CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“Taking vocal lessons with Jag is always a blast! He has such a pleasant energy that immediately makes you feel comfortable and confident. He has shown me potential within myself that I hadn’t seen before. I feel grateful to call him my coach and my friend :)”
-Shannon Kholi
News Anchor, Recording Artist, Model
“I have been taking drum lessons with Jag for a number of years. When I first started out, I explored a few avenues and after my first lesson with Jag, I knew I had found my fit.
As an adult learner with no musical experience, Jag was extremely patient, encouraging and made learning fun by incorporating my personal music taste into our lessons. Years later, I continue to take lessons with Jag and to grow as a musician. I highly recommend him, he is a truly talented musician and teacher!!”
-Celine Brittney
Elementary School Teacher & Drummer
“Truly don’t have enough good things to say about this studio and the teacher, Jag. I have loved and played music all my life but not until my lessons with Jag have I felt such joy and excitement from my own playing. He has inspired and guided me to a place I never thought I could get to and every step of the way has been a blast. I’ve had piano, vocal and drum lessons with Jag and all have been incredibly rewarding and a lot of fun. If you’ve always wanted to get better at music but weren’t sure how to go about it then I would highly recommend!”
-Tim Blackburn
Singer, Pianist, Guitarist, Drummer, & Video Editor
“I started taking djembe lessons with Jag a couple of years ago. I was completely new to the world of drums but felt called to the djembe for no explicable reason. I’d had classical musical training as a child and adolescent and hated the rigidity of my conservatory teachers. Lessons with Jag were always fresh and fun. He’s a wonderful teacher with a great instinct of knowing what to give each student. He stepped away from focussing solely on technique and got me to tap into the simple feel and energy of the music and to just enjoy the whole experience. I’m always sad when the lesson ends and always excited for the next one.”
-Cathy Eu
Therapist & Drummer
“Jag is awesome to work with! His new studio is incredible and I can't wait to go back there and jam with him again. I've been working with Jag on my voice for a few years and I gotta say, he's really helped a guy carry a tune :-) I can't recommend his services enough!!”
-Dan Fox
Actor (Film / TV) & Singer
“Thank you Jag @Cosmic.Cheetah.Studio for helping guide me back to my heart and discover my passion for singing! I had neglected this part of me for so many years and I am so thankful for your playful approach to vocal lessons! It’s exactly what I needed to build my singing confidence!”
-Zarina Chopra
Singer, Coach, & Entrepreneur
“Jag is an exceptional music teacher. Without any drumming experience, I was able to jump right into it and play along songs that I liked. Jag has a very friendly demeanour and he makes learning music really enjoyable. I started drumming lessons with Jag for fun, to learn something new and to incorporate a new activity into my week. I highly recommend taking lessons from Jag.”
-Cassia Napier
Drummer
“It's been a therapeutic journey for me and finding my voice. I had a speech impediment growing up and the last person that I thought could sing was me. Jag really held the space and guided me to my voice. 5 months in and with such joy I can now say, I CAN SING! And as cliche as it sounds, we all can. It was finding the space that has allowed me to open up 🤗 Thank you Jag.”
-Scott Sniedzins
Singer, Entrepreneur, & Martial Artist
“So grateful to discover this place and have Jag as a music teacher, he is a knowledgeable and talented musician, who is conscious and know how support students in navigating learning new instruments with no foundation. The studio is spacious and has many instruments to play with too!
Play more music, enjoy life! ✌️”
-Crystal Li
Meditation Coach, Engineer, & Handpan Artist
"I took vocal lessons with Jag and they helped me to improve my pitch and my listening skills, all while really enjoying the process. Jag is a great teacher who works through encouragement and empowerment of his students. Not only he teaches to sing but to also be confident about it."
