Brendan Culver
Brendan is a lifelong musician and educator, having taught privately and in studio settings for nearly 20 years. His business skills were developed through his years working as HR Director at the Canadian Musicians Co-Operative, Grant Writer with Music in Communities, Chapel Music Administrative Assistant at The University of King’s College Halifax, and Studio Coordinator at Ekko Mindful Music Studio in Dartmouth.
Brendan began music playing piano at age 7, taking lessons through the Ontario Conservatory in his hometown of Orangeville. Only a few years later, Brendan also picked up the bagpipes and by age 20, Brendan was playing with premier-grade pipe bands at the annual World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, and was also promoted to the professional grade as a competitive soloist. Brendan has competed in countless contests, among them the George Sheriff Invitational, the MacGregor Memorial in Oban, Scotland, the Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada), and seven times at ‘The Worlds’ with various bands.
On the classical side, Brendan is also an organist and composer, with degrees from York University (BFA 2014) and the University of Toronto (MMus 2017). Brendan also possesses the Colleague (CRCCO) diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, was Organ Scholar at St. Clement’s in Toronto in 2015-16, and has given recitals at Central Presbyterian Church in Hamilton and St. James Cathedral in Toronto. Brendan recently taught the Composition Group classes and workshops at Ekko Studio in Dartmouth.
Adèsse Brown
Adèsse is a graduate of Acadia with a Bachelor of Music Therapy (‘23). They have been playing piano since childhood, and have since begun playing guitar and ukulele. She had studied classical piano during her time at Acadia; and her experience includes (but is not limited to) classical and contemporary RCM lists, with a love for the romantic age of classical music, among others!
Adèsse loves to explore different genres, and enjoys songwriting as an outlet. They believe music is an integral part of the human experience, and that it is important to communities big and small.
Harrison Crandall
Harrison is an Italian-Canadian from Sackville, Nova Scotia with an extensive performance background. He graduated from Nova Scotia Community College with a Certificate in Music Performance in 2020 and is currently in his final year of a Music Therapy degree from Acadia University.
In addition to songwriting proficiency, Harrison has experience playing many genres, including jazz, blues, pop, rock, hip-hop, reggae, ska, funk, EDM, and metal. When not making music, Harrison can usually be found experimenting in his kitchen or organizing his retro video game collection.
Antonella Ponce
Born and raised in Ecuador, Antonella (she/they) has taken to the stage singing, dancing, and acting since 3 years old. She kept pursuing the arts and graduated with a BFA from New York University in 2019. While she took a small break from live performances, once Antonella moved to Nova Scotia in 2021, they picked it right back up. You may have heard her singing and playing at the Wolfville Farmer’s Market and open mics around the Valley, or acting in multiple productions with the Wolfville Theatre Collective.
Currently, Antonella spends their time giving voice lessons at Valley Music Studio, working with Caravan Theatre, running an online record label with her business partner from New York, performing her music, and being part of the amazing creative community in the Valley.
Antonella loves creating a fun, entertaining, and enriching environment for her students, and in her free time you can find her reading all kinds of books and painting!
Keigan Richard
Keigan Richard is a violinist based out of Hantsport, Nova Scotia. Beginning violin lessons at the age of 7, his passion for classical music has followed him in all periods of his life. He is a graduate of the music program at Acadia University, receiving his BA in Philosophy and Music in 2023 under the tutelage of Jennifer Jones. Keigan was the concertmaster of the Acadia University Orchestra from 2019-2023, as well as concertmaster of the NSYO in the 2020-2021 season, and was a founding member of the Conundrum String Quartet. Aside from live performance, he has been honoured to lend his sound to various recording projects in genres ranging from folk to punk rock.
Aside from his teaching through the Valley Music Studio, he is also pedagogically involved with the Acadia Regional Youth Orchestra (ARYO), where he currently conducts the intermediate level string ensemble. Having previously been entrusted with the Beginner String Clinic and the Beginner Orchestra, Keigan has had the opportunity to teach at a variety of skill levels in both individual and group environments.
When he’s not teaching Keigan can be found reading, working on his piano and vocal technique, playing pit bands for local theatrical productions, and learning new chess tactics.
Orion Leidl Wilson
Orion is a bassist and composer from Wolfville, Nova Scotia. He spent his formative years in the Halifax all-ages indie rock scene with the band Aphazia, and currently plays in a jazz trio while completing his studies at Acadia University, learning the craft from bass instructor Nicholas D’Amato.
Orion is interested in a wide range of music and is always looking for new rabbit holes to dive into. His philosophy of teaching aligns values of play, growth, fostering community and inclusivity.
Sam Withers
Sam Withers is a saxophonist with a degree in Jazz Studies from St. Francis Xavier University and years of performance experience across genres—from traditional jazz to pop and rock. Whether you’re picking up the saxophone for the first time or looking to refine your sound, Sam offers personalized lessons for all skill levels.
Sam brings a warm, encouraging teaching style that helps students build confidence while developing strong musical fundamentals. He believes that music is not only a skill but a powerful tool for self-expression—that personal identity can be found through music, and that learning an instrument can help students connect more deeply with themselves and the world around them.
He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Education at Acadia University, further deepening his passion for teaching and learning. His lessons are tailored to each student’s goals, with a focus on creativity, technique, and having fun with music.
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