The art historian Gustav Friedrich Waagen on how to teach so people learn:
"First delight, then instruct."
Source: On the Purpose of the Berlin Gallery
Discover the Joy of Piano at My Vibrant Online Studio!
Step into a dynamic and welcoming piano studio where students of all ages and backgrounds are thriving and having a blast! Whether you're:
…you’ll find a place here.
I offer a free introductory interview to get to know your goals and craft a personalized learning plan tailored just for you. Depending on your interests, you’ll have opportunities to perform in classical recitals, jazz trio nights, and other exciting musical events.
- A retiree exploring piano for the first time
- A talented teen preparing for university auditions
- A working musician sharpening your craft
- A piano teacher refining your technique
- An adult pursuing Classical piano exams
- An aspiring jazz pianist chasing improvisational mastery
…you’ll find a place here.
I offer a free introductory interview to get to know your goals and craft a personalized learning plan tailored just for you. Depending on your interests, you’ll have opportunities to perform in classical recitals, jazz trio nights, and other exciting musical events.
Here is what we can do together:
Jazz Piano Discover the rhythm, romance, and improvisational magic of jazz. We explore the Great American Songbook—Rogers & Hart, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Gershwin, Berlin—and build your skills through:
Classical Piano Explore timeless music and build strong foundations. From Bach to Beethoven, Mozart to Amy Beach, we focus on expressive playing and technical growth.
Blues & Boogie Woogie High-energy, soulful, and irresistibly fun!
For Music Teachers Refresh your skills and expand your teaching toolkit.
Adult & Recreational Piano Music is for everyone—no pressure, just fun.
Ear Training & Musicianship Train your ears and sharpen your musical instincts.
We get letters:
Dear David, Congratulations! Your student is a 2025 State Award Winner! You can find the list of State Award winners, including your student(s), on our website. The State Award is awarded to students who achieved the highest mark in their state in each level and discipline. These awards are an exceptional distinction and are the result of the invaluable support and inspiration that you provide! All student awards will be sent by early January to the address in their MyRCM account. Thank you for participating in The RCM Certificate Program and congratulations once again for this outstanding achievement!
Sincerely, The RCM Certificate Program
"David is an amazing contemporary idioms piano teacher! I learned how to play piano licks, lead sheets, jazz chord progressions and more" Sherry McKinnon, piano teacher, and workshop participant
"Your ability to break down complex concepts into simple, digestible pieces has made learning piano pure joy. I've always looked forward to our lessons, eager to discover something new. Your encouragement and belief in my abilities have given me the confidence to tackle even the most challenging pieces." Merab, adult beginner
"I found him to be an excellent and responsive teacher"
"My students and families were completely thrilled with you and your feedback!" Tammy Lehman, music director and festival director
"He has excellent communication skills with students of all ages and approaches his teaching with enthusiasm and creativity." Lawrence Lougheed, retired high school music teacher
"He has inspired me with his teaching methods and helped shape the way I play, learn, practice, hear and experience the piano." Erin Lomax, ARCT student
"Just finished my third lesson with David from Toronto. It's been going well, and he's been very helpful! Recommended!" Tom Lane, Bassist, Jazz Student, Los Angles.
"I feel more confident. I grew musically with his help and encouragement. His tutelage will allow me to enjoy my choir singing more. Thank you David!" NL MacDonald
"What a treat to have David Story present to our teachers, his practical approach, expertise and practical tips were so well received, very inspirational. Most impressive was the way he personalizes his lessons/curriculum to every student. We are all so diverse and have different goals and natural abilities so this makes perfect sense. His long term student retention rate is a testament to his ability to engage and meet his students right where they are." Karen Thornton, Print Manager, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Burlington ON
Hi David, I hope you are having a good year - no more COVID! I just wanted to thank you again for your help last year. Your ear training helped me with three choirs in the fall. In one we combined thirteen choirs for a massive concert in Koerner Hall. I feel my ability to harmonize is getting better. And, after being around instrumentalists at music camp, I was inspired to take up the flute. I just rented one and started online lessons in February, but I can play some short tunes and have almost two of the octaves in hand. I'm looking to join a community band in the fall. However, as I'm sightreading my way through pieces (so much easier when you are just reading one note at a time!) I am reminded of your instructions to look at the details before diving in. My 40-year-old bad habits are still there, but each time I make a false start because of not prepping properly I have you in my head.
All the best!
Nona
Jazz Piano Discover the rhythm, romance, and improvisational magic of jazz. We explore the Great American Songbook—Rogers & Hart, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Gershwin, Berlin—and build your skills through:
- Technique & repertoire
- Chords, scales & ear training
- Jazz theory & improvisation
- Jazz trio performance opportunities at our workshops
- Solo Cocktail Jazz Piano: Fake book fluency, jazz chords, rhythm, ear training, and history
- Jazz Camp Preparation: Comping, ensemble skills, improvisation
- University Audition Preparation: Repertoire, theory, ear training, transposition, soloing
- How to Play in a Band
Classical Piano Explore timeless music and build strong foundations. From Bach to Beethoven, Mozart to Amy Beach, we focus on expressive playing and technical growth.