-Pat Davis
Councelor & Singer
“I had the chance to meet Jag weekly, for 2h, to learn djembe and vocals. First steps in the studio, you feel entering a safe portal with couches and so many instruments, showing his versatile musical talent. Jag knows how to set the vibe for you to let go of fear/shyness and help you discover a part of you through music. I really appreciate his theoretical and professional approach. This is a time to support artists and businesses with beautiful dedication and message. I fully recommend Cosmic Cheetah ❤”
-Doumi Turkotte
Business Manager, Singer, and Djembe Drummer
“Jag Shival is a great conga teacher and I recommend him unreservedly. I had already studied briefly with two other instructors (both quite good) and completed dozens of Youtube exercises when I arrived for my first lesson with Jag. It quickly became clear that Jag was offering a higher level of instruction. I found the building blocks of his curriculum to be well structured and varied, while leaving room to explore interesting byways and personal interests. Jag always made me think about more than one musical idea at a time, which is challenging but also goes a long way towards hardwiring technique. I'd also like to note that there wasn't ever really a moment when I wasn't having fun. Perhaps most importantly, Jag is simply a very nice, patient guy who loves music and teaching. I was a beginner with no skills and a million questions, and Jag treated our lessons like they truly mattered. He is definitely an A+ teacher.”
-Ted Rybakowski (Entrepreneur & Conga Player)
"Jag is a patient, knowledgeable, and fun teacher, highly recommended. I Initially came accompanying my daughter for lessons, but after watching the lessons, i decided to learn drumming myself!"
-Andres (IT Manager & Drummer)
"Drumming makes me feel like a Flying Unicorn Panda!"
-Anais (Unicorn Panda & Drummer)
“Jag helped me make piano and singing a way of life as opposed to a distant hobby. He worked with me in creative ways to help me learn the ins and outs of the instrument, and how to accompany my voice to what I was playing. I once felt daunted by the piano, and Jag broke down the technique and ins and outs in digestible ways that I could learn. My confidence with music has grown tenfold and I’m now even creating my own tracks to be able to perform one day soon.
His guidance is unique, and his spirit will inspire you to become more of who you are through music. Couldn’t recommend him enough “
-Julia Simone
Personal Trainer, Recovery Coach, Singer, Pianist
“Jag is a multi-talented music professional, he teaches me Tabla and Dhol, and I have improved significantly in my playing within a very short time. He pays great attention to detail in developing/improving the technique and tonal quality, with great patience.”
-Azhar Meghani
Logistics Manager & Tabla / Dhol / Dholik Drummer
"I took vocal lessons with Jag and they helped me to improve my pitch and my listening skills, all while really enjoying the process. Jag is a great teacher who works through encouragement and empowerment of his students. Not only he teaches to sing but to also be confident about it."
-Mariya Mashita
Singer & Multi-Instrumentalist
“An incredible studio perfectly equipped for developing as an artist. However, the best part is the teacher himself. Truly the best place to begin or get deeper in your creative journey.”
-Viktoriya Blokhin
Photographer & Model
“Started taking lessons when I was 12. Good one-on-one environment. Answered all my questions, even my dumb ones. Great teacher, nice guy. Taught me everything I know.”
-Hunter McDonell
Drummer
"Provides a fun, stress-free learning environment in studio or remotely. If you’ve ever wanted to learn an instrument, but felt to self conscious to try, this is definitely the place for you. Everyone is made to feel welcome."
-Naomi
Drummer
"In just three short lessons Jag helped me discover the vocal abilities I did not know I had. He helped me learn how to train my voice in and outside of class. I will keep coming back for more. Amazing vocal coach."
-Alex Karasyov
Singer & Guitarist
"Jag’s looks and is unique and cool I enjoyed being around as he was observant and noticed what I was enthusiastic to learn. He is like my big friend I can have fun with while learning."
