Melissa holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance from McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia. Melissa is active as a performer, voice instructor and stage director. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bravo Academy. Her studies have taken her throughout Canada and Europe including having studied Bel Canto Opera at Liceo Musicale “F. Manzato” in Treviso, Italy. Melissa performs both nationally and internationally in opera, operetta, oratorio, musicals, and concerts.

Melissa has performed with companies such as the Toronto Operetta Theatre, International Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Opera Association, Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, Brampton Lyric Opera and Royal Opera Canada. Melissa has performed in musicals such as: West Side Story, Annie, Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol and operas such as Don Giovanni as Zerlina, Hansel & Gretel as Gretel, Die Fledermaus as Adele and Le Nozze di Figaro as Susanna. Melissa has stage directed a number of shows including Cinderella, Oklahoma, Fame, Les Miserables, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Seussical Jr., Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr., G2K Once Upon a Mattress for Bravo Academy, The Old Maid and the Thief for Opera McGill, La Traviata, Don Giovanni, Carmen and Barber of Seville for Opera York.

As a teacher, Melissa’s students have received great success in attaining professional music theatre roles with various companies such as the Sterling Festival, Mirvish Productions, entrance to various university and college classical music and music theatre programs such as University of Toronto, National Theatre School, Western, Queens, McGill, Dalhousie, entrance to programs such as Claude Watson, Etobicoke School for the Arts and Cardinal Carter School for the Arts and entrance to internationally recognized summer classical music academies such as Tanglewood. Her students have received gold and silver medals in RCM and Conservatory Canada (CC) music exams and numerous scholarships and awards from the Kiwanis Music Festival, Davenport Music Festival, Rising Star Competition, NYCO, OMFA and ORMTA auditions.

Melissa is a member of the Central Toronto Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA) where she has served a term as the Vice-President. Melissa is also a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Melissa loves to share music and the performing arts!

Simone Batt was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia. It is here where she studied a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) Edith Cowan University, performed with 2 Dance Plus and STEPS dance companies and was soloist and Assistant Artistic Director for Junior Ballet Company Pty Ltd.

A graduate of Brent Street School of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) Sydney, Simone continued to work under the direction of acclaimed choreographers David Atkins and Kelley Abbey as well as stand-by dancer for Baz Luhrmann’s feature film, Moulin Rouge. Choreography and performance credits include, ‘Jenny Seaton Live’ 7 Network Australia (choreographer), ‘Telethon Ball’ 7 Network, Travel Channel (choreographer), Hair Expo, ESPN, Heart Transplant Foundation of South Florida (choreographer), Royal Caribbean Golf Classic, Royal Caribbean International.

In the capacity as Rehearsal Choreographer / Director, Simone has created original full productions and cabarets for Royal Caribbean International with ‘Big Time’, ‘Big Time Swing’, Close To You’, and ‘What The World Needs Now Is Love.’ Simone is the Assistant Choreographer for Universal Studios Japan Audition Tour and continues to teach throughout Toronto.

Marcelle Boisjoli holds a Masters of Music and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from McGill University. She has performed nationally in opera, operetta, oratorio and in recital. Her numerous roles with Opera McGill include Flora in Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw, Zerlina in Don Giovanni and Ilia in Idomeneo, both by Mozart and Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief. She has participated in Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, singing the roles of Echo in Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss, as well as Pauline in Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne. Marcelle has also participated in the Banff Centre’s Opera as Theatre program, and sang in the Banff Centre’s production of the Canadian opera Filumena. Marcelle performs regularly with Opera York, both in their main stage productions and school tours. Her most recent roles with the company include Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. Most recently Marcelle completed a recital tour throughout Shanghai and China and performed a benefit recital with tenor Michael Barrett from the Canadian Opera Company.

Marcelle is delighted to share her passion for the performing arts with her students at Bravo Academy.

