes and Preschool Music Classes.  In her spare time, Megan still enjoys songwriting, record production and gigging in a band called Lakeshore. Megan has also produced three EP’s - under her maiden name Meg Callan - with her most recent entitled "What it Meant" and was released February 2016 - available on itunes. 

Megan enjoys volunteering and has given her time to the annual events such as the Spirit of Sylvan Yuletide and the Sylvan Celebration of Music Festival.  In 2014 Megan also travelled to Uganda Africa with Touch Ministries to work with orphan children. Megan loves her Job and feels it is a great privilege to work with the youth in her community. Megan, her husband Chris and their three young daughters love living in Sylvan Lake and are proud to call this community their home. 

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Director / Voice & Piano Instructor/ Pop Vocals/ Music Tots & Tykes

Hope White grew up in Sylvan Lake where music has always been a part of her life as she studied piano, guitar, drums and voice. She began her career in voice when she was directly admitted into the two-year music diploma program at Red Deer College with a major in voice in 2010. She since has become a well-established performer, instructor, singer and musician.

 

Hope has trained in many styles including Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop, Rock, Soul and Folk. She sang with many different ensembles including a Jazz ensemble and various choirs and performed in many different venues as both a lead and back-up vocalist. She graduated with honours in 2012 with a music diploma. Upon graduation, Hope has also experienced one year of further education at the University of Lethbridge studying Digital Audio Arts. She has completed her grade 8 Royal Conservatory Voice exam with first class honours and has recently completed a Business Administration Diploma in Marketing from Red Deer College. 

 

Teaching started for Hope in Sylvan Lake while she was studying at Red Deer College. Music theory, performance skills and confidence building are incorporated in her lessons as well as singing/ piano ability while always having fun! She loves getting to know each individual student and is very excited to be teaching at the House of Music.

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Guitar / Ukulele / Bass / Triple Threat / Campfire Chords

Justin has been playing guitar from a young age and has since expanded his love and knowledge for music. 

In 2022 he graduated from MacEwan University with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music in Performance. Having experience teaching in prior years, Justin finds joy in aiding students learn new abilities and expanding on their interests in music. While he has experience playing a multitude of styles like rock, pop and jazz, he focuses primarily on folk and country music, finding inspiration from artists such as Tony Rice, Brent Mason, and Chris Thile. Not only does he play guitar, but he also has experience playing bass and ukulele. Currently, Justin plays in a folk/bluegrass duo with Brianna Lizotte performing around Alberta including festivals like Folk Fest, K-Days, and Heritage Fest. He hopes to create an enjoyable atmosphere which encompasses the interests of his students

Voice & Piano 

Jazz, Blues, Broadway & Contemporary - private Voice & Vocal Performance.

        

Laura Lee Lewis is an established performer who enjoys a wide variety of music. Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Pop, Rock and Country are a few of the music styles that have been explored by this versatile alto. Singing and performing has been a part of her life since she was a child, it's more than a hobby...it's a passion. She is continually working on music projects for herself and with others, and takes every opportunity to perform. You could catch her in a jazz setting at the LaRonde in Edmonton on Valentines Day and around Christmas time. Laura Lee had a radio jingle that aired for 15 years “Northwest Motors you’re the one”. Along with being a music teacher to all ages for over ten years specializing in Jazz performance and songwriting, she is also a professional photographer.

 

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Guitar/Bass/ Ukulele

Hello! My name is Roy Card. I am 32 years old and I have been singing and playing guitar for over 20 years. I attended the Red Deer College Music Diploma program as an Electric Guitar Major from 2004-2007. At RDC I performed on the Main Stage in various ensemble groups, including Rock, Pop, Folk, Country, Jazz, and Neoclassical styles. Since college I have performed in hard rock and heavy metal bands, playing local performance venues. For the last 5 years my primary musical focus has been acoustic guitar, piano and voice. I enjoy learning and performing music by artists such as The Lumineers, City & Color, The Black Keys, Vance Joy, Jack Johnson, Neil Young, James Taylor, Tom Petty, The Beatles and many others in the Adult-Contemporary genre. Music is my passion and I am very eager to share my skill with others, whether through performance or instruction. If you are interested in Beginner Guitar lessons in a relaxed and fun environment, please contact the House Of Music to arrange a meet-and-greet. All ages are welcome and lessons will be structured around individual goals and current skill-level.

I look forward to starting your musical journey with you!

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Guitar / Ukulele / Art Classes

Carmen Winter is a well established  Guitarist, Singer/ Songwriter & Artist in the Red Deer & Sylvan Lake Community

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Guitar/Bass/Banjo/Ukulele /RockBand
Sales Supervisor/ Repair

Craig Gomez is a graduate from the RDC Music Program and is a touring and recording artist. He has been performing with his original bands Young Howler and Underside Pattern and can also be seen performing with artist such as Kayla Williams, Emily Vay and Ryan Langlois. His musical styling spans from Rock and Pop to Jazz and even Classical. While briefly living in Toronto, Craig recorded and toured with the Indie Rock Band, The Fallers, and also attained his Fender Musical Instruments Technician Qualification. Craig has been an active member of the Red Deer Music Scene and now also hosts the Sunday Night jams at The Vat with the Vat Pack.

