Argentine born, Eduardo studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires. After completing the 7 year program in 6 years, Eduardo graduated with a degree in Music Education, Guitar Major, garnering the Gold Medal for top student. From that time onward, and for the last several years in Canada, he has been teaching acoustic and electric guitar, ear training, rhythm, music appreciation, music theory, and music history to both groups and individuals. His extensive experience has provided solid technical and social skills that enhance his abilities to educate a wide variety of students who have diverse needs and goals. Eduardo has a unique background in South American rhythms, music, and folk instruments as well as skills in digital editing, sound recording, and videography. One particular phrase reflects his philosophy about the value of music, “I think everyone benefits from learning to play an instrument or sing. Apart from the fun aspect and the value of emotional inspiration, studying music contributes not only to our creative development, but also enhances skills such as concentration, memory and teamwork. In early childhood, rhythm is also important in the development of language skills.” Eduardo has a loyal following of students, but also welcomes all new students.

  Sylwia boasts an extensive resume of experience as both an instructor and performer in cello piano and voice.  She received her ARCT in voice performance from The Royal Conservatory of Music with First Class Honours and a Masters of Art from the Karol Lipinski Academy of Music in Wroclaw, Poland.  Although Sylwia has extensive experience and aptitude in classical music-She has been a choir and ballet accompanist, for example- she also is very comfortable teaching pop and other styles.  Sign up for lessons with Sylwia if you are ready to bring your passion to the next level!

Gordie Sadler teaches 5 string banjo in the Earl Scruggs style, which is the most popular style for the banjo in bluegrass music. The focus is on preparing the beginner student to learn to play along with other musicians and to quickly begin enjoying the pleasure of making music with others. Gord’s method leads the student through the basic chords and right hand rolls used in simple melodies and then progresses to a “building block” approach to integrate standard phrases or “licks” with melodic improvisations. Teaching this way promotes the techniques of learning by ear while understanding the use of written tablature enables students to practice exercises easily at home. Gordie has been playing banjo since 1970 and is a founding member of B.C.’s longest running bluegrass band, 5 On A String, established in 1989. He has taught banjo workshops at many regional bluegrass festivals and the annual week long Cabin Fever Bluegrass Workshop in 100 Mile House. He hosts the BAMA Bluegrass Circle every 2nd and 4th Thursday at the Bergthorson Academy of Music at 12229 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows B.C.

Andrew is a well traveled and accomplished baritone opera singer.  He has performed at the highest level all over Europe, from the title role Rigoletto for the Stadttheatre Hildesheim in Wolfsburg, Germany to the role of Escamillo in Carmen at the Prague State Opera.  Also in demand as a concert and oratorio singer, Andrew is a true dynamo in his field and we are honoured to have him a part of our teaching faculty.  

In an industry so reliant on luck, Leonard would leave nothing to chance. The moment he decided music was his chosen path, he commited himself completely to gaining full mastery of the guitar. His Influences range from instrumental artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Tommy Emmanuel. Ultimately dreaming of fitting into any musical situation Leonard’s top personal goals are to be a solo instrumental artist covering many styles and doing sessions for different artists. Creating a deep and intimate experience with audiences through groove, excitement and improvisation is what he is striving for. With a musical taste so diverse you will be able to see him doing gigs of every type. With a diploma in Guitar Performance from Selkirk College, Leonard is in current pursuit of building his solo repertoire to soon be seen in lounges, concerts, and hotels across BC. 

Born in South Africa, Maggie studied at the University of the Free-State in Bloemfontein. She completed her B. Mus majoring in piano and music education. She also completed a further degree in music education (cum laude), an Advanced Certificate in Arts and Culture Education (cum laude) and a qualification in Orff Schulwerk. Maggie has been teaching piano for 21 years. Her piano students have been very successful in exams, competitions and festivals, winning numerous awards. She has many years’ experience as an accompanist (choirs, vocalists and instrumentalists), choir conductor, church organist, as well as performing with various music ensembles. Before moving to Canada, Maggie also taught music theory, music history, music appreciation, keyboard, recorder, ukulele, folk guitar and Orff groups. Maggie believes her purpose as a music teacher is to unlock and develop every student’s musical talent, enabling them to share the joy of music with others.

