OUR COACHS!

OUR COACHS!

Join our rock experience and challenge yourself!

Our coaches are passionate and talented musicians who represent many of today’s Montreal and Canadian music scenes.

The coaches are dedicated to the mission of Immersion Rock Montréal and accompany students in their learning. Through a pedagogical and attentive approach, students quickly surpass themselves, develop their self-confidence, dexterity and memory, as well as a real sense of belonging.

An artistic background is essential to the realization of our programs and the evolution of our students’ musical approach. Encouraging autonomy is at the heart of our pedagogy, a huge advantage in encouraging their development.

DENIS “Pancakes” PAQUIN
FRANÇOIS “Le Bestiaux Des Vidéos” BERTRAND
VINCENT “Vince” P. RAVARY
SIMON “Waitforit” ARSENAULT
MIGUEL “Mig Hell” CHOUINARD
ANTOINE “Tony” LOISELLE
BENJAMIN “Noé Talbot” PIETTE

ALEXANDRE “Alex” CARON
MARC-OLIVIER “Marco” ROUSSIN
FLAVIE “Flavie” LÉGER-ROY
“MADEMOIZELLE PHILIPPE”
DAVID “David Jobin” JOBIN
ANAÏS “Anaïs Constantin” CONSTANTIN
ALEXANDRA “Cobralex” GHEZZI
FÉLIX-ANTOINE “Fil” HOULE

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DENIS “Pancakes” PAQUIN

Coach

Main instrument – Drums

Other instruments – Piano and vocals

Years in the business – Since I was 14 (more than 10 years professionally)

Bands you play with? – Justin Saladino / Matt Lang / Sally Folk / Simon Morin

Personal project – Princesses

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

My passion for music began when I discovered Van Halen!

It gave me a lot of things. It helped me stay on my feet and it got me through school, or even made me love school.

Passion. When you feel you can’t do anything else, that you’re on your “x” more or less, it helps to keep going.

Basically, I just really wish it had existed when I was young, and to have had an experience like that! Today, I tell myself that I can help other people who, like me, wanted to play music!

I once hurt my head “getting” a bass key during a show in my face !
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I’ve also witnessed one of the musicians I was playing with have a heart attack right on stage.

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FRANÇOIS “Le Bestiaux Des Vidéos” BERTRAND

Videographer

Main instrument – Guitar (6 strings, 7 strings and 9 strings)

Other instruments – Drums, bass and vocals

Years in the business – Since I was 13 (over 15 years)

Personal projects – Endvade / The Pain Train Project

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

Guitar hero! This powerful rock game made me want to play a real guitar!

Music always kept me away from drugs and doing stupid things when I was younger! Now, I live from my passion and I don’t “work” anymore, considering the pleasure it brings me.

This is THE project that needs to exist! Any young person would have wanted a school like this in their life, and now it exists! It’s amazing how we can help young people with their self-confidence by pushing their talent to another level, allowing them to meet others who share their interest and passion.

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VINCENT “Vince” P. RAVARY

Coach

Main instrument – Drums

Other instruments – Bass, keyboard, trombone and vocals

Number of years in the business – 15 years (since I was 14), but I started music lessons when I was 3 (6 years of classical piano and 8 years of trombone, before switching to drums).

Bands you play with? – Les Colocs / Noé Talbot / Trace d’Ours / Capitaine Salaud / Mike Gauthier Trio / John Roney Trio / Le Graal Trio

Personal projects – Musical project with my brother, Hugo Ravary, and working on original songs.

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

Music was a way of channeling a passion and hyperactivity. When I started playing drums, I REALLY wanted to play with my brother, I wanted him to love me. My passion for music comes mainly from him!

It helped me to channel my energies, to have discipline and to express myself without limits.

For me, it was the difference between making an effort and being passionate!

It’s visceral. Basically, there’s no way I’m not playing. You just can’t stop, and you can’t put too much pressure on yourself or take too much time. Above all, you have to surround yourself with people who do it for the same reasons.

It’s about helping people discover a new way of expressing themselves and keeping rock alive. It’s also about helping young people develop ties with people who have a passion!

It’s about being part of a unique experience.

I started out playing covers of Les Colocs, and now I’m the band’s drummer!

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SIMON “Waitforit” ARSENAULT

Coach

Main instrument – Guitar

Other instruments – Bass, piano, drums, ukulele, mandolin, lap-steel

Years in the business – Over 15 years (since I was 17)

Bands you play with – Innerspace

Personal projects – The Night Owls

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

Ahhhhh I don’t know. From the rock music I listened to as a kid!