Nicole recently completed her second Master’s in Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Toronto, studying with Mary Morrison. Previously to studying at the University of Toronto, Nicole earned her first Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Western Ontario. She has performed numerous operatic roles across Canada, Musetta (La Boheme), Despina (Cosi Fan Tutte), Blonde (Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail), Gabrielle (La Vie Parisienne), Sister Genevieve (Suor Angelica), Norina (Don Pasquale), Pamina (Magic Flute) and Susanna (Nozze di Figaro). Nicole has also toured the Canadian opera The Brothers Grimm, and Hansel and Gretel as Gretel. Roles in musical theatre and operetta include Lily (Secret Garden), Carrie (Carousel), Fiametta (The Gondoliers) and Lisi (Wiener Blut). She can be heard in recordings of Handel’s Rinaldo and Purcell’s Theatre Music under the baton of Kevin Mallon (on the Naxos label).

Nicole has enjoyed teaching a variety of ages and levels for nearly a decade. She has taught both privately and in conservatories, from her native Calgary, to London, Ontario, to Toronto.

As a vocal teacher, she teaches a variety of styles, from classical to broadway, from folk to pop. Focusing on developing a healthy and free technique, she is happy to work with all levels of ability. As a piano teacher, she teaches beginner and intermediate levels. Developing good technique, strong musical skills and joy in music making are at the heart of her teaching. She has helped prepare her students successfully for performances, auditions, competitions and exams, or has simply helped them to achieve their own personal goals. Nicole is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing).

Kate Carver is a much sought-after vocal coach, repetiteur and accompanist. She has been regularly employed by the Canadian Opera Company, the Opera Division at the University of Toronto, and Opera York. In addition Kate has also been on the Music Staff in Marlena Malas’ voice program at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York, at England’s Britten Pears School, Broomhill Opera in Kent, British Youth Opera, the Banff Centre, University of Montreal, the Toronto Summer Music Academy and Stratford Summer Music. In addition she is highly in demand as a private vocal coach to professional and student singers in Toronto.

Kate was an apprentice with the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble and was sponsored by the Friends of Covent Garden Bursary to attend the prestigious National Opera Studio in London, England. She received a Vocal Coaching Diploma from the Guildhall School of Music. While in England, Kate studied Art Song with master coaches Martin Isepp and Graham Johnson. Kate holds a Bachelor and Master’s of Music from McGill University, where she studied with Luba Zuk, Dale Bartlett, Michael McMahon and Dixie Ross Neill. Kate is very happy to be involved with Bravo Academy this year!

Abigail holds a Bachelor of Music (Music Education) from the University of Toronto as well as a Master of Music (Voice Performance) from Binghamton University, New York. She has also attended programs at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Orford Arts Centre and the New York Opera Studio and has worked with many renowned musicians.

Engagements have included Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony and Village Voices, Handel’s Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Cantata, Wachet, betet and his St. Matthew Passion with the Georgetown Bach Chorale. With the Mississauga Choral Society, she has appeared as Soprano Section Lead as well as Soloist in The Very Best of Gilbert & Sullivan and J.S. Bach’s Wachet auf. Roles have included Fanchette (Le marriage aux lanternes), Ilia (Idomeneo), Lakmé (Lakmé), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), and Adele (Die Fledermaus).

As a teacher, Abigail has taught at several well known and respected music schools in the Toronto area and was a Teaching Assistant at Binghamton University, teaching undergraduate level singers, piano classes and voice classes. Abigail has adjudicated both voice and piano at the Merriam School of Music Festival and the Glenburnie Performing Arts Challenge. As a clinician, she has lead workshops in language and diction as well performance skills. An experienced choral conductor as well, she has led the choir at the Toronto Faculty of Music and was Apprentice Conductor for the Earl Haig Girls’ Chamber Choir, the Toronto Children’s Chorus, and the Toronto Children’s Chorus Junior Choir. For the renowned Toronto Children’s Chorus, she has also served as Theory Tutor, Sight Singing Teacher and Assistant Camp Director for several summers.

