Waterloo Region’s home-grown music school

Scott began learning music as a young child, starting with piano lessons at YBM at five years old! He values getting to contribute to the music community, and building a welcoming and friendly environment. He is currently attending Wilfrid Laurier University pursuing his Bachelor's of Music.

He's now been teaching at YBM for over 5 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 practising a new song on piano, you might find him playing video games or exploring his interests in science and math.

Elliott has always valued the positive impacts and psychological benefits of art — how music can improve focus, or visual or written expression can have a calming effect. He believes music can help inspire anyone to keep learning, creating, and connecting.

He began his own music lessons at seven years old, developing skills on piano and guitar, plus learning three other instruments. Through his school band, he's played in the Hespeler Music and Lights festival, as well as competed regionally and nationally in multiple ensembles!

Outside his role as a Junior Instructor at YBM, he's known for volunteering in the community, mentoring bandmates at school, and performing in a punk-rock cover band.

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 an 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.

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 over 10 years, and in 2022 he also joined our Management team! He currently teaches in Russian and English, and is learning Japanese and French.

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!

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.

Since starting piano lessons at our school as a young child, Claire has learned to play four different instruments and turned music into an outlet for self-expression. She believes music can help us connect to our emotions, creativity, memories, and inner peace.

Claire is a proud University of Guelph student, and in 2024 she joined our team as a Junior Instructor! Her infectious enthusiasm and dedication make her a vibrant presence in the arts community.

Beyond continuing to develop her music skills and knowledge, she enjoys writing and recently celebrated finishing her first novel!

After playing different instruments while growing up, including piano, flute, and guitar, Mia is evolving her love of music into a fun, meaningful approach to teaching! She's currently studying music at the University of Waterloo on a scholarship earned for her compositions and written work.

Mia loves building community through music and making learning fun for all ages! She brings fresh enthusiasm, patience, and skill through prior experience as a swim instructor.

Outside of classes, Mia's primary instrument is the flute and she often performs with Kaleidoscope Flute Choirs and the KW Youth Concert Band. She's passionate about the way music enables expression and creativity, and is stage manager for the 2027 musical at Conrad Grebel University College.

A Wilfrid Laurier Bachelor of Music grad with RCM Level 10 Piano certification, Zhe is a versatile instructor with experience teaching, conducting choirs and ensembles, and working with Ukulele Kids. He began playing the piano at age five, and later mastered the ukulele, trombone and French horn!

Zhe's approach to teaching turns practice into fun progress and makes lessons warm and approachable for beginners and busy families. He believes music has the potential to be a powerful way of building connection, healing, and finding joy in community.

He's actively involved in the performing arts, having sung in choirs and groups like KW Sentro, appeared in events including Kiwanis and KW Multicultural Festival, and performed in dance styles like K-Pop, Jazz, and Latin!

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.