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

I offer in home lessons in the High Park neigbourhood of Toronto
and online piano lessons throughout Canada and the USA.

​Here is what we can do together:


  1. Jazz Piano Lessons: Dive into the romance, rhythm, and sheer fun of jazz! We’ll explore the “Great American Songbook” featuring legends like Rogers and Hart, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin. Together, we’ll unravel the mysteries of jazz piano, rhythm, and improvisation through technique, repertoire, chords/scales, ear training, and theory. In short, knowledge + skill + application = Jazz happiness. Plus, you’ll get the chance to play in a jazz trio at our Jazz and Blues Workshops!
    • Solo Cocktail Jazz Piano: Improvisation, jazz chords, fake book skills, jazz rhythm, ear training, and jazz history.
    • University Audition Preparation: Repertoire choices, ear training, theory, transposition, idiomatic soloing, and performance skills.
    • Jazz Camp Preparation: Jazz camp repertoire, comping skills, improvisation, and ensemble skills.
    • How to Play in a Band: Curriculum outline here.
  2. Classical Piano Lessons: Embark on a journey through the timeless music of J.S. Bach, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Mozart, Amy Beach, Chopin, and the rest of the usual suspects. I will help you achieve your goal of playing beautifully by methodically working on your piano foundations. I work with beginners, adult restarters, and piano exam candidates.
    • Classical Piano for Fun: No exams, just enjoyment.
    • Exam Preparation: Grades 1 to 10.
    • University Audition Preparation: Curriculum outline here.
  3. Children’s In-Home Piano Lessons: Available in the High Park Neighborhood. Click here for all the fun details!
  4. Recreational Keyboard for Adults: From Bach to Beyoncé, there are no limits to what we can explore.
  5. Blues and Boogie Woogie Piano: From Dr. John to Jerry Lee Lewis, enjoy fun, happy, and energetic music that will wake your neighbors!
  6. Music Teachers: Refresh your teaching approach.
    • Jazz Education for Classical Piano Teachers
    • Classical Piano Refresher Classes
    • Classical Improvisation in the Baroque and Classical Repertoire
    • Music Lesson Marketing
    • Music Technology: See the outline of my latest workshop here: Long and McQuade Burlington 2024.
  7. Ear Training Skills: I teach specialized jazz and classical ear training skills to serious students. (Personally, if I can’t hear it and see it in my head, I can’t play it with any sense of artistry.)
    • Solfeggio: A European cornerstone solfeggio will help you “hear” a melody in your head before you play it.
    • Intervals, Chords, Cadences, Melodic Dictation, and Rhythmic Dictation: Learn to recognize and write out these figures.
    • Build Your Bag of Jazz Licks: A key component to learning to play a jazz solo.
    • Learn How to Make a “Chart” or “Road Map”: On paper, by ear.
    • Learn to Keep Steady Time: Using a metronome or drum loop while sightreading, which is key to successfully playing music with others.
Quotes from students:

"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" Click for the whole story. 
"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​
 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 
                                                ©2022 David Story