Benjamin - Teacher #2024

Instruments:
- Electric Guitar
- Guitar
- Ukulele

Services:
- Composition
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I provide an energetic, modern approach to guitar instruction tailored to meet your musical tastes and skill level. My goal is to help develop or rekindle your passion for music that can last a lifetime. We will focus on aspects of music that will get you quickly playing your favourite songs with other musicians with a strong emphasis on rhythm and timing. For advanced and intermediate musicians I can challenge you to develop your speed and fretboard knowledge so you can become a stronger lead player. I can also help with song writing and home recording to further share your gift with others.

Musical Education

I began playing the guitar at age 11 under the influence of my father and practiced up to 8 hours a day. By age 13 I was performing at pool halls and nearby coffee shops with local cover bands. My first job was teaching guitar at a neighbourhood music academy 3 nights a week after school. Shortly after graduating high school I recorded my first album and toured across Canada and the United States with my band The Kindred. In 2011 The Kindred had caught the attention of Sumerian Records (Los Angeles) and we signed our first record contract. We then began opening for large audiences across North America alongside acts such as Protest the Hero, Periphery and Architects. The Kindred recorded 2 more albums over the next 5 years. During this time I was teaching guitar lessons for fans before shows in the dressing room. Shortly after disbanding in 2017 I began doing session work for country artist Damien Maze (Sony) and R&B/funk artist Mik Laxton (universal). I currently teach full time and have had the pleasure of teaching a large repertoire of music to students of all ages.

Special Skills and Training

- Sumerian Records recording artist -Session artist for Damien Maze (Sony) & Mik Laxton (Universal) - Performed across North America alongside: Protest the Hero, Between the Buried and Me, Periphery, Devin Townsend, Architects, Jeff Loomis -Performed at legendary venues: The Roxy and Whiskey a Go Go (Los Angeles) Gramercy Theatre (New York City) - Taught at Kanata Music Academy , Dominics music and Lauzon Music school. - Instructor for rock band classes and summer camps (Kanata music academy, Opus)

Rates

30 Minutes: $39.00
45 Minutes: $49.00
60 Minutes: $59.00

There is a one-time registration fee of 25 $ charged with the first lessons. All Taxes are included in prices, if applicable

NOTE: Your Credit card will be charged ONLY when the first lesson is set up and confirmed with the teacher

Policies


1. Cancellation Policy

Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy

A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy

Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period

There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).