About Our School
“The teachers and ownership are wonderful, we have been going here for years and have always been very happy!”
- Terri Star, Parent
Yellow Brick Music (YBM) is a community-driven school focusing on creativity and quality education for students of all ages.
We’ve been enriching the lives of our students for over 36 years.
We are known in the community for our care for and dedication to our students . We can often be found at local events, and have been fortunate to have the support of this community.
We look forward to many more years of helping our students succeed.
Our Story
1987
Michelle Jacques founded Kindermusik Cambridge (KMC), a music school providing group classes to students from ages 0-7.
2010
Richard & Valerie L'Abbe started Queen Street Music School (QSM) in their home, teaching music lessons to students from ages 5 and up.
2015
Michelle Jacques passed KMC on to the L'Abbes, and a year later both QSM & KMC get a new home on 27 Queen Street East.
2021
Long-time QSM instructor, Dylan Langan, became the new owner of both QSM & KMC. The businesses moved to a new location in Hespeler, at 25 Sheffield Street. A new Musical Safari program was launched for newborns to kids age 6.
2022
The businesses were combined to form Yellow Brick Music (YBM). A second location was opened in Ayr.
“You have acquired all the best of the best Instructors. Well done in selecting this exceptionally well-qualified, humble team to be a part of your music school.”
— Indra P., Parent
Our Staff
We retain incredible students year after year because of the quality of our instructors.
“Dan has learned so much in his lessons with Scott! He really enjoys the time he spends at the studio, and we can’t say enough about how awesome the school is.”
– Sarah, Parent
Scott Butler
Scott began learning music as a young child, with piano lessons at YBM at five years old! He’s now been teaching at YBM for three years, and plays and teaches his students in the Royal Conservatory methods. He enjoys playing in street performances, talent shows, and other Hespeler community events.
As music has been a huge part of his life, he values getting to contribute to the music community, and build a welcoming and friendly environment. Through teaching, he’s discovered a new interest in leadership and an appreciation for the positive impact that music can have on anyone, even beginners!
Scott finds beauty and satisfaction in music, regardless of where it comes from — be it a film, game, or the radio. When he’s not focused on learning French or practicing a new song on piano, you might find him playing video games or exploring his interests in science and math.
Scott teaches: Piano & Guitar
Instructor
“Liam is really amazing with my girls, he’s so patient with them and is really good at keeping them engaged during the lesson. My girls aren’t very easy students, but Liam is really good at adapting his lessons to get the job done. We’re so happy with this arrangement!”
– Steph D., Parent
Liam Burke
Liam has been playing music for as long as he can remember, and at six years old began singing in choir. He started learning the piano at the age of nine and soon after began focusing on low brass instruments, including the tuba. In high school, he even co-created and led a pop band!
He has developed a strong sense of community from volunteering at music festivals, performing in musicals, and participating in OELC Music Leadership Camp. He plays in the Cambridge Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is a Grade Seven RCM pianist.
Teaching at YBM for over seven years, Liam is a passionate instructor who is fluent in both French and English. In addition to instructing in the Faber, Hal Leonard, and Royal Conservatory methods, he works hard to ensure his students can also develop their confidence and love for music.
Liam teaches: Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Voice, & Drums.
Instructor
Stephanie Tulloch
Instructor
With over 5 years of teaching experience, Stephanie strives to inspire the next generation to find a love for music. She learned to sing and play guitar from her father as a child, and eventually attended Wilfrid Laurier University to study music.
Stephanie supports her YBM students in achieving their goals, from having fun learning a new instrument, to preparing for concerts and competitions they are passionate about!
For years, Stephanie has been active in the music community by joining in open mic nights, community performances, competitions, and even parades. She also loves helping future songwriters find their voice, just like she did.
Stephanie teaches: Voice, Guitar & Piano
Tyler Bracken
Instructor
Like many of us, Tyler's experiences with music began when he was young. But his music education began with lessons from YBM's very own instructors! Tyler is now excited to be passing on his passion for music to students of his own at YBM.
His joy and pride in music have grown naturally since he began exploring music and lessons in high school. Tyler expresses his creativity through new instruments, community events, and even leading and performing with friends in a few bands!
Tyler teaches many instruments, and also enjoys voice and piano. In addition to music, Tyler is also interested in electronics and sound tech; this interest comes together in his knowledge of electric guitars and how they work.
