About Christopher
Christopher, a graduate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, specializes in teaching electric bass, electric guitar, guitar, and piano, as well as beginner to intermediate music theory. With a Diploma in Music Performance and rich experience across diverse genres such as jazz, rock, and blues, Christopher brings a dynamic approach to his online lessons. His teaching philosophy emphasizes inspiration and lifelong learning, fostering an inclusive environment for students aged five to adults.
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER NOW
My teaching philosophy is centered on inspiration as the catalyst for meaningful learning. I believe that education should ignite curiosity and passion in students, fostering an environment where they feel motivated to explore and engage deeply with the subject matter. By creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere, I aim to encourage students to express their ideas and take intellectual risks. Ultimately, my goal is to empower students to become lifelong learners, driven by their own passions and inspired to make a positive impact in the world.
Name: Christopher (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 26
Gender: male
I have attended the Victoria Conservatory of Music and have obtained a Diploma in Music Performance. During my time at the conservatory I played in many ensembles including Jazz, Blues and Rock. My principal teachers included Rob Cheramy, Colleen Eccleston and Maureen Washington . I began playing music at the age of 6 when my dad introduced me to drums and guitar. The first song I ever learned how to play was "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. I currently play in two different bands. Bass for a local Alternative Rock band and guitar a fiddle/ guitar duet.
Associate of Arts: Music Performance Camosun College - Victoria, BC - Deans Honor Roll - Fall 2019 Deans Honor Roll - Fall 2020 - Deans Honor Roll - Winter 2021 - Recipient of the Alan Macey Fund - Recipient of the Norma Fitzsimmons Horticulture & Music Bursary Recipient of the VCM Pooled Fund Bursary - Recipient of the Eric and Shirley Charman Young Musicians' Bursary Fund Recipient of the VanHall Fund for the Arts - Jazz - Recipient of the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship - 2x Recipient of the Ivor and Lorna Parfitt Memorial Bursary - Dissertation: Music Performance with Distinction
The experiences that make me special as an instructor is my broad experience as a collaborator, performer and accompanist. I have collaborated on songwriting sessions during my time as a music producer at my home studio in Victoria, BC. I have performed in many different musical groups ranging from piano and harmonica in a blues band, guitar in a touring musical theatre production, bass in an alternative rock band, guitar in a fiddle band and electric guitar in my solo works.
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).
Online lessons
Christopher 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.