Graham - Teacher #4713

Instruments:
- Trumpet

Services:
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I think the greatest gift music has given me is the ability to “play” for a living. To perform trumpet is to play trumpet and that is a big part of my teaching philosophy. I think proper technique and discipline are things we can learn from a teacher but it is important to learn to love music first. I am listening to music as much as I can and enjoy many styles and genres, my favourites being classical, alternative and rock. Playing trumpet has taught me responsibility, personal discipline and the importance of a strong work ethic. I think formal lessons are important to help guide correct technique which will then allow freedom to play.

Musical Education

I have completed both my Bachelors of Music Performance and Masters of Music Performance in trumpet from McGill University in Montreal. I am currently completing my Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory where I perform with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra. I have studied with members of the Montreal Symphony and the Associate Principal Trumpet of the Toronto Symphony. I have been teaching either tennis or trumpet to people of all ages since I was 15 and have attended pedagogy courses at international seminars.

Awards and Distinctions

-International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition: Semi-Finalist competing June 2025
-JUNO Award, Classical Album of the Year, 2nd Trumpet for Maxime Goulet’s “Symphonie de la tempête de verglas”: 2024
-The Shirley Dick Memorial Brass Scholarship: 2024-26
-The Sheryl & David Kerr Trumpet Scholarship: 2024-26
-Sylva Gelber Foundation Award: Finalist Nominated by Mcgill University, 2024
-International Trumpet Guild Orchestral Excerpts Competition: Semi- Finalist 2023 & 2024
-McGill Graduate Excellence Full Scholarship: 2022-24
-Melissa Knock Memorial Bursary: 2023-24
-Maurice Pollack Fund Fellowship: 2023-24
-Scholarship Winner International Trumpet Guild Undergraduate Division: 2021
-Western University Concerto Competition: Finalist 2018
-Saunders Staff Award: awarded to the highest all-around achieving grade 11 student: 2016-17

Special Skills and Training

I have been teaching since the age of 15, starting with group tennis lessons to young children and over the years teaching group and private lessons to people of all ages. I began teaching trumpet when I started studying at McGill university and have taught beginners who have never played to undergraduate students at McGill university. I have been a camp counsellor for 10 summers at a sports camp ages 4 to 16 so I am very comfortable teaching children of any age and am happy teaching adults as well!

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).