Tyler teaches: Piano, Guitar, Bass, & Drums.
Billy Bao
Instructor
Since starting to learn violin and piano at the young age of 4, music has been an important part of Billy's life. He experienced firsthand that spark of passion that music teachers can have on students, and nowadays he hopes to share that same magic and joy with his own students.
Billy pursued his passion in university and received an Honours Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. Outside of his education, he's been super active in the arts scene, participating in orchestra and opera performances locally and in the GTA.
And music isn’t Billy’s only talent! He also loves creating pixel art and developing games.
Billy teaches: Violin & Piano
Kayla Burmaster
Instructor
Growing up with a family of musicians, music has always been a part of Kayla's life. From a young age she took lessons in multiple instruments, but voice became a clear favourite. She channeled this passion into her high school extracurriculars, and now her BA in Music and Psychology from the University of Waterloo.
You could say Kayla is obsessed with voice as an instrument. And teaching came naturally to her, helping guide her peers in a cappella groups, or coaching ensembles and soloists in musicals. So she's excited to now formally teach voice at YBM!
She believes in the power of community, and that's reflected in her decade-long involvement in local and provincial music performances with groups like KW Glee and the Ontario Youth Choir.
Kayla teaches: Voice & Guitar
Tori Young
A multi-instrumentalist who enjoys connecting with and performing for her community, Tori's passion for music led her to begin teaching two years ago. But she's been singing her heart out and writing her own songs since she was a kid!
With experiences from performing at local concerts to competing at vocal showcases, Tori is a big part of the arts community. She also enjoys reading and painting!
Having previously coached young athletes, Tori is all about providing a safe and fun space for her students to explore their passion. She firmly believes in the expressive power of music, and encourages her students to explore their own creativity through lessons.
Tori teaches: Voice, Guitar, Piano & Drums
Instructor
Anna Versluis
Musical Safari Guide & Instructor
Anna has always been into music and dance since she was a kid. She loved it so much that she went on to get her Bachelor's in Music! Now, she's working on her Master's in Music Therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University.
When it comes to teaching music, Anna knows her stuff. In the past several years of her own music education, she's taught music lessons and theory to others, including adults with special needs. She believes music has the magic to bring everyone together.
In addition to teaching, she loves to explore the powerful experiences of music through performing flute or practicing dance.
Anna teaches: Flute & Guitar
Hailey Crépault
Musical Safari Guide & Instructor
Hailey's passion for music kicked off in grade school when she started singing lessons. Since then, she's participated in a ton of choir groups, performances, and musical theatre competitions!
Now, Hailey is a Musical Safari Guide and Instructor at YBM. Throughout her exploration of music, she has also enjoyed teaching elementary-level singing lessons and organizing music events for kids.
By getting involved in the music community, including events like the Brant Music Festival, Hailey has seen how music can bring people together. She also believes it can truly improve their well-being and mental health.
Hailey teaches: Voice & Piano
“Thanks to Amy for being an awesome, fun-loving, passionate, and simply irreplaceable instructor.”
– Julia T., Parent
Amy Lightfoot
Musical Safari Guide & Instructor
Amy believes that everyone should have the opportunity to create music, as it allows people to explore humanity in a unique way. Amy’s musical journey began by seeing her family singing in choirs, and then joining a choir herself. Growing up and as an adult, she sang and played in a variety of performances such as musicals, choral concerts in Ottawa, and symphonies.
Now, Amy is a multi-instrumentalist and has been teaching music at YBM for over 10 years. She loves to teach beginner piano, and enjoys leading our Musical Safari program. She has led local youth bands and volunteered with music programs at local public schools. In 2023, Amy became a Manager of Yellow Brick Music!
Amy strives to teach others how to appreciate music and its ability to express emotion, depth, and even memories. Sharing in the like-minded atmosphere of the music community with friends, family, and peers is one of the great joys of her life.
Amy teaches: Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Violin, & Saxophone
Max Szwedo-Weese
Junior Instructor
Max started exploring music seven years ago as a YBM student himself. Inspired by the role models he's found in popular artists as well as local musicians in Hespeler, he's been an active member in our community for a long while now!
With experience in local performances and rocking out at children's camps as a camp counsellor, Max is now guiding his own students not just with knowledge but a genuine love for the arts. He believes that motivation and encouragement from our community to explore our passions can help us become our best selves.
