Our History
Presto Music is a music studio owned and operated by Karlene and Jason Guy. Karlene Guy started teaching music in Saskatoon in 2002, until she moved to Sherwood Park and opened the home-based music studio at 12 Eagle Drive in October of 2005. Eight months later, the studio grew to 45 students. Presto Music was incorporated in April of 2006. Since April 2006, Karlene Guy worked to make the studio a motivating and friendly environment for students of all ages to excel in learning music. Students enjoy the camaraderie of their peers during music lessons and are motivated to practice between lessons. The studio provides many opportunities to perform in the community, compose original music and record on to a CD. Parents rave about our unique services and friendly teachers, while students will tell you they've practiced everyday. In the summer of 2007, the studio offered summer music camps that provided increased exposure to the community. Anticipating a need for more space, Presto Music moved to a larger space at 43 Georgian Way in September of 2008. Filled again with 125 students and a waiting list of approximately 30 families, again there was a need to expand. The new location at 922 Ash Street is now home to a staff of 10 teachers and approximately 300 students enjoying our diverse programming from baby music classes, side-by-side guitar lessons, private piano lessons and seniors discounts. We now offer a retail store that features a variety of musical instruments from well-known suppliers such as Yamaha guitars, keyboards and accessories. Other products include music books, guitar strings, metronomes and tuners.
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Top: Amanda - Group Piano, Karli - Guitar & Piano, Steph S.- Piano, Chantel - Piano, Steph B. - Voice, Karlene - Owner, Jason - Owner
Bottom: Elliot - Guitar, Paul - Drums, Kathleen - Voice, Shawnda - Receptionist
Not in Photo: Trish Nichols - Kindermusik and Musikgarten Instructor
Meet Karlene Guy
OWNER / PROGRAM DIRECTORGroup Piano/ Kindermusik Instructor
Background
I started teaching piano in 2002 in Saskatoon, after being trained in the Music for Young Children program. Three years later, I moved to Sherwood Park and fell in love with the Alberta way of life!
I have experience with all ages of students, from babies to I'm-Not-Telling, from beginner to advanced. I teach some private lessons, but I really excel teaching in groups. I love the energy that comes from a group of children, eager to learn something new and show off the new song they learned all by themselves. My teaching philosophy is to facilitate a friendly environment for learning where students learn from each other and themselves (and maybe a little bit from me!).
In addition to teaching, I have years of practical experience playing for soloists, choirs, jazz bands, worship teams, and drama productions.
Qualifications & Memberships
- Royal Conservatory Grade 10 Piano completed with Honors in 2002.
- All RCM Grade 10 theory co-requisites completed in 2004.
- Registered Music Teacher for the Alberta Music Teacher's Assoc, and serving on the executive committee.
- Member of the Strathcona Music Teacher's Association, and serving on the executive committee.
- Over 300 hours of music teacher training and seminars.
- Piano Instructors include: Barbara Eriksson, Shelagh Scott, Joachim Seggar.
Personality
Reliable, Fun, Honest.
Meet Jason Guy
OWNER / SALES MANAGER
Drum/Bass Guitar Instructor
Background
Jason started playing music at age 7. Growing up immersed in brass banding, he started first on the trombone. A natural musician, he not only played trombone, but also tuba and drum kit. At 13 he started playing bass guitar and has made it his main instrument.
Living across Canada has given him the opportunity to pay many different genre's of music from Celtic to Broadway to Rock to Jazz to Christian Worship and many others. This last year (2009) his choice has been Broadway playing in such shows as Crazy for You, The Last Five Years, Sweeney Todd and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The brains behind Presto Music is now also working at Peterson Buick GMC.
Qualifications & Memberships
- Extensive performing in brass bands, rock bands and backstage for drama productions.
- Member of the Sherwood Park Chamber of Commerce.
Personality
What you see is what you get!
Meet Karli Schiebelbein
Guitar/Piano Instructor
Background
I grew up surrounded by music. My parents were in an oldies/country band and as soon as I was old enough I was taking music lessons. I started with the piano and at 13 I took up the guitar. It was not long until my twin sister and I started writing music together. Upon graduating high school I decided to go to Grant MacEwan and study Jazz, rock and pop piano. I taught my first student in September 2007 and discovered that I love teaching music as much as playing it. I am excited to help kids experience and discover the world of music through Presto music.