- Lessons for beginners, adult restarters, and exam candidates
- Exam preparation (Grades 1–10)
- Classical piano for fun—no exams, just enjoyment
- University audition preparation
- Classical improvisation in Baroque and Classical styles
Blues & Boogie Woogie High-energy, soulful, and irresistibly fun!
- Blues improvisation
- Boogie woogie patterns
- Blues history
- How to jam
For Music Teachers Refresh your skills and expand your teaching toolkit.
- Jazz education for classical piano teachers
- Classical piano refresher classes
- Classical improvisation techniques
- Music lesson marketing
- Music technology workshop (Long & McQuade Burlington 2024)
Adult & Recreational Piano Music is for everyone—no pressure, just fun.
- Recreational keyboard: From Bach to Beyoncé
- Beginning piano for adults
- Duets with family members
- Jamming opportunities at our workshops
Ear Training & Musicianship Train your ears and sharpen your musical instincts.
- Jazz & classical ear training
- Solfeggio: Hear melodies before you play
- Intervals, chords, cadences, melodic & rhythmic dictation
- Build your bag of jazz licks
- Learn to chart or create a “road map”
- Keep steady time with metronome or drum loop
We get letters:
Dear David, Congratulations! Your student is a 2025 State Award Winner! You can find the list of State Award winners, including your student(s), on our website. The State Award is awarded to students who achieved the highest mark in their state in each level and discipline. These awards are an exceptional distinction and are the result of the invaluable support and inspiration that you provide! All student awards will be sent by early January to the address in their MyRCM account. Thank you for participating in The RCM Certificate Program and congratulations once again for this outstanding achievement!
Sincerely, The RCM Certificate Program
"David is an amazing contemporary idioms piano teacher! I learned how to play piano licks, lead sheets, jazz chord progressions and more" Sherry McKinnon, piano teacher, and workshop participant
"Your ability to break down complex concepts into simple, digestible pieces has made learning piano pure joy. I've always looked forward to our lessons, eager to discover something new. Your encouragement and belief in my abilities have given me the confidence to tackle even the most challenging pieces." Merab, adult beginner
"I found him to be an excellent and responsive teacher"
"My students and families were completely thrilled with you and your feedback!" Tammy Lehman, music director and festival director
"He has excellent communication skills with students of all ages and approaches his teaching with enthusiasm and creativity." Lawrence Lougheed, retired high school music teacher
"He has inspired me with his teaching methods and helped shape the way I play, learn, practice, hear and experience the piano." Erin Lomax, ARCT student
"Just finished my third lesson with David from Toronto. It's been going well, and he's been very helpful! Recommended!" Tom Lane, Bassist, Jazz Student, Los Angles.
"I feel more confident. I grew musically with his help and encouragement. His tutelage will allow me to enjoy my choir singing more. Thank you David!" NL MacDonald
"What a treat to have David Story present to our teachers, his practical approach, expertise and practical tips were so well received, very inspirational. Most impressive was the way he personalizes his lessons/curriculum to every student. We are all so diverse and have different goals and natural abilities so this makes perfect sense. His long term student retention rate is a testament to his ability to engage and meet his students right where they are." Karen Thornton, Print Manager, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Burlington ON
Hi David, I hope you are having a good year - no more COVID! I just wanted to thank you again for your help last year. Your ear training helped me with three choirs in the fall. In one we combined thirteen choirs for a massive concert in Koerner Hall. I feel my ability to harmonize is getting better. And, after being around instrumentalists at music camp, I was inspired to take up the flute. I just rented one and started online lessons in February, but I can play some short tunes and have almost two of the octaves in hand. I'm looking to join a community band in the fall. However, as I'm sightreading my way through pieces (so much easier when you are just reading one note at a time!) I am reminded of your instructions to look at the details before diving in. My 40-year-old bad habits are still there, but each time I make a false start because of not prepping properly I have you in my head.
All the best!
Nona
Call me today for a Free interview
David Story B.M., ARCT, RCM Teacher Certification Levels: Advanced Specialist-Piano and Advanced Specialist-Theory,
Registered ORMTA Music Teacher, and former Piano Examiner Conservatory Canada, and Festival Adjudicator
Toronto, ON M6P 1W6
David Story B.M., ARCT, RCM Teacher Certification Levels: Advanced Specialist-Piano and Advanced Specialist-Theory,
Registered ORMTA Music Teacher, and former Piano Examiner Conservatory Canada, and Festival Adjudicator
Toronto, ON M6P 1W6
|
|
|
|
|