-Nicholas
Piano Student
“I really enjoyed playing drums with you. You are a great teacher in the way you teach students can pick up easily. God bless stay safe hope to see you soon in near future!'“
-Sharif Alef
Drummer
Very inviting atmosphere that makes you comfortable to create, to learn and to explore your talents and enhance your skills. Jag is so passionate in everything he does. He is an inspiring mentor and teacher and his passion for his art makes you fall in love with music in many different ways. Highly recommend!
-Victoria Brylinski
Dancer
“I have taken Conga lessons from Jag for two years. Jag is a multi-instrument player, performer and composer which informs his ability to teach. He has taught me technique, rhythms and musicality. Playing Congas is both mental and physical and there have been times when I struggled in execution. Jag was always able to break it down into manageable parts or approach the issue from another direction to get me through it.
I recommend Jag without hesitation.”
-Frank E.
Conga Student
“I started lessons with Jag at Cosmic Cheetah a few months ago. My only experience with piano was a few years when I was a kid, over 20 years ago. Jag's method of teaching was new to me and it's been a lot more fun learning piano this time around. I feel like I'm actually learning to understand music now and that is motivating me to play more and more. If you've ever thought of picking up a new instrument, but don't know how to start or think it might be too hard, I would say a few lessons with Jag is just what you need to try.”
-Adil Aly
Piano Student
“My name is Quincy, and I play bongos, congas, djembe, harmonica, and the didgeridoo. When I came to Jag for lessons I was already a musician with a few years of self taught experience. I was playing auxiliary percussion in a band and was looking to step up my conga playing and to try to pick up piano. Jag was the perfect teacher to help me further my development. He taught me how to focus and regiment my practice habits. He taught me how to apply the moeller technique to my Conga drumming which saves me from sore arms and injuries to this day. The way Jag breaks down how to play piano is perfect. I have always struggled to read sheet music. When I came to him to learn piano he gave me two options: he could teach me sheet music or he could teach me other systems that would enable me to play by ear. I chose the latter and it was perfectly suited for my learning style. Although I never pursued piano (no fault of Jag’s, just not my forte), when my daughter is old enough he is the first person I will go to teach her piano. Jag is patient and provides honest feedback.
In addition to being an excellent teacher, Jag is an accomplished professional musician. When I was in my band his advice on the industry was alway insightful, useful, and practical. Jag is not only the perfect teacher for fresh musicians but he is perfect to help intermediate and experienced musicians grow and become masters.”
-Quincy Banga
Conga Student
"I have never played music before but have wanted to for years...so I was very nervous to start. Now I can play the Djembe thanks to my teacher, Jag. Our lessons are always so much fun!! "
-Lori Velcroix
Djembe Student
"I came to Jag because I needed help with my drumming. I called him up and immediately I could tell we’d jive. This cat knows his stuff. As a teacher is he always super relaxed and positive. He has helped me take my playing to a whole new level. Highly recommended."
-Rick Owens
Drum Set Student
"Before I came to Jag I thought I was an Alto…turns out that im a Soprano! Jag has really helped me get ride of all the bad habits that I built up over the many years of singing with choirs. Thanks Jag"
-Gale Davis
Vocal Student
"Jag has taught me how to play Tabla. I am very grateful for all his patience and inspiration."
-Parshad Patel
Tabla Student
"I love my singing lessons with Jag!! He has helped me discover parts of my voice that I never even knew existed!!"
-Elizabeth G.
Vocal Student
"Jag is a great teacher, friend, and performer. I have been studying with him for years and it has been a pleasure. I recommend him to anyone looking for a down to earth, inspiring, and knowledgeable music teacher."
-Mike Laurence
Drum/Vocal Student
"My 9 year old has been studying with Jag for 6 months and loves it. Reasonable prices and flexible scheduling are a real bonus.
Thank you Jag.”
-Elain Ross
Mother of Piano Student
"Lessons with Jag have helped me hit notes that I never thought I was capable of. He helped me grow as an artist and stop worrying about pitches and instead focus on singing my music."
-Jamal Bowen
Vocal Student