Qualifications & Memberships
- Royal Conservatory Grade 7 Piano completed
- Completed RCM Grade 3 Harmony
- Obtained Music Diploma from Grant MacEwan in 2005
- Currently working towards Grade 9 Royal Conservatory
Personality
Friendly, creative and easy going
Meet Stephanie Smith
Piano Instructor
Music has always been a major love in my life, from listening to vinyl records as a child to finally having the opportunity to start taking piano lessons at the age of 12. I been involved in many aspects of making music but I have found my true music medium in the piano. I have my Grade Two Royal Conservatory Theory Rudiments and I am taking my Grade 9 exam in August under the tutelage of Dr.Ping Shan Liao.
I recently graduated from Concordia University College of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music and a minor in Education. Also, recently I received training and have been certified as a Kindermusik educator. I have done numerous piano recitals, had the opportunity to do a piano master class with Dr.Ping Shan Liao, and some accompanying to Classical voice students during my education.
I felt truly excited and blessed to have been asked to join the Presto Music Team and have the wonderful opportunity to share my love of music with children and watch them learn and grow
Music has always been a major love in my life, from listening to vinyl records as a child to finally having the opportunity to start taking piano lessons at the age of 12. I been involved in many aspects of making music but I have found my true music medium in the piano. I have my Grade Two Royal Conservatory Theory Rudiments and I am taking my Grade 9 exam in August under the tutelage of Dr.Ping Shan Liao.
I recently graduated from Concordia University College of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music and a minor in Education. Also, recently I received training and have been certified as a Kindermusik educator. I have done numerous piano recitals, had the opportunity to do a piano master class with Dr.Ping Shan Liao, and some accompanying to Classical voice students during my education.
I felt truly excited and blessed to have been asked to join the Presto Music Team and have the wonderful opportunity to share my love of music with children and watch them learn and grow
Meet Stephanie Bent
Vocal Instructor
Ever since a very young age, music has been an integral part of my life. After years of singing in church and school plays, I started my serious voice training in the musical theater genre, studying with Michele Miller and Brad Heintzman at Edmonton Musical Theater. Afterwards, I began training in classical voice and opera under Elizabeth Raycroft, and have had the opportunity to sing for opera stars Pavlo Hunka and Stuart Howe. I am currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology at The King's University College, where I am also secretary of the drama club and a soprano in the chamber choir. I enjoy performing, and have been involved in festivals and competitions as well as shows, including "Once Upon a Time in New York" with E.M.T, "A Grand Night For Singing" with ELOPE Musical Theater, and Handel's comic opera "Serse" with the University of Alberta's Opera Workshop under Brian McIntosh. My next great adventure will be in May 2011, when I travel with the King's Chamber Choir on tour to Germany! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Presto team, and share my love of music with all my students!
Meet Kathleen Shippit
Vocal Instructor
My love for singing started when I was about 6 years old and was asked to
join a children's choir. I spent most of my childhood organizing my sister
and brother on the piano bench or stairs for our own performances. I have
always loved classical vocal music and the history behind it. In high school
I found a great love for musical theatre and spent a few years studying
mostly this. After high school I decided to go back to my first love of
classical and choral music and studied at The King's University College
where I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Music. I have sung
in a number of choirs in Edmonton and Ontario, studied voice in private
lessons and competed in various festivals for 20 years. (yikes!) I have
always enjoyed working with children and spent many years leading music and
drama programs at summer camps, conducting choirs and organizing Christmas
musicals. I now have 2 young daughters who love to sing and play any
instrument they can get their hands on! My own love for music and especially
singing has grown from a young age and I enjoy encouraging students as they
learn to love music as well!
Meet Amanda Cayer
Group Piano Instructor
Since starting to play the piano at the age of 3, music became something I was passionate about. Growing up I was forunate to be able to have the opportunity to perform and compete in various music festivals and competitions throught the years. But perhards even more wonderful was that I would share my abilty to play the piano and my love of music with others. As students we where encouraged to play at hospitals and seniors homes, and it was playing for others that I grew to love so much. Throughout highschool and University I began to teach a number of students privetly, and am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to be teaching children again. I hope to be able to instill in them the same love of music that i have, and to to encourage them to explore be creative, and have fun while learning to play the piano. Since being given this to teach and immerse myself in music once again, I look forward to helping Presto Students discover their musical talents!
