Kim McKee
Kim is the owner of McKee Music as well as a piano instructor, music theory teacher, and musical theatre director.
Kim began studying piano at the age of 5. By the time she was 16, she completed Grade 8 piano and grade 2 rudiments in theory with first class honors from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Following high school, Kim entered the professional music program at Marionopolis College in Montreal. There she continued her music studies with professors Esther Master & Ken Woodman of McGill University. Kim is currently continuing her studies by upgrading her Harmony and History levels through the Royal Conservatory and West London College of Music.
After graduation from Marianopolis in 1991, Kim continued her studies at Summit Pacific College where she earned a Bachelor of Theology with a major in Church Music. During her years at Summit, Kim traveled with the college ensemble, both as a pianist and vocalist. In her first year she was hired as a part time piano teacher at the college, teaching throughout her academic tenure there. Kim also gained experience conducting the college band and choir at various times. She was a regular pianist for chapel services and special college events.
Since moving to Airdrie, Alberta in 2009, Kim has always been found teaching piano, conducting children's choirs, directing Christmas pageants, and accompanying for school choirs. She is an avid supporter of the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts, being on the board of directors in various roles for 4 years. Kim is very proud of her students' achievements at our local festival, earning Distinctions, scholarships, and recommendations to compete at the provincial level.
In 2019, Kim had the honor of being a finalist for the Arts Educator of the Year Award for the Mayor's Night of the Arts in the city of Airdrie.
Kim is ever expanding her music business at McKee Music, which has 4 studios .The future is bright for McKee Music as Kim has her sights set high to continue offering quality music education in Airdrie.
Kim began studying piano at the age of 5. By the time she was 16, she completed Grade 8 piano and grade 2 rudiments in theory with first class honors from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Following high school, Kim entered the professional music program at Marionopolis College in Montreal. There she continued her music studies with professors Esther Master & Ken Woodman of McGill University. Kim is currently continuing her studies by upgrading her Harmony and History levels through the Royal Conservatory and West London College of Music.
After graduation from Marianopolis in 1991, Kim continued her studies at Summit Pacific College where she earned a Bachelor of Theology with a major in Church Music. During her years at Summit, Kim traveled with the college ensemble, both as a pianist and vocalist. In her first year she was hired as a part time piano teacher at the college, teaching throughout her academic tenure there. Kim also gained experience conducting the college band and choir at various times. She was a regular pianist for chapel services and special college events.
Since moving to Airdrie, Alberta in 2009, Kim has always been found teaching piano, conducting children's choirs, directing Christmas pageants, and accompanying for school choirs. She is an avid supporter of the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts, being on the board of directors in various roles for 4 years. Kim is very proud of her students' achievements at our local festival, earning Distinctions, scholarships, and recommendations to compete at the provincial level.
In 2019, Kim had the honor of being a finalist for the Arts Educator of the Year Award for the Mayor's Night of the Arts in the city of Airdrie.
Kim is ever expanding her music business at McKee Music, which has 4 studios .The future is bright for McKee Music as Kim has her sights set high to continue offering quality music education in Airdrie.
Tracy Dirk
Tracy started taking piano lessons at about 7 years old. She has played piano in churches and camps. She has accompanied soloists and directed & played for musicals. It wasn't until several years ago as an adult that she took her grade 8 exam as well as her grade 2 theory.
Living in Bonnyville before Airdrie, Tracy owned and operated a piano studio with approx. 30 students. We are happy to have Tracy back for her 5th year of teaching! Her experience and love for music and children makes teaching piano a perfect fit at McKee Music. Jennifer Gillfillan
Jennifer started taking piano lessons at age 7. She has completed the grade 9 RCM piano, history and harmony exams. Throughout her school years, she sang in several choirs, including jazz choir, concert choir and musical theatre. In college, Jennifer was in a traveling choir and enjoyed seeing and experiencing life in the US. She has also played the piano and sung at churches, and has lead music at retreats and conferences.
Last year Jennifer moved to Airdrie from Salmon Arm, BC, where she had been teaching out of her home studio. She has 4 children, whom she home-schools, too. Jennifer’s passion is teaching children to love music and have fun while they learn. Jennifer is available for daytime and early evening lessons at the studio or in-home. Catherine Raguindin
Catherine has always had a passion for music, and more recently teaching. She started playing piano at the age of 6 and has ventured on to learn several other instruments. She earned First Class Honors for RCM level 8 theory and is currently studying music at Ambrose University (BA), taking piano lessons under Edwin Gnandt. She also leads worship at school, a youth drop-in, and her church. Catherine loves music and cherishes working with anyone who is eager to learn!
