Jennifer - Teacher #3292

Instruments:
- Piano

Services:
- Composition
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM
- RCM - Advanced Harmony
- RCM - Advanced Rudiments
- RCM - Analysis
- RCM - Basic Harmony
- RCM - Basic Rudiments
- RCM - Counterpoint
- RCM - History
- RCM - Intermediate Harmony
- RCM - Intermediate Rudiments

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
– William Butler Yeats

Music is an ally for the multitude – it is there to sooth and to challenge, and to give voice to thoughts and emotions in a way that only music can. Embarking on the educational path to performing or playing music gives us a portal through which to understand it at a much more intimate level and provides the tools with which we can consistently expand on our ability to express and move in the language of music.

I teach music because I know that for some students, this seed has the potential to grow into a lifelong passion – something that they may come to define themselves by for their lives to come. This is a unique gift that I am grateful to be a part of.

As a teacher, I strive to give my students an appreciation of the finer points of music from a technical and theoretical standpoint but also through active and critical listening. And not just classical music! The benefits of a well-rounded musical knowledge and exposure to what makes each genre unique are many and only serve to deepen their musicianship and artistry as they progress on their journey – from classical to blues to pop to Broadway and everything in between. I want my students to leave our lessons excited to practice what we’ve learned and be motivated to apply their knowledge to music everywhere.

In my own musical journey, I have studied through the Royal Conservatory, the McGill Conservatory, and currently under Robert Dvorkin using the Taubmann approach to piano mastery. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theory and Composition from Concordia University, and a Master’s Degree in Musicology from McGill University. Through my 25 years of teaching (and even longer as a student), I have come to realize that every student learns differently, and I have made it a mission to become well versed in many different methods and approaches so that I can find an individual path for each student that utilizes their strengths and helps to improve on their weaker points.

Discipline in practice habits is also an essential part of learning but developing a plan with the student and parents that involves covering technical and expressive elements in a practical and individual structure can ultimately make it a fun daily task! Giving rewards and praise for adequate practice is essential, both at home and at studio.

I encourage students to take part both in exams and in our yearly performances to both exhibit the fruits of their labour, but also to experience playing for an audience and working on developing an ease when doing so. Playing with other musicians can be very rewarding too, and I encourage my students to participate in small ensembles either in the studio or on their own. If they are school age, helping them to take part in their music classes at school is helpful as well. The more engaged that students can be with a variety of activities, the better.

The passing of musical knowledge from teacher to student is long-standing historical tradition all over the world. Starting on our road to piano performance makes us become an active player in this cultural and artistic tradition!

Musical Education

I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University and was in the Masters program in Musicology at McGill University. I have an RCM level 8 certification, but am working to get my ARCT in piano pedagogy some time in the next year. I started piano at 5 and am 47 now, I started in RCM, but upon entering University, was no longer following that path. I had several wonderful teachers in Montreal, including Laurie Altman, Liselyn Adams, and Louise Samson. Currently I study in Ottawa with Robert Dvorkin who specializes in the Taubmann approach to playing. I have been teaching privately for 25 years, now run my own music school and am looking for supplemental online students.

Special Skills and Training

See above sections.

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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