Michael - Teacher #4388

Instruments:
- Piano

Services:
- RCM
- RCM - Advanced Rudiments
- RCM - Intermediate Rudiments

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

As someone who didn’t learn music formally until my early teens, I had the pleasure of going through the experience from starting off as someone who enjoys listening to music, to someone who both studies and analyzes the various components that make music entertaining. My journey was very unique and memorable, and I look forward to sharing my passions with fellow students.


Regarding philosophy, the most important thing for my students is to enjoy the process they take in learning to become a proficient musician, to celebrate little milestones and to give to ourselves credit for putting in the effort to work around the details that we find challenging. The beauty of studying music is that we never stop learning, including for us teachers; certain days we may feel like we improved more than other days, and certain details may take more time for ourselves to see substantial progress as well. My philosophy is to ensure all of my students feel supported and encouraged during every lesson, that they will be responded to in a validating manner when they have questions about their learning, and that they will be motivated to learn in a way that suits their unique musical characteristics and interests.

Musical Education

I am currently enrolled in a Bachelors of Arts degree with the University of Waterloo, specializing in Music and French. So far, I have completed three years of full-time studies and have obtained the equivalent of practical level 10 for piano, as well as Harmony & Counterpoint Level 10.


Before university, I studied piano with a private teacher, Anca Uleia, who obtained her masters and pedagogical degree for piano performance in Romania, for 7 years. In University, I trained with Anna Ronai, a graduate of the Vienna Conservatory, for 3 years, completing the university’s requirement for level 10 of practical piano. I also trained with Dr. Karen Sunabacka, doctorate from University of Manitoba, for theory and counterpoint up til level 10.


My experience with each instructor was extremely positive and fulfilling, they provided not only insight but also support so that I could prepare for my exams in an enjoyable and motivating space, and that is something I would like to bring to my students as well.

Awards and Distinctions

So far, I have achieved a few titles for both piano and theory.



For piano, I achieved my RCM level 8 certificate in which I received Honors. I also took the RCM exam for theory level 8, in which I also received a certificate with honors.



So far in University, I have completed the school’s requirement of level 10 for piano and theory, having scored an average of 82% for piano and 85% for theory.



My additional achievements at the university level include winning the Evanov Radio Music Group Award in the Winter of 2024, for my involvement in the University Music Department, as well as my proficient performances in the music required courses.



I have also received the Chalmers Family Arts & Culture Award for my strong academic performance in the Arts Faculty at University of Waterloo, as well as for my involvement and leadership initiatives.

Special Skills and Training

From middle school until university, I have had the pleasure of taking part in different experiences to enhance my growth as a musician. My first exposure to formal music training actually happened in grade 6, where I played as an electric bassist in the concert band for my grade, I realized that learning music was fun, manageable and a good escape from all the other studies, so I took up piano the following year. In high school, I continued to enroll in these extra-curricular music groups, and it was in university where I took my experiences to another level. In first year, I took part in the Instrumental Chamber Ensemble as a piano accompanist, alongside 2 violinists. We played a piece by Thomas Augustine Arne, it was very unique experience since I got my first taste of playing an advanced classical piano piece in a group setting. In second year, I took part in the Balinese Gamelan Ensemble in which I had the opportunity to play both the Polos and Sangseh, two interlocking harmonies that depend on each other as the main source of accompaniment for various pieces. It was another valuable experience because Balinese music is created using a different harmonic structure than what we are familiar with in Western music, and they also learn mainly by ear. In third year, I took part in the Chapel Choir in which we performed services at the Wednesday Night Chapel Service, as well as occasional weekend church services in the local community. I served both as a piano accompanist, a performer in the pre and post service, as well as a tenor. This was once again a highly useful experience because I was able to learn about some of the unique characteristics and tricks to help me succeed in a choral music setting.

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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