November 3, 2020 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 PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS nor scheduling trial lessons at this time. Please feel free to contact me to be put on the waiting list.

Piano Lessons

Welcome to Andrea Yau Piano Studio! My name is Andrea and I offer private piano lessons on a 1:1 teacher-student ratio in Downtown Toronto. Below are answers to 10 common questions that are often asked about lessons with me.

Cheers,

1. What will I learn?

Healthy piano technique – how to use the body efficiently and to play without injuring yourself
Music interpretation skills – how to analyze music using music theory and to play in a variety of styles of music from different eras of music history
Musical skills – such as composing, improvising, arranging, performing, and accompanying

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?

Most students begin with 45 min lessons and increase/decrease from there
Most students take weekly lessons. 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 starting at $60/ 45 min lesson and up – prepaid by month or by term
Students are recommended to commit to at least one year of lessons, which is at least 32 weekly lessons per academic year
Fees for books, materials, and instrument are additional

5.What ages and levels do you teach?

Students age 5+, Adult learners and Seniors
Students with complex learning needs are welcome
All levels of ability

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 PROSPECTIVE 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 rare 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. My approach is to create a consistently positive and nurturing learning environment that moves at a pace set by the student. It also means that I believe that every student is unique. My approach is to tailor my teaching according to each student’s learning needs and goals.

I believe in holistic education.

This means that for me, piano lessons are more than just learning to play the instrument. My goal is to build character traits in students such as curiosity and grit. I also aim to provide students with a well-rounded knowledge of music and to help them find a lifelong activity for enjoyment and creative expression.

9. What is your teaching style?

My teaching style is:

Engaging and Creative: I try to make my lessons interesting and the material approachable to students. I am often crafting new material and trying out ideas in lessons in order to relate to student better and to convey ideas more effectively.
Structured and Flexible: I aim to create balance in students’ learning by giving both defined learning goals and exploring new paths opened by students’ curiosity.
Warm and Positive: I help students to feel confident in themselves and encourage them to be patient with themselves in their learning journeys.

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 have a busy schedule to have access to lessons with me.
More communication occurs between the student and myself to get ideas across, particularly technique related ideas. This tends to build students’ listening skills greatly.
Occasionally, some glitches may occur in the streaming session but these tend to be brief. These do not happen often, especially since most people these days have strong internet connection.
Students who practice on a keyboard at home will miss the experience of playing on the studio’s acoustic piano or playing in duet 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.