Hanako Rodgers
Hanako has been playing piano for over 15 years, completing her RCM Grade 10 piano in 2016. She has participated in countless festivals in Olds, Airdrie and Edmonton, and has prepared for and completed numerous exams in practical piano, theory, harmony, and music history. She is currently a student at the University of Calgary and is hoping to join the social work program. Hanako is full of love and enthusiasm for music, and getting to share that with others makes her heart overflow.
Josh Seaman
Josh's passion for all things music is undeniable! He is currently working on his level 9 Royal Conservatory in piano. He played French Horn all through high school, and also plays the ukulele. He has recently been taking voice, musical theater, and jazz guitar lessons at McKee Music as well.
When he's not making music, Josh can be found playing hockey, football or making a mean frapucino at Starbucks. We are excited for Josh to bring his talent and enthusiasm to his students this year! Trista Bacon
Trista has been studying piano at McKee Music for several years. She is currently preparing for her level 8 Royal Conservatory piano exam.
Trista's excellent piano skills, and her calm and kind demeanor will be a great asset as she joins our piano teaching staff this Fall. Besides piano, Trista plays the ukulele and the tuba! When not making music, Trista is a full-fledged horse girl. She enjoys working at and competing in dressage competitions. Madeleine McKee
Maddie has taken a variety of music lessons at McKee Music over the 10 years she has spent with the business. She has performed for 4 consecutive years at the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts, receiving Distinction multiple times for her vocal performances and Superior Standing at the Alberta Provincial Music Festival.
Maddie takes a keen interest in musical theatre, performing with companies such as Storybook Theatre, Morpheus Theatre, Bert Church High School, etc. She hopes to pursue theatre as a career in the future. Maddie enjoys working with technology and is the administrator of the website as well as the McKee Music Instagram page. In past years, she has also assisted the Musical Theatre classes by sharing her expertise from her experience as a young actress. |
Jayla Winters
Jayla has been taking singing lessons since the age of ten and has always known she wanted a career in music. She was in two choirs and band class in high school as well as the Mount Royal Vocal Academy for two years. She has performed in many festivals and has been in the provincial music festival four times in both classical and musical theater categories, once winning a second place award. She completed the grade 8 RCM vocal examination with honours in 2011 after which she auditioned for music programs at various universities.
She attended the University of Lethbridge in 2012 and entered the Music and Education program with a minor in dramatic arts. After completing two years of her degree she is now taking time to gain experience teaching voice. Jayla has always had a love and passion for music, musical theatre in particular. This is Jayla's 5th year teaching at McKee Music. She is excited to continue spreading the joy of music and performance to all her students. Michele Lutness
Playing guitar has been a part of Michele’s life since the age of ten. Originally from Calgary and now a resident of Airdrie for the past 19 years, Michele has been very active with her guitar skills, playing with school music clubs, church choirs, as well as teaching both students and adults for the past 6 years. She has played guitar as a wedding soloist, as well as an accompanist for weddings, anniversary celebrations and funerals.
When not strumming her guitar, Michele enjoys camping, skiing, travelling and spending time with her family. Now in her second year with McKee Music, she looks forward to sharing her love of the guitar with her students! Juli Holgerson
Juli began studying piano at the age of 7 and as a teen began to use her skills as an accompanist in church and other settings.
After earning her RCM Grade 7 piano certificate, Juli went on to complete a Bachelor of Education degree with a Music specialty at the University of Victoria. For several years Juli taught music to children ages 5-12 in the BC public school system before taking on the role of full-time stay at home Mom for her two children. Music has always been a big part of Juli’s life. When she is not using her piano skills to accompany her daughter or the Muriel Clayton Middle School choir, she enjoys playing Scrabble, walking, cycling, baking, cooking and spending time with her family. At McKee Music, Juli looks forward to passing along her enthusiasm for using music to accompany the score of life. Madeleine Canete
Madeleine has been taking piano lessons since she was 11 years old, and since then went on to learn other instruments such as the guitar and ukulele. She has been playing the guitar and ukulele for 6 years. During her junior high and high school years, she was heavily involved in her school concert band as a bassoonist, and a pianist for her jazz band. She plays guitar and piano in her church choir and youth ministry. She completed her Grade 10 RCM in August 2018, and her RCM Level 8 Theory in 2016 with First Class Honours. Madeleine is currently a student at the University of Calgary.
Madeleine has been inspired from her own piano teacher and band director, and is eager to share that love and inspiration of music through teaching at McKee Music! Tayah Arsenault
Tayah is excited to be joining the piano staff at McKee Music this year. She is currently preparing to take her level 8 Royal Conservatory Piano exam.
