I believe that everyone has the ability to express him-or-herself using the language of music.
Like most things, however, for most people the skill of music must be developed and nurtured. I work to combine the goals and interests of the student, with my own assessment and plan on how to help him or her to move forward along the journey of musicianship.
Having studied piano using the Royal Conservatory method, I understand the great value it can bring to enhancing any student’s level of playing.
I Graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a B.A. in Music(Honours) with a minor in Jazz Studies. I have a love of both classical music and contemporary and jazz styles. I feel that they are very complementary.
Whatever a student’s goals are, I use aspects of all the areas of my background to enhance their education.
Technique is foundational to being able to grow as a musician. Without good technique, one isn’t able to effectively express, musically, the ideas that are within.
However, there is more to scales and chords than just simply being a vehicle to build stronger hands. They are amongst the most important tools of expression.
Time is spent in lessons combining scales, chords and rhythm in composition and improvisation.
I believe that everyone can create music, whether it is a specific composition, or improvising over a jazz tune.
Theory also plays a vital role. When we understand what we are actually doing, we are able to identify patterns quicker, and this enables us to learn more, faster.
Being able to see four notes as a specific chord, or a long phrase as a scale can go a long way in quickening the learning process. A combination of in-lesson instruction and homework will see the student’s theory knowledge take shape.
Performance is a vital aspect of music. Preparing a piece to be polished is crucial. Whether the goal would be to play for friends, family, church, school, or the public, there are many opportunities to share music with others.
Students will develop specific goals, to see their repertoire take shape.
Festivals and year-end recitals provide opportunities for students to perform for others, and receive feedback, as well as enjoy the thrill of competition.
Along with performance is the importance of reaching specific milestones in achievement. Each student has specific goals, and those goals shape what these milestones look like.
For those interested, RCM exams provide a way for students to see their progress in a very tangible way. Lessons are built around regularly taking performance and theory exams. I believe that it is very important to not just work on pieces, but actually get one’s playing up to a standard. Doing this helps to deepen the roots of music inside us, and helps to keep what we learn in us, and accessible, for the long term enjoyment that it can bring!
