Guitar and Bass Teachers

Scott Cassells Guitar

Scott is a veteran educator, teaching since 1992. He joined Allegro Music in 1998. Scott’s goals as an instructor are to teach the fundamentals of music through songs that inspire his students to grow as musicians. He caters to the personal interests of each individual’s musical taste, and provides a strong foundation of skills that will help his students achieve their goals.

Scott started playing guitar at the age of 10, taking classical guitar lessons with Tom Duffin, Head of Yamaha’s Music School Toronto. In addition to graduating with Honours from Humber College's Jazz Program, Scott has studied in California with musician/author Ted Greene, jazz guitarist Steve Khan, and Joe Diorio. Scott has recorded and plays locally with different groups showcasing various styles of music - rock, jazz, classical, country - some of which have been reviewed in Guitar Player Magazine.

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Hal Rodriguez Guitar & Bass

Hal is an outgoing teacher who brings a cheerful atmosphere to his classes at Allegro. He focuses on helping students learn their favourite songs as soon as possible, so they can experience the immediate joy of playing, but he also uses each song as a gateway for teaching the deeper workings of music theory. In this way, the student learns to appreciate the study of music in a practical context and develops a well-rounded foundation for continued growth. Hal also imparts a healthy attitude towards practicing and developing technique as a necessary means for achieving greater self-expression.

Hal is well versed on guitar and bass in many styles, including pop, rock, blues, funk, jazz, and metal. He has studied with premier fusion guitar virtuoso Greg Howe, and eight-time Juno nominated jazz guitarist Michael Occhipinti at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Before teaching music, Hal taught high school subjects and worked for a music publisher where he gained insight into the business side of the music industry. He actively writes, records, and performs with various musicians in the city.

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Bill Naphan Guitar

Bill has been instructing at Allegro Music since 2001. He teaches flamenco, classical, jazz and rock guitar styles. Students of all ages have benefited from his "hands-on" (playing songs and improvising) informative approach. Bill has a great love of guitar performing and looks forward to sharing that passion with his students.

Bill has been playing guitar since 1993. At age 15, he participated as featured guitarist in the North York Guitar Orchestra. By age 18 he accompanied his teacher Juan Tomas onstage and on television, promoting the Juan Tomas CD "The Guitar Player." In 2000 Bill began his solo career, performing original material with his own Acoustic Quintet.

Bill studied at Humber College with guitarists Ted Quinlan, Toni Zorzi and Rob Bulger. He also studied classical guitar at University of Toronto with Dr. Alvin Tung. Bill performs weekly at Bon Vivant Fine Dining and is preparing a CD for 2011 release.

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Don Stevenson Guitar and Bass

Don has been teaching in the Toronto area since 1998 and he joined our team in 2004. He is competent in a multitude of styles which include rock, metal, popular, jazz, folk, traditional and blues. One of his goals as a teacher is to teach others to be their own artist. His approach emphasizes technique on the instrument, enthusiasm for music and fun for the student.

Originally from Winnipeg, Don has extensive performance experience in both Winnipeg and Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from York University where he studied with celebrated teachers Lorne Lofsky, Mike Murley and Mark Eisenman. Currently Don is working on a Master of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies/Ethnomusicology at York University.

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Jordan Foote Guitar

Jordan has been a valued Allegro Music instructor since 2009. He loves teaching and enjoys the energy each student brings to his or her lesson. Jordan creates a fun and relaxed environment and encourages his students to achieve their personal musical goals and aspirations.

Jordan began teaching professionally in his hometown of Brantford upon graduating high school. One year later he was accepted and enrolled in Humber College's Bachelor of Applied Music Degree program for guitar. There, he studied under some of Toronto's more learned musicians. Jordan has a passion for music of all styles and is well versed in rock, pop, blues, jazz, heavy metal and folk.

Patrick Bailey Guitar

Since joining Allegro in 2003, Patrick has developed a faithful following of students due to his calm and friendly disposition. His energetic approach to teaching motivates students and gets them truly excited about learning the guitar and about music in general. Patrick's extensive instructing experience, both at Allegro and other music schools, has given him a thorough understanding of how to effectively communicate ideas to students. He strives to strike a balance between learning the fundamentals, guitar techniques and having fun with the instrument.

Patrick began his music education at an early age, spending hours in front of a stereo system learning songs and guitar playing techniques by ear. He went on to train classically in piano and guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music for almost eight years. In addition, Patrick studied Music Production and Sound Engineering for two years at Robeter Productions in Toronto.

Patrick is active in Toronto's vibrant music scene. He is the main composer and lyricist for the band Powdered Hoof, which has completed a studio album and gigs regularly around the city. Patrick is also involved in music production,  recording his own material as well as other artist's projects.

Aaron Young Guitar

Aaron is an experienced guitarist, composer and educator. He brings a great deal of enthusiasm combined with a serious musical ability to his lessons. His teaching approach is rooted in practical and technical fundamentals as well as overall musicianship, so that students can be free to pursue rock, jazz, pop or whatever style they choose. Aaron can teach the Royal Conservatory of Music guitar to the Grade 10 level.

Aaron holds various degrees in composition and jazz performance from distinguished universities and colleges including a Bachelor of Music from Humber College in Toronto, two Masters of Music from the University of Louisville in Kentucky, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

As a jazz guitarist, Aaron has performed with and appeared at various venues and international music festivals across Canada and the U.S. with notable international jazz musicians, including performances at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Toronto Distillery Jazz Festival, and the International Association of Jazz Educators in Toronto and Chicago. His live and recorded music has been broadcasted on television and radio in both countries most notably the 2003 Humber College Studio Jazz ensemble recording Everything Must Change recorded at CBC studios in Toronto, and Aiken’s 2009 album Paper Star.

Aaron's music has been performed in Canada and the United States by various professional and amateur ensembles including premiers by Vancouver-based contemporary music ensembles Turning Point, Standing Wave, and Land’s End, as well as ensembles at the Universities of Chicago, Louisville, British Columbia, and Humber College. His most recent achievements include a 2009 commission and premier by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra resulting in his acclaimed orchestral work Acte-Automaton, and his recent performance and arranging work on Malcolm Aiken’s 2009 album Paper Star (Gemini Five Records).

Patrick Power Bass & Guitar

Patrick is an active performer, composer and educator. Thrilled to be part of the Allegro teaching team, Patrick takes pride in delivering an inspiring and informative lesson. He enjoys exploring music creatively with his students. He also ensures that each student develop a strong technique that will enable the student to play anything he/she desires with ease.

Patrick studied classical guitar and composition at the University of Toronto under Guitar Foundation of America Hall of Fame member Eli Kassner. He has also performed extensively in rock bands and musicals, and has recorded his original music with former Our Lady Peace guitarist Mike Turner.

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