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Composer of the month – Catherine Rollin

Hello Everyone! It’s been a year since my last blog post, and as we near the start of the school year again in a few weeks (eek!), I would like to begin to post on a more regular basis. I have been busy attending workshops, masterclasses, conferences, reading other blog posts, tuning pianos, and connectingContinue reading “Composer of the month – Catherine Rollin”

Making an IMPRESSION: Summer Sizzle 2015

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending Summer Sizzle, a piano pedagogy symposium, hosted by the Canadian National Conservatory of Music, in the rural, beautiful community of Mount Forest, ON. If you’ve never heard of the conservatory, or the town, don’t worry. This was all new to me too. The Canadian National Conservatory ofContinue reading “Making an IMPRESSION: Summer Sizzle 2015”

How to deal with stage fright

This year at the North York Music Festival, I was able to attend a workshop by Moshe Hammer, acclaimed Canadian violinist. He also founded The Hammer Band, a charitable organization dedicated to preventing violence in children through “music education that promotes self-esteem, empathy and tolerance. Children who learn to play an instrument and perform together learnContinue reading “How to deal with stage fright”

Books for beginners you probably haven’t heard about

This year, I’ve come across two different books for beginners that are innovative and target different kinds of beginner piano students. Both are relatively new, and I’ve been implementing them into my lessons with success! 1. Cougar’s Great Adventure This book is by Marianne Marusic, piano teacher, RCM Examiner, and founder of the Metropolitan SchoolContinue reading “Books for beginners you probably haven’t heard about”

How to succeed at a music festival

Students studying music have the opportunity to participate in many extra activities outside of their regular private lesson. I will be focusing on WHY piano students should participate, and HOW to succeed specifically at music festivals. Since 2010, I have been actively volunteering for music festivals (first in British Columbia, now in Ontario). As aContinue reading “How to succeed at a music festival”

Why I spend LESS time on the piano at the lesson

Over the past few years of teaching piano, I’ve noticed more and more the ADVANTAGES of spending LESS time at the piano during the piano lesson. Sounds counterintuitive, right? Here’s why students benefit from spending LESS time at the piano during the lesson: Most students start piano lessons because they want to ENJOY learning howContinue reading “Why I spend LESS time on the piano at the lesson”

The high cost of music – why music teachers are worth it

Recently there has been an article circling around on the Internet, posted by a disgruntled mother, who complained about the high costs of enrolling a child in music lessons. She states that the current going rate for a piano teacher is about $1 per minute, or $60/hr. Loggers make on average $16.83/hr, Physicists in universityContinue reading “The high cost of music – why music teachers are worth it”

Music in Toronto vs Vancouver

Hello everyone! I realize its been a while since the last post. I’ve moved to Toronto and applied to as many piano teaching jobs as I could. Before I arrived in Toronto, I had one reply – they would put my resume on file 😦 Anyway, it did take much patience but finally my weekContinue reading “Music in Toronto vs Vancouver”