Students of Abigail have auditioned successfully into arts schools and university music programs, such as York University, Claude Watson Arts Program, Cawthra School for the Arts, Etobicoke School for the Arts and Cardinal Carter School for the Arts. Students have also competed successfully in the Kiwanis Music Festival, Peel Music Festival and Davenport Music Festival. A pianist or singer can expect a music curriculum filled with all aspects of music literacy tailored to suit his or her individual needs, including; technique, music history, theory, ensemble, reading, rhythm, ear training, sight singing, composition, improvisation, musicality and above all, a sense of enjoyment, enrichment and accomplishment.

Meira is a trained ballet, jazz and tap dancer with over 20 years performing experience as well, she is a graduate of The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts where she also studied voice and acting. Favorite past performing credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret [SMT]; Nine [UC Follies]; A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Hart House Theatre]; Into the Woods [Bathurst Street Theatre]; Lion in the Streets [Annex Theatre];  Cabaret [UC Follies]; Speech! [2007 Toronto Fringe]; Stage Won [Nightwood Theatre] and upcoming A Funny Thing Happened…Forum at the Rose Theatre in Brampton. Additional credits include multiple dance festivals, charity events and music videos including two for multiple Juno award winner and Grammy nominee Leslie Feist. She has an assortment of Television and Film credits; recently she appeared as Isabel in Twilight Express for Bravo!Fact.

Choreography credits include Fame, Les Miserables, Anne of Green Gables, Cinderella, Little Women, Bye Bye Birdie, Seussical Jr. and G2K Once Upon a Mattress, Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. withBravo Academy, The Wiz and High School Musical for CharActors Theatre Troupeand La Traviata for Opera York in which she also performed. She is also the resident choreographer for Treehouse TV’s Judy and David having recently choreographed their touring productions of Goldirocks and Chanukah Liv and choreographed UC Follies 08/09’ production of Urinetown.  As a teacher, Meira has taught various styles of dance for many studios in Toronto and has travelled throughout Ontario conducting dance workshops. Meira is delighted to be a Choreographer and Musical Theatre Instructor at Bravo Academy for the Performing Arts.

Caroline Kuehn is a soprano, hailing from Toronto. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, she had the opportunity to perform at festivals such as the Salzburg Festival, The Mozart days Bologna, the Klangbogen Wien 
festival, the Carinthische Sommer Ossiach Festival, the Styriarte Graz Festival, performing solo roles in diverse works ranging from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, to the World Premiere of Arvo Pärt’s Church Opera, Der Weg. She has worked under the batons of such notable conductors as Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Daniel Harding, Bertrand de Billy, Edoardo Müller, Sir Ivor Bolton, while concurrently continuing studies at the Konservatorium der Stadt Wien. Her repertoire ranges from operetta (“Saffi,” Der Zigeunerbaron, and both Orlovsky and Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus) to opera of many styles and languages from Elettra in Mozart’s Idomeneo, to Magda Sorel in Menotti’s The Consul.

Ms. Kuehn completed her Graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, 
where she was able to sing the world premiere of a song cycle (Donal Og) with chamber  orchestra composed for her by the young American composer Herman Whitfield III, as  well as the world premiere of the orchestral concerto for soprano, He watched me Fall by  another young American composer, Alexandra Bryant, while performing many solo  roles with the school’s opera division, as well as performing with Opera Cleveland,  along side her studies. She spent the Summer of 2009 performing in Austria in the Styri-arte Graz, then in recital as a part of a new festival series, Mentzingen Festspiele in  Mentzingen Switzerland.  She is fluent in English, French, German, speaks Italian, and  her love of the Eastern European repertoire has led her to the study of the Russian language, started during her Master of Music degree in Cleveland, OH.

Caroline is active as a voice and piano teacher for all ages and styles.

