January 6, 2021 Update:

Due to COVID-19, all in-person lessons are now temporarily taught online via Zoom.

My schedule for the 2020-2021 school year is currently FULL and I am NOT ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS nor scheduling trial lessons at this time. Please feel free to contact me to be put on the waiting list.

Piano Lessons

Welcome! My name is Andrea, (aka. “The Evil Piano Teacher” to my beloved past and current piano students). I offer private piano lessons on a 1:1 teacher-student ratio in Downtown Toronto. Below are answers to 10 commonly asked questions about lessons with me.

Cheers,

1. What will I learn?

A variety of keyboard music in different styles.
How to play expressively at the piano without injury or pain.
General musical skills such as composing, improvising, arranging, performing, playing by ear and reading music notation.

2. Where are lessons taught?

Currently, due to COVID-19, all piano lessons are taught online via Zoom. When it’s safe to do so, I hope to return to teaching in-person at the studio, located at 73 Simcoe Street, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (King & Simcoe, Downtown Toronto).

3. How long and frequent are your lessons?

Typically, students begin with 45 min lessons on a Weekly basis and increase from there.
Biweekly and Occasional lessons are also available for busy adult learners.

4. What are your Fees?

$25 trial lesson fee
$40 registration fee
Lesson rates start at $60/ 45 min lesson and increase from there.
Tuition is prepaid by month or by term.
Students are recommended to commit to at least one year of lessons, which roughly translates to at least 32 weekly lessons per academic year.
Fees for books, materials, and the instrument for practice are not included with tuition fees.

5.What ages and levels do you teach?

Students age 5 and up – including adults and seniors.
All levels of ability – including students with complex learning needs.

6. What is your schedule and availability like?

My teaching hours are Tuesdays-Fridays between 1-9pm.
At this time, my schedule is FULL and I am NOT ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS. That being said, availability is constantly changing. Please feel free to contact me to be put on the waiting list.

7. What other opportunities do you offer?

Non-compulsory performances
- E-Recitals, E-festivals, E-master classes, E-examinations for the Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Certificate Program, and E-community events
Special projects
- Past projects have included: silent movie soundtracks, Canadian music intensives, ensemble work, composition contests, and practice challenges
Music library
- Students have access to musical scores and materials from Andrea’s personal collections

8. What are your teaching philosophies and approaches?

I believe in student-centered teaching.

This means that the student’s well being comes before all else. I strive to create a positive learning environment, to teach at a pace that matches the comfort level of the student, and to encourage self expression.
This also means that I believe that every student is unique. Drawing from my extensive studies in piano pedagogy, I tailor the content, method and style of my teaching to suit each student’s learning needs and goals.

I believe in holistic education.

This means that for me, in addition to learning how to play the instrument, piano lessons are about building many inter connected skills such as aural, motor and visual skills as well as character traits such as curiosity and grit.
This also means that my lessons are designed to provide a well-rounded music education to students. For example: in addition to learning how to play the notes of musical pieces, students are taught to appreciate the historical and theoretical background of their music. Another example: students will be taught both the art of practice and the art of performance – two distinct, yet intertwined skill sets. Yet another example: Students who choose to pursue a Royal Conservatory of Music certification program will be taught materials that both formally adhere to the conservatory requirements as well as informal material from beyond.

9. What is your teaching style?

My teaching style is:

Engaging – I absolutely love what I teach! I am always excited to share my knowledge with students and to make the material relatable, “hip”, and “cool”.
Balanced – I strive to provide both systematic steps to achieve learning goals and open-ended learning opportunities for students to explore.
Nurturing – I encourage students on their learning journeys and cherish the relationships that are built between myself and my students and their families.

10. What’s the difference between online lessons versus in-person lessons with you?

The biggest difference between online lessons and in-person lessons is that there isn’t a commute. This is an opportunity for students who live further away from Downtown Toronto or students who have a busy schedule to have convenient access to lessons with me.
More communication occurs between the student and myself to get ideas across. This tends to boost students’ aural and visual observation skills tremendously.
Occasionally, some glitches may occur in the streaming session. It’s not ideal but it tends to be brief. A high speed internet connection usually minimizes these minor interruptions.
Unfortunately, students who practice on a digital instrument at home do miss the experience of playing on the studio’s acoustic piano or playing live duets with me. In lieu of this, they receive feedback from me that suits their home practice environment and have the opportunity to work on multi-screen duet video projects.
Students taking online lessons receive more detailed homework notes, have more access to online piano resources, and the opportunity to exchange videos of their playing with me for extra feedback.

Have you got a question that wasn’t answered here? Please do not hesitate to contact me.