Instructors

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.

Maya Duhamel

Maya, originally from Cape Breton, NS, is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Music Education program at Acadia University. Though she grew up strictly playing drums, she’s now studying classical and contemporary percussion at Acadia, in addition to playing and studying the drumkit. She is very well-versed in styles such as rock, pop, and metal, with knowledge and experience in stricter jazz and classical styles.

Maya takes on any opportunity she can to be involved in local music scenes; whether that’s working for festivals, doing clinics at schools, playing in the pit band of a musical, or performing in her own bands and ensembles. She’ll never say no to a challenge or turn down the chance to learn and gain experience in her field.

Gerald Lalonde

Gerald brings over 20 years of guitar playing and a varied background in music education. He has taught guitar privately in Sydney and Antigonish, spent six years teaching fife and drum at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, and holds Orff Level 1 certification. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Music Education at Acadia University, with plans to pursue a Bachelor of Education. His classical guitar studies include work with Eugene Cormier, Sylvie Proulx, Matthew Martin, Chris McDonald, and Alain Leblanc.

Gerald believes that great teaching isn’t just about building technique; it’s about helping students develop a healthy, sustainable relationship with music. In his lessons, he emphasizes learning how to practice effectively, so students build the ability to notice, adjust, and improve on their own beyond classes. Lessons are tailored to each student, balancing structure and creativity while keeping music at the center of the learning process.

While Gerald takes teaching seriously, he still believes guitar should be fun. After all, it’s hard to spend 20 years with an instrument without developing a bit of a personality about it!