Jonathan Gallant
Bassist, Billy Talent
The punk rock band Billy Talent has won multiple Juno and Much Music Video Awards. Jon started as just a teenager with big dreams studying the bass at the Wandering Minstrel with teacher Rob Burton. Jon and his high school friends, Ben, Ian and Aaron played on a lot of stages all over Canada, the US and Europe before they finally made it big. They continue to persevere and keep working hard at their craft. Jon still has family ties in Mississauga and you can sometimes spot him around town. We wish him and the band continued success and prosperity.
Adamo Ruggiero
Actor
When we first met Adamo, he was a young singer who was just beginning to explore the boundaries of his talents not only with singing, but acting and dancing as well. We helped Adamo prepare for one of his very earliest public performances, and he's never looked back. Adamo is best known for his role of Marco Del Rossi in Degrassi: The Next Generation, and was television host of ytv's The Next Star from 2008 to 2012.
Jon Maharaj
JUNO Award Winning Bassist
Jon Maharaj is a popular name in jazz circles around Toronto. When Jon began his lessons as a teenager at the Wandering Minstrel he was playing electric bass and already showing off his impressive natural skills. He has since become a mainstay on the Toronto jazz scene. He has extensive performance experience, and has played in the pit for shows such as "Forever Plaid," "A Chorus Line," and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Jon graduated from the University of Toronto's Jazz Performance program in 2003. Jon has taught at the Wandering Minstrel during his university years, and since 2002 has been an instructor at Humber College's community music school.
Michelle Wong
Winner, $9,000 UofT Music Scholarship
In 2019, Michelle received a $9,000 music scholarship from the University of Toronto. She is presently pursuing a master's degree in piano pedagogy. Over the years, Michelle has received several awards for her talent. Michelle completed her RCM piano exams with Wilson Man, one of our piano lessons teachers.
Michael Shanahan
Winner, $40,000 Oscar Peterson Scholarship
In November 2013, Michael was awarded the $40,000 Oscar Peterson Scholarship for first-year jazz students at York University. Ron Westray, who holds the Oscar Peterson Chair in Jazz Performance at York, states that the award is "an ability-based scholarship. We only earmark students who sound really amazing. The scholarship in effect pays for the student's entire time at the school." Michael plays guitar, and also studied piano at the Wandering Minstrel Music School under Wilson Man.
