José - Teacher #3106

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

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

Languages:
- English
- French
- Portugese

Teaching Philosophy

I found out I have a knack for teaching, perhaps due to the influence of educators in my family. I've learned many things on my own in my life and so I still remember how it is like to be in the student's shoes. I make things as elementary and clear as possible.

I love the process of teaching and to watch the student obtain autonomy with sound Musical practices. My aim is to build technique, knowledge and musicality towards autonomy in understanding and performing Music.

On an early stage, my approach is to use songs or music material the student is interested in playing as a means to motivate both the practice of the mechanic aspects of playing the instrument and the theoretical elements present in the music. On more advanced stages then the student is guided through more specific material and assisted with guided study.

Study plan is paired with repertoire adapted to the students' needs and goals. Notated and visual elements with adequate audio suport are provided as study material.

I believe students will have a much more rewarding experience if they play that which they like and they listen to. Sometimes I have students that tell me "I would like to play that, but I'm not there yet". I show them that Music is a maleable matter and that one can always find a solution to play that which one loves, even if it takes some tricks of the trade.

Musical Education

I'm a Bachelor of Fine Arts - specialization in Jazz Studies, by University of Concordia (Montreal). There I received the mentorship of musicians like Greg Amirault, Robin Chemtov and Sage Reynolds.

My Jazz Guitar journey started by having private lessons with Serafim Lopes (Middlesex University, London) and carried on with live performance and self-guided study.

I have a background in Classical Guitar, which I studied at Coimbra's Conservatory still at a young age.

It's been three decades of learning and discovery which have been trying at times, but which have never failed to further draw me into the wonderful universe which is Music.

Special Skills and Training

With 10 years of teaching experience and more than 15 of live performing, I play the Guitar, the Bass and several other plucked-string instruments (like the Ukulele, the Cavaquinho and the Portuguese Guitar). I've played these instruments in a variety of settings, from the rehearsal room to the studio to the stage. I have also had experience with studio recording, production and arrangement, for myself and for others. I've played genres as diverse as Rock, Pop, Folk, Jazz, Swing, Funk, Fusion and Electronic. I currently perform regularly with several musicians from the Montréal scene such as Suzi Silva, Victoria Malenfant, Ultrafox and others.

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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