- Philosophy: Happy students who play well
Each student's curriculum is based solely on their needs and desires. After an honest discussion we will set realistic goals, create a learning plan, and get started. The main question I have for you is: "how will we know you have succeeded?"
Piano lessons are professional, supportive, enthusiastic, multi-modal, and guilt-free.
Piano lessons are professional, supportive, enthusiastic, multi-modal, and guilt-free.
Canadian Youth Synthesizer Orchestra in 1989 with my co-founder Drew Smith.
Adult education and goal setting
Adults lead complicated lives, therefore what happens between lessons depends on their goals and time available. For a few adults 8 hours of practice a week is realistic, others 8 minutes. I’m happy either way. The main thing in music study for recreational players is devotion to practice in the time available. However, for ambitious students both devotion and time is required.
A personal note on practicing and realistic goal setting
Before Covid-19, my wife and I attended ballroom dance classes. Practicing was confined to class. We were happy because our goals and expectations were congruent with the time available. After two years of showing up, I was able to erase the Left and Right chalk marks on the toes of my shoes.
Inspired by the drummers I had worked with in my previous life, I took up the study of drums and mallet percussion to explore Anders Ericsson's theory of "deliberate practice". Over the last 13 years I've devoted at least one hour a day to this experiment. Furthermore, I've spent a small fortune on percussion gear, weekly lessons, books, and travelling workshops around the world. The result? I'm a drummer! It worked. My next goal is to be a better drummer.
Adults lead complicated lives, therefore what happens between lessons depends on their goals and time available. For a few adults 8 hours of practice a week is realistic, others 8 minutes. I’m happy either way. The main thing in music study for recreational players is devotion to practice in the time available. However, for ambitious students both devotion and time is required.
A personal note on practicing and realistic goal setting
Before Covid-19, my wife and I attended ballroom dance classes. Practicing was confined to class. We were happy because our goals and expectations were congruent with the time available. After two years of showing up, I was able to erase the Left and Right chalk marks on the toes of my shoes.
Inspired by the drummers I had worked with in my previous life, I took up the study of drums and mallet percussion to explore Anders Ericsson's theory of "deliberate practice". Over the last 13 years I've devoted at least one hour a day to this experiment. Furthermore, I've spent a small fortune on percussion gear, weekly lessons, books, and travelling workshops around the world. The result? I'm a drummer! It worked. My next goal is to be a better drummer.