IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CONTACTING BRYAN FOR LESSONS, AN INTERVIEW, A JAM SESSION, OR JUST TO CHAT, PLEASE EMAIL:
bryan.donald.laplante@gmail.com
Nice to meet you!
I was born in Kingston, Ontario into a family of teachers and musicians. As a kid I spent most of my summer weekends in various Ottawa Valley campgrounds. Our whole family was on stage, competing in old-time fiddle contests at local arenas by day, and jamming out traditional waltzes, jigs, and reels around campfires with friends from all over the country well into the nights.
My father continues to perform rare Acadian music in the maritimes to this day, having returned to the seaside community of Petit-Rocher, New Brunswick, where he was born and raised. My sister went on to perform in a thrilling Ceilidh band, and after becoming a teacher, has used her music to help charge the youth of first nations communities. My mother has passed on, but her passion for performing and her love for teaching and children lives on in us all.
Because my family was always on the go, I felt like I was born on the road. I left home in my early twenties to try a career abroad as an ESL teacher and play as much music as I could. Over the years I have performed and recorded with exciting hard rock, acoustic folk, and reggae bands with teachers and friends while working in the glittering city of Busan, South Korea, rural and cozy New York State, the lush beach community of Cabarete in The Dominican Republic, and the urban, mountainous desert city of Monterrey, Mexico.
These have been some of the busiest and most rewarding years of my life. I have met lifelong friends, colleagues, and bandmates, I have visited too many pristine and exotic places to list, and I have made too many joyous memories to name. At the same time, I completed a Masters’ Degree in Teaching and have been certified in literacy, Orff-Schulwerk, and most recently, the fantastic James Hill Ukulele Initiative Teacher Certification Program. Again, I feel incredibly lucky.
Having returned to Canada, I still live to guide, share, and celebrate the joy and hard work being an active musician affords with all students. You can check out some of my own musical recordings here: https://soundcloud.com/bryan-laplante-261799684
Since fall 2018, I have been having a blast directing a growing adult group and online community called Halifax City Ukulele. In the recent past, I developed a large, multi-grade level ukulele program for elementary students at The American School Foundation International School in Monterrey, as well as an adult faculty ukulele ensemble that performed and rehearsed after school. I also launched an initiative called Huasteca Canyon Music to bring opportunity, musical instruments, visual art, and ESL literacy to at-risk youth within the neighboring community along with some of my wonderful colleagues and friends. I love to travel to new places, practice yoga, hike, and spend time with Beth, my best friend and partner in work, love, and life.
I’m truly looking forward to building and contributing to new student relationships and musical communities back home. Thanks for stopping by to say hello!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Bryan D. LaPlante Music and Ukulele 