Meet The Team

Justin is a Kingston based musician and educator with a deep-rooted passion for music and learning. He began playing drums at the age of 6 and went on to earn a classical percussion degree from Queen's University. As a drummer, he has performed with artists such as Oscar and Spencer Evans, Tyson Sullivan, Chris Jackson, NiceOn, Morning Doves, Lazy Lentils, and the Oscar Evans Quartet.

​

Justin has appeared at festivals including McKinnon Brothers, Ottawa Bluesfest, Gananoque Pride, and is an experienced pit musician with Tweed & Company Theatre and numerous community productions across the region. In the classroom, Justin teaches Music and French at a Kingston High School. He is committed to differentiated instruction that meets the needs of all learners, drawing on a wide range of cirriculum approaches, including the Royal Conservatory of Music. His goal is to inspire creativity, confidence and connection through music and language. Justin teaches lessons in both English and French.

Mercedes has a passion for helping students reach their musical goals. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Saskatchewan in Music Education specializing in piano and flute.

She has played in many ensembles throughout her career, including the McEwan Youth Jazz orchestra, the Battle River Big Band, the U of A honour band and University of Saskatchewan Wind Orchestra. She is one of the founding members of the Shining Skies Wind Quintet.

In addition to piano and flute activities, she served as a band clinician and composes. Mercedes is currently a consecutive education student at Queen's University.

Tracey has been a music educator for over 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with her students. She is a graduate of the famed musical theatre program of Sheridan College/ Her teachers include renowned opera singer Eleanor Caleb as well as the Canadian Opera Company's Christina James.

​

Her diverse career ranges from directing plays such as 'Marriage is Murder', 'Lost in Yonkers', 'Steel Magnolias' and being the musical director for 'Annie" to doing voiceovers for Ricoh, AMS, and Battlefield 2 video game mod. Tracey is dedicated to her students and her goal is to help students of all age and experience achieve their musical goals.

Mauricio was born in Chile and at the age of seven, surrounded by folk singers in his family, friends and also gypsies tenting in his "barrio" (neighborhood) began to play guitar dedicating his first years to singing and playing Latin folk music, love songs and gypsy "rumbas". With the support of music teachers and professional musicians he obtained his grade eight in classical and performance guitar. In addition, he was involved in singing and playing in university choirs, orchestras, flamenco dance companies, folk, pop and rock 'n roll bands in Chile and Argentina.

Having moved to Canada in 1993, Mauricio is now sharing his music with Canadian audiences at festivals, concerts venues, house concerts, workshops, benefit concerts and social events for private corporations. His concerts have been broadcast throughout Northern Ontario with the support of MCTV, the BOX TV, CKLU, CBC and CBON Radio stations and to the West of Canada by CBS Net Work. The STAR TV National Network produced 1.5 minute news special on the Album "Baila Conmigo", and Harbour Front Debut Concert for July 2001.

​

In addition to his performing career, Mauricio has a Bachelor and Honours Degree in Education with specialization in Learning Disorders, Music Therapy and Educational Research. Mauricio has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with his students to help them achieve their goals.

​

Connor has been teaching music for over 10 years. He began music lessons at a young age, studying both piano and clarinet. He has performed in numerous music ensembles including the Brampton Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Queen's University Wind Ensmeble. Connor graduated from Mayfield Secondary School while in the Regional Arts Program.He has successfully completed his RCM 10 Piano and Harmony & Counterpoint exams. Connor is currently in his second year of the B.Mus/B.Ed degree program at Queen's University. Connor's goal is that his students not only learn how to play and understand music, but learn to love it!

Ben Hickling is a Kingston born and raised guitarist who has been playing the instrument for nearly two decades. His love for rock music began from being mesmerized at a young age by the playing of classic rock legends such as Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, Jimi Hendrix, Slash and Tony Iommi. Their iconic anthemic riffs, bluesy licks and energetic expressiveness had a deep impact on his musical journey and played a large role in shaping him into the guitarist he is today. 

In 2016 he and childhood friends formed a cover band called Across The Causeway. It gave him the chance to perform many of his favourite songs in various shows in and around the Kingston area, until they eventually disbanded in 2022 due to bandmates moving to different cities. For his next step, he made the decision to enroll in the St. Lawrence College Music and Digital Media program, which he attended from Fall 2023 until his completion in April 2025. His next project is to turn conceptually related songs he has been writing over the past years into his first studio recorded album. In preparation, he has been working on developing his vocal abilities, and has been gaining experience by frequently performing at local open mic nights.

 Ben has extensive experience working with children and people of all ages. He has worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor for the City of Kingston. He has also taught STEM camp in the past.