Drew is an experienced drummer and educator with 20 years of experience playing in a variety of live and studio bands across North America. He has studied at Capilano University in the jazz program along with seeking private instruction from many of the worlds top drummers.  Having experience playing in a variety of musical genres from jazz, metal, rock, hip hop, punk, country, funk etc., Drew brings a wealth of experience to his lessons.  Drew would like to welcome students of all levels from beginner to advanced to join him. 

Originally from Kazakhstan, Kate came to Canada at the age of 9. After a few years of music lessons she became a part of the Vancouver classical music scene, receiving awards from competitions such as YAP Women’s Club, Canadian Music Competition, Kiwanis, RMF, etc. Kate’s increasing love for music took on a new direction upon entering the University Transfer Program for UBC. Since that time Kate has completed her Bachelors of Music Degree, under the guidance of the Director of UBC Contemporary Players, Dr. Corey Hamm. During these years she was a proud recipient of the Henry Waack Scholarship for her “overall outstanding musicianship and leadership skills”, as well as the Normal A M MacKenzie Scholarship for “performance quality and academic achievement”. Kate has been pursuing her musical endeavors by actively engaging in masterclasses, performing and collaborating with singers and instrumentalists, as well as traveling to Kiev, Ukraine to perform in the Kiev School of Music and the Conservatory of Music. She is available for piano lessons and for Preschool Prelude classes.

Rafael began his studies in acoustic guitar when he was 11 years old. In 1997, he got his first guitar from his grandfather realizing that music was his passion. Some of his influences include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Dimebag Darrell, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson and Mozart Mello. At age 15, Rafael studied at the Musical Conservatory PIO XII, in Bauru (Sao Paulo). In 2003, he was admitted to the Sagrado Coracao University (USC), where he graduated in guitar. He began teaching privately to students in music schools and his hometown of Bauru. It was also at this time that he began playing in heavy metal band and classic rock bands. In mid 2003, he was invited to join the heavy metal band Imago Mortis which he toured Brazil from 2004 to 2007. In 2010 he began teaching in schools in Sao Paulo and playing in clubs and pubs.In 2013 Rafael arrived in Vancouver. joined the band Mob Machine and is currently teaching guitar at Bergthorson Academy of Musical Arts in addition to recording his own album.

 Madeleine’s passion for music has inspired her throughout her entire life. She has been playing guitar for over ten years! In that time she has completed a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at Capilano University, played in an Arts Club production, and opened the Vancouver Folk Fest with a First Nations Women’s Choir. She has played in a wide variety of ensembles in many styles and regularly performs in venues around Vancouver. She is currently playing guitar and singing for local bands _Wild Friar _and _The Holy Smokes. _She works with the _North Shore Celtic Ensemble_ regularly as well. With experience teaching private lessons to students of all ages, she is a passionate educator who hopes to create an inclusive learning space where she can inspire her students to reach their goals.

Dan was born in South Africa, where he showed a keen interest in music from an early age. At age 11 he was admitted to the Conservatoire of the University of Stellenbosch to study violin and piano, where he became the youngest member of the university’s string ensemble.

Ana is highly appreciated by her students and her community for her patience and encouragement, as well as her excellent technical skills as an instructor of piano, beginner and advanced theory, accompanying, and conducting. Ana welcomes beginner and college level students to study with her for fun and for exams and auditions. Ana’s philosophy about music and about life is “Music can move us; give us the sensation of tranquility, and develop the artist that lives in us all. Teaching music is my highest goal because it is my past, my present and my future.”

Born and bred Newfoundlander and musician at heart, J.B. McCarthy has a lengthy plethora of skills that he has accumulated since he was but a wee tot at age 12, and would be delighted to put to use when it comes to teaching his students. Knowing that the ability to play piano, trumpet, and guitar wouldn’t be enough to adequately prepare himself for teaching music, he earned a Bachelor’s of Music Theory and Composition at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Even still, his hunger for new knowledge grew more ravenous by the day. So with a quick hop, skip, and jump across the country, J.B. found himself being accepted to Vancouver Film School where he completed another diploma, Sound Design for Visual Media. With these accolades he has written and produced his own album Betwixt, wrote the score for an entire upcoming animated show Aleph Stars, and has also worked on numerous other product commercials, short films, animations and TV episodes. With this abundance of  experience, he looks forward to teaching you; whether or not you’re a beginner, looking to learn a little bit more, or even wanting to jump into the new and exciting world of digital composition and production.