Max teaches: Guitar, Ukulele, Piano & Bass
Guinevere Izzo
Junior Instructor
Since getting her hands on her first guitar at 13, Guin has been nurturing a love for music. She has always pursued learning new skills and new instruments, and first joined our school as a student!
Guin truly believes that music is a way to express yourself and discover more about ourselves and our community. Now she's turning this passion into a tool to inspire others in her role as a Junior Instructor.
Over the years, she's honed her leadership and stage presence through public speaking and community performances like Ayr Porchfest. Her confidence on a stage shines through in her teaching, making your lessons a blast!
Guinevere teaches: Drums & Guitar
Livia Duarte
Junior Instructor
Livia has been belting out songs and playing both piano and guitar since she was a young kid. She began taking lessons at our very own school, and a few years later has now become a Junior Instructor herself!
Music has played a big role in her life, and Livia loves to share this passion with her community through many roles — like working with kids in summer camps to volunteering at non-profits or performing in local live music events.
She's excited to help others discover the joy in music and inspire children to explore their own creativity, too!
Livia teaches: Voice, Piano & Guitar
“Zach and Yellow Brick Music have been my motivation for years and inspire my passion for music.“
– Dan, Former Student
Zach Daza
Zach loves to share his passion for music with the community. Through teaching, he shows his students music’s capacity to create connection and understanding. He enjoys writing music and exploring musical history, and finds it incredibly rewarding to help others find their own love of music.
Zach has played guitar since he was nine years old, and as a young adult, he played the piano and bassoon in several operas. These days, Zach is the principal conductor of the Fuse Opera Orchestra and plays nine instruments. He enjoys studying advanced piano pieces and learning new instruments, like the violin.
Zach has been teaching at YBM for 9 years, and in July 2022 he became a Manager at Yellow Brick Music! He is an RCM Licentiate-level pianist and is also passionate about learning new languages. He currently teaches in Russian and English, and is learning Japanese and French.
Zach teaches: Piano, Guitar, Drums, Clarinet, Ukulele, Bass Guitar, & Accordion.
Instructor & Manager
“When I started guitar with Dylan, I was incredibly nervous (as most kids are starting something new). Dylan was able to work so well with me and made me feel welcome. After 5 years of lessons, there is no one I’d recommend more than Dylan.”
– Marko S., Former Student
Dylan Langan
Dylan is a versatile musician and teacher who helps create opportunities for people to explore their own creativity. Ever since his father started to teach him guitar as a kid, he’s enjoyed exploring and writing a wide variety of music. He’s performed original music at rock shows and night clubs, sang at opera houses in Italy, and conducted the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Vera Causa Opera Orchestra.
Dylan has been teaching at YBM for ten years now, and in July 2021 he became the new owner of the school. Dylan loves teaching in both French and English to help students of all ages pursue their unique interests in music. He is a recipient of the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers and the Bernice Adams Memorial Award.
Dylan is involved in the inter-arts community as the Founder and Executive Director of Fuse, creating arts experiences for everyone from young families to professional artists. He also founded Autopylot to help other business owners reduce their workloads with custom-coded automations and applications.
Dylan teaches: Piano, Guitar, Voice, & Drums.
Instructor & Owner
Breanna Langan
Brea’s journey with the arts began as a kid, exploring her creative side through various activities such as singing lessons, painting, dance, talent shows, and most of all, writing. While attending Conestoga College for Public Relations and Marketing programs, she found herself constantly drawn to the arts and ever since has looked for opportunities to use her skills to support the community.
Over the past five years, she has worked in various marketing roles, and volunteered with Fuse on marketing and events for the arts community. In 2021, she became a full-time freelancer and started her own business, Ever Bloom, helping other entrepreneurs and artists grow their brand through their marketing.
Since becoming a part of the YBM team in Fall 2021, Brea has helped share our story by capturing photos of the YBM community and creating content for our social media, website, and more. She loves working on writing and messaging, but also enjoys flexing her creativity with design, brand strategy, and event management!
Marketing
Quinn Lightfoot
Facilities
Bio coming soon!
“Yellow Brick Music (formerly Queen Street Music) is a community of amazing families and instructors”
— Richard L’Abbe
Founder, Queen Street Music