Hey Teacher... Leave Those Kids Alone!
Leave Those Kids Alone features talented teenagers performing note-for-note renditions of classic rock favourites. “Hey teacher!” This ain’t no noisey garage band, these kids are alright!
Audiences from across Ontario, the U.S. midwest and a worldwide online audience love hearing LTKA’s renditions of Styx, Frampton, The Beatles and so many more chart-topping hitmakers. If you’ve played it on vinyl or heard it on the radio, Leave Those Kids Alone will make it rock… LIVE!
Formed in 2018, the band has performed over 300 shows and are no strangers to events with 5,000+ people in attendance who can’t believe their eyes or their ears!
Based in Windsor-Essex, Ontario (born and raised in “South Detroit!”), LTKA is a go-to act for family-friendly events, annual festivals, summer concerts, public gatherings, corporate engagements and even weddings! Through their online videos of classic rock hits, Leave Those Kids Alone has reached every corner of the world earning millions of views!
Brother-sister duo of Alex (guitar) and Addi (drums) are paired with Luca (bass) and Louis (keyboards).
In 2015, as students of the Canadian Conservatory of Music in Windsor, Ontario, the kids began rehearsing and performing classic rock hits with school director, Peter Palazzolo and Alex’s father, John-Paul Bonadonna. Three years later, with recital performances and a growing local and online reputation under their wings, the band claimed the moniker “Leave Those Kids Alone” and began performing to audiences across the region.
Now entering their 7th season of shows, the band maintains a tireless performance, rehearsal and online video production schedule to reach audiences in-person and around the world.
As recording artists, Leave Those Kids Alone released their debut all-original album titled “groundwork” in 2022, featuring seven songs written by the band. The band’s 2022 CBC Music Searchlight entry was named the fan vote winner.
Ready to hear some classic rock note-for-note? Hey Teacher… LEAVE THOSE KIDS ALONE!
Addi B.
Windsor, Ontario – Drums
SCHOOL: Grade 7, Tecumseh Vista Academy
FAVOURITE BAND(S): The Beatles, Walk Off The Earth, Fleetwood Mac
FAVOURITE SONG: You Make Loving Fun by Fleetwood Mac MUSICAL INSPIRATION: My Dad
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING IN LTKA: Being with all of my friends all of the time and I like to smash my cymbals when performing.
FAVOURITE MEMORY: When we play great gigs and the crowd goes wild.
FUNNY MOMENTS: When Alex trips all the time.
FAVOURITE GIG: Leisure Lake
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF BAND: Shopping, doing makeup QUIRKS: i) I always need to say someone’s name before I can talk to them, for example… DAD, DADDDD, DAAAAAADD “WHAT IS IT JUST TELL ME” ii) I always need to bring water with me wherever I go or else I will get very VERY thirsty and make someone buy me one.
CAREER IF WE DON’T TURN OUT TO BE WORLD RENOWNED STARS (BUT WE WILL): Something in fashion.
PIECE OF GEAR I WISH I OWNED: I’m good with what I have now thanks to some incredible people.
Alex
Alex Windsor, Ontario – Lead Guitar, Vocals
SCHOOL: Grade 10, Tecumseh Vista Secondary
FAVOURITE BAND(S): Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, STYX
FAVOURITE MUSICIAN(S): Peter Frampton and Christine McVie
MUSICAL INSPIRATION: Peter Frampton
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING IN LTKA: Performing and writing songs.
FAVOURITE MEMORY: When I had a headache and had to take a swig of water from a solo cup and the crowd exploded thinking I was having a drink! Which also explains the answer to the next question.
FAVOURITE GIG: 1st visit to Leisure Lake.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF BAND: Formula 1
FAVOURITE FOOD(S): Crab, Mac and Cheese, Steak
QUIRKS: All doors and blinds must be shut prior to sleep. Some lights must remain on. Foods shall be sniffed prior to consuming. Socks should be avoided at all costs.
PIECE OF GEAR I WISH I OWNED: Gibson Les Paul Axcess Custom in Bengal Burst finish, preferably the 2019 model.
DREAM CAREER IF WE DON’T TURN OUT TO BE WORLD RENOWNED STARS (BUT WE WILL): It’s this or nothing.
Louis
LaSalle, Ontario – Keyboards
SCHOOL: Grade 11, St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary
FAVOURITE BAND(S): STYX, Eagles, The Cars
FAVOURITE MUSICIAN(S): James Young, Don Felder
MUSICAL INSPIRATION: Dennis De Young
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING IN LTKA: Performing in front of lots of people and coming up with new music.
FAVOURITE MEMORY: Various cymbal muting occasions, guitar pick throwing and the odd time messaging STYX drummer Todd Sucherman.
FAVOURITE GIG: The Barnyard Entertainment Venue
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF BAND: Football (film study especially), Baseball, driving in circles and burning gas money (now that I have my G1)
FAVOURITE FOOD(S): Lamb, steak, chili, mashed potatoes
QUIRKS: I say “oh boy!” too much, I do not get jokes, and when I try to joke, there’s always a ‘tough crowd’, can be dramatic at times.
PIECE OF GEAR I WISH I OWNED: Hammond XK-3 Organ, YAMAHA MOXF8
DREAM CAREER IF WE DON’T TURN OUT TO BE WORLD RENOWNED STARS (BUT WE WILL): Completing post secondary, and continuing to achieve a masters in aerospace engineering or getting my MBA, to then own a competitive music store to Guitar Center. (Band will get free access but may need a start up loan) LOL
Luca
LaSalle, Ontario – Bass Guitar
SCHOOL: Grade 11, Sandwich Secondary
FAVOURITE ARTIST(S): Queen
FAVOURITE MUSICIAN: Paul McCartney
FAVOURITE SONG: Bohemian Rhapsody
MUSICAL INSPIRATION: My late Nonno
WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING IN LTKA: I love playing in front of a new audience all the time with my best friends
FAVOURITE MEMORY: Pool party at Diab’s
FUNNY MOMENTS: When Addi dropped her stick and I had to stop playing and go pick it up for her
FAVOURITE GIG: Bank Theatre opening for Jody Raffoul
INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF BAND: Soccer, hockey, hunting and fishing
FAVOURITE FOOD: Gnocchi
PIECE OF GEAR I WISH I OWNED: Thunderbird Bass Guitar
DREAM CAREER IF WE DON’T TURN OUT TO BE WORLD RENOWNED STARS (BUT WE WILL): Blacksmith