Jan Baxendale began her study of the piano at the age of seven years old. Over the next eleven years she studied with three Lower Mainland teachers, most notably with Dr. Dale Reubart of the U.B.C Department of Music. At the age of fifteen, Jan earned her Licentiate Diploma from Trinity College (London) and started her teaching career. Then, at the age of eighteen, she traveled to London, England where she lived for one year, studying with Kendall Taylor of the Royal School of Music, and obtained her Fellowship Diploma from Trinity. Shortly after returning home to North Vancouver and having resumed her studies, she was hired at the young age of nineteen as an instructor at Capilano College where she taught in the University Transfer Program and the Music Therapy department for the next thirteen years. Jan retired from the college when she became pregnant with her third son. She unfortunately had to greatly reduce her own performing career due to severe carpal tunnel syndrome, and had operations on both wrists. Jan still gets tremendous pleasure and satisfaction from teaching the love of music, specifically of the piano, to young and old alike. Education • Licentiate and Fellowship (Royal College of Music) in Piano Performance • Studied in London, England with Kendall Taylor of Royal College of Music • Piano with Dr. Dale Reubart, Dr. Robert Rogers & Dr. Robert Silverman

 Music has been an integral part of Chad’s life since he began piano lessons at the age of 4. He has since obtained a high level of RCM piano studies, a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies at Capilano University, and has toured throughout western Canada and even China!. With over 19 years of experience playing a multitude of instruments in a variety of styles – from 1920’s jazz to classical Indian repertoire to old-school rock and roll (and just about everything in between) – Chad has developed a diverse and adaptable musicality. Everyone studies differently, and Chad strives to create individualized lessons for each student while giving them all the tools they need to be confident and creative on their instrument of choice. He has taught high school masterclasses at multiple jazz festivals in BC, and is an established freelance musician in Vancouver 

Antoinette began teaching following her completion of The Contemporary Music Program at Selkirk College in 2015 and since then has integrated her years of performing and teaching experience to create a practical and customized approach for her students. She believes in creating a fun, expressive environment when it comes to learning music. Antoinette teaches voice, guitar, ukulele, beginner piano, and is able to assist with songwriting/production endeavors for her students.

She has been a fixture in the Vancouver music scene for several years, gaining attention for her storytelling and sultry smooth vocals. 2019 marked the genesis of her professional music career, with her debut EP ‘For You’ hitting major streaming platforms. ‘For You’ is a 5-track EP produced by Juno-nominated producer Tom Dobzranski (The Zolas, We Are The City). 2019 also saw many notable performances (Uptown Live, White Rock Seafest) and live shows at legendary Vancouver venues (Biltmore Cabaret, The Railway Club, The Roxy.)  In addition to her original music she’s put her vocal chops to good use landing a house gig at The Roxy and playing in groups such as Famous Players, Mooncoin Productions and The RainCity 6. 

Carlos was first introduced to the sax and clarinet in high school, and has not stopped playing since. He has studied in both classical and jazz university programs which has provided him with the tools to teach both styles. His gentle style of teaching endears him to his students, and gives them the permission to experiment with their instrument. Carlos is of the opinion that students get to know their instrument best through guided instruction and through experimentation.

Niki was raised in a musical family. Music has always been a part of her life. Niki obtained her associate degree in music, as well as her grade 10 in violin performance with the Royal Conservatory of Music. She has a full length album out on all music streaming platforms, as well as a handful of singles. Niki believes finding the right coach / teacher is imperative to staying in “the game” and thriving in the music industry. She believes that with passion, persistence, and positivity you can go far in learning your craft, and really thrive. Niki holds music therapy sessions, and enjoys working with children of all ages as well as working with those whom have autism. She coaches a lot of her students for musical theatre performances, and her passion is in artist development. On her days off Niki enjoys spending time with her family & animals. She also loves aromatherapy, travelling, and painting.