Paul - Teacher #3973

Instruments:
- Piano

Services:
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM
- RCM - Basic Rudiments
- RCM - History

Languages:
- English
- Mandarin

Teaching Philosophy

"To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable." - Ludwig van Beethoven.

This statement captures the very essence of piano practice. In my humble opinion, being the best piano player doesn't matter unless emotion is poured forth towards the piano piece. Not only that, but it must match the composer's intentions. The composer has ideally created each note with deep thought and deliberation and would require the performer to execute it to the finest potential. Be it the best sounding piano, or the correct pivots: finger rotation and wrist rotation etc. However, in this area of musicality and technique, I am a firm believer of first tackling technique, and then musicality will automatically happen in the background, then can be polished upon request of the performer in short notice, if his/her musical tastes and ears serve well and understand the stature of the music itself.

I am very pleased to announce my immense talent in piano performance and would gladly share the techniques required for large pieces with no reservation for each lesson, depending on the progress of the individual. Though I suggest chunking and starting with smaller and manageable sections. At my skill, I am able to identify and correct postures of all kinds.

Musical Education

Since I was age 8, I began my RCM journey, closing with the highest mark award for the ARCT diploma at age 13 before high school, and ever since, my technical efficiency and superiority has increased manifold. My RCM History exams average a score of 97% and my counterpoint and harmony analysis were both 80% average. After receiving these distinctions in RCM, I carried on my own independent struggles with technical cleanliness and lyrical expressions on the piano and am glad to say that I have formulated my own theory that can supplement the RCM piano performance theories of slow practice. There is one key element to playing piano the better - sleep and recovery - in which I believe I have mastered this art and science myself.

Awards and Distinctions

RCM Highest Mark Award Piano Performance

Fastest interpretation of the infamously technical Op.10 No.4 Chopin Etude
I did this on youtube and is recorded in minimal lighting to test for muscle memory.

Special Skills and Training

I have been a Toastmasters President before and can communicate effectively and efficiently. Additionally, my ability to sight read and identify people's errors with posture and lyricism is very sensitively tuned.

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).