A graduate of the University of Victoria with a degree in Composition and Theory, Yan Li has performed across Canada and abroad. He specializes in the performance of 20th century works and has a particular affinity for the music of Charles Ives. Yan’s involvement in theatre has included projects with Pacific Opera Victoria New Opera Workshop, the Victoria Operatic Society Hello, Dolly!, Opera NUOVA Die Fledermaus, Esquimalt Theatre Sweeney Todd, and his own music theatre troupe Higher Altitude. He has worked closely with national artists such as Benjamin Butterfield, Michael McMahon, Peter Dala, and Michael Cavannagh. As a composer, Yan is interested in the synthesis of musical theatre, opera, and tribal storytelling. He has written several shows and composed the incidental music for Blue Bridge Theatre’s inaugural production of As You Like It. As a freelance musician, he was recently on tour with the Off-Broadway production Piaf: Love Conquers All. Yan has also worked in Nigeria as a volunteer music and drama teacher and highly recommends the experience.

Yan is the music director for both the Youth and Teen Music Theatre Troupes and is the music director for a number of other musical theatre classes at Bravo Academy.  Yan is also active as an accompanist.

Sam is currently studying at the University of Toronto as voice major in the Music Education department.  Sam Moffatt was a private voice student of Melissa Bencic for 4 years where he completed his gr. 10 RCM Voice exam with First Class Honours and he currently studies under the tutelage of Peter Barnes at U of T.  Sam actively teaches beginner voice, guitar and piano and is an accompanist at Bravo Academy.   Sam studies musical theatre as well as classical voice.  Some of his roles include Jose Vegasfrom Fame, Jean Valjean from Les Miserables, Laurie Lawrence from Little Women, Mathew and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables, Conrad Birdie from Bye Bye Birdie and many others in excerpt shows. Sam is also a singer/songwriter and has finished his first CD Prologue and had a debut concert in April.  Sam also actively plays the Theatre Organ.  His studies have taken him to Los Angeles California after winning the George Wright Fellowship award and he has also traveled to England and other parts of the United States.  Sam enjoys teaching and accompanying for various classes at Bravo Academy.  

Andrea Naccarato holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, and has over twenty years of experience as a pianist.As a child, her love for music and performing was cultivated at Burlington Student Theatre and she has performed such roles as Grizabella from Cats, Mary Magdalene from Jesus Christ Superstar, the Red Queen in Through the Looking Glass and Cowadly Lion from The Wizard of Oz..  As an operatic soprano, she has performed across Canada in such roles as The Female Chorus in Britten’s Rape of Lucretia, Nannetta in Verdi’s Falstaff, The Foreign Woman in Menotti's The Consul, and Mrs Fiorentino in Kurt Weill's Street Scene. 

Her passion for choral singing lead her to tour Germany with Helmuth Rilling's Bachakademie Festivalensemble, where she sang major orchestral works such as Brahms' German Requiem and Mendelssohn's Elijah. More recently, she was invited to sing soprano with The Elora Festival Singers, one of Canada's premier professional chamber choirs. She has worked as the soprano lead at Toronto churches including St. James Cathedral, Lawrence Park Community Church, and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, where she also tutored children of the Church Choir School. 

As a performer of New Music, she has sung Peter Hatch's Guerilla Sound Events: Cell Life and Tandem for Two (a bite-sized opera sung while riding a tandem bicycle) at Stratford Summer Music Festival, The National Ballet, Toronto Island, The Junction Arts Festival in Toronto, and Les Escales Improbables in Montreal. In Ottawa with Seventeen Voyces, she performed Arcadia, a song cycle written especially for her voice by Andrew Ager. She can be heard singing on the composer's website: http://www.aager.com/audio.htm. 

Andrea is also an accomplished pianist and has recorded contemporary works including Let's Pretend! by Susan Greisdale, written to inspire children's imagination, and attune the young ear to contemporary sounds. Sound samples of this project can be heard at: http://www.redleafpianoworks.com/index.php?sort=c9

In January 2010 she was named Most Outstanding Artist in piano at the winter ORMTA awards. This summer she is working toward her ARCT in piano with The Royal Conservatory of Music.

Andrea is a warm and passionate teacher who coaxes her students both to enjoy and excel at music. She is excited to join the Bravo team!

