Mike studied classical guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto and has been teaching at Pro-Music since the school opened in 1998. He has achieved Intermediate Specialist – Guitar Designation from the RCM.
He enjoys teaching classical style (nylon-string guitar), acoustic (steel string guitar) and fingerstyle guitar to children, teenagers, adults and seniors.
Mike’s students have obtained RCM National and Regional Gold Medals (formerly Silver Medals), RCM First Class Honours with Distinction, RCM First Class Honours, First Gold Festival Awards and various scholarships.
RCM National Gold Medalists:
(Students who obtained the highest marks in each level of RCM examination in Canada)
2021 – Level 2 Gold Medal in Guitar
2021 – Level 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
RCM Regional Gold & Silver Medalists:
(Students who obtained the highest marks in each level of RCM examination in Ontario)
2024 – Preparatory Exam Gold Medal in Guitar
2024 – Level 2 Gold Medal in Guitar
2024 – Level 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
2023 – Preparatory Exam Gold Medal in Guitar
2021 – Level 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
2021 – Level 2 Gold Medal in Guitar
2020 – Level 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
2017 – Grade 5 Gold Medal in Guitar
2017 – Grade 2 Gold Medal in Guitar
2017 – Grade 1 Gold Medal in Guitar
2016 – Preparatory Exam Gold Medal in Guitar
2015 – Grade 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
2015 – Preparatory Exam Gold Medal in Guitar
2013 – Grade 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
2013 – Grade 1 Gold Medal in Guitar
2013 – Preparatory Exam Gold Medal in Guitar
2011 – Grade 3 Gold Medal in Guitar
2011 – Grade 2 Gold Medal in Guitar
2011 – Grade 1 Gold Medal in Guitar
2010 – Grade 3 Silver Medal in Guitar
2010 – Grade 1 Silver Medal in Guitar
2009 – Grade 2 Silver Medal in Guitar
2008 – Grade 1 Silver Medal in Guitar
Credentials: RCM Elementary and Intermediate Specialist — Guitar
Francis studied classical and electric guitars at the age of 6 in Hong Kong and won the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival Classical Guitar Champion in 1984. He graduated from the Hong Kong Baptist University with Bachelor of Arts (Hons), major in Composition and Guitar.
In 1991, Francis joined the Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB) as the Music Director that composed and arranged music theme songs and underscore for TV productions / drama episode series. Additionally, he has collaborated with various renowned singers / groups including Faye Wong, Leon Lai, Walkin Chau, Christopher Wong, Sammi Cheng, Hacken Lee, Shirley Kwan, Grasshopper, and Vivian Lai.
Francis is dedicated to music education. In Toronto, he was appointed by the Royal Conservatory of Music to give official review and comments for the launch of RCM 2004 & 2011 Guitar Syllabi – Grade 1-8 Repertoire and Studies Albums. He also participated in the Music Technology Research Project held by RCM at the Queen’s University and the Concordia University. Francis is also an active registered member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA).
Francis’s students have won RCM Regional Silver/Gold Medals. Some of them had achieved full scholarship to study music in the University of Toronto and Humber College. Francis was awarded with RCM Teacher Certificate of Recognition for his student’s achievement as a Gold Medalist’s Teacher in Guitar.
Francis’ students scored excellent results in RCM exams and music festivals:
2024 – Gold Medal in Guitar
2022 – Grade 1 Gold Medal in Guitar
2021 – Charleston International Music Competition – Guitar (Champion)
2021 – Crescendo International Music Competition – Guitar (2nd place)
2021 – OMFA Ontario Music Festival Association Provincial Finals – Guitar (Champion)
2021 – Toronto Kiwanis Virtual Festival – Guitar (Champion-Gold)
2021 – Honours Award in 中央音樂學院 China Central Conservatory of Music Graded Exam (CCCM) – ErHu (2nd level)
2019 – Grade 2 Gold Medal in Guitar
2007 – Grade 7 Silver Medal in Guitar
2006 – Grade 6 Silver Medal in Guitar
2005 – Grade 5 Silver Medal in Guitar
Credentials: B.A.(Hons)
RCM Advanced Specialist — Guitar
RCM Intermediate Specialist — Guitar
RCM Elementary Specialist — Guitar
Michael is a rock and jazz guitarist. He graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, majored in jazz guitar performance under the tutelage of Eugene Pao, Teriver Cheung and other jazz masters.
Michael is active in performances and creations. During his studies, he and his group founded the instrumental rock band Re:member, served as the lead and guitarist of the band, led the band’s creation, recording and participated in many large-scale performances, such as Musiczone Unison Fest. They released their first music album “The Sakura Promise” in July 2022, and their works are available on major music streaming platforms. In 2024, Michael also released his first solo single “Chasing Halley’s Comet” under the artist name “Michle”.
In addition to performing, Michael is passionate about music education. While he was in Hong Kong, he taught at Parsons Music and Addoilmusic in private and group guitar settings. Not only teaching the techniques, Michael also emphasis on the related musical knowledge to develop students into all-rounded musicians with personal style.
Credentials: B.A. (Mus)
James holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University. He also studied the Jazz Music Program in Humber College. For years, he has performed guitar live with numerous renowned artists. Beside, he had also collaborated with famous music producers, like Tony-A and Andrew Tuason, in concerts throughout Canada and U.S.A. James has over 20 years of experience in teaching guitar.
James was designated as the adjudicator of various music competitions:
~ The 3rd and 5th Canadian Chinese Songwriting Contests
~ 2010 to 2012 – Toronto New Talent Singing Awards
His students achieved excellent results in the RCM exams and music competitions:
2019 – North York Music Festival, Guitar Level 5 ~ 1st Place
RCM National Gold Medalists:
(Students who obtained the highest marks in each level of RCM examination in Canada)
2021-22 – Level 5 Gold Medal in Guitar
RCM Regional Gold Medalists:
(Students who obtained the highest marks in each level of RCM examination in Ontario)
2021-22 – Level 5 Gold Medal in Guitar
Credentials: B.A.