Michael - Teacher #3536

Instruments:
- Trumpet

Services:
- Ear Training
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English
- French

Teaching Philosophy

Music is a language - a universal way of communicating what is in our hearts. As in any spoken language, the language of music requires practice and technique - not as a means to an end, but as a way to better communicate with others our deep ideas and feelings. And...it's fun!!!!!
What I seek to accomplish with students is to find ways through proper trumpet technique to be able to communicate music. Age makes no difference - what is important is joy, curiosity, courage and dedication. What I hope to leave with students is the privilege of music-making and joy of trumpet playing . Music should be a blast!

Musical Education

I have a Licentiate Diploma in Trumpet Performance from McGill University (2007), which included performance in the McGill Symphony Orchestra and small brass ensembles.
I studied trumpet from the age of 14 and still consider myself a student of the instrument. I studied with Russell DeVuyst (Former Associate Principal Trumpet of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra) and Paul Merkelo (Solo Trumpet of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra).
Professionally, I have performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (2005-2009), the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (2011-2015), the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (2016 -present) and the Royal Canadian Air Force Band (2010 - present). I also participated in the BachAkademie Stuttgart Festival Ensemble as Solo Trumpet in 2005. The Orchestra and Choir toured Germany and performed the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
In addition to classical repertoire, I have performed with Gospel choirs, jazz ensembles and pop/funk/R&B ensembles. A highlight for me was performing with world-class jazz vocalist Diana Krall during the Montreal International Jazz Festival in 2009.
As a trumpeter with the Royal Canadian Air Force Band, I have performed with the Command Brass Quintet, the Dixieland Band, the Party Band and Wind Ensemble throughout Canada, the US and Europe (France, UK, Belgium, Holland) representing our armed forces - something I am very proud of.

Awards and Distinctions

Best Musician - Wagar High School (1995)
Scholarship - Vanier College (1998)
Finalist - McGill Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition (2002)

Special Skills and Training

I played my first trumpet solo in front of my high school band in 1995 - and I was nervous! From there, I was accepted in the West Island Youth Symphony Orchestra and played with the ensemble for 2 seasons. After that, I auditioned and won Solo Trumpet with the Westmount Youth Orchestra and won the Concerto Competition in 2007. I had the opportunity to perform the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with the Orchestra as well as playing symphonies by Beethoven, Mozart and other orchestral works. In 1999, I was hired as Solo Trumpet of the F.A.C.E Symphony Orchestra and taught at the F.A.C.E. School from 1999-2009. With the Orchestra, I was able to perform major orchestral repertoire by Holst, Rimski-Korsakov, Shostakovich, Bernstein and others. I also performed as a soloist playing the Trumpet Concerto by Leopold Mozart. At McGill University, I was a member of the McGill Symphony Orchestra from 1999-2001 and Solo Trumpet from 2001-2003. With the Orchestra, I performed works by Brahms, R.Strauss, Tchaikovsky and Mahler. In addition to teaching at the F.A.C.E. (Fine Arts Core Education) School for 10 years, I have taught at CAMMAC Music Camp in Quebec, and Sturgeon Heights Collegiate in Winnipeg (2012-2013). I worked with students from the ages of 8-17, as well as individual private lessons to college and university students. All of these experiences have greatly enriched me as a musician and teacher, providing me with opportunities to share my love for music with others! In regards to trumpet pedagogy, I use a range from middle school / high school band methods books (i.e. Essential Elements For Band, Standard of Excellence) to more advanced method books (i.e. Arban Complete Conservatory Method for Trumpet, Clarke Studies, Schlossberg Daily Drills and Technical Studies for Trumpet, etc.)

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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