About Charlene
Charlene brings a passion for music and education, offering piano and violin lessons to students from age 6 to adults, exclusively online. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music, she holds distinctions in Level 8 Theory and Violin from the RCM, highlighting her dedication and skill. Charlene's teaching philosophy emphasizes music's role in personal growth and development, aiming to instill confidence, patience, and a love for music in her students. Whether you're beginning your musical journey or advancing your skills, Charlene's expertise and supportive approach make her an ideal guide.
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Music is my passion, and I believe it is also a way for someone to identify themselves and feel a sense of belonging to a community. Music is also known to be beneficial for those who can play a musical instrument. Studies have shown that it helps people to reduce their stress, express themselves, retain information better, and increase concentration. I belief that music can not only be fun, but is a must for children and adults to keep their brain alive and healthy. It aids in a child's development as it helps them gain confidence, which can transfer to other aspects of their life, such as their academics, extracurriculars, and their relationships with other people. I know for me personally, it has helped me work to where I am today. I take pride in making sure I put my best foot forward, whether that be in my jobs or current education. Continuous music practice has helped me to develop patience, consistency, and accept that life is not perfect and mistakes are bound to happen. I want to help students, children and adults alike, to not only develop themselves as musicians, but to also translate what they have learned into everyday life to improve themselves as people.
Name: Charlene (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 24
Gender: female
I am currently attending University of Guelph to obtain a Bachelor of Arts Music degree, which included performance classes for the violin, and lessons on advanced music theory, harmony, counterpoint, and history. I studied the violin from the age of 14 through private lessons, and have meticulously followed the RCM curriculum up until Grade 10 (still working towards my ARCT). In addition, I have experience performing for weddings and celebrations in Toronto, Brampton, and Mississauga and have collaborated with various musicians.
Level 8 Theory and Violin First Class Honors with Distinction Certificate (2019) Gloria Guthrie Memorial Award (2023) ~ An award offered by the University of Guelph for a fourth-year student who has achieved the highest average among the students in the School of Fine Arts and Music program.
As a child, violins have always fascinated me. I did not know how such a small instrument can be able to create expressive sounds that sounded almost like an emotional human voice. At first, I was intimidated by whether I was competent enough to learn the instrument, alongside my mother's concerns about the pricing and scheduling of reliable lessons. Eventually, I grew the courage at age 14 to finally pursue my dreams of finally learning the violin. I attended this private music school called Tan Music Academy, and was able to excel with lessons and RCM material in such a short time. One thing I want to point out is that, compared to other music academies I have attended in the past for the piano, this school's staff were very friendly and encouraging; which is what I can attribute to my accelerated learning. An environment where students feel safe, respected, and encouraged--I believe--is very important for growth. I want to carry the positive attitudes I have learned from my own private school experience to leave a positive impression of the violin for students who want to learn it. Patience and kindness is important. Alongside my own personal experiences, I currently have the First Class Honors with Distinction Certificate for both Level 8 Violin and Theory. Any one with special interest with taking the RCM curriculum for violin is highly encouraged, but other curriculum will work just as well.
English
Rates and Studio Policies
Registration Fee: $25.00 (One-time lifetime registration fee may be used by all family members)
Rates for instruction:
30 minute private lesson: $39.00
45 minute private lesson: $49.00
60 minute private lesson: $59.00
Travel charge: additional $15.00 per visit (for lessons in a client's home as opposed to my studio)
1. Cancellation Policy
Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.
2. Cessation (quitting) Policy
A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.
3. Illness Policy
Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.
BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.
No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.
4. Rescheduling Policy
Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.
Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy
Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.
It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.
5. Evaluation Period
There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).
Lessons in your home
Charlene is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas
Online lessons
Charlene can provide online instruction. While other platforms are possible BAH strongly recommends the use of the Zoom video conferencing platform as it is optimized for music lessons and audio quality.