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Past Guest Artists include:
Alex Lifeson, Joe Satriani, Rik Emmett, John Scofield, Billy Sheehan, Robben Ford, John Jorgenson, Randy Bachman, John Abercrombie, Peppino D'Agostino, Sue Foley, John Knowles, Pierre Bensusan, Jennifer Batten, Wayne Krantz, Orin Isaacs, Vito Rezza, Rick Gratton, Lorne Lofsky and more... 
Our guest artists share their knowledge and experiences with our students while visiting classes, conducting clinics, and performing concerts.
John Petrucci (Toronto - Session 1)
Look at any "top rock guitarist" poll in the world and his name will be at or near the top.
One of the most revered guitarists in recent years, John Petrucci is best known as the guitarist and founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater.
He is also the band’s producer and main lyricist and has taken his band on a very successful musical journey including many gold and platinum CD and DVD releases as well as extensive world tours.
He has received many notable awards in the various guitar publications throughout the world, including “Guitarist of the Year” as voted by the readers of Total Guitar magazine.
John is also an original member of the acclaimed Liquid Tension Experiment with Tony Levin and is a long standing veteran of Joe Satriani’s prestigous G3 tours along with Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Paul Gilbert.
Robben Ford (Vancouver Session)
Robben Ford is one of the premiere electric guitarists today, particularly known for his blues playing and his versatility in a variety of musical contexts.
In addition to his incredible body of work as a solo artist and leader of the Blue Line, Robben has played with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Miles Davis, George Harrison, The Yellowjackets, Bonnie Raitt, Larry Carlton, Michael McDonald, and many others.
Lorne Lofsky (Toronto - Session 2)
Lorne Lofsky has performed with the likes of Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Tal Farlow, Ed Bickert, and many others.
He has toured extensively throughout North and South America as well as Europe.
In addition to recording numerous solo albums, he has appeared on many other artists’ recordings including three with the Oscar Peterson quartet.
Lorne is unquestionably one of Canada’s finest jazz guitarists.
Tony McManus (Toronto - Session 1)
Tony McManus has come to be recognized throughout the world as a shining star on the acoustic scene and the leading guitarist in Celtic Music.
His twin obsessions of traditional music and acoustic guitar have worked together to produce a unique approach to the instrument which is astounding.
His ability to reach audiences unfamiliar with traditional music is remarkable.
Originally from Scotland, Tony has been nominated as Musician of the Year by both the BBC Folk Awards and The Scottish Traditonal Music awards.
He also won Album of the year in Acoustic Guitar magazine.
He has shared the stage with the likes of Steve Morse, Muriel Anderson, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten and the legendary Les Paul among others.
Greg Howe (Vancouver Session)
Greg is a master player in many styles including rock, fusion, funk, blues, and jazz.
After hearing a demo submitted to Guitar Player magazine in 1988, Shrapnel Records owner and renowned guitar connoisseur Mike Varney immediately asked Greg Howe to record an album for his label.
It instantly caught the attention of the whole guitar community and led to numerous endorsements and countrywide clinics.
Since that time, he has played with the likes of Billy Sheehan, Atma Anur, Jennifer Batten, Victor Wooten, and the legendary Dennis Chambers.
He has also worked as a sideman for pop superstars including Michael Jackson, Enrique Iglesias, NSYNC, and Justin Timberlake. Greg is a true musical chameleon who possesses monster technique and superb musicianship.
Andy Timmons (Toronto - Session 2)
As guitarist for pop-metal band Danger Danger, he toured the world opening for Kiss and Alice Cooper, sold over a million records worldwide, and had two #1 videos on MTV, plus amassing a discography that includes 7 solo releases that range from blazing guitar instrumentals, to blues, and even a Beatles/Elvis Costello-inspired collection of pop tunes.
As a session player, he’s been featured on recordings by drumming legend Simon Phillips, Kip Winger, Paula Abdul, Paul Stanley, and countless radio and television jingles.