Elizabeth (Beth) Polese is currently working on achieving her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) diploma (A.R.C.T) in voice performance.  As well, in September Elizabeth will be working towards a B.Mus in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Mary Morrison.  Beth has been studying voice with Melissa Bencic for 4 years and studies piano with Daniel Tsang. Beth has performed and competed provincially and has received numerous awards and scholarships from organizations such as the Kiwanis Music Festival of the G.T.A, the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (O.R.M.T.A.), the Davenport Festival of Music, and the Ontario Music Festival Association (O.M.F.A.) competition, in categories such as musical theatre, opera, operetta/light opera, and classical and art song categories.  As an active performer, Beth has performed in musicals across the city and has performed many roles – favourites include Serena (Fame, Bravo Academy), Ado Annie (Oklahoma!, Bravo Academy),Jo March (Little Women: The Musical, Bravo Academy) Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables, Bravo Academy) and Miss Adelaide (Guys & Dolls Jr., TYMTC). Her opera credits include being a chorus member in La Nozze di Figaro (NOCC) and Don Giovanni (Opera York), as well as being a member of Bravo Academy’s Opera Class where she performed roles and scenes from various operas. 

Beth has a passion for music and performance and loves to share her passion with her students!

Beckie is a recent graduate from the University of Western Ontario. Beckie brings more than 7 years of dance teaching experience with her, specializing in all styles of dance including Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Musical Theatre. She has studied dance and theatre for the majority of her life and has had the opportunity to perform in a plethora of pieces; her favourites include Velma Kelly in Chicago [Wolf Performance Hall], Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors [Wolf Performance], Me and My Girl [Markham Theatre], and Crazy For You [Markham Theatre].

As well, Beckie is extremely active behind the scenes has directed and choreographed over 15 shows. She has had the pleasure of performing for a few theatre greats (Marvin Hamlisch, Cynthia Dale, Sergio Trujillo and more) and continues to perform throughout the city. Her passion and love for the Performing Arts is evident in all that she does and is excited she can share that with everyone at Bravo!

Nicole Strawbridge is currently in the final stages of completing her Musical Theatre Diploma at The Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. Nicole has been studying Voice for 7 years and Musical Theatre for 4 years under the tutelage of Melissa Bencic. Credits include: Carmen Diaz in Fame, Cosette in Les Miserables, Jo March in Little Women, Anne Shirley & Miss Stacey in Anne of Green Gables &Cinderella in Cinderella. Nicole also appeared as chorus and main gypsy in La Traviata with Opera York.

Most recently Nicole is involved with a Randolph production of Top Girls in which she plays the roles of Griselda & Louise. Nicole has won numerous scholarships and awards for voice in the categories of opera, operetta, musical theatre and art song. She is an active performer performing for various festivals, charity functions, recitals and concerts.  Along with her vocal studies, she is active studying dance; ballet, jazz & tap. Nicole holds her grade 9 RCM in Voice and is working towards her grade 10. Nicole has been teaching Musical Theatre at Bravo for 3 years now and loves working with the young kids!

Vincent is a professional actor and director for theatre, film and television, Vincent has been a stage combat artist, fight director and equestrian for over 17 years. His fight choreography has been seen on stage and in film, as far away as Hong Kong, all across Canada and abroad. Specializing in Medieval combat and horses, after many years as a knight at Medieval Times, he earned his certification with Fight Directors Canada (FDC), where he broadened his horizons over 3 years to include many other styles, eras and weapons to his creative combat arsenal.

A professional fight choreographer for 5 years, his friendly, realistic approach to stage combat and his reputation for reliable service are quickly becoming a commodity. Vince has been the fight director with Bravo Academy on such shows as  West Side Story, Les Miserables, Oklahoma and Beauty and the Beast.  Vinceis thrilled to be involved with such enthusiastic young talent at Bravo Academy.

