Four reasons you might consider studying with me this year.

I use proven teaching methods, curricula, and UpToDate instruction materials.  

• For beginners I primarily use Faber and Faber Adult piano adventures. This series teaches music that is attractive to adults, it covers all the important aspects of playing beautifully, and it progresses in a logical way. The Fabers also have a wide range of leveled supplementary repertoire books from classical to jazz and more.  

• For classical music students I primarily draw from the teaching materials of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. (I graduated from this institution at age 47.)  The curriculum is organized, progresses logically, and when taken seriously, produces musicians who play beautifully from Grade One onwards.   

• For jazz music students I draw primarily from my own experience performing on stage and my Berklee College of Music background that has been updated with 15 years of tutoring in jazz education from some of the most experienced and renowned jazz educators in the USA and Canada.  
  
  Proven experience.  
• Many former students have gone on to careers in music as songwriters, performers, studio engineers, and educators. I’m proud I got them started on a solid footing which, of course, others finished at the college level.  
• Each year I have several adult students complete piano exams, learn to play in jazz bands, and in general, have a great time playing a wide variety of music from Bach, through Gershwin, to video game music and more.  
  
  Cheerful service.  
• I work hard to help students find joy on their piano journey. Learning to play the piano well is not easy, but a cheerful, well organized, and empathic piano teacher is a big help.  
  
  I have first hand experience in adult learning.  
• Adult learning is an exciting journey which I understand because I’m on my third voyage. My first voyage, in my forties, was achieving my ARCT pedagogy degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music with multiple scholarships . My second voyage was taking up the drums at age 50. I now play in groups, like the Metropolitain Silver Band (an English brass band in Toronto) and various jazz big bands. And I still take lessons. My third voyage is ongoing. I study daily online at Athabasca University where I am chipping away on a humanities degree with an emphasis on philosophy.