Lessons
As a teacher, I call upon my background in Alexander Technique iPAC, the pedagogy of Helen Gagne and William Valleau as well as many years of advanced chamber music coaching with Marcel St. Cyr (original cellist of the Orford String Quartet). My students find me both extremely supportive and, I hope, inspiring. They have a lot of fun, both with one on one lessons as well as in ensemble classes. I work to make my students feel comfortable and at ease in their lessons.
When people think of playing a classical instrument, demoralizing thoughts of hours and hours of scales, arpeggios, studies and a metronome come to mind. With a greater understanding on how the human mind works, the less time is needed to spend on such drudgery. The hey is the imbalance in favour of advantageous body mechanics versus disadvantageous body mechanics and how to focus and give yourself the greatest results with the least amount of effort and time. This is especially useful in this day and age of many distractions.
In one on one lessons, problematic areas are dealt with intellectually while focusing on the strong areas with positive emotional input. The easiest way to ride a bike up-hill is to be distracted by the beautiful scenery along the way. Technique and musicianship can then serve as a conduit for the deeper emotional expression. Similar to a painter cleaning off their paint brushes and canvas before starting to create.
Rates for weekly lessons:
Student rate - $50/hr
Adult rate - $65/hr
Occasional lesson - $100
No experience necessary - I teach all levels from beginner to advanced.