OUR TEAM
We are innovators of music education, ready to guide and transform your musical experience!
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Now accepting new students of all ages and experience levels.
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Nina Falcos, BMus.
Piano -- Saxophone -- Clarinet -- Theory & History -- Conducting
Nina began her musical journey at the age of ten, studying clarinet, piano, and violin. In post-secondary she earned her Bachelors of Music from the University of British Columbia with a focus in secondary school music education, studying saxophone with Dr. Julia Nolan and conducting with Dr. Robert Taylor. Prior to attending UBC, she studied classical saxophone performance with Colin MacDonald and piano performance with Ellen Silverman at Douglas College, where she earned the Henry Waack Scholarship for outstanding well-rounded musicianship. Her undergraduate thesis was on “Collective Creativity – an artful approach to music rehearsals”. She began her conducting career at the young age of 15 in 2005, and in 2011 founded the Greater Vancouver Youth Music Academy, which had nine years of great success, earning itself one of the finest reputations for musical education quality in British Columbia. At the academy, she served as the director for both the wind ensembles and jazz bands. During her time with the GVYMA, which sadly closed its doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak, she helped hundreds of students prepare for future music careers; her students graduated under her baton and through her private lesson instruction to attend schools all over North America, such as Northwestern University, Michigan State University, McGill University, the University of British Columbia, to name a few.​
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Re-established in Calgary, Nina enjoys her career as a full-time private studio instructor, teaching piano, saxophone, clarinet, theory, music history, and instrumental conducting. With over 15 years of education and performing experience, Nina teaches all ages and levels with great enthusiasm, and excels various fields: from creative lessons for young beginners to preparation for university entrance auditions. She uses the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum and her researched methods to develop personalized curricula for each of her students. Nina also works as a professional pianist, and enjoys teaching and performing alongside her husband, Devon Atkinson.
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Through Bridlewood Music, Nina is teaching private lessons in piano, saxophone, clarinet, theory & history, and instrumental conducting.
Devon Atkinson, BMus.
Trombone -- Trumpet -- Euphonium/Baritone -- History -- Ear Training -- Orchestration
Devon began his musical training at the age of ten, later studying with renowned trombonist and educator Dr. John Van Deursen at Kwantlen University in Langley, British Columbia. Devon went on to complete his studies at the University of British Columbia in Trombone performance, studying with Gregory Cox and Jeremy Berkman. Throughout his performing career, Devon has been featured as a guest artist in many ensembles throughout BC, including the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Cascades Brass Quintet, Thunderbird Brass Quintet, and many more. Devon is a founding member of the Vancouver Brass Collective, an ensemble featuring top brass musicians in the Lower Mainland where he served as Principal Trombone throughout the 2019-2020 season. As an educator, Devon spent 3 years working with the Greater Vancouver Youth Music Academy as an administrator and brass instructor while maintaining a full private studio of musicians of all ages.
Having recently relocated to Calgary, he and his wife Nina have launched Bridlewood Music: a private music studio that embodies their joint musical vision. He teaches Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium/Baritone, Music History, Ear Training, and Orchestration to students of all ages. Devon enjoys working within both the classical and jazz idioms and specializes in university entrance audition preparation. RCM examination preparation is available for all levels and instruments taught.
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Through Bridlewood Music, Devon is teaching private lessons in trombone, trumpet, euphonium/baritone, and theory & history.
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