Mike - Teacher #2431

Instruments:
- Flute
- Saxophone

Services:
- Composition
- Ear Training
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I believe music is one of the most important parts of the human experience. Music is something that everyone can relate to and enjoy. Music's diversity stretches as far as our diversity as people.

When teaching music I make sure to find an engaging way for the student to find a balance between technical facility on their instrument as well as playing the music that they relate to and enjoy. I believe a fine balance between technique and music appreciation will help the brain grow, act as a release from the stresses of the world and overall be a positive experience to one's life. With me you can expect a stress-free and fun experience learning music regardless of age or genre.

Musical Education

I have obtained a Bachelors and an Advanced Diploma in Music from the following schools:

Humber College - Bachelor of Music with Honours
- At Humber I further developed my skills in jazz saxophone performance as well as learned new skills such as teaching, woodwind doubling, music business, big band arranging and professional studio recording.

Mohawk College - Advanced Diploma of Music with Honours
- At Mohawk I first started studying jazz performance, advancing my knowledge in jazz theory, classical theory, ear training, arranging and counterpoint.

Awards and Distinctions

- Richard Newell Scholarship
- Antony Roberts Scholarship
- Kenny MacLean Memorial Scholarship
- Toronto Musicians’ Association Moe Koffman Memorial Award
- Eddie Sossin Memorial Award
- Mary Alice Stuart Scholarship (Nominee)
- Winner of Niagara Jazz Fesitval’s “Jazz 4 The Ages” competition
- Featured on JazzFM’s Jazzology Program

Special Skills and Training

I have been a performing jazz saxophonist since I was 15 when I played my first gig. I first started playing professionally around the Niagara Region when I was in high school. Since finishing college I have playing live performances all across Southern Ontario ranging from Niagara Falls to Ottawa. I have played headline shows at many jazz festivals such as the TD Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, TD Oakville Jazz Festival, TD Brantford Jazz Festival and the TD Niagara Jazz Festival. I believe this performing experience helps me as an educator when it comes to guiding students through topics like performance anxiety as well as what is most important to learn for playing in the real world.

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).

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