She is a regular performer at the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts, having won scholarships in 2018 and 2019. Tayah is also an avid athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, as well as track and field. Your children will enjoy learning piano from Tayah as she shares her talent and skill with them! Bruce Dirk
Bruce started playing guitar at 10 years old. During high school he played in the school stage band. He also played in a dance band along with some high school friends. After graduating from BCIT, he joined a rock band and played professionally for a year. Later he started playing and studying classical guitar. He has also played acoustic guitar for many years in church. Currently he has turned his attention to learning to play jazz. Bruce has taught guitar for over ten years and loves to share his passion for guitar and his love for music with his students.
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Lorne Stafford
Lorne has been playing guitar, acoustic and electric since he was 20 years old. He bought his first acoustic guitar when he got out of NAIT and was making enough money that he could afford to buy one with cash. He still has that guitar, a Yamaha, his first love. Lorne's first lessons were group lessons in the evenings at Bonnie Doon high school in Edmonton. He has continued to grow as a musician for 34 years. He is more of a classic rock guy, his influences are the giants of course, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clapton, Eddie Van Halen and the like. He also enjoys folk music, Stompin' Tom Connors is an idol, not so much because of his abilities as a musician, but more for his passionate patriotism. Lorne has played in several different bands over the years, mostly classic rock cover bands, although one band was exclusively all originals.
Lorne used to have his own guitar studio out of his house. His personal approach to teaching guitar was initially, getting students comfortable with all the notes on all six strings up to the third fret, and some basic music theory. Once they were comfortable with the notes, he progressed them into chording, getting them fluid with 15 basic open chords, which included all the majors, minors and sevenths. At this point, students were proficient enough that they could play a dozen or so camp fire songs and became proficient "strummers". Those that wanted to continue their learning would start marching up the fret board, with barre chords, power chords and octaves, and more technical right hand technique.
Currently Lorne is playing lead guitar in a cover band in Calgary, The Floodtones. The band formed in 2013 during the year of the big flood, hence the name. Two guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and a vocalist. The band's musical involvement consists of weekly practices/jam sessions and the occasional live performance for weddings and things of that nature.
Professionally, Lorne is currently semi retired. Lorne spent 31 years with TELUS, in October of 2019 and happily accepted an early departure package from them. He wore a lot of hats during those 31 years, his last role before leaving was electrical engineer/project manager.
Personally,Lorne has been married to his wife Lori for 27 years. They have three grown daughters, all finished school, two of the three married, and they have one grandson. They've been living in Airdrie since 1995.
Aside from guitar, Lorne enjoys reading, going to the gym, playing hockey and curling and skiing in the winter. In the summer he enjoys cycling, golf, and Lori and him enjoy motorcycle touring. They typically will take a couple weeks every summer and head off somewhere on their motorcycle, often in the US. They've been out to Vancouver Island a couple of times, they've been down the Oregon coast into the California redwoods, last year they went to Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota. This summer they're contemplating eastern Canada.
Lorne used to have his own guitar studio out of his house. His personal approach to teaching guitar was initially, getting students comfortable with all the notes on all six strings up to the third fret, and some basic music theory. Once they were comfortable with the notes, he progressed them into chording, getting them fluid with 15 basic open chords, which included all the majors, minors and sevenths. At this point, students were proficient enough that they could play a dozen or so camp fire songs and became proficient "strummers". Those that wanted to continue their learning would start marching up the fret board, with barre chords, power chords and octaves, and more technical right hand technique.
Currently Lorne is playing lead guitar in a cover band in Calgary, The Floodtones. The band formed in 2013 during the year of the big flood, hence the name. Two guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and a vocalist. The band's musical involvement consists of weekly practices/jam sessions and the occasional live performance for weddings and things of that nature.
Professionally, Lorne is currently semi retired. Lorne spent 31 years with TELUS, in October of 2019 and happily accepted an early departure package from them. He wore a lot of hats during those 31 years, his last role before leaving was electrical engineer/project manager.
Personally,Lorne has been married to his wife Lori for 27 years. They have three grown daughters, all finished school, two of the three married, and they have one grandson. They've been living in Airdrie since 1995.
Aside from guitar, Lorne enjoys reading, going to the gym, playing hockey and curling and skiing in the winter. In the summer he enjoys cycling, golf, and Lori and him enjoy motorcycle touring. They typically will take a couple weeks every summer and head off somewhere on their motorcycle, often in the US. They've been out to Vancouver Island a couple of times, they've been down the Oregon coast into the California redwoods, last year they went to Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota. This summer they're contemplating eastern Canada.