Daniel holds both a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and an ARCT in Piano Performance. Along with his piano training, he also studied orchestral conducting at the Canford Summer School of Music in Sherborne, England under George Hurst and choral conducting with Michael Zaugg at the Montreal Choral Masterclass. Daniel has conducted the Durham Chamber Orchestra and Oakville Choral Society. He has been the pianist and choir director of the Rhenish Church of Canada.  As an accompanist, he has collaborated with various soloists and choirs. Studying voice with Melissa Bencic, he was recently awarded the silver medal from the RCM Grade 10 voice exam where he received the highest mark in Ontario. He also won the Barwell Scholarship to study the organ with John Tuttle. Currently he is the organist/pianist at Central United Church, an artist-educator with the Canadian Opera Company, a musical director with Second City Toronto, and a freelance accompanist. As a composer, he has composed numerous works instrumental and choral pieces.  Daniel is a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association. 

Daniel enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. He is experienced teaching in different musical styles such as classical, pop, musical theatre and jazz.  Daniel is currently composing a collection of short piano pieces that comprises different styles for his students to enjoy. 

Hayley is originally from a small town just North of Edmonton, Alberta called Gibbons. She began classical voice training at age 11 with Diane Nelson and later attended Victoria High School of Performing and Visual Arts where she began training in Musical Theatre. Throughout high school Hayley performed with Kokopelli Choir and had the opportunity to participate in numerous festivals and performances across Canada, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, including at the 2002 world conference of The International Society for Musical Education in Norway.

Upon completion of high school, Hayley began teaching musical theatre summer camps with St. Albert Children’s Theatre where she directed Snoopy, Annie, and The Wiz. She went on to the triple threat program at Grant MacEwan College and graduated with a diploma in Theatre Arts. After college Hayley focused her training on film and founded her own theatre company called Revolution Productions.  She moved to Toronto in 2007 to pursue her acting dreams in the big city. Although Hayley loves Musical Theatre and it is always her passion. Favourite performance credits include: Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Ariel (Footloose), Paquette (Candide), Andrea (Jerry Springer the Opera), and Leila (John/Yoko Bed Piece). Hayley is thrilled to be part of the team at Bravo!

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jade now makes her home in Toronto. Jade first studied music at Douglas College in Vancouver. Later in Toronto, she received an ARCT in Piano Performance under the tutelage of Boris Zarankin and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education under the tutelage of Dr. Leslie Kinton. Later short term studies in Conducting at the Canford School of Music in the UK were undertaken. Jade’s volunteer work included being the Assistant Conductor with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets of the 800 Black Forest Squadron. In the past she was an accompanist and a vocal worship leader at Logos Baptist Church. Currently, she is a dedicated violin accompanist for a violin instructor. Jade has recently composed piano solos with classical, pop, and contemporary new-age style. A CD will be coming out in the near future

In Jade’s private instruction she teaches students in cello, violin, flute, and clarinet. Her students have successfully competed in the Kiwanis Music Festival as well as the Peel Music Festival. Classical, pop, and contemporary are but a few of the styles she explores in her teaching. She loves to share her passion of music with students of all ages and levels.

Neil holds a Bachelor's in Music in Jazz from the University of Toronto, as well as a Performance Diploma in Guitar from Grant Macewan College. Neil is originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he grew up studying piano.  From there Neil began studying guitar and tuba.  Neil has had the opportunity to study with some of the leading jazz guitarists in the country, such as Bobby Cairns, David Occhipinti, Geoff Young and Roy Patterson.  Versatility has allowed Neil to perform in a large variety of musical situations covering everything from solo jazz guitar to musical theatre and pop-rock.  Some of his collaborations include Najuah, Elastocitizens, Daniel Bernhard and Daniel Jamieson.  Neil is also an active composer and band-leader for Ninja Funk Orchestra, The Circles Quartet, and his own trio. Neil has performed both nationally and international in such places a Montreal, Germany, Chile and New York. 

As a teacher, Neil has almost a decade of experience with individuals and groups spanning all ages.  Neil's teaching approach has always followed the fundamental idea of 'leaning how to learn' so that the students can be free to take the instrument in any direction they choose.  Students learn a blend of technical and aural skills which can be applied to any style of music they choose to study.  Neil enjoys and takes great pride in helping students discover their skills and abilities.