Musical approach and Background
My favourite thing about playing piano is how you can lose yourself in learning a piece and that feeling when you master something you thought was impossible. In my lessons, I take time to get to know my students and their goals. I love helping people pursue their musical ambitions- whether it’s to learn that song for their grandson’s birthday, understand how to read music, hear how chords go with that pop song, accompany their friend's band, or prepare for a music exam.
After talking about goals, we formulate a plan together. This plan often includes some daily finger exercises (like chords and scales), some ear training and sight reading, something creative, and of course lots of pieces! I use a number of different teaching books in combination such as the Alfred’s Basic Piano Library the A Dozen A Day series, and the Royal Conservatory of Music books. I am particularly fond of Forest Kinney's "Puzzle Play" books which let even novice students play with chords, really understand the music, and arrange songs their own way. In addition, I enjoy playing musical games with students to really understand certain concepts, and might even use an app or two with a keyboard to hone in some skills like sight reading. My approach is flexible to the student, however, and there is nothing I love more than helping students learn the pieces they actually want to learn whether they are pop, broadway, classical, or something I’ve never heard of!
My specialities are working with beginners of all ages, with musicians switching from another instruments to the piano, and those returning to piano after a long absence. I love the variety of working with both children and adults.
I feel like I’ve succeeded as a teacher when my students feel a sense of accomplishment with their progress and are inspired by the beauty in what they are creating and learning. I find great joy in helping my students build their musical foundation through piano.The benefits of practicing piano are well documented. Practice can develop mental capacity in a variety of subjects, ease depression/anxiety, help with pain management, and even delay the onset of memory problems. It's also a place, even at the earliest levels where you can find a "flow" state, where you aren't thinking of anything else but the notes your fingers are playing. And of course, with practice those notes can become more and more alive and sound more and more beautiful. Indeed, I believe learning and practicing an instrument can provide a place of calm to return to in life time and again, whenever you need it -especially through life's storms.
As for me, I played piano growing up and achieved my Level 8 at the Royal Conservatory of Music as a teenager. This level of music knowledge has greatly enriched my life. In addition to providing many hours of soothing practice, it has allowed me to comfortably join several choirs, learn basic guitar to accompany myself, pick up sheet music to songs I want to play and play them, and lead sing alongs at camp or with family. I now have a 4 year old daughter, and am so excited to be introducing her to music.
After dabbling in piano teaching for the last couple of years, I took the plunge and took the "Teaching Elementary Piano Course" from the Royal Conservatory of Music. A lifelong learner, I also completed my Level 9 piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music with first class honours in the winter of 2020. I am now working towards my Level 10. It is both beautiful and humbling to be a student again. I find the daily focussed practice such a great counterbalance to life with a preschooler! Also, I think practicing myself while teaching gives me a ready empathy for my students. I look forward to working with you!
Musically Yours,
Ida