Violin & Fiddle 

This is Evangeline Hoogland, our new student Violin & Fiddle teacher! This talented musician has been immersed in a world of creativity and expression since her childhood. At the age of five, Eva began her musical journey by picking up the violin, and its strings have been her faithful companions ever since. Her musical education has been enriched by the guidance of remarkable mentors whose wisdom and passion have fueled Eva’s love for music, inspiring her to share her talents with others.
 

Eva has studied fiddle with the legendary Laurie Metche, classical music with Heidi Baumback, and is currently preparing for her Grade 8/9 music exams with Eduardo Solo - music professor at Burman University.

Eva is thrilled to be a part of the musical family at the Sylvan House of Music, where she  can contribute to the rich tapestry of artistic expression. Together, let's make beautiful music and create unforgettable memories!

 

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Piano 

Arianna Pearsall first started her musical journey at the age of 7 at the House of Music. She has participated in multiple recitals and piano festivals and has completed her RCM 6 & 7 with first-class honours. Arianna plans to take her grade 8 RCM this winter and complete the RCM
diploma levels, by the time she is 20.
Arianna loves playing the piano because it brings her joy, gives her peace, and helps her adjust. She strives to encourage and inspire her students and create a long-lasting love for music.
Outside of piano, Arianna enjoys writing novels, making memories with family, and caring for the animals on her farm.

 

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Drums/Ukulele/Triple Threat/RockBand

Colin Langstraat is a drummer and percussionist who has been playing drums for over seventeen years. He has studied music at Red Deer College, Grant Macewan, and has acquired a bachelors degree in music/music business as well as two performance diplomas.

 

Colin has played with a wide variety of musical groups, ranging from pop artists to Jazz trios, and classical ensembles to punk bands. He has toured all across Canada and has worked as a recording artist since 2017. 

 

His ever growing passion for music has taken him many places and he loves to share his musical wisdom with eager music students of all ages! 

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Piano Instructor

House of Music is thrilled to announce that Brenda Fuss-Dutz will be joining our team for this coming 2024/25 season! Brenda brings a wealth of experience with her!!!
She’s been teaching Piano and Theory for 35+ years and is well-established as a performer on piano and keyboards. She was classically trained in Royal Conservatory of Music at Augustana, as well as developed a keen ear for music playing in bands from an early age. She offers many musical genres including Classical, (RCM exams) Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country, Lead Sheets, Chording, Worship charts, etc.
Performance has always come easily to her, she’s played in a multitude of settings, including weddings, funerals, worship keyboards, accompanist, etc. One of her favorite things is to accompany Laura Lee Lewis, dynamic duo for sure! She also enjoys the challenge of playing Trans-Siberian Orchestra music with the “Truth Is” 5-piece band every December in Ponoka.
Brenda has taught both privately and Music for Young Children, (group piano) for many years, but now prefers the interaction of one-on-one lessons. She loves people and believes in relationships, and that every student has the “gold” within, it’s her delight to bring it out.

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Piano & Keyboards

James Adams is an established keyboard player from Red Deer. Over the last 12 years, James has earned a solid reputation in the local music scene, playing both original compositions and covers with a number of artists and bands. Known for his proficiency in piano and organ, his wide-ranging musical experiences also include performing in various tribute shows throughout central Alberta.
Now 34, James has turned his talent towards teaching, leveraging his practical experience to guide budding musicians. James’s approach to teaching is built on his understanding of piano and organ techniques. With a focus on meeting the unique needs of each student, he aim’s to cultivate not only technical ability, but also a deep appreciation for music.

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Voice / Piano / Beginner Guitar / Musical Minis & Music Tytkes

House of Music is thrilled to welcome Ainsley Elisa to our amazing roster of teachers for our 2024/25 Season! Ainsley Elisa, a dynamic force in the music industry, hails from Sylvan Lake, Alberta, where her musical journey began. Born and raised surrounded by the natural beauty of her hometown, Ainsley's passion for music ignited at a young age at the esteemed House Of Music. There, she spent formative years mastering vocals, piano, and guitar, while immersing herself in various bands and performances that shaped her musical identity.
 

Now 23, Ainsley's global explorations during Grade 12 in 2019 took her across more than 10 countries, culminating in her representing Canada at a prestigious international music conference in Singapore. This experience not only broadened her horizons but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in music. In March 2022, Ainsley achieved a significant milestone with her acceptance to Berklee College of Music, having chosen to pursue an independent music education rather than attending the Boston and Spain campuses. This decision underscored her exceptional talent and dedication to musical excellence on her terms. Ainsley's impact on her hometown community of Sylvan Lake was recognized in 2023 when she was honored with the Citizen of the Year award for Music, Arts, Culture, and Heritage. She continues to be celebrated as one of Sylvan Lake's Top 2 Best Local Musicians, highlighting her significant contributions to the local music scene.
 

