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Music Lessons “This ain’t Mozart” is a comprehensive music program designed to teach basic to advanced levels of instrument playing. Our mandate is for our student’s to learn genres of music and songs they are familiar with. Our instructors are professional musicians with a combined playing experience of approximately 150 years. Instructors Drums/Percussion Jack Pedler Jack began his drumming career at the ripe age of 9 years old taking lessons from Hamilton’s great Bob Wright. At age 13, Jack joined his first formal rock band and by age 16 was working in the recording studio with RCA recording Artist’s Buxton’Kastle. Through the years Jack has not only mastered his chops playing and teaching most genres of music but he also has three solo CD’s to his credit, when not teaching at Picks and Sticks or in the studio recording Jack can be found playing behind the drum’s with the likes of Sonny Del Rio, Jerry Johnson and Teenage Head.Guitar and Bass Guitar Chris Houston At the age of 12, Chris was creating music banging away on anything he could find. Chris played his first gig with the band Middle Class Noise at Gage Park in Hamilton Ontario when he was 15. Chris went on and joined Hamilton’s punk pioneer’s The Forgotten Rebels as their drummer, but soon moved to bass guitar where he discovered a new path and the art of song writing. Chris once again moved on to higher grounds to play and record with the likes of The One Eyed Jacks, Sex Machine, Jeelo Biafara, Randy Bachman, and Richard Bell amongst others. Chris has also been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, Village Voice, LA Weekly, and the Globe and Mail. Guitar and Vocal Anthony Goodine At age two Anthony’s parents knew their son was destine for a musical career and by age five they bought Anthony his first guitar. Years later Anthony would find himself traveling the world as an International Musician playing in various countries with various bands. Anthony eventually landed a position at Metal Works studio in Toronto, Ontario where he developed his engineer/production skills. Anthony has been teaching vocal and guitar in Toronto for more than ten years eventually making his way to Hamilton. When not engaged in his production work Anthony can be found teaching at Picks and Sticks Music. Guitar Gord LewisGord Lewis became exposed to music at very young age by his parents, his Father an accomplished trombonist and choral singer, his Mother a supporter of music appreciation as a parent and educator. In the 1970’s Gord attended Westdale High School in Hamilton, Ontario, with classmates Steve Mahon, Frank Kerr and Nick Stipanit they formed the band “Teenage Head”. After 35 years his guitar playing has remained true to his style. Teenage Head continues to draw audiences of all ages while performing locally or while touring across Canada. Gords guitar playing and song writing were inspired by the guitar sounds of Johnny Thunders, Chuck Berry, Mick Ronson and James Williamson. These guitar styles fueled Gord to develop his own riffs and the chord structures he is known for today. Gords dedication to music continues as an invited course speaker at Universities/Colleges and as a teacher to future guitarist at Picks And Sticks Music. Guitar Matt Paxton After self recording and releasing his debut EP Hand Drawn Maps in early 2006, Matt was invited by local producers Michael Keire and Glen Marshall, known for their work with Feist and Apostle of Hustle, to record what would become 2009's stunning Back Home in the Village. While critics were raving, (Exclaim! Magazine wrote, "the hazy, Lanois-esque vibe complements Matt often-laconic delivery, and sets him apart from the common herd of no-nonsense troubadours. Matt produced a solid starting point from which to make his mark" and The View Magazine wrote that the album, "showcases Matt’s attention to detail in song writing and a pensive, heartfelt approach to performance") Matt spent some hearty time on the road touring and playing with the likes of Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene), Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Cuff the Duke, Chad VanGaalen and many more. Matt is currently working on a new album in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. For more information please call 905-528-6058 |