About Charles
Charles is a seasoned music teacher proficient in classical guitar, piano, and composition, offering lessons in your home. His teaching blends empathy and patience, tailored to enhance each student's musical journey. Charles boasts a rich musical education including jazz studies and classical guitar with a grade 8 classical designation, specializing in diverse genres from folk to Brazilian styles. Fluent in English and French, he welcomes students seeking a deep, comprehensive understanding of music. His accolades include extensive performance experience and a noteworthy pedagogical background from years of dedicated teaching. Book an interview with Charles for in-home music lessons that inspire and challenge.
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES NOW
My teaching philosophy centers on prioritizing the student's growth and needs over the subject matter itself. My strengths lie in teaching, followed by composing and improvisation, with performing being another facet of my skills. I firmly believe that being an excellent player doesn't necessarily translate to being an effective teacher, as teaching is influenced by personality type and focus of attention. Alignment of goals between student and teacher is paramount; mismatches often lead to perceived difficulty. Understanding the student's thought processes and preferences is essential in effective teaching. There are more than the commonly recognized three learning styles; I believe there are 16, reflecting each individual's unique theory of human nature. I embrace various teaching styles to accommodate diverse learners. Patience is a cornerstone of my teaching, aiding those striving to reach the 'next level.' Proper technique is fundamental to prevent bad habits from taking hold. I prioritize achieving the best possible performance in each lesson, even if practice time has been limited that week. My aim is for every class to yield new knowledge and tangible improvements in playing technique, tailored to the student's interests.
Name: Charles (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 60's
Gender: male
- French horn player since junior high school. - Studied jazz guitar at the Calgary Conservatory of Music. - Joined the University of Calgary house stage-band under Warren Rowley's direction. - Studied classical and flamenco guitar with Brad Mahone and Holly Blazina at Mount Royal University. - Holds a grade 8 classical guitar designation with advanced rudiments. - Professional guitar teacher since 2007. - Varied musical journey spanning folk, rock, jazz, new age classical, and Brazilian stylings. - Influenced by artists like Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Michael Hedges, and Joe Pass. - Extensive pedagogical education through Yamaha teaching seminars over 9 years.
I hold no awards or degrees. I have played in stage bands and as a singer-songwriter soloist. In my relationship with the guitar, I would rank my talents in this order: First, I am best as a teacher; Second, I am best as a composer, and Thridly, I am best as performer. My patience is legendary.
- Empathy, patience, and understanding. - Solid technique and extensive chord knowledge. - Character growth focus, fostering perseverance, efficiency, flexibility, and creativity. - Experience with special needs students, including youth at risk and dementia patients. - Proficiency in group lessons. - Ability to inspire enthusiasm and creativity in students.
English
French
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
Charles is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas