MEET OUR CREW!
Zac Gauthier is the founder and director of Bring The Noise Music Academy. Inspired by his dad to pick up the sticks more than 30 years ago, his drumming crosses genres and moods—always driven by joy, curiosity, and a desire to express something real. Throughout his career, Zac has brought his music to bands, churches, classrooms, city streets, and stages of all kinds. For the past decade, he has focused his passion on teaching at BTN—walking alongside students and using music as a powerful way to connect, encourage, and build meaningful relationships.
Influenced by world-class drummers such as Nate Smith, Aaron Sterling, Benny Greb, Darren King and more, Zac believes drumming is more than keeping time—it’s a language of peace, excitement, nostalgia, and joy. For Zac, every student matters, every beat counts, and music has the power to inspire courage, confidence, and community. Zac’s mission is to create a safe, vibrant space where people of all ages can grow, thrive, and discover what’s possible—one beat at a time.
From banging on buckets with sticks from the yard to shredding on stage, Taylor has been drumming for as long as he can remember—and professionally for the past 13 years. With roots in metal and progressive rock, his playing is fierce, technical, and unapologetically powerful. But step away from the double-kick, and you’ll often find him grooving to rap and pop, where improvisation and play spark fresh creativity behind the kit.
Inspired by legends like Joey Jordison, Mike Wengren, Alex Rudinger, Danny Carey, and Lars Ulrich, Taylor has carved out his own style that blends speed, precision, and artistry. His journey has taken him through the metal scenes of Kelowna, Vancouver, and Regina, as well as jazz bands and combos that taught him the value of improvisation and collaboration.
For Taylor, drumming is more than sound—it’s a meditative state, a place where balance and focus meet. And with that gift comes a calling: to share his craft, inspire others, and help every drummer chase their own dream behind the kit.
Kansas-lee has been teaching music for over a decade while building her career as a singer/songwriter. She has worked with students of all ages in private lessons and music camps, teaching voice, guitar, ukulele, piano, violin, and songwriting. Her own music leans towards the alt-folk genre, but she also has an ear for pop, rock, indie, RnB, soul and country.
Her lessons focus on building a strong musical foundation while encouraging creativity, confidence, and a genuine love for making music. Known for her patience and warmth, and a fun, inclusive, intuitive teaching approach, Kansas-lee has a gift for meeting each student where they are. She celebrates each person's individual strengths and tailors her lessons to suit different learning styles, creating a space where students feel comfortable, capable, and inspired.
Alongside teaching, Kansas-lee continues to pursue her own flourishing music career. Following three independently released albums, her most recent and first studio album, Ostara, beautifully captures her spirit in full bloom. She’s toured BC several times, playing beloved festivals and theatres, collaborated with incredible musicians from all over Canada, has had radio play on CBC, and recently opened for Valdy, Steven Page, and the Grapes of Wrath. Her experience as a working musician brings a real-world perspective into every lesson, encouraging students to approach music with authenticity, curiosity, and courage.
With 15 years of piano and vocal experience, Bella has developed a musical voice that’s as unpredictable as it is captivating. Drawn to unique melodies and chord progressions, her taste spans soul, rock, alt-pop, alternative, and metal. Starting out in the Royal Conservatory program, Bella quickly expanded into festivals, choir accompaniment, and musicals with the Kelowna Actors Studio. By middle school, she were not only studying jazz trombone and saxophone but had also reached the freedom of playing anything she wanted on piano—a feeling that continues to fuel her passion today.
Inspired by artists from Chopin to Alice in Chains, The Beatles to Billie Eilish, Bella has performed in jazz bands, choirs, combos, concert groups, RnB bands, and rock projects. She is currently working on her first original release—a bold metal concept album that promises to showcase a wide-ranging artistry.
For Bella, music is more than a passion—it’s part of who she is. Born into a family of musicians, harmonizing with her brother from an early age, Bella sees music as an outlet for growth, curiosity, and connection. Whether performing, teaching, or creating, she finds joy in expression and community through sound.
Eli brings over a decade of performing and recording experience to Bring The Noise Music Academy. Raised in a musical household, he began drumming on pots and pans before moving to the drum kit at age nine. A graduate of Zac’s Academy, Eli has since performed and collaborated with musicians in Kelowna and Vancouver across styles including blues, pop, soul, reggae, funk, and folk.
With eight years of experience as a youth leader, Eli creates a safe, welcoming environment where students feel confident to grow, express themselves, and develop their love for rhythm.
Tell us a about yourself, Danika!
"I absolutely love life! I'm a naturally enthusiastic extrovert who enjoys all that life has to offer; from the great outdoors to keeping busy in the gym, trying new foods, travelling and learning about new cultures, and any opportunity to pet a dog.
Beyond my love for adventure and animals, I really appreciate music! I grew up in a very musical home and have been heavily influenced by my family's excellent and diverse taste in music. Having learned piano and singing from a young age, I take any opportunity I can to jam out.
Driven by a desire to help others, I always want to lend a hand where I can and I believe in having fun while making meaningful connections along the way."