Cosmo School of Music Drum Teacher Profiles
Aaron Spink
Instruments: Drums, Percussion
Education: Music Diploma in Jazz, Humber College
Style: Jazz, Rock, Blues, Latin, Funk
Languages: English
Aaron Spink was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. His first start in music was when he started studying piano at age 7, where he would go on to complete his Grade 5 RCM in performance as well as his Grade 2 Theory and Grade 1 Harmony, both through RCM. At age 10, Aaron started taking up drumming through music classes in elementary school and would soon after, take up the instrument privately with home study. Aaron’s drumming talents would be thoroughly seasoned throughout High School, where he was a member of Pickering High School’s Concert Band, Stage Band, Jazz Choir and other independently run small jazz combos, as well as a 3 time member of the Durham Regional Senior Honour Band for both Concert and Stage. After high school, Aaron went on to study at Humber College where he had the privilege of studying many different drumming and music styles as well as technical and conceptual theories with Paul Delong and Mark Kelso, two of the most prominent drummers in Toronto, as well as performing with the likes of Randy Brecker and Steve Gadd. Since graduating Humber, Aaron’s career has taken him along many paths such as performing live (Danilo Perez, Eddie Bullen, Quincy Bullen, Rob Christian, June Garber, Ashleigh Semkiw, Jamie Robinson, BPM Krew, George St. Kitts), studio session work (Doron Zor, Jane Lu, William the Conqueror, various independent movie soundtracks) and theatre pit work (Broadway Gold I & II, RENT, De. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde, Annie Warbucks, Anne of Green Gables, Hero & Leander, Altar Boyz, War Show). Aaron’s career has taken him to a wide array of stops on the map, not only within various parts of Canada but to places as San Diego and Temecula, California, and St.George, Grenada. Aaron also boasts a teaching career spanning nearly 10 years of experience (circa 2003).
Aubrey Dayle
Instruments: Drum Kit, Theory
Education: Bachelor of Music (BM), McGill University; Master of Music (MM), Manhattan School of Music
Style: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Country
Languages: English
Aubrey Dayle was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He immigrated to Canada with his family and was raised in Montreal. He began playing the accordion at age 5 and from there learned to play the piano. After completing his formal education at McGill University and Manhattan School of Music in music, Aubrey went on to perform in varied situations. He has toured with James ‘Blood’ Ulmer, Hassan Hakmoun (support act for Peter Gabriel), God Street wine, The John Popper Band, and several other artists. Aubrey has recorded and toured with Vernon Reid on the Grammy nominated CD project called “Memphis Blood: The Sun Sessions featuring James Blood Ulmer, No Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions. Most recently Aubrey has recorded another two CD’s with James Blood Ulmer. The first being Bad Blood in the City and secondly James ‘Blood Ulmer: In & Out. Aubrey has also released his second solo CD project called “Aubrey Dayle’s My id with Vernon Reid: Live Revival”. His diverse experience has also allowed him to perform with Sam Rivers, Peter Gabriel, David Murray, Chico Freeman, Ernest Ranglin and many others.
Daniel Picillo
Instruments: Drums
Education: Music Diploma in Jazz & Commercial Music, Humber College
Style: Rock, Funk, Jazz, Latin, R&B
Languages: English
Ever since Daniel got his first drum set, he has been excitedly passing on his drumming knowledge to anyone who will listen! Daniel has been teaching since 2003, and has taught people from all walks of life to play the drums. His students range in age from 5 years old to young adults in search of a hobby, aspiring professional musicians as well as adults in search of a creative outlet. Daniel customizes his lessons to the individual and will help you reach your goals!
Enrique Gonzalez
Instruments: Bass, Guitar, Hand Drumming, Drum Kit
Education: Studied Music Composition, Production & Audio Engineering (Fermatta College)
Style: Latin, Metal, Classical, Jazz, Funk, Blues
Languages: English, Spanish
Enrique comes to Cosmo School of Music with a varied teaching background. He has taught music as well as language courses in Spain and in Canada. Currently, he is the singer, songwriter and guitarist for the Quique Escamilla Trio which performs regularly around downtown Toronto. He has performed and recorded with various local talent.
Jackson Wong
Instruments: Drums
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music, University of Guelph
Style: Jazz, Rock, Latin, Funk
Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Jackson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of Guelph and attended York University where he studied with Barry Elmes, Al henderson and Frank Falco in Jazz performance. Jackson has extensive experience teaching both children and adults at all skill levels on drums, classical percussion and music theory in Canada and Hong Kong for the past 28 years. Besides teaching, Jackson is also an accomplished composer/arranger for film and TV commercials and has written over 800 soundtracks for advertising agencies in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
Mark Oakley
Instruments: Drums
Education: Performance, Humber College; Music Education, University of Victoria
Style: Rock, Jazz, Blues, Classical
Languages: English
Mark brings a vast array of professional experience to his students. He has played in everything from music theatre pit bands to the top 40 touring groups. Mark also composes for television and radio.
Olaf Szester
Instruments: Drums, Percussion
Education: Bachelor of Music (BM), Koninklijk Conservatory (Netherlands)
Style: Jazz, Rock, Blues, Latin, Funk, Classical
Languages: English, Polish
Olaf Szester is a percussionist and composer based out of Toronto, Ontario. He has been consistent in pursuing both directions throughout his career. Olaf graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Music from Wilfrid Laurier University where he specialized in Orchestral Performance and Compostition. In addition, he had the opportunity to perform all over Holland while studying at the Royal Conservatory in Den Haag (Koninklijk Conservatorium), where he graduated with a second Bachelor Degree in Percussion. Currently, Olaf is completing a Masters in Composition at York University in Toronto. Some of his current musical projects include The Thin Edge New Music Ensemble that focuses its energies on premiering young Canadian composers; a roots-folk band called Lazybones that have had some recent and notable success opening for Tom Cochrane, Skydiggers and Great Big Sea; and a progressive rock band that is currently going through a name change. He is also focusing his energies on freelancing and teaching.
Tim Shia
Instruments: Drums, Percussion
Education: Diploma in Music, Humber College; University of Toronto
Style: Jazz, Rock, Blues, Latin, Classical
Languages: English, Mandarin
Whether it be a jazz gig with Rich Underhill or Elizabeth Shepherd or an Electronica recording with Milosh or a Hip Hop show with Magnolius, Tim Shia has been fortunate enough to play with a host of Juno and Grammy Award winning musicians in an array of genres. As a bandleader, Tim’s jazz group, the Worst Pop Band Ever, has played festivals and clubs across North America from IAJE or NXNE in Toronto to the Wreckhouse Jazz Festival in Newfoundland to Schuba’s in Chicago with members of the Bad Plus and Tortoise. From CBC to All About Jazz to the Toronto Star, the WPBE has received critical acclaim and been featured internationally both online and in traditional media; they even charted #1 on CIUT radio charts. Their latest release “Sometimes things Go Wrong” recorded live at the Cellar in Vancouver on their last tour is available online. Tim has also scored music for film and television including work for CBC, the UN, Teletoon and the NFB. Tim is endorsed by Dream Cymbals.
