Hollie Gannett

Co-Owner/Administration/Piano Teacher

Hollie has been teaching piano since 2004. In 2010,  Hollie and her husband, James Gannett, became the proud owners of Progressive Music Studio.  Located in Cayuga Ontario, they continue to pass on their love for music, offering instruction in various instruments. 

Hollie Gannett has been playing piano since she was 11 years of age and has since earned her Grade 9 piano certificate through the RCM.  Hollie is currently completing her final year of the Master of Music Therapy program at Wilfrid Laurier University.  

In 2009 Hollie earned an Honours Bachelor of Music from McMaster University, as well as graduating from Mohawk College, receiving her diploma in Applied Music and a certificate in Preparatory Music in 2007.  During this time, Hollie worked as a teacher’s assistant for the Basic Keyboarding class at Mohawk, and won the June Caskey Teaching Methods Award.

Although she is working towards her Music Therapy qualifications, Hollie still loves teaching piano and watching her students grow into musicians.

James Gannett

Co-Owner/Guitar/Bass/Ukulele Teacher

James has been a music educator since 1993, both privately and as an annual faculty member at the Kincardine  Summer Music Festival.

James began playing guitar at the age of 7, before taking up the electric bass at the age of 10, and the upright bass at the age of 12.

In addition to studying privately with some of Canada’s best music educators, James has completed his Grade 7 Royal Conservatory for Double Bass, and graduated on the Dean’s Honour List from Mohawk College, where he received a diploma in the Applied Music program.  Since his first concert at the age of 12, James has performed concerts across North and South America.  He has played in rock bands, classical orchestras, chamber music groups, folk and Celtic bands, musical theatre, jazz big bands, and smaller jazz ensembles. 

Catherine Stonehouse

 Piano Teacher

Catherine Stonehouse began taking lessons at the age of 7,  her interest spurred by the discovery her father’s anthology of Beatles sheet music, and began to learn the basics of pop.  Catherine earned her Level  8 RCM certificate and, after graduating from Mohawk College, is now furthering her education in music at McMaster University while teaching piano.

Blend Lara

Violin, Viola, Cello

Blend Lara is a professional violinist with a very long career dedicated to teaching and performing on the violin. Blend began his violin studies at the age of 6 when he enrolled in the Elementary-Professional Program at Artistic Lycée in Tirana, Albania. After successfully completing his grade 12 at the Lycée and passing a rigorous exam, he began his bachelor studies in violin, specializing in classical music at the Albanian University of Arts in Tirana, Albania.

In 1990, after completing his studies, Blend joined the Radio Television Orchestra in Albania. While he was a member of the orchestra, Blend continued to teach strings students at the Albanian University of Arts.

Blend spent 13 years as first violin at the Albanian State Orchestra, and continued the second part of his career teaching violin, cello and viola to students in the Hamilton area. He is a member of ORMTA (Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association) and brings a very high standard of learning for students of all ages and levels