our music Teachers

bethany russell      

advanced piano

Bethany Russell is an active pianist and performer in Windsor-Essex and the owner of Brava Academy. She has been teaching beginner-advanced piano lessons for well over a decade, with many of her students going on to receive awards in local music festivals and high Royal Conservatory examination marks. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Windsor as well as her Grade 10 certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music. 

Bethany is well known in the community for her work in the popular piano/violin duo “The Wedding Belles” in which she performs at various weddings and events fairly regularly around the city! The duo can also be spotted performing at a few local restaurants throughout the year. 

Bethany has an extensive performance history, notably including performances with both the Windsor Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Symphony Orchestra, as well as many musical collaborations with local musicians and artists in the city. 

Bethany is known for infusing popular music and extensive ear training into her teaching curriculum, and strives to help create well rounded piano students through building a strong technique and ear. She is accepting a very small number of students into her studio at Brava Academy - interview required prior to acceptance! Please request a consultation on our “Contact Us” page to inquire further. 

breannah presley

PIANO & VOICE

Breannah is a WCCA Alumni from Walkerville Collegiate Institute, a 2017 graduate from the Music Theatre Performance Program at St. Clair College, and has been performing for as long as she can remember! Immediately upon graduation in 2017, she started her very own Children's Entertainment Company called "Evermore Princess Parties." Also pursuing her love of the arts, she became both a dance and vocal teacher! Working with children has always been a goal for her, and she is so lucky to be surrounded by amazing kids in every single job she has! She hopes to share her love of music, performing and theatre with you! 

MAX MARSHALL 

BEGINNER & ADVANCED GUITAR

From Windsor, Ontario, Max Marshall has felt at home in front of an audience with his guitar in hand since childhood. Marshall’s 25+ years of live performance/private instruction experience, including attending the University of Windsor for Classical/Jazz upright bass, has seen him conduct fingerstyle guitar seminars, coach string ensembles at summer music camps, mentor and instruct guitar/bass players and perform his original music all over the world. Between 2013-2024 Marshall has organized 16 tours, performing in clubs and music festivals all over Canada, as well as in the US, England, Wales, and Ireland.

Max Marshall is thrilled to be an instructor for Brava Academy of Music, and is committed to elevating his students to have not only an enriching, creative, relationship with music but to achieve a professional level of proficiency on their chosen instrument.

angela ibrahim

VOICE, ACTING, “BRAVA ON BROADWAY”

 Angela Ibrahim has been an active member of the theatre community since 2017. You might recognize her from local theatre productions over the past years as she’s been casted in several hit musicals including Mamma Mia, Singin’ in the Rain, Elf and Hairspray! Her most recent show - Footloose (in 2019) - received positive reviews for her portrayal of Urleen, a supporting lead role where she even brought her basketball skills to the stage. Angela has experience with being in pit chorus as well as ensemble (learning a few dance moves along the way). When Angela is not on the theatre stage, she’s impressing strangers by belting out some Broadway tunes. She also has a degree in Biology (minor Biochemistry) that she received from the University of Windsor while pursuing her musical interests. Her passion for musical theatre as well as giving back to the local community makes her very excited to introduce students to the magical world of Brava on Broadway!  She is so excited to meet her new voice and drama students at Brava Academy!

Mia grybas

VIOLIN

Mia Grybas has been playing violin since she was 3 years old, starting with the Suzuki method and moved towards the Royal Conservatory of Music during her adolescent years. Mia has more than 15 years of experience teaching violin to students of all ages. She has performed in youth and community orchestras in the Durham region, where she grew up, as well as in the Windsor Community Orchestra while she attended the University of Windsor. She holds a degree in Drama in Education and Community and completed her Bachelor of Education where she continues to combine all of the arts into her work, especially music. Mia teaches in the Greater Essex County Distric School Board and has experience teaching in the Providence Catholic School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge School Board. She teaches at the elementary levels and continues to encourage creativity and foster artistic expression in all her students. Mia believes that music is a universal language: it transcends words and transforms people.

cassidy funk

PIANO & VOICE

Originally from Saskatchewan, Cassidy began piano training at the age of six through the Music for Young Children program. Growing up, Cassidy was a part of many choir and small music groups and loves participating in live performances. She later moved on to RCM training and, after a break to focus on college, is pursuing her Level 7 certification. She also earned her Advanced Theory Rudiment. Cassidy moved to Windsor in 2020 to attend St. Clair College and graduated this spring from the Music Theatre Performance where she studied vocal technique and harmony training. Select Music Theatre acting credits include: Heathers The Musical, Pelagie, Into the Woods (Workshop), Anything Goes, The Wizard of Oz, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. As she finds community in the music and acting worlds of Windsor, Cassidy looks forward to helping students not only sing and play well, but build confidence to make artistic connections and choices to find freedom in this art.

Kelsey McCann

VIOLIN

Miss Kelsey is currently working toward completing her degree in violin performance at Wayne State University. With 20 years of experience, Kelsey has been participating in multiple ensembles, camps, and orchestras over the years, including the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra and Windsor Community Orchestra as assistant concertmaster. Having worked with many students privately, one of Miss Kelsey’s proudest accomplishments is her participation as an instructor in Wayne State University’s program "String Project @ Wayne", enrolling children grades 3-7. Miss Kelsey has accumulated awards while participating in the Kiwanis Music Festival from ages 10-18. Her most recent involvement in Windsor Essex was her participation in Windsor Lights production of Hairspray a few years ago. Since, Kelsey has enjoyed teaching privately both from home and online. Although majoring in performance, she has discovered her love and passion for teaching children and can't wait to get into the studio!