At Makin Music, our lessons are taught by some of the best and most qualified musicians in town! That is an absolute guarantee. Not only do all of our teachers have outstanding musical abilities, each teacher also has a passion for teaching and having fun!
Scroll down to view each of our teacher's profiles to learn more about them and find your perfect match!
Damon Soumas
Percussion/Drum/Piano Teacher and School Owner
Name: Damon Soumas
Professional Position: Percussion/Drums/Piano Teacher and School Owner
Education Destination: Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA), Wayne State University - Music
Biggest Musical Influence: Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Dave Matthews Band (Carter Beauford)
Favorite Instrument: 1995 Yamaha Recording Custom Drum Set, 21" K Custom Heavy Ride Cymbal
Likes: Animals, Eating, Laughing, and Playing Drums/Piano
Dislikes: Spiders, Okra, Mosquitos, and Haunted Houses
More about Damon: Damon is one of the most likeable, caring and funny people you will ever meet. He is a full-time musician, teacher and family man. He spreads his passion for music in multiple bands, community music projects and even church choir. With countless years of teaching experience, Damon is a master at pulling students out of their shells, and teaching them the tools to be well-defined musicians.
To sign up for lessons with Damon Soumas, click here.
Jessie Leclair
Vocal/Piano 
Name: Jessie Leclair
Professional Position: Teacher
Education Destination: University of Windsor - DM - Music & Psychology
Favorite Instrument: Gibson Stripped Les Paul, Yamaha Baby Grand
Likes: Blues Music, Nature, My Cats (Tony and Crusher)
Dislikes: Transport Trucks, Mice, Black Pepper
More about Jessie: Jessie Leclair is a full-time Vocal/Piano/Ukulele teacher. Jessie is outgoing and energetic, and all of her students always come out of her lessons with a smile on their face! Unless they didn't practice (haha). She pushes her students to work hard and to perform to the best of their abilities. Be sure to check our website and social media accounts frequently to see what she's up to!
Kurt Curtis
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Slide guitar Teacher
Name: Kurt Curtis
Education Destination: University of Windsor
Professional Position: Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Slide Guitar Teacher
Biggest Musical Influence: Steve James, Mark Knopfler, The Band, Tom Waits, Leslie West, Bob Dylan etc The list is too long !
Favorite Instrument: National Resorocket resonator guitar
Likes: My girlfriend Cindy, hiking, travelling, going to the gym, Scrabble, Salvador Dali
Dislikes: Mosquitoes, gnats in my face when hiking!
More About Kurt: Kurt has been teaching music for over 20 years, he loves working with his hands and loves jokes
To sign up for lessons with Kurt , click here.
Mark Trimble
Guitar/Ukulele Teacher 
Name: Mark Trimble
Education Destination: University of Windsor
Professional Position : Full-time music teacher/performing musician
Biggest Musical Influence: Tom Waits, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed, Howlin Wolf
Favorite Instrument: Bluesboy Telecaster/00-17se Martin
Likes: H.P Lovecraft, Cats, Superhero movies, Groucho Marx, Standup comedy
Dislikes: Fish, slow drivers, golf
More about Mark: We are incredibly lucky to have Mark here with us at Makin' Music. Aside from being a make-your-jaw-drop guitar player, Mark has been one of the top guitar teachers in LaSalle and Windsor-Essex for well over a decade. Mark is a full time music teacher, and can also be found doing stand up comedy around the area. Needless to say, he always brings an awesome attitude to each and every lesson.
To sign up for lessons with Mark Trimble, click here.
Adam Thomson
Percussion/Drums/Theory Teacher 
Name: Adam Thomson
Professional Position : Full-time music teacher/performer/studio musician
Education Destination : University of Windsor - Music
Biggest Musical Influence: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Buddy Rich, Charlie Watts, Max Roach
Favorite Instrument: 1964 Rogers Red Sparkle Holiday Series
Likes: Cats, Playing Hockey, The Red Wings, Scary Movies
Dislikes: Cauliflower, Rodents, Shoveling snow
More about Adam: Born and raised in Maidstone, Adam Thomson is a professional drummer in every sense of the word. In addition to being a part of notable bands including South River Slim and Peace Frog (The Doors official tribute band), Adam shares his love of music every day through teaching. Adam has been teaching music for nearly 15 years, and has had incredible success with past and present students. We are unbelievably lucky that he is part of our team!
To sign up for lessons with Adam Thomson, click here.
MikeTravo
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Piano/Music Theory Teacher 
Name: Mike Travo
Professional Position: Guitar and Piano Teacher
Education Destination: BA (Honors) – Music, BA (General) – English Lit., B. Ed – Music/English (all at UWindsor)
Biggest Musical Influence: Donovan Woods, Bethel Music, Victor Wooten, Joe Dart
Favorite Instrument: Fender American Pro Jazz Bass, his beat-up old acoustic guitar
Likes: Tacos, overthinking TV shows, great conversations, reading
Dislikes: Grape-flavored candy, complacency
More about Mike: Mike is a high school teacher and tries to learn something new everyday. He’s spent a great amount of time playing in church worship bands where he fell in love with simple songs that are played well and bringing out the easy-to-miss details that make a piece of music great. He dreams of seeing his students surpass him and become the best versions of themselves both musically and as whole-hearted people.
To sign up for lessons with Mike Travo, click here.
Ron McMinn
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele Teacher 
Name: Ron McMinn
Professional Position: Guitar/Bass Teacher, Rock School Instructor, Guitar Tech
Biggest Musical Influence: B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Dwayne Allman, Ted Nugent, Joe Walsh, Dennis Parent, Earth, Wind & Fire
Favorite Instrument: Gibson Les Paul TV Special Guitar
Likes: Playing Music, Hockey, Golf, Positive People
Dislikes: Negativity, cars that break.
More about Ron: Ron McMinn originally opened Makin' Music 23 years ago and has established what is now the best music school in town. With over 50 years of experience playing music, Ron has professionally toured the country playing with many reputable artists and has been inducted into the Windsor Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2015 he passed down Makin' Music . When he's not teaching kids how to rock, he plays in different musical projects and bands around Windsor-Essex area.
To sign up for lessons with Ron McMinn, click here.
Annessa DeBlassis
Vocal/Piano Teacher
Name: Annessa DeBlassis
Professional Position: Piano and Vocal teacher/performer
Likes: Jazz music, travelling, bunnies
Dislikes: early mornings, ketchup, animal cruelty
Favorite Instrument : Grand Piano
More about Annessa: Annessa has been studying music since the age of 7. Currently she is in her 4th year of study at the University of Windsor, majoring in Music. Annessa performs regularly with the University of Windsor Jazz Combo. Annessa's voice is so distinct and she has a great deal to offer someone who is looking to better their singing voice, or learn about voice theory!
To sign up for lessons with Annessa Deblassis, click here.