A sense of accomplishment, meeting people, the social aspect.

To do it out of passion, to keep a positive attitude!

To share my knowledge and passion for music with young people, so that rock can survive.

The number of times I’ve arrived at gigs and my amp has failed and/or, being in a show context and the gear doesn’t work! Now I always have back-up gear.

Oh yes, and also, the band’s singer goes to the toilet 3 times during the show and we… We were waiting… On stage.

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MIGUEL “Mig Hell” CHOUINARD

Coach

Main instrument – Drums

Other instruments – Guitar and bass

Years in the business – Over 40 years (since I was 9)

Bands you play with – Les Pistolets Roses

Personal projects – Willie Ouimet Western singer and Le Moonshine Band

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

I come from a family of artists! My father was a musician and my mother a painter.

Above all, music helped me develop my self-confidence.

To do it out of passion and to keep a positive attitude! Otherwise, you don’t make as much progress as you’d like.

Immersion Rock Montréal is really cool for young people! I’d like to pass on what I know, especially about rock! I’ve got a lot of experience in the field.

My band and I were at a festival and we were the last show. During our performance, the technicians started dismantling the stage WHILE we were playing! They couldn’t wait to get on with their day, haha!

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ANTOINE “Tony” LOISELLE

Coach

Main instrument – Electric and acoustic guitar

Other instruments – Pedal steel, banjo, dobro, bass, piano and drums.

Years in the business – Over 8 years in the business and playing since childhood.

Bands you play with? – Léa Jarry/ Justin Saladino Band / Brittany Kennell / Pierre Guitard / Fuso / Alexandre Poulin

Personal projects – Les Sessions Jardins / Fuel Junkie Band

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

From childhood. Music has always been there and continues to do me good every day.

Mostly personal confidence, but also a circle of passionate and generous people.

I work very hard to constantly improve my level of performance on the instrument, while remaining passionate about it. The secret lies in perseverance and diligence.

Because it’s the best music school, period! The coaches are passionate about their work and give so much of their time. They care about bringing the beauty of music into the lives of every young person who comes through the school.

At a Saint-Jean Baptiste show several years ago, most of the musicians went back to the hotel. However, the band’s saxophonist wanted to keep the party going. He fell asleep in the trailer that served as his dressing room. We found the saxophonist sunning himself on a park bench the next day. I was glad I’d been able to rest up for the rest of the tour.
Antoine Loiselle
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BENJAMIN “Noé Talbot” PIETTE

Coach

Main instrument – Singing

Other instruments – Guitar, bass and piano.

Years in the business – Over 8 years in the business and have been playing since childhood.

Bands you play with? – Fortune Cookie Club / Col / Super Punk

Personal projects – Noé Talbot / Salmine

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

My passion probably comes from my brothers and sisters who were into a lot of punk rock when I was young. I wanted to play bass and start a band, because I wanted to be like my idols at the time, and especially because I wanted to play with people and have a punk band. Then the years went by, and one thing led to another, and it became my job.

Friends, incredible experiences, trips to many countries, the best stories for when I’m old and tired of the road!

Above all, it takes discipline and creativity. Creativity is a muscle that needs to be worked, so I use it to the best of my ability and keep it trained.

Because being in a band is the best feeling in the world. To feel that you belong to a project that feeds you is priceless.

Since the beginning of my career, I’ve maintained relationships in France, so I could say I have an international career! YES!
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ALEXANDRE “Alex” CARON

Coach

Main instrument – Guitar

Other instruments – Banjo / Mandolin / Bass

Years in the business – Over 15 years

Bands you’ve played with? – Véronique Labbé / Five Roses / Easy Tiger / Vince Lemire / Lendemain de veille / Aie Cobaye / Francis Degrandpré

Personal projects – Freelance musician / Musical director

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

I’ve always loved music, ever since I was a child, because music was always present at home. One day I discovered a live ACDC album, and I listened to it non-stop for a year. The album got me so excited that I decided to learn to play the guitar.

It gave me a sense of well-being and security. escape, to be in the moment. There’s something reassuring about playing an instrument, you can’t be disappointed. It’s also constantly evolving evolving; you learn something new every time you pick up your instrument.

As a freelance musician, I’m a bit at the mercy of the people who hire me. These are projects I’m part of, but they don’t belong to me. So I try to give my best, take these projects to heart and get involved as much as possible to become indispensable.

