Our Music Teachers

Managing Director & Guitar Tutor

William Schollar is the managing director of Beats and Bars Music School. Away from education Will is a Music Producer and Guitarist. Will studied Guitar and graduated from one of Europe’s leading conservatoires Leeds College of Music in 2014, with a BA(Hons) in Music with first-class honours. During that time Will studied under the tutorage of Stuart McCallum (Cinematic Orchestra). Will specializes in a range of playing styles and contexts. In 2015 Will became a fully qualified secondary school teacher in the U.K. gaining a Postgraduate degree (PGCE) in Secondary Music from the Manchester Metropolitan University. He then went on to be Head of Music at Heron Hall Academy in London for three years.

Will is currently the head engineer and producer at the iconic Kensington Sound recording studios in downtown Toronto. His diverse credit list includes industry professionals such as Snoop Dogg, Ben Pelchat (MyMySugar, Chris Hart, Boy George), Vezi Tayyeb (Alannah Myles, The Drifters), Jaymz Bee, Robert Priest (Poet & Author), Jordan John, Prakash John (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed), Shannon Dooks, Raff Pylon, Jeff McMurrich, João Thiré, Rosanne Baker Thornley (RBT), Mikalyn Hay, Trevor LaRose, Kevin Fox and Mark Kelso (Pat Metheny, Michael Bublé, Shania Twain).

Brass Tutor

Originally from Ottawa, trumpeter Charlie Watson graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor’s in Music Performance in 2020, studying under renowned instructor Barton Woomert. Since successfully auditioning in fall 2019, he has been the second trumpet with the Canadian Opera Company.

Charlie's performance experience includes collaborations with the symphony orchestras of Toronto, the National Arts Centre (NACO), Québec City, and Kingston, where he served as guest principal. He has also played with the Esprit Orchestra and the Hannaford Street Silver Band. As a freelancer, he has showcased his talents with groups like True North Brass, I Musici de Montreal, and the NACO brass quintet, as well as at the Music and Beyond Festival and alongside organist Rachel Laurin.

Notable achievements include being a semifinalist in the 2020 OSM Competition, placing third in the 2019 NACO Bursary competition, and winning the Hannaford Youth Rising Stars competition, which allowed him to perform as a soloist with the HSSB. Charlie has participated in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, l’Orchestre de la Francophonie, and the National Academy Orchestra, and he has attended Domaine Forget multiple times, performing with Les Violons du Roy. His diverse musical interests also encompass Sacred polyphony, Gregorian chant, and choral conducting.

Drum Tutor (In-person & Online)

Trevor Falls is a drummer and composer who grew up in Port Alberni, B.C. Trevor earned his degree in music at Humber College where he focused on performance, song-writing and recording. At Humber he had the fortune to study with some of Canada’s best musicians.Trevor has won awards on both a regional and national level for his drumming. At the Musicfest National competition he was awarded Zildjian’s “best young rhythm player”. Trevor works in and around Toronto and tours Canada with many groups ranging from Jazz to Hip-Hop to Rock. He has been performing around Canada for the past two years with Sony Music artist Langston Francis.

In 2010 Trevor was awarded a grant from the Canada Council to attend the Banff International workshop for creative and improvised music at the Banff Center for the Arts as well as a Factor Demo grant for recording. In 2016 Trevor was accepted into the prestigious Leighton Artist Colony Residency at the Banff Center for the Arts where he composed music for his latest album. He has had the chance to perform & record with some great musicians & bands including but not limited to Lauren Falls, Tristan Clark, Seamus Blake, Brad Turner, Nir Felder, Miles Jones, Oscar Tango, Dionne Taylor, Kae Sun, Dee Dee & the Dirty Martini’s and Langston Francis to name a few.

Woodwind & Piano Tutor

Patrick Smith is a freelance musician and teacher based in Toronto (originally from Ottawa). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance (BMus with Honours) from the University of Toronto, during his time there he was given the Ann and Wallace McCoy Renewable Scholarship upon graduation was awarded the SUBA Institute Award for Performance Excellence.

