Aaron Bales

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Music Diploma in Jazz Arranging & Performance, Humber College; The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) for Classical Guitar Gr. 8
Style: Rock, Jazz, Metal, Classical, Blues, Funk, Pop, Acoustic, Shred
Languages: English

Aaron has been teaching guitar and bass since 1998. He graduated with Honours from Humber College where he completed a Music Diploma in Jazz arranging and performance. Aaron is an active performer, session musician, and clinician. He performs actively in Toronto and has been featured at events such as NAMM 2010 in Los Angeles. Additionally, Aaron is a member of the Screen Composers Guild of Canada and a working composer for clients such as GM/Cadillac. Aaron demonstrates a diverse background and a wealth of musical knowledge and experience.

Andrea Casciato

Instruments: Guitar
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Carlton University
Style: Classical, Blues, Rock
Languages: English, Italian

Andrea has his Bachelor of Arts with distinction from Carleton University and studied at the Elli Kasner Guitar Academy with Scott Cameron and Alan Torok. He also studied music theory with Art Levine and has completed various exams at the Royal Conservatory of Music. He has worked as an adjudicator and clinician for Arts Link Music Alive and has been a freelance performer since 1986. He has been teaching privately for 8 years. His classical students consistently achieve excellent results on their exams, while his popular music students have great performance success.

Benjamin Barrile

Instruments: Guitar
Education: Performance Diploma, Mohawk College
Style: Flamenco, Jazz, Classical, Latin
Languages: English, French
Links: SoundCloud

A remarkable soloist, Benjamin also excels as both accompanist and composer. His compositions are rich, complex and progressive without straying too far from Spanish gypsy tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.

Born in Toronto, Canada to a French-Canadian mother, and an Italian father, Benjamin was raised to embrace different cultures having spent much of his childhood traveling throughout North America, Europe and Asia with his family. It was flamenco that first sparked his desire to play guitar. His interest was awakened at a young age by his mother who would play her extensive collection of flamenco records in their home.

He has traveled to what is known as one of the major centers of flamenco in Spain today, Jerez de la Frontera, in the Province of Andalucía where he studied primarily under maestros Manuel Lozano “El Carbonero”. Benjamin would continue his musical training in Canada at Mohawk College where he graduated with honours. There, his guitar studies would continue under the direction of classical guitarist Jonathan Earp. Benjamin would then seek out more formal instruction in the art of flamenco through renowned flamenco guitarist, Miguel de la Bastide.

In recent years, Benjamin has performed and recorded for many artists including Café Olé, a multi-award winning group that incorporates a unique mix of traditional flamenco and jazz, internationally renowned rumba flamenca group Gustavo Scolieri & Puente del Diablo, and vocalist/composer Amanda Martinez just to name a few. In addition to leading his own group, El Mosaico, he is also a resident guitarist at Carmen Romero's School of Flamenco Dance Arts based in Toronto. Benjamin has appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts including CBC, CityTV, Jazz FM, and Telelatino. Benjamin is also the co-founder of www.ModernToque.com, a website that has brought him a great deal of recognition amongst the international flamenco community.

Danny Sargeant

Instruments: Guitar
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music, York University
Style: Classical, Jazz, Rock, Flamenco, Improvisation
Languages: English

Since 1981, Danny has been teaching in various music schools throughout Toronto and in public and private schools such as Bayview Glen Private School, Toronto District School Board, Dixon Hall School and Royal Orchard Public School. He also has experience in music therapy.

Don Crawford

Instruments: Banjo, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Mandolin
Education: Music & Creative Arts Diploma, Humber College
Style: Classical, Rock, Jazz, Folk, Slide, Steel Guitar
Languages: English

Don is a graduate of the Music and Creative Arts Program at Humber College. He has also completed the grade 7 practical and grade 2 theory diplomas in classical guitar from the Royal Conservatory of Music. His easygoing mannerism and broad range of experience in different musical styles make him popular with his students.

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 Mexico 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.

Frank Costabile

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Performance Diploma, Humber College; Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music, York University
Style: Rock, Blues, Jazz, Folk
Languages: English

Frank has achieved his Bachelor of Music in Guitar from Humber College and his B.F.A at York University. Before attending Humber College, Frank was also a student of Cosmo Music. He has studied guitar extensively with several teachers in the styles of rock, jazz, classical, and most recently flamenco music. Frank has been a performing musician in the GTA for over twelve years, having performed with several different ensembles in the styles of, rock, R & B, jazz, and with local independent talent as a guitarist and back up vocalist. He has made original recordings which have charted on college radio and attended several workshops by the Canadian Songwriter's Association. Frank's mission as a teacher is to provide an encouraging environment, promote creativity, and prepare students for performance. Frank also studies voice, flute, and trumpet.

