ABOUT OUR TEAM
Waterloo Region’s home-grown music school
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.
“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.
Scott Butler
“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
Instructor
Scott began learning music as a young child, starting with piano lessons at YBM at five years old! As music has been a huge part of his life, he values getting to contribute to the music community, and building a welcoming and friendly environment.
He’s now been teaching at YBM for over 3 years. 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 enjoys playing in street performances, talent shows, and other Hespeler community events. 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
Liam Burke
“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
Instructor
Liam has been playing music for as long as he can remember, and at six years old began singing in choir. Growing up, he learned multiple instruments including piano and low brass instruments such as the tuba. In high school, he even co-created and led a pop band!
Now a Grade Seven RCM pianist, Liam has been teaching at YBM for almost nine years in both French and English. He developed a strong sense of community from volunteering at music festivals, performing in musicals, and participating in OELC Music Leadership Camp.
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
Stephanie Tulloch
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
Instructor
Billy Bao
“Billy is an excellent Violin teacher. My daughter has been taking violin lessons for a number of months, and she is very pleased with the progress she has made, and the manner and talent with which Billy is doing his job! Highly recommended!”
– Dorin B., Parent
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
Max Szwedo-Weese
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
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
“Hailey has been great. She's quite patient with the girls, even when they aren't listening, and Charlotte has really enjoyed her time.”
– Elise G., Parent
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
Amy Lightfoot
Musical Safari Guide & Instructor
“Thanks to Amy for being an awesome, fun-loving, passionate, and simply irreplaceable instructor.”
– Julia T., Parent
Amy believes that everyone should have the opportunity to create music, as it helps us explore humanity in a unique way. Her musical journey began by joining choirs as a child. Growing up and as an adult, she sang and played in a variety of performances such as musicals, symphonies, and choral concerts across Ontario.
Now a multi-instrumentalist, Amy has been teaching music at YBM for more than 10 years and loves to teach beginner piano. She has led our Musical Safari program since 2022, and in 2023, she joined the Management team.
Amy’s teaching style focuses on the appreciation of music and the way it can express emotion, depth, or even memories. Having volunteered with music programs at local public schools, she enjoys sharing in the like-minded atmosphere of the music community with friends, family, and peers.
Amy teaches: Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Violin, & Saxophone
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 Daza
Instructor & Manager
“Zach and Yellow Brick Music have been my motivation for years and inspire my passion for music.“
– Dan, Former Student
Zach loves to share his passion for music with the community. He enjoys writing music and exploring musical history, and finds it incredibly rewarding to help others find their own love of music. Through teaching, he shows his students how music can create connection and understanding.
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, he is an RCM Licentiate-level pianist, plays eight other instruments, and strives to learn new languages, too.
Zach has been teaching at YBM for 10 years now, and in 2022 he also joined our Management team! He currently teaches in Russian and English, and is learning Japanese and French.
Zach teaches: Piano, Guitar, Drums, Clarinet, Ukulele, Bass Guitar, & Accordion
Dylan Langan
“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
Instructor & Owner
Ever since his father taught him guitar as a kid, Dylan has enjoyed exploring and writing a wide variety of music. As a young adult, he became a versatile musician who performed original music at rock shows and night clubs, sang at opera houses in Italy, and conducted the Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra and Fuse Opera Orchestra
Dylan has been teaching at YBM for 10 years now, and in July 2021 he had the privilege of becoming the new owner of the school. With two degrees in Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, he loves teaching in both French and English to help students of all ages pursue their unique interests in music.
With a long history in the inter-arts community, Dylan is the the Founder and Executive Director of Fuse, as well as a recipient of the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers and the Bernice Adams Memorial Award.
Dylan teaches: Piano, Guitar, Voice, & Drums
Breanna Langan
Brea’s journey with the arts began as a kid, exploring her creative side through various activities such as singing lessons, photography, and writing. While attending Conestoga College for Public Relations and Marketing, she found herself constantly drawn to the arts and ever since has looked for opportunities to support the community.
She has worked and volunteered in various marketing roles, including marketing and events for the arts community. In 2021, she started her own business to help other entrepreneurs and artists grow their brand through their marketing.
Since becoming a part of the YBM team in 2022, Brea has helped share our story by creating content for our social media, website, and more. She also enjoys flexing her creativity with design, painting, and dance!
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