Because Immersion Rock’s vision is aligned with my values. Music is a passion a passion for me, it’s a lot of fun, but it also helps us to grow as people, gain self-confidence and create strong bonds with others. Having lived through the Immersion Rock experience as a coach, I can say that this is really what this school is trying to convey.

It’s hard to single out one anecdote or experience I’ve had, but in each of these experiences, I keep the vast majority close to my heart, because they’ve all brought me something good. Because no matter what the show, studio session or context, the passion and connection you have with people is always there, and that’s what’s important to me.
Alexandre Caron
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MARC-OLIVIER “Marco” ROUSSIN

Coach

Main instrument – Guitar and drums

Other instruments – Bass and keyboard

Years in the business – Teacher by trade and semi-pro musician for over 20 years.

Bands you play with? – I’m the drummer in the band Still To Find.

Personal projects – I play for fun with several other musicians.

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

My grandmother, a pianist, gave me a precious gift of life between the ages of 8 and 12. Every Wednesday evening, she came to give me conservatory-level piano lessons. Also, my parents were avid music lovers and I was always listening to oldies and rock, which led me to take up the guitar at the age of 14.

Music gave me a means of expression, recognition and a focus on my attention deficit disorder.

I practice a lot at home and at least once a week with my band.

When I heard about Immersion Rock Montréal, I said to myself, “Eureka!” This is how I want to teach music to young people!

A little anecdote. With an old band, I did a show for St-Jean-Baptiste Day that was broadcast on the radio. They had glued 2 small platforms to hold the drums, and my seat straddled both of them. I didn’t realize it, but the longer the show went on, the more the platforms separated. Until the inevitable happened and I fell backwards onto the floor. The musicians turned around and wondered why there were no drums (and no drummer), but they kept on playing. I glued the platforms back together, resumed my place on the throne and THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!!

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FLAVIE “Flavie” LÉGER-ROY

Coach

Main instrument – Acoustic guitar and vocals

Other instruments – Electric guitar, bass, piano and drums

Number of years in the business – Over 20 years in the business.

Bands you play with – Les Bouches Bées / Princesses / Fuudge acoustique

Personal projects – Flavie Léger-Roy

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

My father played the guitar and my mother the flute. There was a piano in my house, and as a child I naturally started playing it. There was always music playing in the house, and evenings were spent singing Beatles or Jacques Brel in the living room with friends.

Clearly, it gave me a way of expressing myself. I felt pretty devastated by adolescence, so I defined myself by writing songs, which gave me confidence. I met a group of friends who I still see today through music.

I live mainly from my music, so I just… make music!

I find that making music, rock music, is so liberating and can bring a lot to young people who maybe need to find a place to express themselves.

Gosh… there are so many!

Recently, my band Les Bouches Bées and I were invited to sing in a tribute show to Robert Charlebois. I suggested revisiting one of his earliest songs, “La Boulée”, and we worked really hard to perform it in three voices, as authentically as possible. On the night of the show, Robert Charlebois came up to us after our performance to tell us that we’d made him cry. He was really touched, it took him back to that time when everything was still possible, to his youthful loves. It made me realize once again the power of music, of sharing, of the emotions hidden in the melodies that accompany us in our lives, and how universal music is.

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MARIE-PHILIPPE “Mademoizelle Philippe” THIBAULT-DESBIENS

Coach

Principal instrument – Electric bass

Other instruments – Guitar, piano, vocals, drums and percussion

Years in the business – Over 13 years

Bands you play with – Various cover bands

Personal projects – Princesses / Mademoizelle Philippe

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

From my grade 4 music workshop teacher in elementary school (she made us sing Beatles songs, which was a nice change from classical). Also from my mother, a great music lover.

Freedom, self-assurance, confidence, well-being, a greater ability to express my emotions and a lot of fun.

I take advantage of opportunities as they arise, follow my instincts, make sure I have the motivation and time before accepting a project, and respect myself so that I can accomplish what I set out to do.

Because sharing is life! We learn from each other. Music is universal and enriches so many people. Fun is also very important, and I love to create in a playful way, which has a definite impact on the people involved.

When I was in high school, I played cello in the school symphony orchestra. We were lucky enough to accompany the rock group “Les Respectables” to record two or three songs in a professional studio. It was my first experience and I knew it wouldn’t be my last. As an extra, we were part of their big show at the BELL Centre!

