Teachers
Steptone
One half of widely acclaimed Toronto turntable band iNSiDEaMiND and founder of Off Centre, Erik Laar was immersed in music since he was 5. He casually played guitar, violin, and studied vocals, but for him nothing matched up to the turntable. Since 1996 the turntable took centre stage and music production soon followed. Over the years his devotion to the arts has garnered world wide attention with invitations to unique shows such as the Nuit Blanche Festival, scoring films live at the Toronto's TIFF Lightbox, and flying back and forth doing performances in the UK and California. Having founded Off Centre in 2004 he noticed an opportunity to break through the restrictions that turned him off traditional music education environments. While sticking to basic principles, foundations, and theories that are essential in understanding music, above all else he pushes self expression and fun as the key ingredients. (For more info on past achievements and ongoing projects visit www.insideamind.net)
Pro-Ef, aka SlowPitch
Cheldon Paterson (Pro-Ef), a native of Toronto via Grenada, has been amazing audiences with his unique approach to turntable manipulation and musical production. Using audio imperfections and distorted sounds as his main ingredients to create deep mentally stimulating rhythmic landscapes, he is a true sound artist, performer and live film scorer. (For more info on past achievements and ongoing projects visit www.slowpitchsound.com)
Trevor Chan
Trevor is a sound collagist from Vancouver. He is a founding member of No Luck Club, an instrumental hip hop band which combines turntable improvisation with sample-based rhythms. The group has released two critically acclaimed albums which has resulted in side projects in theatre and music commissions for documentary films, commercials and
even a video game.
His Ableton-powered rig has accompanied the group during opening sets for Jurassic Five, Kid Koala, M.I.A., DJ Krush, Z-Trip, A-Trak & Money Mark. He was never much of a keyboardist nor a finger drummer. So he gravitated towards alternative control devices such as touch screen displays (Jazzmutant Lemur and iPad) and grids of backlit buttons (monome) to manipulate his samples.
After moving no luck club to Toronto in 2010, he continues to work on new material for the band whilst collaborating on various projects including his highly sought after Steely Chan remix project. He’s looking forward to guiding curious minds on the journey that is Ableton Live.
even a video game.
His Ableton-powered rig has accompanied the group during opening sets for Jurassic Five, Kid Koala, M.I.A., DJ Krush, Z-Trip, A-Trak & Money Mark. He was never much of a keyboardist nor a finger drummer. So he gravitated towards alternative control devices such as touch screen displays (Jazzmutant Lemur and iPad) and grids of backlit buttons (monome) to manipulate his samples.
After moving no luck club to Toronto in 2010, he continues to work on new material for the band whilst collaborating on various projects including his highly sought after Steely Chan remix project. He’s looking forward to guiding curious minds on the journey that is Ableton Live.
Matt Chan
Matt Chan is one half of the Vancouver instrumental hip hop duo No Luck Club. Over the years the group has opened up for world renown acts such as Kid Koala, DJ Krush, DJ Z-Trip, Money Mark, Jurassic 5, Buck 65, and MIA. No Luck Club's unique performances have put them in front of folk festival audiences throughout Western Canada and has allowed them to tour throughout North America.
In addition to his duties with No Luck Club, Matt has been involved with college radio for over 15 years. His show Straight No Chaser has been broadcasting at CJSF on the Simon Fraser University campus since 1992. The show features an eclectic mix of hip hop, funk, afro-beat, jazz, and downtempo. Past shows can be heard on the CJSF station website (www.cjsf.ca).
In addition to his duties with No Luck Club, Matt has been involved with college radio for over 15 years. His show Straight No Chaser has been broadcasting at CJSF on the Simon Fraser University campus since 1992. The show features an eclectic mix of hip hop, funk, afro-beat, jazz, and downtempo. Past shows can be heard on the CJSF station website (www.cjsf.ca).
Pursuit Grooves
Pursuit Grooves has been making music for over 15 years. Her sound can be described as "Electronic travels through Soul, Bass, House and Hip Hop." She is an alum of the acclaimed Redbull Music Academy (c/o 2008). She has released two albums on Tectonic Recordings (UK) as well as being featured on numerous other labels as well as providing official remixes for international artists such as The Knife and Planningtorock. PG has performed her music live with her trusty hardware sampler in Japan, Australia, and at festivals all over Europe. She has been featured and supported by major media sources such as SPIN, Fact Magazine, XLR8R, Now Magazine (Album of the Week), Exclaim
(9/10 album review), and The Grid (Breakout Musical Acts of 2013).
(For more, check out noddinggrand.com // facebook.com/PursuitGroovesMusic // soundcloud.com/pgrooves)
(9/10 album review), and The Grid (Breakout Musical Acts of 2013).
(For more, check out noddinggrand.com // facebook.com/PursuitGroovesMusic // soundcloud.com/pgrooves)
DJ Shagz
DJ Shagz (aka Stephen Scholtz) has been spinning records for over a decade in and around the GTA at various venues, including the El Mocambo, Revival and Kool Hause. He's opened for The Crystal Method, My Brilliant Beast, David Usher and Methodology, among others, playing for crowds from 2 to 2000. Whether rocking the floor, broadcasting over the internet, or making mix CDs (or mp3s!), Shagz brings his mix of house, breaks, funk 'n hip hop (with a touch of drum 'n bass) for everybody's aural pleasure. (For more, check out www.djshagz.com)
