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
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, family man , and business owner . 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.
Christina Apollonio
Vocal Teacher
Professional Position: Vocal Teacher/ Performing Musician
Education Destination: University of Windsor - DM - Music & Psychology
Biggest Musical Influence: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin,
Arianna Grande , Lady Gaga
Likes: Dogs, Jazz, Teaching, Performing, Musicals, Writing and producing my own songs
Dislikes: Math, Bees, Being late
More about Christina: Christina is a graduate from the University of Windsor, where she completed a program in Law and Politics. She has extensive performance experience across the Windsor and Toronto areas, as well as in the United States. Over the years, shes collaborated with a many bands, including Stiletto Fire, Big Louie and the Band, Fantasia, and Ciao. She a verified Spotify artist with countless original songs and has learned to produce her own vocals, additionally she is the creator of her own band, Queen of Kings. As classically trained pianist, she has earned numerous first-place titles, trophies, and certificates in piano and in vocal competitions.
To sign up for lessons with Christina Apollonio, click here.
Kurt Curtis
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Slide guitar Teacher
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 Curtis , click here.
Mark Trimble
Guitar/Ukulele Teacher
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
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.
Jenna Ward
Vocal & Piano Teacher
Professional Position: Vocal and Piano Teacher
Education Destination: Villanova then University of Windsor
Biggest Musical Influence: Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Queen
Favorite Instrument: Yamaha Upright Piano and Nord Piano 5
Likes: Animals, Eating, Playing Piano, Singing, Shopping, and watching Movies
Dislikes: Spiders, Snakes and Rollercoasters
More about Jenna: Jenna is passionate about music, which is a big part of her life. She loves teaching and connecting with students by sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for music. Her goal is to get her music teacher degree ! She's excited about attending the University of Windsor for music education. She believes music has the power to inspire people together, and she can't wait to help her future students discover ye same love for music
To sign up for lessons with Jenna Ward, click here.
Chris Borshuk
Piano Teacher 
Professional Position: Full-time professional pianist and pian0 instructor
Biggest Musical Influence: Bill Evans ,Keith Jarett, Richard Tee, Paul Simon
Favorite Instrument: Yamaha Grand Pianos (preferably CX series), Vintage Rhodes Suitcase Model
Likes: Cooking, Eating, Pets, Warm Weather
Dislikes: Cold, Weather, Snow, Car Repairs, Liver
More about Chris: Chris has been performing professionally for over four decades. A versatile musician, he has performed with rock, jazz, blues and R&B artists throughout Southern Ontario, the greater Detroit area and beyond. Chris spent 6 years at Windsor's legendary "Top Hat Supper Club" performing with musical artists ( The Drifters, The Contours, The Shirelles) TV and film stars (Frank Gorshin, Mickey Rooney) and others. He was a member of the Casino Windsor's "Showtime Lounge" band as Music Director and Keyboard player with several Vegas-style production shows. He also served as a long-time president of the Windsor Federation of Musicians . Chris has over 40 years teaching experience and loves sharing his experience and enthusiasm for piano with students of all ages.
To sign up for lessons with Chris Borshuk, click here.
Annessa DeBlassis
Piano /Vocals Teacher
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.
Rhiannon Fraser
Piano Teacher
Professional Position : Piano Teacher
Education Destination : Currently at Assumption College Catholic High School , also has earned Grade 8 RCM Piano, planning on going to Wilfred Laurier University
Biggest Musical Influence : Jacob Collier, Regina Spektor, Frank Schubert
Favorite Instrument: Heintzman Upright Piano
Likes : Listening to music, learning new instruments, spending time with friends, helping others
Dislikes : Bugs, sports, horror movies
More about Rhiannon : Rhiannon is an ambitious high school student who lives and breathes music, and loves to learn as well as teach. She took lessons for 10 years at Makin' Music in piano, while also picking up the violin, trombone, trumpet, vocals, and a few other instruments along the way. She loves to explore different genres, but most importantly loves to advocate for the fact that music is fun! With her wide experience of different instruments and genres , she encourages her students to combine their musical tastes with what they are learning.
To sign up with Rhiannon Fraser, click here.
Stephanie Johnston-Teodorof
Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele Teacher
Professional Position: Vocal, guitar and Ukulele teacher
Education Destination: Concordia University Ann Arbor followed by University of Windsor
Biggest Musical Influence: Phil Collins, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Alicia Keys
Favorite Instrument: My full size violin made by my neighbor
Likes: Playing different instruments, my husband Andrei who is also a musician, my two cats, running, taekwondo, and speed stacking
Dislikes: Bullying
More about Stephanie: Stephanie is a high school teacher, life long learner, and loves to share her passion for music with others. She started her music career at the age of three with the Violin. From there she has learned vocals, guitar, harmonica, and is currently learning drums at Makin Music. She took 4 years of vocals and string ensemble in the United States and has performed in many locations across Canada and the USA. She has extensive experience in musical theatre, opera, foreign language and pop. She can't wait to help others find their joy for music!
To sign up for lessons with Stephanie Johnston-Teodorof, click here.