Meet Elliot Thomas
Guitar Instructor
Elliot Thomas - Dip. Music Performance w/distinction (MacEwan)
Guitar/Bass Instructor
My musical journey began when I was only young. It started when my parents signed me up for piano lessons at the age of 8, and progressed to include playing the clarinet in the school band and singing in the school choir; but it was when I learned that first song on my dad's guitar that I knew that I'd discovered my true passion. I immediately set about imitating my favorite players.
I spent my formative years in Hong Kong, where I studied guitar and bass guitar, and performed in numerous rock bands in and out of high school.
After finishing school I followed my family to Canada, where my desire to become a more rounded musician lead me to Edmonton's prestigious Grant MacEwan Music Program, from whence I earned a Diploma of Music in Guitar Performance (with distinction). During my time at Grant MacEwan College I gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of music, studied Jazz for the first time, and was exposed to a wealth of new musical styles and influences.
Since earning my Diploma, I have been a private lesson teacher, and have had the pleasure of performing music in styles ranging from straight up rock, to Celtic, to country/bluegrass, to praise, to funk, to blues, to jazz. I have performed in settings such as musicals, folk festivals, weddings, dance productions and country dances. When I'm not playing the guitar or bass, I enjoy working on my banjo, lap-steel, and fiddle playing.
I feel privileged that I can help my students on their own musical journeys and that through my teaching, I am able to share the joy that I myself have found in learning to play music.
Meet Paul Woida
Drum Instructor
Wow, where to start? Well I guess I'll tell you a bit about myself. I came from an abnormally musical family. Everyone on my moms side of the family are all musical freaks, they all play an instrument at an above average level. We would have family jams in our basement when I was really young and it was magical! People would probably pay good money just to see them jam! My Aunts would Harmonize like angels, my Uncle would rip amazing lead guitar lines, my other Uncle would lay it down on the drums. My parents know the words to every song written, I could go on forever talking about them. So that is the blood that flows through my veins. That being said, I have always had a knack for learning music, its very natural for me. At a very young age I was able to play many different Styles and was the drummer for the Little Big Birds Band, in Junior High I was drumming for the Highschool Big Band. In Highschool we moved to Florida, and down South it's all about the marching Bands! I was in the drumline for one of the best marching bands in our district! (our band had over 280 kids in it) When I moved back to Edmonton I went throught the Grant Macewan music Program, I met so many great musicains there and have had the pleasure of recording with several artists, and playing at different festivals. I also play guitar, piano and sing as well. I've been teaching here for almost a year now and have enjoyed it all. The kids sure grow on ya!! I treasure the opportunity to show people how amazing music is. I look forward to opening you up to the incredible world of drums!!
Meet Chantel Garant
Piano Instructor
Looking back, I can't remember a time when music was not an essential part of my life. I can remember many afternoons spent sitting at the piano, playing through stacks of music books for hours at a time. Since beginning piano at the age of 8, I have grown to appreciate and enjoy all genres of music as well as composing, which is something that I love to do in my spare time.
Over the years I have had many opportunities to share my love of music by playing in church, at festivals and events, as well as through accompanying choirs, soloists, and playing in ensembles. I love making music any way that I can, so although piano has always been my main instrument of study, I also enjoy singing, playing the flute, organ, guitar, and pretty much any other instrument that I can get my hands on! I am currently a student at The Kings University College in Edmonton where I am working towards completing my Bachelors of Music degree, as well as a diploma in Church Music.
Music has had a remarkable impact on my life and so I am thrilled and grateful to have this opportunity to pass on the joy of music to my students at Presto!
Meet Trish Nichols, E.C.M.E
Kindermusik® and Musikgarten Instructor
“Mrs. Trish” blended her natural abilities with music and children and her strong back ground in Early Childhood Education and began teaching Kindermusik in 1999. She opened Mini-Musik Studios in Chilliwack, BC and would share weekly musical experiences with over 2,500 families for the next ten years. “Mrs. Trish” believes in protecting the passage of childhood using music and movement to assist children in all areas of development. “I am eager to provide a fun, safe and nurturing environment for student families. Quality musical experiences lay strong foundations between parent and child that really do last a lifetime. Having just moved to Edmonton, I am very excited to continue my love of teaching at Presto Music Studio.” Trish also enjoys playing a variety of instruments including piano, guitar and recorder and continues her musical pursuits recording and co-writing with her partner of 25 years (and guitarist) Gary. We are thrilled to have her join our team this semester!
Personality
Enthusiastic, helpful and caring.