Outside of his formal education, Patrick has traveled to New York to study with internationally acclaimed American saxophonist Mark Shim and in the past has studied under Canadian jazz legends Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson and Tony Malaby.

Piano Tutor

Growing up in the interior of BC, Andrew showed early passion and aptitude for music, completing his Royal Conservatory piano studies at the age of 15. After spending his high school years playing in rock and pop bands, Andrew studied Jazz Piano at Capilano University, which eventually led him to many touring and performing opportunities in a variety of musical styles : from globally recognized pop artists to renowned jazz figures. When Andrew moved east in 2017, he began graduate studies at the University of Toronto, where he was involved in numerous areas of research including psychoacoustics, music neurology and electronic music. Andrew is currently active in the Toronto music community as a songwriter, producer, teacher, piano player, drummer and sound designer.

When teaching, Andrew strives to foster individuality and creativity, while laying a strong foundation of technique and structure. Drawing from the experience of invaluable instruction received during his career, Andrew has the ability to passionately and sensitively lead students in their comprehension of overarching musical concepts, while appealing to the specific musical taste of each student.

Piano & Vocal Tutor

Brigit McDermott is a freelance pianist, singer and educator based in Toronto. Graduating from Centennial College’s Music Industry Arts and Performance program majoring in performance, Brigit specializes in Piano, Vocal and Musical Theatre studies. Brigit has also studied under the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) for several years.

In addition to her formal education, Brigit regularly performs and teaches throughout Toronto as a pianist, vocalist, and session musician.

Vocal Tutor

Originally from Ottawa ON, Morgan has been deeply passionate about Music and singing for as long as she can remember. Her love of Drama led her to theatre and stage at the early age of 6. Morgan moved to Toronto to study Musical Theatre, graduating from the Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts. She has performed in a range of theatre productions across Canada alongside making TV appearances.

Since graduating Morgan has been working as a session vocalist, vocal coach and actor. Morgan has been teaching vocal lessons and preparing students for RCM vocal grades for over 5 years. Morgan specializes in Musical Theatre, Classical, Jazz, Pop, and Folk repertoire. With a nurturing and full-body approach to the music lessons, she approaches each student’s journey individually fostering confidence to create loud, powerful and joyful noise!

Guitar & Ukulele Tutor (In-person & Online)

Tristan Armstrong has been teaching the guitar since 2004. In that time he has worked with students of all ages and abilities, and has developed an approach that is tailored to each individual’s strengths and learning style. Lessons focus on developing an appreciation and enjoyment of music, as well as the basics of music theory and technique as they apply to the guitar. Emphasis is placed on getting students playing songs that they personally enjoy.

Originally from the west coast, Tristan completed a Bachelor of Music degree at Vancouver Island University, with further studies in Jazz Guitar at Humber College in Toronto. In addition to being an educator, Tristan also performs professionally on a weekly basis, working in a variety of styles. Performance highlights include playing in concert with drummer Steve Gadd (Paul Simon, James Taylor, Steely Dan), as well as playing the music of The Blues Brothers as Dan Aykroyd’s backing band together with drummer Johnny Fay (The Tragically Hip.

Woodwind Tutor (Online Only)

Jeff LaRochelle is a Toronto-based woodwind specialist, as well as a composer and educator. He graduated from Humber College with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2010, and has been freelancing in Toronto since then. Jeff has performed throughout Canada as well as in Europe and South Korea. He has had the chance to work with many renowned musicians including Danilo Perez, Brian Blade, Pat LaBarbera, Rich Brown, and Tim Ries. Jeff has released 5 full-length albums as a leader or co-leader, including his latest solo recording “Lenses Extend” in November 2018. He also co-leads the contemporary jazz trio Autobahn and has arranged and composed music for The Massey Hall Band (big band) and Spectrum Music (chamber music), along with freelancing with many Toronto-based acts.

As an educator, Jeff has over 10 years experience teaching saxophone, clarinet, and flute and has been teaching at Montcrest School for the last 5 years. He has also taught clinics at Humber College, the University of Toronto, Upper Canada College, and the Simcoe County District School Board.