our teachers:

NATE DOUGLAS – Guitar, Bass, Ukulele

Nate has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Western University, and studied jazz guitar at Humber College. As one of the co-founders of the Barrie Music School, he maintains a balance between teaching, performing, and being a dad. He has written and recorded two studio albums of original songs (‘My Element’, and ‘Take Me With You’) and continues to perform and record with various other bands and musical acts.

STAN WHITE – Drums, Ukulele

Stan grew up in Minesing ON, and started playing drums at age 10. He studied with various teachers including Val Hataway, Jim Blackley and Ray Reilly. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from York University where he studied jazz performance. Stan is versatile in a variety of styles including drum set, Cuban and Brazilian music on congas, Dagbon drumming on Talking Drums music from Ghana, Balafon and Mande music, Steel Pan orchestra, and South Indian Carantic music. He’s played and performed with R&B/stage band groups, indie rock groups, a 60-piece concert band, jazz quartets, an African griot ensemble, rock group “Jonesin’ and the Hurt”, and most recently Indie Artist Megan Anne. Stan strives to offer a fun and rewarding learning experience with an adaptable pedagogy for beginner and intermediate students, focusing on both theory and play.

KENE HYATT – Bass, Guitar, Cello, Violin

Kene has been teaching for over 30 years. He has done extensive touring and studied jazz at York University. He’s taught clinics as well as privately in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Norway. He has performed on radio, TV, and live in a variety of styles including rock, blues, jazz, latin, and many others. Kene is a co-founder of the Barrie Music School, and received the “Entrepreneur of the Month” award in the beginning of 2020.

MEGAN BAILLIE – Vocals, Piano

Megan spent four years taking private vocal lessons with Cirque du Soleil vocalist Renee Cingolani. In 2019 she graduated with honours from Seneca College’s Independent Music Production program. She studied audio/studio production, songwriting, music business, artist development, marketing, and copyright contract law under active music industry professionals. Prior to Seneca, she studied at York University where she received the Imasco Performing Arts Award, and the Sterling Beckwith Award. In addition to teaching, Megan is an avid performer. Some highlights include: Toronto’s Sound Academy, The Brownstone, The Foxx, Collingwood Live & Original Music Crawl, Tottenham Street Festival, Friday Harbour, Kempenfest, and a Charlaine Harris event at Kobo Headquarters. Her music has been heard on various internet radio stations, and has been featured on several Rogers TV shows. Megan was the 2020 Barrie Advance Readers’ Choice Award winner for “Best Local Entertainment” and the 2018 “Emerging Artist Award” winner at the Barrie Arts Awards. Check out Megan’s work, please visit: https://meganannemusic.com/home

PATRIZIA DE NARDI (PATTY)

Patty is our studio coordinator, and the friendly voice you hear when you call the school. She moved here from Italy in 2005 and got connected with our team while taking guitar, bass, and piano lessons. She’s been managing music schools ever since Rob Drake started his original “R&B’s School of Music”. Surrounded by musicians at work and at home, Patty runs our program in the most professional way while making everyone feel right at home.

Rob Drake 

Coming soon

Jon Laxton 

Coming soon!

Brett Caswell

Coming soon!

Ben Lemen

Coming soon!