Meet Our Teachers
Our teachers for the 2022-2023 Session offer private lessons for piano, guitar, voice, flute, violin, bass and drums, as well as our Mini Musicians Class. Currently, each teacher:
- provides lessons in their own home
- has well over a decade of teaching experience
- is highly-trained with a Bachelors Degree or ARCT
- has a beautiful acoustic piano to play (piano students)
- is provided with training and professional development
- teaches with our core "Creative Expressions" curriculum
Nic Lawrenz
B. Mus - Guitar Performance
Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, & Drums
Nic Lawrenz has taught guitar and other instruments for over 20 years. He currently teaches guitar (in all styles), ukulele, bass, drums, banjo, theory, and band lessons.
Nic has a Bachelor of Performance from Brandon University in Classical Guitar and has taught in several studios around Manitoba. He's also a member of several musical projects around Winnipeg including Artists in Healthcare Manitoba as well as a few bands, duos and trios, and solo performances for weddings, personal care homes and events.
Nic loves to teach and inspire players of all ages to reach their potential while studying music that is fun, applicable and educational by nature.
Nic's Studio
Elmwood: 125 Martin Ave. W
Monday & Wednesday
Gemma Williams
B.A. Performing Arts
Voice & Music Theatre
Gemma has a Bachelor of Performing Arts from the University of Winchester, with a focus on Musical Theatre. She is British and relocated to Canada in 2018.
Since leaving university, Gemma has directed a wide variety of musicals for children’s drama clubs, and taught private singing lessons for years. She led a 2-Day Workshop in the UK with the cast of Mamma Mia and STOMP.
In fact, 'everyone deserves a chance to fly' is a quote from Gemma’s favourite musical ‘Wicked’. Gemma’s students “learn to fly” by finding their own voice and in singing with others. She ensures that her students learn to sing with healthy singing technique, while also nurturing their love of music along the way.
Gemma's Studio
Transcona: 42 Northcliffe Dr.
Monday, Thursday & Friday
Alex Major
B. Mus. - Jazz Piano Perf.
Composition, Piano & Jazz Piano
Alex Major is a jazz pianist and country music songwriter from Steinbach, MB. He is currently completing his bachelor of Jazz Piano Performance at the University of Manitoba.
Alex has had the privilege of studying under some of North America’s foremost musicians: 2022 Juno winner for Jazz Album of the Year: Will Bonness, New York-based Saxophonist: Jon Gordon, and Count Basie Band trumpeter: Derrick Gardner.
Alex specializes in improvisation, song-writing, and arranging. He writes with various artists across Nashville, Canada and the US and has new music set for release in 2023. Outside of music, Alex runs marathons, plays hockey, and spends time at the family cottage.
Alex's Studio
Elmwood (7 Tudor Crescent)
Monday, Tuesday & Friday
Cheryl Jackson
ARCT, B.A., B. Ed., PBDE
Piano & Mini Musicians
Cheryl Jackson has joined our team of teachers for September 2022, and will be offering private piano lessons and small group Mini Musicians Classes.
Under the tutelage of Sara Jane Schmidt, Cheryl completed her Associateship with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto for piano pedagogy and piano performance in 1999. Cheryl also holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Education and Orff levels 1 and 2 from the University of Manitoba.
Cheryl has been teaching piano and voice lessons to students in the River East / Transcona area since 1989. She also teaches K to grade 8 general music in the Louis Riel School Division.
Cheryl continues used to be an active musician as a vocalist in a blues duo, a church worship leader, weddings funerals and other solo performances.
Annette Hay
B. Mus., RMT, UMTC
Violin & Piano
Annette began teaching for Creative Expressions Music Academy in 2021, opening her home to our students in the North Kildonan area of Winnipeg.
With a music education career spanning decades, Annette enjoys teaching students of all ages in private violin, piano, organ and theory lessons. Her students have won provincial gold and silver medals in RCM exams and many scholarships through the MRMTA.
She graduated from Brandon University with the Gold Medal in the 5 year Bachelor of Music Education Degree. At university she studied violin (with Francis Chaplin), piano, organ, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion techniques as well as choral and instrumental conducting.
Annette has enjoyed teaching music, band, orchestra and choir in various schools in Winnipeg and also adjudicates at AMAF Music Festivals throughout Manitoba.
Amy Whittaker
B. Mus. (history), MYC
Flute & Piano
Amy Whittaker, known by her students as Miss Amy, has joined our roster of "Team Teachers" for September 2022, offering private piano lessons in her home studio in West Kildonan area.
With over a decade of teaching experience, Amy holds advanced levels from the Royal Conservatory of Music in flute, piano, theory and history, as well as a Bachelor of Music History from the University of Manitoba.
On her own, Amy teaches Preschool music in Montessori schools across the city and Music for Young Children group classes. Amy continues to be a free lance performer and clinician for weddings, funerals, music festivals, and school band clinics.
Amy has performed with the Winnipeg Music Festival, Syrinx Flute Festival, National Youth Band of Canada, Winnipeg Youth Symphony Orchestra, and MB Provincial Honour Bands.
Cheryl's Studio
Transcona: 206 Devonshire Drive
Monday & Thursday
Annette's Studio
North Kildonan: 735 Knowles Ave
Tuesday & Wednesday
Amy's Studio
West Kildonan: 151 Gilia Drive
Thursday & Saturday
Now Accepting Students
Creative Expressions Music Academy is now accepting students for piano, voice, violin, flute, guitar, bass, and drums. Sign up today!