Michael - Teacher #2475

Instruments:
- Classical Guitar
- Electric Bass
- Electric Guitar
- Guitar
- Ukulele

Services:
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

After more than 25 years of experience in teaching, I've developed an easy confidence in my abilities. When it comes to beginner students and especially children I focus on making each lesson fun and interesting to develop a love for the instrument. I want my students to look forward to each lesson. For older and more advanced students, I keep an open mind and listen carefully for what they want to achieve from lessons. Teaching isn't just about a transference of knowledge. My job is also to inspire.

Being a professional is just as important. I take pride in showing up to a lesson on time, well dressed and prepared. Also developing rapport with the student and parents is essential.

Musical Education

My education in music began at the age of 13 with my first private guitar teacher. At 16 I began to work as a student-teacher. My mentor encouraged my love for music and guided me through a 2-year guitar pedagogy course that had me teach several students per week while also achieving a Grade 5 level in classical guitar. After high school, I attended Malaspina University College to study Jazz music. After 3 years at Malaspina, I was offered a teaching position at the Powell River Academy of Music where I taught for 10 years before moving to Montreal in 2009.

Special Skills and Training

I have a wide stylistic knowledge and a level of experience that sets me apart from most guitar teachers. At the busiest time of my career, I had between 50 -60 students and sustained that number for several years. My involvement in community choirs has made me a competent vocalist. I record and produce albums, perform live, and have toured and I am also able to repair and maintain my instruments.

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).