Charles - Teacher #4779

Instruments:
- Piano

Services:
- Dictation
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- RCM
- Solfege

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

As a teacher, my goal is to help every student find their own joy and confidence at the piano. I believe that music is for everyone, and that lessons should be encouraging, creative, and responsive to each student's needs. I work to build strong technical foundations while also keeping a focus on musicality, self-expression, and developing a lifelong love of music. I tailor my approach to suit each student’s learning style, using a mix of classical repertoire, ear training, improvisation, and theory to create a well-rounded musical education. I know that learning an instrument can be challenging, and I strive to create a positive environment where mistakes are seen as a natural part of growth.

Growing up, music was a central part of my life, and my teachers had a huge impact on me. Not only did they help me develop my musical skills, but also showed me how to find meaning and enjoyment in the process. I aim to pass that experience forward. Whether a student dreams of performing on stage, writing their own songs, or simply playing for their own enjoyment, I am committed to helping them achieve their goals.

Musical Education

I am a passionate piano teacher and performer with a diploma in Music Performance from the Victoria Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Piano Performance from the University of British Columbia. I have been teaching privately since 2018, and have performed as a collaborative pianist and through outreach programs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. My own musical education was rooted in classical training, and I earned my ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music in 2018.

Awards and Distinctions

-Irving K. Barber Scholarship
-Mrs. A Massy Goolden Award
-Prof. Stephen and Dr. Jacquelyn Peitchinis Theory Scholarship
-George Giles Award
-Estate of Arthur Ernest Leeder Scholarship for Piano
-Vanhall Fund for the Arts Scholarship
-Millicent Lavoy Piano Scholarship
-Wood’s International Piano Scholarship
-Jamie K. Syer Collegium Scholarship Award
-Winner, Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival (2022)
-Runner-up, Provincial Candidate for Piano Open Category (2021)
-Winner, Canada West Performing Arts Festival, Chamber Music Category (2022)

Special Skills and Training

From an early age, I immersed myself in music through private study in piano, theory, and history, eventually earning my RCM Level 10 certificates and ARCT in Piano Performance. Along the way, I performed in festivals like the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival and the Canada West Performing Arts Festival, experiences that taught me the value of collaboration, discipline, and creativity. My training continued at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and now at the University of British Columbia, where I have worked closely with experienced mentors in solo and collaborative piano. I also gained hands-on experience creating musical workshops for young students through my work with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, learning how to make classical music accessible and fun. These diverse experiences allow me to bring flexibility, energy, and connection into the lessons I teach.

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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