Her career is punctuated by notable collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Ryan Stewart, Jocelyn Alice (noted for "Jackpot"), Alyssa Reid (famous for "Satisfaction Guaranteed"), Max Margolis, and Tavish Crowe (recognized for his contributions to "Call Me Maybe"). Each collaboration has highlighted her versatility and collaborative spirit within the industry. In 2023, Warner Music Sweden picked up a song co-written by Ainsley Elisa and Jocelyn Alice titled "Friends with the Night," further cementing her impact on the international music scene.
 

Ainsley's musical achievements include being named a Top 100 national finalist in CBC Searchlight, a prestigious acknowledgment of her captivating sound and broad appeal. Her singles, "Kissing Tree" and "Lightning in Thunderstorm," have garnered widespread acclaim, earning airplay on national Canadian radio and placements on top 100 radio charts. Internationally, Ainsley's music has resonated deeply with audiences, accumulating over 250,000 streams on Spotify alone, demonstrating her ability to connect with listeners worldwide.
 

Looking forward, Ainsley Elisa will return to her roots at House Of Music this coming fall, where she will impart her knowledge and passion by teaching vocals, piano, guitar, and group sessions. Prospective students are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot with this rising star in the music industry.
As Ainsley continues to evolve as a musician, advocate, and global citizen, her journey serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of music and the enduring impact of artistic passion.

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Creative Arts Preschool Educator

Hi my name is Colleen Camac and I’m so excited to be teaching at the HOM Creative Arts Preschool! I have had my level 3 in Early Childhood Education for 29 years. I’ve worked in childcare, with special needs children, and taught preschool for 8 years. I took a break and worked as the supervisor in a local school aged care program and now I’m happy to return to doing what I love the most, teaching the little ones.

I believe children learn best through play, observing their interests and building opportunities to create in them a lifelong love of learning. I believe children are mighty learners, capable of making choices for themselves. They deserve respect, love, and to feel valuable and special. I make that my goal everyday!

I’m happy to have made Sylvan Lake my home for the past 27 years with my husband and 2 grown children. I look forward to getting to know you and your children.

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Creative Arts Preschool Educator

Hello, My name is Tracy Proulx and I am so very excited to have the opportunity to be one of the playschool teacher’s for the House of Music Creative Arts Program. I received my level two certification in Early Childcare fourteen  years ago.

I began my journey as a mom of two, who are now all grown up. Once my kids were a bit older, I knew I needed to find my own passion and purpose, which led me towards working with children. It only took one time in the classroom and I was hooked. I genuinely care about all the students and love watching them learn and grow. In the last fifteen years I have worked as a classroom teacher, planning and facilitating, as well as in early intervention. I value learning through play, and creating a safe and enriched learning environment based on children’s interests and abilities. I truly believe all children are unique individuals with the most creative inquisitive personalities.

Besides working with children, I have a great amount of love for animals.
I Iive with my husband and our two chihuahuas Chica and Ese, two feline companions and two rabbits. In our spare time we enjoy showing off our classic cars and travelling!

I am so excited to get to know everyone and be a part of your child’s learning journey this year as they grow and explore the world around them!

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Creative Arts Preschool Educator

Hello, my name is Shauna Poholko and I am thrilled to be an Educator at the House of Music Creative Arts Preschool. I have worked in early childhood education for eleven years as an Educator and Early Interventionist. I am passionate about your child’s learning through play and working with you to ensure your child has the most amazing preschool experience. I am fascinated by how children learn, understanding neurodiversity and facilitating learning that is unique to each child. A bit about me . . . I was a travel agent for many years but left 18 years ago when I became a mom and moved to Sylvan Lake. Having sent my sons to preschool in Sylvan Lake, I recognized the importance and value of early childhood education. My sons had some diverse learning needs so I worked closely with the early learning team and immersed myself in their
education. This lead me to a my new passion - early learning and helping children reach their individual potential. I decided to get my Level one certification in Early Childcare to enter the field and have never looked back. My second passion to children are dogs! I have three dogs and would have a dozen more if I
could. I enjoy being outside, walking, movies, crafts and professional development in my spare
time. I also love to travel, see historical places and experience different cultures. I can’t wait for this new adventure at CAP, being a part of your child’s journey and getting to know more families in our community.

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Creative Arts Preschool Educator

Hello! I’m Ms.Kristy and I will be one of your educators at C.A.P this year.

I’ve been in childcare for 10 years working in daycares & running a dayhome. My passion for childcare came after having my son & wanting to create a loving, safe & family feeling environment for other children as well while still watching my son grow up.

My favourite part about working in childcare is creating an environment for kids to learn and play while having fun.

In my free time I’m spending time with my family and enjoy the outdoors in every season.

I’m looking forward to working with your families this year.

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