CityArts Toronto Rock Camp Staff
SUMMER 2009 UPDATE:
The entire CityArts Toronto Rock Camp team returns for 2009! Seraphim Marcopoulos, Leo Georgoulis, Eoghan Condra, Colin Knowles, and Chuck Majic, and super counsellor Joe McGrade return along with 2008 clinicians:
1) Drummer Chris Lesso, who will head drums and percussion;
2) Incredible guitarist Mike McAvan, who will also teach in our guitar workshops, and;
3) Toronto's legendary Hugh Brockie, who will also offer master classes and instructional workshops!
4) “We Will Rock You Stars” Valerie Stanois “Oz” and Tristan Avakian (WWRY Lead Guitarist) join the Toronto Rock Camp
Stay tuned for more news in early March about our expanding roster of talented musicians!
More news to follow about our expanded staff and returning counsellors including Joe McGrade!
Managing Director: Seraphim Marcopoulos
Seraphim, the Executive Director of CityArts Creative Learning Inc., developed and organized the Toronto Rock Camp along with Camp Musical director Leo Georgoulis. Seraphim consults with, and develops technology solutions for some of Canada's best known non-profit foundations and education institutions.
Through his work with non-profit foundations, Seraphim developed the Toronto Rock Camp project, and its affiliated Arts and Media Camps, as part of the CityArts, a non-profit foundation which is focused on providing education in the creative arts and new technology (art, media, music, technology) to students in Canada.
Camp Musical Director: Leo Georgoulis
Leo is the most experienced musician at the Toronto Rock Camp with over 25 years of professional experience. He has performed in stadiums, on TV shows, and recorded with prominent European musicians on platinum and gold albums. He is highly skilled in a variety of styles from blues to rock, soul, funk, and R&B! He is a exceptional teacher and gifted musician who relates well with children, teenagers and adults that are serious about learning. Leo lives in the neighborhood with his wife and two teenaged sons.
Leo’s Musical Autobiography:
I was born in Athens, Greece. In my childhood, I was captivated by the Rock and Roll sounds of the 50’s and 60’s, spending many hours listening to my parent’s old records. I got my first guitar when I was twelve–from that moment on I knew I wanted to be a musician.
Over the past 27 years my rendezvous with music has brought me unending joy. I studied guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, and music theory and harmony. I took lessons from musicians of rare musical genius like Sakis Tamvakakis and Dimitris Katakouzinos. I have released CDs with the rock band En Psihro in 1996 (Sony music) and 1998 (Legend records), the art rock band Zoolixo Ligo in 1999 (E2), and tracks with other bands that have been included in CD compilations.
In addition, I worked as a studio guitarist and bassist and touring musician with some of Greece’s major rock and pop artists, including Mihalis Hadjiyiannis, George Hadjinasios, Stefanos Korkolis and others, but I have also understood the immense importance of producing music and the complexities of sound engineering, having co-owned Plus1 – my studio in Athens.
In 2001 I moved to Toronto where I continue as a professional musician and teacher. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to share with my many students my knowledge of musical styles: from blues and rock to soul, funk, and R&B, to heavy metal and jazz. I thoroughly enjoy teaching music theory, composition, performance, and arranging; and I have developed over the years a unique method for mastering the guitar fretboard in a short period of time. I’m consistently overjoyed when I see my students’ surprise and happiness at their progress.
More about Leo:
Tristan Avakian (2009): Guitar Workshops and Clinics
“TRISTAN IS AN AMAZING GUITARIST” – BRIAN MAY (QUEEN)
CityArts and the Toronto Rock Camp welcome guitarist Tristan Avakian in 2009. Tristan will be leading the Guitar Workshops and lending his expertise to the Toronto Rock Camp program. Personally selected by the legendary Brian May of Queen, Tristan is the lead guitarist for the hit Queen Musical “We Will Rock You”.
“There’s an aura of being around a working professional that you can’t communicate through a DVD or clips on YouTube,” he says. “From my own experience growing up, I know there’s no substitute, so that’s a role I hope I can also play for some kids.”
To learn more about Tristan visit the following websites:
CityArts Profile: Tristan Avakian
Website: www.tristanavakian.com
Teacher (2009): Chris Lesso: Drums and Percussion
Chris began studying music on the piano at the age of 7, and received his grade 8 in classical piano through the Royal Conservatory at age 12. He began drumming when he was 9, and has never looked back. After gaining much experience performing and writing music in various bands, he sought out and took lessons from many world-renowned artists such as Dom Famularo (World Clinician), Ed Shaughnessy (Johnny Carson Show), and Jim Chapin (Famous Educator), then going on to study with highly respected teacher and drummer Jim Blackley. Chris is currently studying jazz harmony on the piano.
Chris' unique blend of hard rock, jazz, improvisational, and world flavored rhythms can be heard with guitarist Tony Springer, (www.wildt.ca), trumpeter Nick 'Brownman' Ali, pianist Steve Kovan, and Chris' own original instrumental band 'The Factor', (www.myspace.com/thefactortoronto), as well as various Top 40 bands, all playing around the Toronto area and internationally. The future holds an ever improving output of energetic live shows and rhythmically intense recorded work, always drawing from a wide range of influences and styles. Chris is a member of the Professional Drum Teachers Guild, the Percussive Arts Society, and is endorsed by Sonor Drums.
Chris conducted a successful and well received clinic at the Toronto Rock Camp in 2008, and returns in 2009 as the head of Drums and Percsussion instruction.
More about Chris:
Mike McAvan (2008, 2009): Guitar Workshops and Clinics
The Toronto Rock Camp welcomes back Mike McAvan. Mike enthralled TRC campers last year with this weekly clinics. This year, Mike McAvan returns not only for his exciting weekly guitar clinics, but also as an Instructor in the Toronto Rock Camp's Guitar Workshop and Master Class program.
