MEET OUR TEACHING STAFF

Celina Marie DiCecca

Owner- Violin, Fiddle, Viola & Piano Teacher

Meet Celina Marie DiCecca. As the owner of Celina's Strings Studio, she knows the importance that music has in our daily lives. Music is everywhere. She believes that everyone should have the chance to learn a musical instrument. Celina has always had a passion for performing and teaching the violin. It is what she is meant to do. She has been playing the violin for over 30 years and has been teaching music for 20 of those years. Growing up in Hamilton, Ont brought her many opportunities to be involved in several ensembles and perform the style of music she loves best; fiddle music.

After graduating from the University of Western Ontario in Music Education, Celina established her teaching studio in 2010 in London, Ont. Since then, she has been teaching online and in person lessons and has had students from all across North America. In addition to owning and operating her own music studio, Celina is the creater and musical director for The Great Canadian Fiddle Show and as well as the monthly workshop and concert series,Toronto Fiddle Collective. 

To inquire about lessons with Celina please email info@celinasstringstudio.com

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Vic Weingartner

Piano Teacher

Vic initially started playing by ear when he was four years old by playing songs he would hear his father often play. He then took lessons with his  grandmother, and took to it well. Once advanced enough, he studied classical piano focusing on Royal Conservatory up to grade 10, regularly achieving first class honours on examinations.

During this time he played at recitals, and placed multiple times in Kiwanis festivals.

Later, Vic was assistant organist at St John’s Lutheran Church in Hamilton, playing at for occasions such as weddings, dinners and functions

Vic eventually began to expand his piano repertoire to contemporary and rock music. He regularly performs in local bands, playing piano, keyboards, and guitar.

To inquire about lessons with Vic please email info@celinasstringstudio.com

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Alex Shand

Fiddle & Violin

Meet Alex Shand. Growing up in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia for several of his formative years, Alex was surrounded by music and nature that were a constant inspiration. By age four, Alex developed a passion for the fiddle, pleading with his parents to let him play. It didn’t take long, for by age five he began studying both classical (Suzuki Method) and fiddle (Canadian, American, and Celtic styles) giving him a strong foundation.

Alex has been performing since day one and thrives being on stage. He was involved with the Kiwanis Music Festival for many years where he achieved top placings in both classical and fiddle. Alex has accompanied Jesse Grandmont at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia, is a regular at For the Love of Art in London, and plays seasonally at markets across Southwestern Ontario. He also enjoys sharing his love of music with residents in local retirement homes. In addition to the fiddle, Alex also has a background in guitar, mandolin, vocal, and piano.

Aside from being a full-time student in Western’s MIT program (Media, Information, and Technoculture), Alex is guided by his current fiddle teacher, two-time Fiddling World Champion, Shane Cook, taking on performance opportunities and releasing his own music. He strives to share his passions as a way of giving back what he has learned. In addition to teaching music, Alex also has years of experience coaching and counselling children at summer camps where he has been recognized for inspiring youth and commended for his kind, patient, and inclusive demeanour.

Alex is truly both a musician and a teacher at heart.

To inquire about lessons with Alex please email info@celinasstringstudio.com

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Tony Nesbitt-Larking

Drums & Guitar Teacher

Meet Tony Nesbitt-Larking. Tony is a Juno-nominated multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, specializing in drums and guitar. He performs, records, teaches, composes and tours in a variety of styles and contexts.  

Tony has released 2 solo albums, 2011’s self-titled, Tony Nesbitt-Larking, and 2013’s Deep Space. 

Tony’s musical education started with many years of private lessons on drums and guitar, and progressed to studies at the Etobicoke School For The Arts (Percussion Major), and Humber College (Bachelor of Contemporary and Applied Music). 

Tony has toured North America extensively, as well as Europe and Japan, and has played at many notable venues, including Massey Hall in Toronto, Bowery Ballroom in New York, and Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Tony has been featured on over 30 commercially released albums over the past 15 years, including Population - The Most Serene Republic (Arts & Crafts label), Flower City After Dusk - The Sole Pursuit, and While It’s Still Light Out - Andrew Austin. 

Tony is currently teaching online drums, guitar, and theory lessons, and is working with various artists and groups when his schedule permits. He is also working on his 3rd solo album, his 1st drum instruction book, and his 1st drumming tips book. 

To inquire about lessons with Tony please email info@celinasstringstudio.com

Sophia Rosedale

Fiddle, Piano, Voice & Stepdance

Meet Sophia Rosedale . Sophia teaches fiddle, piano, voice and stepdance lessons at Celina's String Studio.

Sophia Rosedale is a multi-instrumentalist having taken part in contests and gigs over the years. She began step dancing at the age of 5 and has been teaching step dance for over 6 years. At age 9 Sophia began to take old time fiddle lessons with Chuck Joyce in London up until (2019) and continued lessons in fiddle, step, and tap online for a year. Having grown up around music, Sophia and her siblings started a family band, playing for multiple gigs over the years at local markets, nursing homes, Christmas functions, Church socials, family reunions and more. In Spring of 2023 Sophia performed multiple times with local fiddle champion Celine Murray. Having a piano in the house her whole life encouraged Sophia to play regularly and was able to share her skills with the local community by offering beginner piano lessons in 2018-present. 

Online school in gr. 10 and 11 enabled Sophia to take high school credits in guitar, keyboard, and vocal, further enhancing her musical skills and abilities. Sophia will be starting at Western University 2023, taking a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Studio Art. Musical theatre has been a passion for Sophia all through her childhood and into her teen years, most recently performing in Cinderella at the Palace Theatre (2022) and as Ms. Honey in Matilda at HCC Strathroy (2023). Delving into vocal lessons (2021-2023) helped her thrive into the many genres of vocal repertoire, offering opportunities to perform on stage multiple times.  

Having had years of personal experience, combined with her love of teaching, Sophiais excited to have this opportunity to be able to share her love of the performing arts with the local community. 

To inquire about lessons with Sophia please email info@celinasstringstudio.com

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