MEET OUR TEAM
Meet our exceptional team: the passionate minds behind Be Sharp Academy of the Arts. Get to know the talented individuals who bring our vision to life and share a common commitment to delivering excellence in music and the arts!
Ellie
Studio Director & Founder
Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, & Introductory Music Teacher
Hello! I'm Ellie!
I’m a dedicated music educator with over 20 years of musical experience. As a trained teacher through the Royal Conservatory of Music, I've been sharing my passion for music for over a decade in various settings.
I aim to foster an inclusive environment where students can shape their learning experiences and express their musical preferences from the early stages.
In my lessons, I embrace a tailored approach, considering each student's strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Recognizing that every learner is unique, I craft individualised lesson plans by combining or creating materials that resonate best with each student.
I teach music to all ages and skill levels. If you have any inquiries or would like to embark on a musical journey with me, please feel free to reach out. Looking forward to making music together!
Nick
Studio Co-Founder
Ukulele, Guitar, Bass, & Drum Teacher
Hey, I'm Nick!
I'm on a mission to inspire the next generation of music enthusiasts. With a passion for music and a blend of creativity, dedication, and a love for teaching, I've found my calling as a music teacher.
I specialise in teaching guitar, bass, and drums. Whether it's the smooth strumming of a guitar, the rhythmic beats of drums, or the deep grooves of bass, I'm here to guide students on their musical journey. Although I teach many styles of music, I specialise in improvisation and "jamming."
I understand that every student is unique, with their musical tastes and aspirations. That's why I tailor each lesson to the individual, allowing them to explore songs and styles that genuinely interest them. This personalised approach ensures that my students are not just learning music but also developing a genuine love for it.
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Nico
Guitar, Bass & Voice Teacher
Hi, I’m Nico!
I’m a lover of all things music and have been teaching students for the last couple of years! I’m currently a student at Fanshawe's Music Industry Arts program, and spent some time studying vocals and music theory at the University Of Guelph. I have been performing in various settings across Ontario since I was 16, and love sharing my passion for writing and playing music through singing, piano, guitar, and bass. I’ve played and sang in an Indie-Rock band for over 4 years called “You Might Be Sleeping,” and also release music under my name!
My goal as a music educator is to help students discover what music means for them whilst having fun! I believe that my role in students' musical journey is to find what peaks each student's curiosity, and help them learn about that! I look forward to being ap of the Be Sharp team
Amanda
Piano, Vocal, & Musical Theatre Teacher
Musical Bees Program Coordinator
Hello, I’m Amanda!
I’m a pianist and vocalist with a degree in Vocal Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto. After my jazz degree, I dove into music theatre training, acting in dozens of musicals and plays. I also released a self-written pop album (available on Apple Music)!
I have over 9 years of teaching experience in piano and voice, and have taught over 50 students of all ages. I also work in early childhood caregiving, so I am comfortable with the littlest of kiddos!
I love discovering my students' interests and learning styles and tailoring my lessons to make music exciting and engaging for them as individuals! I enjoy exploring different genres or approaches that my students are interested in, whether that’s trying out songwriting, new instruments, or learning through games or visual art. My biggest goal as a teacher is to instill a curiosity and love for music and the arts.
I'm excited to be a part of the Be Sharp team!
Charley
Guitar, Voice & Ukulele Teacher
Administrative Assistance
Hi everyone! I’m Charley!!
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that music has never just been a hobby—it has always been a part of who I am. I come from a long line of family musicians, so music has filled my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve been singing since I could talk, playing guitar for the last 10 years, and I also enjoy playing the ukulele. Music has truly shaped the person I am today.
One of my favourite things about music is that it gives us a way to say the things we sometimes can’t put into words. Throughout my life, music has been my safe place, my comfort, and my way of expressing every emotion I’ve ever felt. It’s where I found my voice, built my confidence, and discovered who I am. Because of that, teaching music means so much more to me than simply learning songs or chords—it’s about helping someone else discover that same feeling.
I believe every person has something unique to say, and music gives us a beautiful way to share it with the world. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the very first time or finding the confidence to sing out loud, every musical journey is worth celebrating.
Singing has always been my biggest passion. It’s something I’ve loved my entire life, and I can’t imagine where I’d be without it. Whether you’re hoping to strengthen your voice, learn guitar or ukulele, or simply have fun making music, my goal is to create a welcoming space where you feel encouraged, supported, and excited to learn.
I can’t wait to meet each and every one of you and be a part of your musical journey. My hope is that through our lessons, you’ll not only grow as a musician but also gain confidence, find your own voice, and fall in love with music the way I did. Thank you for trusting me to be a part of your story—I can’t wait to share this passion with you!
Kavin
Piano Teacher
Hi, I am Kavin!
I am a student at Western University with a passion for music and teaching. I have been playing piano for over 10 years and have received my musical education through the Royal Conservatory of Music.
As I begin my journey as a music teacher, I hope to help young students develop a love for music while building confidence in their abilities. I believe that learning an instrument should be an encouraging and rewarding experience, and I strive to create a supportive environment where each student can learn and grow at their own pace.
Most importantly, I want my students to have fun and enjoy the process of making music! I am excited to be part of the Be Sharp team and look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for music with my students.
Andrea
Piano Teacher
Hello, I am Andrea!
I began studying piano at the age of three and was admitted to the Middle School Affiliated with the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China with the highest entrance examination score among external applicants. I am currently pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance at Western University.
I am the First Prize winner of Western University’s 2026 Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competition. I have also received Second Prize in the Young-Ja Park Memorial Competition and First Prize in the Open Class at the Kiwanis Festival. Throughout my studies, I have been honoured with numerous scholarships and awards, including the Phyllis Marie Kwasnica Music Scholarship, Western International Provost’s Scholar Award, Western Scholarship of Distinction, Dr. Sherwood Fox Music Award, and the Larry & Susan Award. I have also been named to the Dean’s Honor List for two consecutive years.
As a concerto soloist, I have performed Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 with the London Community Orchestra and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Western University Symphony Orchestra. In 2027, I will return as a soloist with the Western University Symphony Orchestra to perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
I am passionate about sharing my love of music with my students and helping them develop both their musical skills and confidence at the piano.
Syd
Administrative Director
Hi, I'm Syd!
I’m Be Sharp’s Administrative Director, so I do all sorts of behind-the-scenes things. You might find me answering emails, volunteering at events, or having a business meeting with Ellie & Nick to discuss all of the fun studio initiatives we have in store!
I might not know much about music, but that’s okay- we have an amazing team of teachers who specialise in that! While our teacher team is busy teaching lessons and running workshops, I help make sure that things run smoothly on the back end. We all work together to ensure that everyone at Be Sharp is having an amazing time and loving their lessons.
I love seeing how excited and passionate everyone is about learning music. Maybe I’ll need to start learning an instrument too!
