Neil Whitford (Guitar)
Neil Whitford has a Bachelor’s in Music in Jazz from the University of Toronto, as well as a Performance Diploma in Guitar from Grant Macewan College. Neil is originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he grew up studying piano initially, and then moving on to guitar as well as tuba.
Neil has had the opportunity to study with some of the leading jazz guitarists in the country, such as Bobby Cairns, David Occhipinti, Geoff Young and Roy Patterson. Versatility has allowed Neil the opportunity to perform in a large variety of musical situations, covering everything from solo jazz guitar to musical theatre and pop-rock. Some of his collaborations include Najuah, Elastocitizens, Daniel Bernhard and Daniel Jamieson.
Neil is also an active composer and band-leader for Ninja Funk Orchestra, The Circles Quartet, and his own trio. Performing has taken him to the East Coast, Montreal, Germany and Chile. As a teacher, Neil has almost a decade of experience with individuals and groups spanning a very wide age-range.
Neil’s teaching approach has always followed the fundamental idea of ‘leaning how to learn’ so that the students can be free to take the instrument in any direction they choose. Students learn a blend of technical and aural skills which can then be used to apply to any style that they choose to pursue, and Neil takes great pride in helping them discover this.
Check out the following links for Neil Whitford’s blogs and articles:
Difficulty Playing the Acoustic?
Eite Music Academy offers private guitar lessons at 822 and 2007 Danforth Avenue in Toronto. To book a free music consultation please contact the main desk at 416 406 5355 ext 1.