Felipe - Teacher #3000

Instruments:
- Violin

Services:
- Ear Training
- Music Appreciation
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- Solfege

Languages:
- English
- Spanish

Teaching Philosophy

Learning to play an instrument can be a daunting task, but it is a very rewarding one. To be able to make music is an enriching experience, not only good to your mind (cognitive development), to your body (rhythm, coordination) and to your soul (fulfillment, joy, expression of emotions).
I am aware of the importance of giving back to society, especially through the arts. As a teaching artist, I feel blessed to be able to share the wonderful gift of music with students, audiences, musicians and enthusiasts from all walks of life.

Musical Education

I grew up studying music, first at the National Conservatory of Music in Quito-Ecuador, going on to obtain a Bachelor's degree from a prestigious Ecuadorian University. After completing a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Boston Conservatory (Massachussets) and having had the opportunity to be a part of many music festivals (Aspen, Juilliard Starling-Delay, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, among others) I developed a career as a music teacher, conductor, and performer. Eventually decided to further continue my education, and travelled to Canada, together with my family (my wife and 2 children). I completed the Master of Music degree at the University of Toronto, and I am currently finishing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting at U of T.

Awards and Distinctions

I have been honoured to be the recipient of several awards and scholarships, some of which include
• Recipient of the 2020-21 Marilyn Cook Graduate Scholarship to pursue the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Toronto.
• Full Scholarship from the "International Postgraduate Program", given by the National Government of the Republic of Ecuador, to pursue the Master of Music degree at the University of Toronto. 2018-2020.
• Rotary Music Bursary Award, given by The Rotary Club of Toronto West and The Rotary Club of Etobicoke, to play in the Ontario Pops Orchestra as Assistant Concertmaster, 2018-2020.
• Magna Cum Laude, from the "Universidad San Francisco de Quito", Bachelor of Arts degree.

Special Skills and Training

I have taught students of all ages (from toddlers to seniors), and from very different backgrounds. I have been blessed by opportunities to work, as an educator, with different organizations, reaching at-risk communities. I have also travelled to many countries around the world, performing for very diverse audiences. A very special experience was playing daily concerts from my balcony in Toronto for 3 months, at the beginning of the lockdowns in 2020, which was a unique opportunity to share, connect and feel the sense of community during a very unique moment. Through all these experiences, I have witnessed the healing and transformative powers of 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).