STUDIO LOCATION
Our teaching studio is located in Duncan, on Vancouver Island.
PIANO RECITALS, FESTIVALS AND EXAMINATIONS
Our students perform in two studio recitals every year. In addition, there are opportunities to perform in frequent Registered Music Teachers’ recitals and masterclasses in Victoria, as well as music festivals held in and around the South Island, entering either non-competitive or competitive classes.
Practical exams can help motivate and provide tangible goals for students. It is not mandatory to take examinations every year, nor is it necessary to take an exam at every grade level. My goal is to help students to become skilled and knowledgeable performers and listeners following a path of learning designed for each individual; quantifiable successes in exams and competitions will follow naturally, but are not the primary goal. I want students to take pride in their own achievements, and to acquire a love of music that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
STUDENT PERFORMERS GROUP CLASSES
Performers Group classes at the studio are intended for ambitious students at all levels who want to improve their performance and listening skills. Interested students can try out one group before making a commitment to join. Regular attendance and consistent work towards preparation of performance pieces for the groups are the two requirements for students who join the Student Performers Group.
PIANO PRACTISING
Practising is the heart and soul of learning piano. Daily practice is a must. In every lesson, practice assignments are designed specifically for the needs of each student. All younger students need parental help at home to ensure they are following the practice assignments given each week. Practice means working on small areas or sections of the music, with many repetitions and drills, as well as work on sight-reading skills, technical exercises and ear training.
Parents sometimes want their children to practice independently. Experience has taught me that the children who do not get help at home in the beginning rarely learn to practice independently. The students who practice well on their own are almost always those who received guidance and help from parents for the first two or three years of learning piano.
In order to ensure student progress and success, PARENTS MUST COMMIT TO SUPERVISING ALL STUDENT PRACTICES, ALWAYS REFERRING TO THE WEEKLY PRACTICE ASSIGNMENT POSTED ONLINE, with daily MINIMUM goals as follows:
Complete beginners – 20-45 minutes Elementary students – 45-60 minutes
Intermediate students – 60-90 minutes Senior students – 90 minutes to 120 minutes.
Practising can become a regular daily habit, but a MINIMUM of 5 days a week is essential for progress. Students should expect to practice more often, for longer practice sessions, during preparation for exams, recitals or festivals.
WEBSITE AND PRACTICE NOTES
The studio uses an interactive online service for all administrative tasks, such as lesson scheduling, cancellations, event notices, messages, student account information and more. All practice assignment notes are posted online on the student’s home page. Students log in using their own ID and passwords.