Jamie Robinson

Instruments: Guitar
Education: Musician's Institute (Hollywood, CA)
Style: Rock, Pop, Jazz, R&B
Languages: English

Winner of the 2007 North American Rock Guitar Competition, the youngest winner in history, Jamie defended Canada against countries including Russia, Brazil, U.S.A., England, Italy, and more. Jamie received a full scholarship to Musician's Institute (MI) in Hollywood California. While attending MI, Jamie earned a position as a composer for Paramount Pictures' production company, Base Productions, scoring music for such networks as Spike, MTV, G4, Fox Sports and A&E. Jamie is currently promoting his EP, Breaking Through, which he wrote, arranged and produced.

Jeff Sceviour

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Honours Bachelor of Music (BM), Berklee College of Music
Style: Blues, Rock, Jazz, Funk
Languages: English

Jeff acquired his Honours Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, were he studied Music Production and Engineering, as well as guitar. He can also play the bass, trombone, drums and piano. He has been teaching guitar privately and in schools since 2000. Jeff is also the guitarist, vocalist, manager and producer for "The Dave Matthew's Tribute Band". He is an Audio Consultant and Engineer for "The Granite Club" in Toronto.

Jordan Pal

Instruments: Guitar, Theory
Education: Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Composition & Master of Music (MM), University of Toronto
Style: Rock, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Blues
Languages: English

Laurence Walters

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Commercial Music Program, Humber College
Style: Rock, Blues, Jazz
Languages: English

Laurence's musical education includes the Humber Jazz and Commercial music program as well as private study in classical guitar and jazz with teachers such as Ivan Zilman and Jake Langley. He has played guitar and bass in many rock, blues, jazz, fusion and Rn'B groups for over 23 years, and has extensive touring experience in Canada and the U.S. He has taught privately and in schools since 2003, and has been a member of the Cosmo Music Faculty since 2007.

Mark Scarmato

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Music, York University
Style: Popular, Rock, Blues
Languages: English

Mark has been teaching guitar and bass since 2003, and used to be a Cosmo Music student himself. According to his students, Mark comes across as a friendly and approachable teacher. He's currently in a Rock 'n' Roll Band called Fourthwall, in which he plays guitar, sings and writes the band's original music. The band has recorded two CDs and are always releasing new material as well as playing in and around the Toronto area.

Mary-Ann DeLorey

Instruments: Flute, Guitar, Piano
Education: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Education, Wagner College (Staten Island, NY)
Style: Classical, Rock, Pop, Folk
Languages: English
Links: youtube

Mary Ann is originally from Staten Island, NY where she graduated from Wagner College with a degree in Music Education. She majored in the performance of classical guitar. She has studied with Ed Brown, Alice Artzt, and Dennis Koster. Mary Ann has been teaching for over 20 years. She has taught at Richmond Music Center in Staten Island, NY, where she has prepared students to perform at Carnegie Hall. She teaches guitar, piano, flute, and electric bass. She now lives in the GTA with her husband and two children.

Matt Mosionier

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Music Diploma in Jazz Guitar, Humber College; Mohawk College; Recording Arts Canada
Style: Jazz, Rock, Metal, Folk; Punk
Languages: English

Matt has been teaching guitar and bass since 2001. He attended Humber College where he studied jazz guitar. He has also studied recording engineering and music production. Matt currently performs and records with various artists in the Toronto area.

Michael Guinane

Instruments: Bass, Guitar
Education: Bachelor of Administrative Studies (BAS), York University
Style: Rock, Metal, Folk, Finger picking
Languages: English, French

Michael has been playing guitar and bass for 12 years, since the age of 11. His main mentor and teacher was the late Red Shea, Gordon Litefoot's guitarist. Through Red Shea's guidance, Michael discovered the elegant mechanics of music, the art of finger picking, and realized that above all else music should be fun. He uses these concepts in his own teaching style. Michael plays in a super-successful cover band that has been together for 4 years.

Paul Wickham

Instruments: Dobro, Guitar, Mandolin
Education: University of Saskatchewan
Style: Rock, Fingerstyle, Slide, Blues, Bluegrass
Languages: English

Having taught guitar since 1975 and being involved in many aspects of the music business for over twenty-five years, Paul brings a wealth of experience to his teaching. He has taught classes, clinics and seminars in various guitar styles and singing at the Guitar Workshop Plus and at the York Board of Education. He has also performed with John Allan Cameron, David Sinclair, John Knowles, and Matt Smith among others.

Steve Gotlib

Instruments: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Education: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Jazz Studies, Humber College
Style: Latin, Jazz, Funk, Blues
Languages: English

Wilfrid Lee

Instruments: Trombone, Trumpet, Baritone/Euphonium, Tuba, Guitar
Education: Bachelor of Music (BM), McGill University
Style: Classical, Rock
Languages: English