Summer 2026 News and Updates

Hello Haliburton Guitar Studio Students,

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer!

My own summer has been wonderfully full—not only with private lessons at the Studio, but also with many performances and concerts across Ontario. I've also really enjoyed collaborating with several artists, supporting their music through composition, production, and session guitar work. It's been a busy and inspiring season.

I thought I'd send along a few updates regarding August and beyond.

1. August Schedule

I will be away on the following dates in August:

• Monday, August 3

• Wednesday, August 12

• Monday, August 24

• Tuesday, August 25

• Wednesday, August 26

• Thursday, August 27

If your lesson falls on one of these dates and you'd still like to connect that week, please get in touch. We may be able to find an alternate lesson time.

2. September Schedule Change

Beginning in September 2026, I will no longer be offering private lessons on Sundays.

If Sunday has been your regular lesson day and you'd like to continue lessons, please get in touch soon. I currently have availabilityMonday through Thursday, and I'm happy to work with you to find a new weekly lesson time that fits your schedule.

3. Haliburton Sculpture Forest Alive 25

I'm excited to be participating in Sculpture Forest Alive 25, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Haliburton Sculpture Forest. Throughout the final week of August, I'll be collaborating with a wonderful group of artists in a series of events featuring contemporary dance, harp, guitar, visual art, and more. I'll also be giving an artist talk and performing during week.

You can find the full schedule and event information here:

https://www.haliburtonsculptureforest.ca/events

or by following the Haliburton Sculpture Forest on social media.

On a related note, I was honoured to be commissioned this spring to compose an original piece of music for the Sculpture Forest. The work combines field recordings collected throughout the forest with contemporary composition and has become a permanent part of the Sculpture Forest collection.

You can listen to the piece and read more about the project here:

https://www.nicholasrussell.ca/atmosphere

The composition is also available through the Bloomberg Connects app. The official launch will take place during Sculpture Forest Alive 25, when a plaque with a scannable QR code will be installed beside the sculpture, allowing visitors to experience the work while exploring the forest.

That's all for now.

Thank you all for being part of the Haliburton Guitar Studio community. I truly appreciate your support, enthusiasm, and commitment to making music. I look forward to seeing you at the Studio soon.
Cheers!

Nicholas Russell
Haliburton Guitar Studio

Update: Remainder of January and February 2026

Hello Students!

This is an email update for the remainder of January and for February 2026.

1. Studio closures (January & February)
A reminder that I will be away and the studio will be closed for both Zoom and in-person lessons on January 26 and 27.

I will also be away February 1, 2, and 3, out of town attending to some family needs. Please mark these dates in your calendars and use your normal lesson time(s) as dedicated practice time. The rest of February is business as usual, and lessons will continue at our regular times.

2. Student Performance Night – Friday, February 13 (6:00–8:00 pm)
Our student performance night is on Friday, February 13, from 6:00–8:00 pm. 

In a previous email, I accidentally mentioned Thursday—whoops! Apologies for the confusion.

I currently have around 10 students eager to showcase their music that evening. If you’d like to participate, it’s not too late! Please let me know and we can chat about how best to support you.

Performance Night Details:

• Location: Castle Antiques, Haliburton

• Arrival: 6:00 pm

• Music start: 6:10 pm

• A printed program with student names and repertoire will be available

• Sound system provided (microphones + guitar amp)

• You’re welcome to bring your own amp if preferred

• Music stand available

• I’ll be on hand to MC and support performers throughout the evening

• Light drinks and snacks will be provided

• We aim to wrap up by 7:45 pm

Friends and family are very welcome to attend!

If you’re a studio student who isn’t playing on February 13 but are curious about performance nights and want to see what they’re all about, please do come and check it out. Priority seating will be given to performing students and their families.

That’s all for now.

Warm thanks, and I’m really looking forward to working with you all in the coming weeks.

All the best,
Nick

HGS - 2025 December Update

Hello Haliburton Guitar Studio students,

I hope you’re all enjoying the end of November and looking forward to a wonderful holiday season.

I’m writing with a few studio updates, including December holiday closures, our Studio performance night, and some upcoming opportunities in the new year.

1. December/January Holiday Closures
Below are the dates I will be away over the December–January period. During this time, there may be options for make-up lessons or additional lessons, either in person or over Zoom—just reach out if you’d like to arrange something.

Studio Closed for Holidays - Closed from December 19th to Jan 4th

If you will be away over the holidays on any other dates, this is also a great time to let me know so we can plan accordingly.

2. Studio Performance Night
Our performance night will be moved from December to mid-February due to a scheduling conflict on my end. The tentative location is Castle Antiques, just up the hill from the studio, who have kindly offered us their space for a couple of hours—likely on February 13.

More details will follow, but if you’ve been preparing a piece of repertoire or would like to share a composition we’ve recorded together, this will be a warm and supportive place to do so among family and friends.

3. Online Course – ‘Shapes to Sound’
I’ll be running a live Zoom course through late January and February called Shapes to Sound, focusing on technique and creative approaches to the fretboard. More details are available on the studio website: https://tinyurl.com/yc6kpxmf Registrations are coming in now and space is limited. All classes will be recorded for future viewing.

4. Winter Folk Camp – March
I’ll be teaching at Winter Folk Camp this March alongside a great team of instructors. While the camp itself is fully subscribed, tickets for the concerts—one of which I’ll be performing in—will be available. Dates and details will be posted on the Folk Camp website here: www.winterfolkcamp.net

5. YouTube Channel
I’ll be continuing to grow the studio’s YouTube channel this winter. There are now about 80 videos of one-off, mostly improvised pieces recorded at the studio. If you haven’t checked it out yet, feel free to take a look and subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/@NicholasRussell

6. Sunday Night Jazz at Rhubarb
I’m continuing my Sunday jazz guitar residency at Rhubarb Restaurant, usually playing solo from 6–8 PM. Always happy to see familiar faces there!

There is now also an Updates & News section on the Haliburton Guitar Studio website, where I’ll post information about private lessons, upcoming clinics, and events at partner institutions.

Thank you all for being such a wonderful presence at the studio. It’s a true joy to support, work with, and help nurture each of you as musicians.

Cheers,
Nicholas