Clicking on more info. below will give you some indication of what takes place at lessons. In all cases I assess the student’s interests and goals and plan accordingly, while keeping in mind core music skills of note reading, technical development, repertoire retention, and the need to keep enthusiasm high.
Mission:
"Happy Students who play well"
“We will worm our way, expending considerable effort, into the small end of the cornucopia,” he promises, “in order that we may later emerge, expending less effort and having the time of our life, out of the large end.” From “Playing the Piano for Pleasure” by Charles Cooke.
NEW: Internet lessons for experienced pianists, yes if you live in Medicine Hat I can coach you in Jazz, improvisation, and popular styles. I use Skype.
1. Very young beginners
Very young beginners are offered a simultaneous combination of music and piano lessons. We explore rhythm, sound, and texture, through a combination of duet playing, improvising, listening activities, and reading games. Once these skills are well under construction we begin reading exercises using classical themes of Beethoven, Mozart, and well-known Disney themes. The child chooses their favourites from the menu of music offered. By the end of the first year they are beginning to read music and typically they perform between five and ten recognizable tunes at the keyboard.
2. Young beginners
Young beginners (7-10 yrs.) typically have had musical experiences at school, they have friends taking lessons, and they are pumped and ready to go! We jump right in: learning to read from the start. I help them select music appropriate to their age, musical development and interests. Typically their studies are a combination of piano exam curriculum, familiar classical themes, and pop tunes from movies and television.
3. Teenagers
Teenagers are special cases. I know, as a teenager I started playing the piano. They know why they are taking lessons and they have specific goals in mind. I help put them on the right track to reach those goals. We work together as partners, developing lessons plans, picking a repertoire, keeping in mind properly sequenced skill development.
4. Adult Piano Lessons
Adult beginners have big dreams! How does one keep these dreams alive during the hard work that follows? That is the trick many adults have successfully achieved. Not all of us can become virtuosos but all of us can learn to play beautifully. That is my goal.
5. Adult restarters, "I Used to Play the Piano"
These folks are excited, so excited. They studied as children and after many intervening years want to pick up and finish what they’ve started. In a warm encouraging atmosphere we tackle these challenges, dusting off the old music, discovering new music, using our newly rediscovered enthusiasms to get over the hurdles. Classical, Jazz, and Pop music are the typical requests; sometimes the musical requests are more exotic.
6. College bound students
I help prepare a specific program aimed at preparing the student to pass entrance examinations. We work together in a rigorous and focused manner to prepare them to succeed in their musical auditions, theory entrance exams, and scholarship competitions. At the same time I help the student to realistically assess their talents and explore the wide range of musical careers. I have had students prepare successfully for the following institutions: Universities of Toronto, York, McMaster, McGill, Western, and Berklee, colleges of Mohawk, Humber, Fanshaw, and Recording Arts of Canada.
7. Piano Exams: Classical and Jazz
A fine ambition for any pianist young and old. This is a suitable course of study for any student who loves practicing, focused study and the challenge of performing for others. Successful students have set time aside for regular practice and have the support and encouragement of their spouses or parents as the case may be. Ask to see my hand-out on preparing for music exams.
8. Jazz Improvisation, all instruments
Using our ear as a guide, and classic recordings as our model, students can learn to improvise. I was fortunate to learn from many Canadian and American jazz masters (D.T. Thompson, Dean Earl, Ray Santisi, George Garzone, Victor Bateman and others). In these workshops I pass along my knowledge and experience to my students through directed study using call and response, basic jazz theory, and a through exploration of jazz rhythm, the cornerstone of improvisation.
9. Computer Music call me for further inf.
Studio Specialities
1. Classical piano studies serve as an ideal method of developing your creative self in the fine arts. When your world includes the music of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, fine literature, art appreciation, trips to the Opera and Symphony, opening nights in galleries, great and small, then Classical piano is for you. The pleasure of discovery, the satisfaction of playing classical music cannot be denied. This is a well-trod road with five hundred years of tradition behind it. Preparing for piano exams is a comprehensive, rigorous, and exciting program. They develop the whole musician, in a sequential manner, through the exploration our cultural treasures. There are other approaches as well, just ask. Explore your imagination and creative capabilities.
