Instructors Expertise & Biography
Philip Chengberlin (Drums)(Batterie)
(Conducts In-Person & Online Lessons)
Based in Montréal, Philip Chengberlin is a skilled drummer and dedicated educator with a rich
musical background. A graduate of Saint Laurent CEGEP, Philip has performed with an
impressive array of artists and groups, including Unity Jazz Band, Sylvie DesGroseillés, Nino &
Electric Soul, and Yzabo. His versatility as a drummer spans across various genres, such as hip hop, funk, fusion, jazz, rock, and metal, showcasing his adaptability and depth in each style.
Philip's teaching philosophy revolves around laying a strong technical foundation for his
students, which he believes is key to mastering the drums. He offers personalized instruction
that caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players, tailoring each lesson to match
the unique goals, personality, and learning style of the student. A key goal of Philip's is to help
students develop their skills through reading sheet music and enhancing their musical ear.
Whether focusing on the aggressive rhythms of metal or the subtle nuances of jazz, Philip's
lessons are designed to be engaging and effective.
Fluent in both French and English, Philip ensures his lessons are accessible to a diverse range
of students. His goal is to guide each student through a fulfilling and enjoyable musical journey,
fostering both technical proficiency and personal growth along the way.
Guillermo Quesada Castro (Voice)(Voz)
(Conducts In-Person & Online Lessons)
Guillermo is a singer, composer, arranger and bandleader based in Montréal. He has a pre-university level of education. He studied at Vanier College. He directs his band "La fábula d'un Mito" for his personal project as a Soloist. He has collaborated with Afilao, Los Anormales, Lengaïa Salsa Brava, and Trabuco Habanero and was recently signed to sing for record label "Moonsun" interpreting american music of the 90s. Guillermo has also had experience singing gospel music at the Montreal Gospel Choir where he developed even more his singing career.
Guillermo teaches jazz, blues and pop voice at an advanced level, and classical voice at an intermediate level. With his method of teaching, he aims to create a solid interpersonal relationship with the student while he focuses on the personality, musical interest and technical and interpretative features that the student possesses. Based on that, he establishes challenging but achievable goals to increase the vocal and personal competencies of the student.
Freddy Ernesto Valdez Martinez (Percussion Afrocubaine) (percusión afrocubana)
(Conducts In-Person & Online Lessons)
Freddy is a renowned musician and teacher, specialized in Afro-Cuban percussions and African. Trained at the Higher Institute of Art of Cuba, he has directed percussion workshops and
He has enriched his career by collaborating with various international groups and projects.
He has worked with the Nyata-Nyata Danse Company, Julio Hong and the Jeff Kavanda Band, and has
played a crucial role as a judge at the Fiesta of Drums festival, the international festival
largest Afro-Cuban percussion. Freddy has also recorded for notable albums and has
participated in tours throughout Latin America and Europe.
Recognized for his experience, Freddy has received the first prize in music at the festival
"CubaDisco" and a nomination for the Latin Grammy. Your commitment to education
artistic is manifested in training at the National School of Art of Cuba and in workshops
for young percussionists. His career, rich in collaborations and performances, reflects a
deep passion for music and teaching, cementing his place as a figure
influential in the world of percussion.
Daniel Castañeda (Double bass)(Contrabajo)
(Conducts In-Person & Online Lessons)
Daniel Castañeda is a Colombian double bassist based in Montreal, Canada. He
graduated from the University of Antioquia and is currently finishing another
undergraduate degree in classical performance at McGill University. Throughout
his career, he has been a winner and finalist in multiple solo competitions in
Colombia, establishing himself as one of the most prominent performers in the
field of solo double bass in his region, as well as in orchestral performance.
Some of his most significant achievements include first place in the Young
Talents Competition of the Eafit Symphony Orchestra in 2014, second place in
the Young Performers Competition at the University of Antioquia in 2018, and his
participation in the Cartagena International Music Festival in 2020.
Additionally,
he was part of the Colombian National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra from 2015
to 2020, and in Montreal, he was a member of the OBIORA Ensemble until 2024.
Throughout his career, he has received masterclasses from renowned musicians
such as Christoph Wimmer (Principal Bass, Vienna Philharmonic), Olivier Thierry
(Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Professor at the Conservatorium van
Amsterdam), and Robin Kesselman (Principal Bass, Houston Symphony), among
others. Finally, he has been selected to use one of the double basses from the
luthier Frederic Boissonnault, thanks to the CANIMEX Foundation and Mr. Roger
Dubois.
Marie Jeanne Paquet (Voix Jazz pop ) (Voice Jazz pop)
(Conducts In-Person Lessons)
Marie-Jeanne Paquet is a singer-songwriter and jazz musician from Montreal. Influenced by Quebec traditional music, Bach’s partitas, and jazz, she seriously pursues music starting in 2018 at Cégep Vanier. She released her first EP, *Flowers For a Lady*, in 2020 and continued her studies at McGill University under jazz legends Ranee Lee and Camille Thurman. During her studies, she performed at various Montreal venues and participated in international festivals such as the Northern Cadence International Jazz Series in Toronto.
In 2022, she began a research project on Betty Carter, leading to a masterclass and a performance at Upstairs Jazz Club. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University in June 2023 and continues to perform professionally as a musician. Marie-Jeanne is also involved in various collaborative and educational projects, including music workshops for young talents and charity concerts. She is currently working on new musical projects while exploring different influences and styles to enrich her repertoire
Diavi (Trompeta) (Trumpet)
(Conducts In-Person & Online Lessons)
Diango Vives is a Cuban trumpeter/composer/arranger based in Montreal. He graduated from the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory of Music in Havana and works as a professional musician in the Montreal and Canadian music scene. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to record and collaborate with renowned artists such as saxophonist Chad Lefkovitz-Brown, saxophonist Victor Goines, pianist Dayramir Gonzalez, and the famous singer Cimafunk, playing various types of music including Latin Jazz, Pop, and Funk. He has participated in major international events such as the JazzPlaza International Jazz Festival and the Nuits d’Afrique International Festival.
Currently, he can be found across Montreal and Canada, performing with prominent local musicians like Andy Rubal and Alex Bellegarde, becoming a sought-after musician in the Latin Jazz scene.