FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing is monthly, not weekly, due to many events available in the studio for the student to participate in, on average 1 per month. With my services you are purchasing a PROGRAM, which includes many different activities to participate in as well as piano lessons. This builds confidence in the student, so they are not afraid to play in front of others.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
For beginning students, I get them "traveling" their hands, playing up and down the keyboard, and develop good technique right from the outset. I use Piano Adventures and Well-Prepared Pianist Institute techniques, and from there we go on to the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program (musicdevelopmentprogram.org) curriculum, as well as any other songs the student may want to play from other genres. I encourage parents to purchase books that the students may want to play from, from the local music stores. The music in the Celebration Series piano books spans ALL types of music, including jazz, new age, classical from all eras. I also teach students how to play by ear, and how to notate what they hear on paper. I work with the students on ear training, playing by ear, accompanying themselves if they love to sing, music theory, learning to read notes.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My background started as a child, studying with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto affiliated with the University of Toronto. Then I went on to join the United States Air Force Band, where I learned to play in the rock and jazz bands. From there I went on to play for churches, accompany singers and choirs, and played in all kinds of different venues. I keep my education up by learning something new every year from other teachers who have competition winners, and am always keeping my skills up.