Donglai | Teacher #2765
About Donglai
Donglai is a distinguished music teacher proficient in piano and composition, offering lessons online and in students' homes. He holds a Bachelor of Music with dual majors in piano performance and composition, and a minor in conducting from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. Donglai's teaching style is deeply rooted in understanding music as a language, aiming to make each student a fluent "speaker" through expressive and dynamic learning experiences. Fluent in English, French, Cantonese, and Mandarin, he is accessible to a diverse group of students. His accolades include national finalist positions and awards in various prestigious competitions, reflecting his expertise and commitment to music. Book an interview with Donglai for a comprehensive musical education online or in your home.
Piano Composition Ear Training Music History Harmony Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate) Solfege Music Appreciation Dictation Music Theory (Advanced)
Online Lessons Lessons in Your Home
Classical Baroque
English French Mandarin Cantonese
Teaching Philosophy
I believe in the linguistic power of the music. Of course, music starts where the words stop, but music itself is a language, and as musicians, we have to make every interval speak, regardless the different styles we play. If you decide to study with me, I will be glad to explore with you all the tones and colours possible on the piano. I will guide you to become a fluent “speaker” of the language of music, and help you find your own distinct voice and expressions. If you are interested, I can also use my experience as a composer and conductor to show you how the great works are composed, going through their forms, orchestrations, harmonic schemes, and most importantly, their historical backgrounds. We cannot interpret a piece of music if we don’t know the intention about its composition.
Musical Education
-Armenian pianist Gregory Chaverdian was my most prominent teacher during my teenage (2013-2016) -I studied thereafter with Prof. Kyoko Hashimoto (2016-2022), after entered Marianopolis College -I obtained my DEC in music in 2018 from Marianopolis and a BMus with two majors (piano performance and composition) and a minor (conducting) at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University in 2022 -My composition professor was Denys Bouliane and my conducting professor was Alexis Hauser
Awards and Distinctions
-National Finalist, Canadian Music Competition (2014, 2015) -3rd Prize, Burgos International Music Competition (2015) -4th Prize, Golden Key Composition Competition, Senior Category (2017) -2nd Place, CÉGEPs en concert (2018) -Student Excellence Award of Schulich School of Music (2018-2021) -Anna P Gertler Scholarship of Schulich School of Music (2021-2022) -McGill Concerto Competition finalist (2021) -McGill Chamber Music Competition finalist (2019, 2021) -National Finalist, CMC Steppingstones (2022)
Special Skills and Trainings
-I started piano at age 4 and half
Lessons in your home
Donglai is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas:- Montreal, QC
- Montreal-Est, QC
- Montreal-Ouest, QC
- Westmount, QC
Lessons on an online platform
Donglai 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.Reviews
Associate Teacher Lesson Rates:
Donglai is a Beethoven at Home Associate Teacher
- 30 minutes: $39
- 45 minutes: $49
- 60 minutes: $59
Home visit fee: $15 minimum fee. Teachers may negotiate a higher travel fee if the travel distance is longer than they are comfortable with. Most arrangements use the minimum fee.
One-Time Family Registration: $25. This covers your entire family for life - once you're in, everyone can take lessons!
Our Promise to You
Getting Started Together
We don't offer free trials, but we do something better - a relaxed 2-lesson getting-to-know-you period. You can pause anytime with just 24 hours notice. After your third lesson, we ask for a friendly 2-lesson heads up if you need to stop.
Life Happens - We Get It
Give us 24 hours notice for any cancellation or reschedule and you'll receive full credit. Planning a family vacation or summer break? Perfect - just let us know a day ahead and we'll pause your lessons.
When You're Under the Weather
If illness strikes with short notice (less than 24 hours), you'll still be charged since your teacher has reserved that time. However, most teachers are happy to offer makeup lessons when possible - they have the final say, especially if last-minute cancellations become a pattern.
Stopping Lessons
Need to take a break? We just ask for a 2-lesson notice:
Weekly lessons = 2 weeks notice
Every other week = 3 weeks notice
Twice weekly = 1 week notice
Summer breaks are different - no notice period needed when you return in the fall!
-
Reviews about our Teachers
with ReviewsIO
-
Secure Payments
with Chase Paymentech
-
Verfified Teachers
with Certn