Michael McKenzie
Owner & Founder of Red House Music Academy
Guitars, Ukulele & Bass
Michael grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where taking guitar lessons sparked a lifelong passion for music. His journey led him to study guitar at Grant MacEwan College, teach and perform in Calgary, and eventually move to Toronto in 1994, where he toured extensively across North America with Universal Honey, sharing stages with artists including The Goo Goo Dolls, The Tragically Hip, and Alanis Morissette. Driven by a love of teaching and a vision for a modern, collaborative learning environment, Michael founded Red House Music Academy in 2009, combining performance, recording, and band experience. Alongside teaching and running the school, he continues to perform and record with Canadian music stalwarts The Lowest of the Low, bringing real-world experience into every lesson.
Al Cross
Drums
Born in Montreal in 1953, Al discovered a love for drums early on, playing in high school bands and drawing inspiration from local groups like The Rabble. A formative moment came when legendary drummer Art Blakey invited a small group of rain-soaked fans, including Al, onto the stage during an outdoor Jazz Messengers concert—an experience that left a lasting mark on his musical path. After high school, influenced by drummers such as Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, and Blakey himself, Al went on to study percussion with Pierre Beluse at McGill University and perform with many of Quebec’s top artists, including Dianne Tell.
Devin Herbert
Voice & Piano
Devin is a versatile singer and pianist with experience across pop, rock, musical theatre, and classical music, and a dedicated teacher who believes music can truly change lives. Performing professionally since childhood, Devin’s early credits include singing with Juno Award–winning children’s entertainers Judy & David and reaching the Top 100 of Canadian Idol at age 17. Alongside teaching, Devin works in theatre and classical music, singing regularly with the Mississauga Festival Choir and Humber Valley United Church, and performing in musicals such as The Wedding Singer, La Cage Aux Folles, and The Pansy Craze. Devin holds a Master’s Degree in Musical Theatre Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, is a graduate of Randolph College for the Performing Arts, and trained in classical piano and theory with the RCM, bringing both expertise and enthusiasm to students of all ages and skill levels.
Deanna Mann
Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Saxophone, Recording and Live Audio
Deanna grew up in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, immersed in a family tradition of music that led her to explore a wide range of styles and instruments from an early age. She studied jazz voice at St. Francis Xavier University before moving to Toronto to train in Musical Theatre at Randolph College for the Performing Arts, graduating in 2021. With experience across multiple vocal styles and instruments, Deanna brings a broad musical perspective to her teaching and values the opportunity to grow and learn alongside her students.
Nolan Jakupovski
Piano, Guitar, Bass & Ukulele
Nolan Jakupovski is a multi-instrumentalist and international performer from Mississauga, Ontario, with training in Jazz Performance from Humber College and Independent Music Production from Seneca College. Specializing in guitar and bass, Nolan brings a strong foundation in technique and musicianship to his lessons, pairing a laid-back teaching style with a focus on helping students have fun while reaching their full potential.
Alie Babiak
Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Songwriting and Piano
Alexandra Babiak is a Toronto-based singer and songwriter who began studying music at age three through the Royal Conservatory of Music, training in violin and voice, and performing with the Mississauga Children’s Choir. She has since developed a multifaceted career spanning performance, songwriting, and music education, including an artist residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, songwriting study in Nashville, and releases of both an EP and a full-length album. Alexandra has worked extensively with children and adults, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, and has served as a musician in residence and with the non-profit Music Can Heal since 2018. With formal training in music, theatre, and dance, and performances at festivals such as Canadian Music Week and Indie Week UK, she brings a compassionate, well-rounded approach to teaching and musical expression.
Aaron Knight
Drums & Percussion
Aaron has over 35 years of experience studying and performing on drums and percussion, with deep knowledge across rock, pop, jazz, blues, and beyond. His training includes study at the Drummers Collective in New York City and instruction with renowned educators Jim Blackley and Dave Weckl. Aaron’s performance career spans musical theatre productions such as Mamma Mia and The Lion King, small-combo jazz, and high-energy rock shows, and he currently performs with 2017 Juno Award winner Paul Reddick, bringing a wealth of real-world experience into his teaching.
Brendan Curry
Acoustic/Electric Guitar, Piano, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin and Drums
Brendan has over 12 years of teaching experience and a proven track record of helping students develop their natural abilities and achieve meaningful musical goals. A versatile multi-instrumentalist on piano, guitar, drums, bass, ukulele, and mandolin, he teaches a wide range of styles and works comfortably with beginners through advanced students—whether that means confidently playing favourite songs or preparing for auditions at post-secondary music programs such as McGill, U of T, or Berklee. With a strong foundation in RCM piano and a broad appreciation for music across genres, Brendan brings a positive, patient, and energetic approach to lessons, emphasizing strong fundamentals, creativity, and realistic goal-setting to help students build confidence and make steady, rewarding progress.
Josie Smith
Piano, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, and Bass
Josie Smith is a passionate music educator who teaches voice, piano, ukulele, and guitar to students of all ages. A trained actor, singer, and dancer, she holds a Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance from Sheridan College and brings a balanced approach to teaching that combines strong musical foundations with expressive artistry. Dedicated to helping students discover their musical voice, Josie strives to nurture confidence and a lifelong love of music, while staying active as a performer and composer outside the studio.
Izzy Eryavec
Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, and Bass
Izzy is an enthusiastic singer, musician, songwriter, and actor, and a recent graduate of Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Performance program. She specializes in teaching guitar, voice, bass, and piano, and brings a love of styles ranging from rock and pop to jazz and musical theatre. Creating a fun, supportive environment is central to Izzy’s teaching approach, helping students feel inspired, confident, and excited to learn.
Amariah Faulkner
Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Drums, and Bass
Amariah Faulkner is an actor, songwriter, and dancer with a strong passion for arts education, grounded in RCM voice and music theory training and a BFA from Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre Performance program. She has performed with companies such as Mirvish, The Musical Stage Company, Paramount, and CBC, and her voice can be heard on popular children’s animated series including Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Creative Galaxy, Wild Kratts, and Arthur. As a teacher, Amariah is dedicated to inspiring young performers with the same curiosity and love for the arts that has shaped her own career.
Andrew Hayes
Piano, Beginner Guitar, Ukulele, Songwriting, Harmony and Theory.
Andrew is an experienced music teacher based in Toronto, with a Bachelor of Music in Composition and a Grade 10 RCM certification in piano. Passionate about writing and performing music, he draws inspiration from a wide range of styles including classical, rock, R&B, and hip-hop, and enjoys sharing that creativity and enthusiasm with his students.