Owner/Piano Instructor/ Music Tots & Tykes / Musical Theatre
"I like to keep things fun and creative!"
Megan Epp is a music instructor and the founder/owner of the House of Music teaching studio and store in Sylvan Lake. 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. She is currently instructing Private Piano lessons, Musical Theatre classes, Acoustic Trio's and co instructs the Rock Band 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 also enjoys volunteering her time to the annual Sylvan Celebration of Music Festival. She has been with the committee since 2012 and is very much invested in the spirit of the 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.
Voice Instructor/ General Manager
Voice & Beginner Piano, Starter Singing, Pop vocals, Musical Minis, Triple Threat
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.
Voice/Piano Instructor
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.
Piano Instructor
"From Jazz styles to Classical piano; Composition & the Suzuki Method
Elaine can take your new beginner player to an Elite level."
Considered one of the most Highly
Recommended Teachers in the Sylvan Lake Area, Elaine Rowthorn
has now been teaching music for over 30 years.
Originally from Saskatchewan, Elaine began her studies with Agnes Graham & Lyle Gustin. Going on to post secondary, she pursed her passion and furthered her Musical Studies at Red Deer College. In 1986 Elaine received the Louise McKinney Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Graduated the Music Diploma Program. Since then, Elaine has gone on to study with the likes of Christopher Norton, Cheryl Cooney, Charles Austin & Duke Thompson. Elaine absolutely loves sharing the gift of music with her students, feels blessed to be the organist for her church congregation and still very
much enjoys composing, recording and jamming out with her fellow musician friends.
"Elaine loves to Play and Compose, and is looking forward to recording some of her work this winter!"
Piano Instructor
As a child and teen, Shallon Green worked her way through the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program, while also being an active participant in her church’s worship team. After high school, Shallon went on to join Go Ministries Internship, then based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a part of their music team and traveled extensively, performing across the USA and Canada for two years. In 2006, Shallon moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to attend Rhema Bible Training Center, graduating from their two-year Ministerial Training Course, with her second-year major in Youth Ministries. In 2009, she graduated from a third-year specialty program, Rhema School of Worship. Shallon was an active volunteer throughout her years at Rhema, singing both for the Rhema Church Choir and the Junior High Worship team. Shallon began her teaching career in central Alberta in 2009, upon her return to Canada, and loves working with kids of all ages.
Philosophy Statement
“Certified as an Elementary Specialist with Royal Conservatory of Music, I teach piano beginners of all ages, through to Level 4 of the RCM curriculum. My primary goal as a teacher is to help cultivate a solid foundation in the pedagogical techniques required to succeed in learning and playing music. It is my objective to equip my students with a secure knowledge of the basics so that they may continue to play and enjoy music, with a deeper understanding and appreciation, for a lifetime. I hope to instill in my students the structure, discipline, and drive that I feel is necessary to excel, not only with piano but in all aspects of life. Perfection may be inaccessible, but, with effort, I believe excellence is attainable. Through kind and encouraging direction, I guide students through new challenges and gently push them towards growth. I strive to develop in each student a personal pride of a job well done.”
I believe the student/teacher relationship is all about connection and trust. In an environment where one hopes to encourage learning and growth, there will also be frustrating stumbles and mistakes. How I respond as a teacher can contribute towards a student’s willingness to try again or resistance to new challenges. I aim to provide a safe, warm atmosphere for students to learn, where they feel secure enough to show vulnerability, specifically regarding self-expression.
Proper posture, movement, and fingering will be points of focus, along with an emphasis on sight-reading and a solid understanding of musical markings and terminology. I will strive to incorporate analysis, rhythm exercises, technical exercises, and ear training within the weekly lessons as well as an introduction to music history. The ability to properly interpret musical selections contributes towards greater independence, personal enjoyment, and self-supported discovery. The end goal is that they are equipped with the necessary skills to continue with a self-driven practice beyond formal lessons.”
Violin Instructor
Kathy began studying violin at age seven and continued with instruction until she completed her Royal Conservatory Level 8 at age seventeen. During her youth she participated in string quartets, trios, and for several years with the college orchestra in Three Hills, AB. She has played solo performances in many places, including weddings, fund-raisers, special events, and also overseas where she lived for 5 years. Kathy began teaching in 2000 in the Three Hills Arts Academy where she instructed for 17 years. In 2005 she also began teaching in Red Deer at The School of the Psalmist, and then in her own private studio where she continues to teach. In 2007 she was able to complete her Level 9 RCM. Kathy has also taught Fiddles and Fun, a group for beginner students, and Wild Rose Strings, a group for intermediate students as well as other groups within her studio over the years. She is enjoying her second year as a member of the Burman University Orchestra in Lacombe.
Kathy’s preferred method of teaching is the classical structure, with technique as foundational for all types of violin playing, and she encourages the Royal Conservatory Music examinations as a good goal for many students. Popular and other styles of music are also fun to include in the student’s repertoire.
A review from the mom of one of Kathy’s students …
“My daughter, Hannah, has been playing violin with Kathy for 9 years. She started at the age of 7, after a few years of piano lessons with one of the other School of the Psalmist teachers. Hannah had a love for violin right from the beginning! Kathy has moved my daughter’s skills from beginner to intermediate, and it has been wonderful to listen to her practice all along the way! Hannah began in primary violin books, and then she has moved on to Royal Conservatory Music books, and she is presently in the Grade 6 repertoire and Grade 5 technique. Kathy focuses on posture, intonation, technique, developing her ear, and the love of music.
Cello/Classical Guitar/ Ukulele/Banjo Instructor
Raymond studied Guitar at the University of Alberta and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree (2003) under the
tutelage of Carl Lotsberg. I got my start teaching at 53rd Street Music, later on for the School of the
Psalmist, and most recently independently. Some of my students regularly compete at the Provincial
level of the music festival in Alberta.
In my youth I studied cello and piano in private lessons. I played in the string ensemble directed by
Antionette Stuppard and completed cello RCM Exams up to level 6 as a student of Charles Glebe.
Apart from music studies and teaching my hobbies are apiculture and sailing.
Voice & Piano
Curtis Labelle has been involved in the Canadian music scene for 25+ years, growing his brand as an artist, starting from competitions as a child to performing national tours as a professional musician. Ambassador to the city of Red Deer, advocate to the LGBTQ2+ community, 2021 and 2022, Best Local Band Central Alberta, Curtis Labelle has most enjoyed expressing his love and passion for music through his song writing and sharing his knowledge and experience through teaching. Curtis Labelle has coached and taught voice, piano and musical theatre students for 20+ years and seen them through to theatre/performing arts schools and jobs across north America. Composer for film, radio, stage, television and social media, Canadian rock pianist and singer song writer, Curtis Labelle is proud to be sharing his excitement for music with everyone through education.
Guitar/Bass/ Ukulele Instructor
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!
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.
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!