Andy has been musical director/guitarist for several U.S. tours. He has also played alongside many of his heroes such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani (as a regular guest on their G3 tours in Dallas), Eric Johnson, Steve Morse, Mike Stern, Ace Frehley, Ted Nugent, and Pierre Bensusan.
Currently signed to Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label, Andy has been consistently voted a “Top 20 Favorite Guitarist” in most rock music magazine’s reader polls.
He also has become one of the most respected and sought after clinicians.
Stuart Hamm (Vancouver Session)
Recognized as one of the most innovative and influential bassists in the music industry, Stu Hamm’s virtuosic style incorporates slapping, flamenco raking and polyphonic two-hand tapping chords and harmonics.
Through his numerous solo albums, side projects with renowned musicians such as Frank Gambale and Steve Smith and work with seminal guitarists such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson, Hamm has completely redefined playing bass guitar.
Throughout his career, Hamm has played on many landmark albums, including Steve Vai’s Flex-Able and Passion and Warfare; Joe Satriani’s Flying in a Blue Dream, Time Machine, Crystal Planet, Live in San Francisco, and G3 Live as part of Satriani’s band.
2008 saw Stu reunite with longtime collaborator Joe Satriani for his World Tour.
Hamm’s ability has brought him countless awards and accolades, including the prestigious Berklee College of Music Distinguished Alumni Award.
Hamm also won consecutive Guitar Player Readers Poll awards for Best Jazz Bass Player (1990-92) and Best Rock Bass Player (1991-92), and has served on Bass Player’s advisory board since the magazine first published in 1988.
Stu is also a brilliant clinician and teacher.
Tony MacAlpine (Toronto - Session 2)
This legendary king of instrumental music never stops amazing fans with virtuoso guitar playing and stylish song writing.
Having released ten studio albums over a career spanning more than two decades, Tony influenced and contributed much to the neo-classical metal genre, becoming known for his instrumental rock-based style of playing that blended elements of shred, classical, blues and jazz fusion.
Also a master keyboard player, his dual dexterity on both the guitar and keyboard were highlighted while playing in Steve Vai’s touring band and he appears on a few live DVD’s with Vai and G3.
This Grammy nominated artist has also played with CAB, Planet X, Vinnie Moore, Billy Sheehan, Steve Smith, and others.
Paul DeLong (Toronto - Session 1)
Best known for his multi-platinum success with rock artist Kim Mitchell, Paul has forged a career which encompasses funk, fusion, jazz, rock, and latin, working with such diverse artists as Tom Scott, Domenic Troiano, David Blamires, Lawrence Gowan, Hilario Duran, David Clayton Thomas and Roger Hodgson to name a few.
Paul is also very active on the studio scene, in musical theatre, and has written articles for Modern Drummer magazine.
Dave Martone (Vancouver Session)
Dave has been featured in Guitar Player, Guitar World and Guitar One Magazine where he was voted one of the top 4 underground shredders in North America!
In addition to 6 solo albums and 2 live concert DVD’s, Dave has appeared on countless compilation albums.
Dave has worked with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Chad Kroeger, and many others.
Jon Finn (Toronto - Session 1)
The Jon Finn Group has internationally released several CD’s and has built a solid fan-base worldwide among instrumental rock guitar enthusiasts.
His band has opened for Dream Theatre, Jeff Beck, Edgar Winter, and many more.
Jon has authored several instructional books for Mel Bay publications including the best selling ‘Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation’ and has also been a columnist for some of the major guitar magazines.
His versatility has allowed him to play alongside Steve Morse, Steve Gadd, Steven Tyler, Vince Gill, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Andy Timmons, Stu Hamm, Gloria Estefan, and John Petrucci among others.
Robert Godin (Vancouver Session)
Our students will spend some time with one of the guitar world’s most prolific and imaginative guitar designers.
Find out what to look for in your next guitar and take an inside look at some of Godin’s latest creations.
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