2. Jazz is now one hundred years old, with a tradition all its own: Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Bird, Miles, Sun Ra, Paul Bley, Jarrett, Evans, Corea, Jobim, and Armstrong. I teach the students the basics of swing, jazz style, improvisation, and together we explore the jazz aesthetic. Explore all the styles of jazz or home in on one particular style. Your teacher is a professional jazz musician with experience playing and teaching Classic Jazz, Swing, Be-Bop, Cool, Fusion, and World Music Styles. Conservatory Canada has a new program called Contemporary Idioms, a graded approach to learning jazz piano. Suitable for all ages, after one year of regular lessons.
3. Piano Teacher Workshops
General Introduction to Contemporary Idioms Riffs, Rags and Rumbas
Two day workshop
In these workshops I introduce and discuss this exciting new program. Each component of the exam will be outlined and demonstrated, including how to get started.
The sessions will include approaches for a classical piano teacher to take such as:
Session one:
Introduction to program.
How to teach improvisation.
Session two
Stylistic awareness: How to introduce the students to jazz, pop, ragtime, blues, and Latin styles, including how do properly perform and teach Swing.
Lead Sheets: Jazz Harmony and how to teach this important skill at each level in order to realize a chord chart sheet and walking bass lines. Includes exam expectations at each level.
Session three:
Preparing students for the technical tests
Exercises to make this part of piano study effective and fun.
The background information questions: how to prepare students for this unique Conservatory Canada exam requirement.
Session four:
What are suitable learning materials?
Tips for preparing students for this program.
How to schedule lesson time, motivating students, involving parents.
The “mini lesson” another unique and powerful motivator unique to Conservatory Canada.
Teachers will discover why this is a pupil saver and lucrative addition to their studios.
I've given these workshops recently in Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Regina, and Saskatoon. Typically given over a two day period.
Other workshops
Teaching Improvisation
1. How to improvise in “classical” music. Spice up your students musical life; teach them to improvise in their performance of Baroque and Classical era music.
2. Jazz Improvisation for beginners.
Musicianship Training in Young Musicians
Rhythm of Musical Growth
The Power of Duets
Ear Training
Sight-reading
Composition/improvisation
This three hour workshop is designed for new teachers. We cover various approaches for success in teaching.
Shorter workshops include:
Conservatory Canada Contemporary Idioms, introduction and benefits
Jazz Piano for beginners, how to get started
Motivating young teens, pupil savers
Marketing for piano teachers, how to keep the phone ringing
Improvising in Classical music, more fun with Mozart
Free Interview:
Yes
Standard Rates:
Studio Rates and Studio Policies
1. Fees, billing periods and acceptable payment methods and times
Lessons in my Dundas studio are $26.00 per half hour, $52.00 per hour. In home and internet lessons are $30.00 per half hour. I expect students to pay for the entire month’s lessons the first lesson of the month at their scheduled class. Students normally pay by check or email. Internet lessons are paid in advance and are non-refundable.
2. Additional required one-time fees or expenses (music purchase, exam fees, etc.)
Recital participation: $15.00 per musician. Music books and other learning materials are the responsibility of the student.
3. Returned check policies
$25.00+ fee for returned checks
4. Scheduling of lessons
Lesson times are scheduled at the mutual agreement of teacher and student, subject to the availability of open lesson times.
5. Fee refunds (if any) and lesson cancellation and withdrawal procedures
There are no refunds for missed lessons. If a student withdraws the balance of their account is promptly returned. This policy is in line with other after-school and night school activities such as swimming lessons, karate classes and adult language classes.
Conditions under which the teacher may cancel an individual lesson or cease giving lessons entirely and any recourse for the student
If I’m sick a refund or credit is offered
If I have a professional engagement, a teaching colleague will fill in for me. If this is not possible a refund or credit will be offered.
I reserve the right to cease lessons of a student who does not adhere to studio Policy. Un-used tuition will be promptly refunded.
6. Piano requirements the teacher expects the student to fulfill (acoustic vs. digital, quality, etc)
For beginners, almost any type of electronic keyboard will suffice. If an acoustic piano is used, I recommend twice yearly tunings and regular maintenance. Piano students receive piano lessons. Keyboard students, keyboard lessons.
7. Acceptable times and methods for contacting the teacher
Please phone during business hours, email anytime. I will return your call as promptly as possible. Please no Sunday or late evening calls.
8. Expectations for parent involvement.Parents are highly encouraged to attend. For very young beginners it is mandatory. Parents are encouraged to observe, but normally questions should be directed before or after class. I have a comfortable seating area for parents in my studio. Parental enthusiasm greatly affects the outcome of lessons.
