Mark - Teacher #2158

Instruments:
- Drumset
- Percussions

Services:
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

With students of all ages, my goal is to get them engaged with the joy of making music right away, while learning the fundamentals, exploring the skills, and cultivating creativity to help them be well-rounded musicians.

Successful learning starts with curiosity that develops into a passion, so my number one goal as a teacher is to help students cultivate their passion for music, beginning with the music that moves them most. Song based lessons help accelerate their learning, all while developing their skills and understanding to broaden their horizons and achieve a greater deeper engagement with music that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Musical Education

I have an honours BA in Music from the University of Guelph, which included courses in drum set, percussion, and improvisation with Jesse Stewart. In the MA Ethnomusicology program at York University I took courses in South Indian Carnatic percussion and rhythmic theory with master Trichy Sankaran. After years of working as an active performer, I furthered my studies, working with renowned master drum set educator Jim Blackley, exploring the essence of the rhythmic language of jazz and musicality on the drum set. I continue to be a life-long student of music.

Awards and Distinctions

Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation Award in Performing Arts
University of Guelph Essay Prize in Music
Friends of Music Book Prize
Ralph and Edith Kidd Scholarship in Music

Special Skills and Training

As a long-time member of the rich and diverse scene of jazz and improvised music in Toronto, I have been grateful to be involved with so many incredible peers, and to have worked with many internationally renowned composers and improvisors who's unique work and concepts have provided me with a deep understanding of music and creativity. Through my work in audio engineering and sound design for dance and theatre, I also enjoy assisting students to learn about the tools they can use to create and produce their own music.

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).

Register with Mark

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