Doug - Teacher #3252

Instruments:
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Saxophone

Services:
- Composition
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM - Basic Harmony
- RCM - Basic Rudiments
- RCM - Intermediate Harmony
- RCM - Intermediate Rudiments

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I strongly believe that music should be an integral part of a person's education. It is as important as any other subject in the curriculum. Exposure to music (or to any cultural/artistic discipline) is an essential part of a well-rounded human being.
Since I teach wind instruments, proper breathing is key to good performance. My initial lessons with any student - child or adult - include instruction in breathing technique.
In private tutoring, it is important to let the student set the pace of learning. If students are pushed too hard, they will become frustrated and will ultimately quit their studies. On the other hand, the teacher must provide a challenge that the student can realistically meet. Otherwise the student will become bored and the result will be the same. They will quit their studies.
Overall I favour a relaxed, friendly approach to lessons, so that the student feels comfortable with me.

Musical Education

My initial training began at age 12 in saxophone and clarinet. My teachers were well-known educators and performers in my city. After several years' hiatus I returned to music full time. I have studied both classical and jazz music at Humber College in Toronto. My teachers highly respected performers in Canada and abroad. I have now been a performer for 40 years and a private music tutor for 27 years.

Awards and Distinctions

One of my compositions was runner-up in the West Coast Songwriting Competition in San Francisco, USA.
Another was semi-finalist in the jazz category of the UK International Songwriting Contest.

Special Skills and Training

Since I was a child I have loved jazz and always wanted to be a jazz musician. I have achieved that goal and have become an excellent jazz improvisor. I have performed in this capacity in much of North America and Cuba as well. I have had numerous students show an interest in improvisation; consequently I have developed a method of instruction in this art form. Also, I have had a great deal of experience as a composer and have recorded several albums of my compositions. In addition, I have had some of my music licensed for television.

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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