Mike is a gifted guitarist and composer who has received endorsements from Ernie Ball Musicman guitars, Ernie Ball strings, Koch amplifiers, Evidence Audio cables, DiMarzio pick-ups and BOSS pedals, and most recently JAM Pedals!
Mike regularly tears up the stage at gigs with his band Sixes and Sevens and Left of Eden.
More about Mike:
Teacher (2008, 2009): Eoghan Condra
Eoghan has been playing guitar for 17 years in funk and rock bands as well as small jazz combos. Currently, he finished the B.Music (performance) through Humber College while working in his recording studio.
Eoghan is known for emphasizing various tunes & repertiore as a means to keep his lessons fun and exciting, instead of graded method books, although students can also mix the two. Eoghan’s students will also focus on memorization and ear training rather than extensive note taking.
Eoghan returns to the Toronto Rock Camp in 2009!
More about Eoghan:
Dino Cuzzolino: Audio Recording and Production Workshops (2009)
Engineer/Composer/Producer/Sound Designer Dino Cuzzolino is a graduate of Ryerson's Radio and Television program and has worked in the industry nearly 15 years recording and mixing audio for commercials, television series, films, videos and animation.
His passion has always been recording and producing music. Whether it’s advertising jingles, film scores, bands or songwriting demos. He spends most of his days (and some nights) doing just that at Toronto based Krystal Music & Sound Design and at his own production company Balance Music.
Dino is designing the Sound Recording programs (Workshops and Clinics) that will premiere at this Summers Toronto Rock Camp. We are pleased to welcome Dino to the Toronto Rock Camp and CityArts team!
Colin Knowles: Teacher (2008, 2009)
Colin is a recent Humber College honor grad with a diploma in jazz performance. He has gigged professionally for 8 years as well as accompanying singers for recording projects. His talent is most impressive as is his proficiency in so many different styles! Colin often performs live across Toronto at various public venues. Colin can also train advancing students with the skills necessary to perform.
Colin returns to the Toronto Rock Camp in 2009 after a successful session in 2008!
Colin Knowles’ Website: www.colinknowlespiano.com
Chuck Majic: Teacher (2008, 2009)
Chuck at the Phoenix Concert Theatre with Sixes and Sevens (Feb/09)
Chuck Majic is the bass guitarist for Toronto metal band Sixes & Sevens and is endorsed by Ibanez Guitars. He has been playing guitar for more than 17 years and has 11 years of teaching experience. In addition to being a highly regarded musician, Chuck is also a professional Luthier, who studied the art of guitar building under Joe Kovacic of Lado Guitars.
In 2008, Chuck founded Majic Music Services, where he offers guitar lessons and professional guitar repairs to Toronto musicians. He looks forward to working with the Toronto Rock Camp for the second time, where he will offer guitar technology clinics, a guitar assembly course and original music production with bands.
More about Chuck:
Hugh Brockie: Guitar Workshops and Clinics (2009):
Bio coming soon ....
Camp Counselor (2008, 2009): Joe McGrade
Joe McGrade was born on June 27th 1991 and has loved music ever since! Starting conservatory piano lessons at a young age, he progressed to pass his grade 5 conservatory exam before switching from piano to guitar. After years of lessons, he formed his own rock band, Over Dinner. Over Dinner has preformed many shows including Bishop Allen Battle of the Bands, the El Mocambo, and the Reverb. The group has composed several original songs together and are still performing.
Not only does he play in a rock band, but in two school bands as well. Joe plays lead tenor saxophone for his school’s Concert Band and Jazz Band. With these groups he has played across the city, from local school concerts to chamber music at the Megan’s Walk Gala at the Liberty Grand.
Joe returns to the Toronto Rock Camp in 2009!
Camp Counselor (2008, 2009): Ania Ochocinski
Ania Ochocinski was born on March 27th, 1991 in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up in Mississauga, she fell in love with musical soundtracks such as Phantom of the Opera and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, and artists including David Bowie. Though now she enjoys listening to a more modern stream of rock, Ania has been taking piano lessons since the age of seven, and a couple years ago, expressed an interest in taking vocal lessons.
Placing first at the Davenport Festival for Grade Four Voice, and working towards her Grade Eight Piano Examination, Ania continues to expand her musical skills and explore a career in music education. Currently, Ania has finished her Grade Eleven year at Bishop Allen Academy.
Camp Counselor (2008): Basel Bar
Basel Bar was born on October 7th 1991, in Toronto, Ontario. He has been playing piano since he was four years old and has climbed his way up to Grade 10 in classical. Besides classical music, he also plays jazz, pop, and rock piano, and trumpet for three years with his school's Concert and Jazz bands.
Basel just finished Grade 11 at Saint Patrick's Catholic Secondary School, and is excited to be at Toronto Rock Camp for the summer.
Camp Counselor (2008): Marco Vetere
Marco has always had a great interest in music, starting off from listening to music, and then playing percussion for two years in the elementary school band. At the age of 13 Marco began taking guitar lessons starting out with an acoustic guitar, and after a year he bought his first electric guitar. From then he has been playing electric with a few acoustic projects on the side.
Marco also played bass for his high school instrumental band and bass and electric guitar for the school jazz band doing multiple performances. In the past two years he has been playing on and off live, and just recently released his first recording. He formed a group called Days of Glory, the genre they relate to most is hard rock and you can find a recording of this online at www.supernova.com/daysofglory
He is currently working on a solo album with many acoustic instrumental tracks so be sure to keep an eye and ear open for it.