Sean - Teacher #3265

Instruments:
- Clarinet
- Flute
- Saxophone

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

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

My fundamental belief is that anyone can, and should, learn to play music. I think it enriches every part of our lives and provides value not just to ourselves but to society at large. For this reason I approach teaching with an open and easy going attitude, I want everyone to feel welcome and supported. I tailor each lesson to the specific needs, desires, and learning styles of my students and I take great care in addressing specific areas of improvement while reinforcing strengths. I think anybody can achieve a level of musical performance that is personally fulfilling and I incorporate strategies to cultivate an independent and self directed attitude in all my students.

Musical Education

I have an Honours BFA in jazz saxophone performance from York University in Toronto. I studied saxophone with Kelly Jefferson and Tara Davidson, composition with Barry Elmes, and ensemble performance with Jim Vivian, Artie Roth, and Mike Cado. I have since studied privately with New York based musicians Evan Arntzen (Clarinet) and Kirk Knuffke (Cornet). In high school I participated in a co-op placement teaching elementary school music from kindergarten to grade 8 teaching Orff, recorders, and concert band. I also spent a year playing baritone saxophone and bass clarinet in the Toronto All-Star Big Band which gave me the opportunity to tour across southern Ontario and perform at the TD Beaches Jazz Festive, Flato Markham Theatre, the Mississauga Living Arts Centre, and others. In 2019 I was selected to be a part of the TD Jazz Festival's Youth Musician Intensive where I rehearsed and performed on the main stage of the festival alongside 7 other young musicians under the direction of pianist Nancy Walker.

Awards and Distinctions

Sorbara Award in Music - York University 2019

Oscar Peterson Scholarship - York University 2019

Sterling Beckwith Award - York University 2019

TD Toronto Jazz Festival Jazz Musician Intensive Program - 2019

Harvey - Marsden Music Award - 2020

Special Skills and Training

I grew up playing guitar, bass, and mandolin in a variety of rock, blues, folk, and country bands. I learned to write songs with my friends and collaborated to put on concerts and battle of the bands. I think music can and should serve personal, communal, and professional roles and thus I am open to and strongly encourage a variety of motivations for seeking private music lessons.

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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