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DAVID “David Jobin” JOBIN

Coach

Main instrument – Voice and rhythm guitar

Other instruments – Bass, drums, keyboard/piano, lead guitar

Years in the business – First contract at 19 (over 17)

Bands you play with – Feu Future / Moi (Grunge, Rock *2019-in progress*) / The Other Project (Rock/metal/grunge cover band *2020-in progress*) O Linea (rock *2015-2018*)

Personal projects – David Jobin (pop-rock, folk, electro, prog)

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Where does your passion for music come from?

My family.

A sense of accomplishment. Not athletic, not in a “gang” of friends, art became my outlet and helped me build a self-confidence that evolves with age.

I’m the driving force behind quite a few projects, so I impose on myself a schedule that’s logical with my artistic/human approach.

I’m fortunate to be the son of a musician and teacher, and an educator-specialist and artist. As a result, passing on what I’ve learned, both personally and professionally, is one of my core values.

I was lucky enough to be invited to take part in a French reality show on the France Ô channel, Music Explorer. This TV show allowed me to meet several French personalities, including Tété and Marco Prince.

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ANAÏS “Anaïs Constantin” CONSTANTIN

Coach

Principal instrument – Tenor-baritone electric guitar

Other instruments – Guitar, voice, cello, keyboard

Years in the business – Over 12 years

Bands you play with – Alexandre Belliard / Claude l’Anthrope

Personal projects – Anaïs Constantin (indie-folk-queb songs)

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Where does your passion for music come from?

I was lucky enough to have music lessons from elementary school onwards. I had cello, piano and choir lessons every day. There was often music playing at home. We had like 5 CDs playing on a loop: a Beau Dommage best of, Jean Leloup’s La sale affaire, a Paul Piché record, a Christmas CD and the complete works of Jacques Brel. I used to practice secretly learning all the lyrics to Beau Dommage’s tunes, in case one day there would be a contest for the person who best knew the lyrics to all their tunes.

I’m still waiting for that contest; I’m ready!

I’d say a connection with myself, an opening onto my inner world. It also helped me connect with the other people I was playing with. It’s really powerful to make music as part of a group!

I have a morning routine. Every morning, I write. It keeps me connected to what I want to do, to what’s important to me. It helps me hold on to my projects when the nasty doubts or vagaries of life blow too hard.

For the sharing! It’s so much fun to play music, and it’s important for me to be able to share this passion and inspire other young people to discover themselves.

Once on a show, I made a joke about the singer of Mes Aïeux. I was in the middle of telling the joke (which wasn’t that bad, but still), when I spotted him, Stéphane Archambault himself, in the audience. What are the odds? I felt a little bad. Still, he came to congratulate me at the end of my set.

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ALEXANDRA “Cobralex” GHEZZI

Coach

Main instrument – Vocal

Other instruments – Guitar, mandolin

Years in the business – Over 17 years

Bands you play with – The Wildwood Family

Personal projects – Studio contracts, backing vocals, musical theater

Social networks

Where does your passion for music come from?

It’s in my DNA. My parents worked in the cultural world.

It gave me subjects at school that interested me. I found friends with whom I had things in common.

I keep in touch with motivated and creative people. I pile on my pride and insecurities. I listen to my instincts.

Because it’s cool and the mission’s values are compatible with my own.

I once did a show with my legs crossed the whole time, because I had a stomach bug and was afraid of having an accident…

I once did a show and a gentleman came up on stage and kissed my feet.

I’ve forgotten the complete words to a song and sung it in a made-up language.

Alexandra Ghezzi
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FÉLIX-ANTOINE “Fil” HOULE

Coach

Main instrument – Guitar

Other instruments – Bass, Drums, Vocals, piano +/-

Years in the business – 20 years

Bands you play with – Les Sarcastiques, Maverick, AV

Personal projects – Les Sarcastiques.

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Where does your passion for music come from?

I was 4 years old and heard Basket Case in my parents’ car. From then on, I wanted to be a rock star like Billie Joe Armstrong.

To have grandiose musical dreams like playing on big stages and feeling confident and cool at school, at work and in my life. Playing music has given me an identity in the styles I love.

I take the time to invest in my projects, both financially and physically. I pay the piper when I have to, and travel to the rehearsal space several times a week to practice with my bandmates. I maintain friendly relations with them to create a better chemistry afterwards on stage.

A dream job that meets virtually all my criteria: music, playing, learning, youth, fun, community. What more could you ask for?

8 years to the day, on June 22, 2015, I played with a band at my high school prom. It remains one of my most vivid memories of my teenage years.