About Emma
Emma is a dedicated cello teacher with a rich educational background, including a Bachelor of Music from the Bard College Conservatory of Music, an Artist's Diploma from the Glenn Gould School, and Master and Graduate Diploma in Cello Performance from McGill University. Currently pursuing her Doctorate at the University of Toronto, she has taught a wide range of students, from advanced string players to those in developing countries. Fluent in English, Emma offers lessons exclusively online. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that music is a universal language capable of reaching anyone, regardless of background. Discover the enriching experience of learning cello with Emma online.
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH EMMA NOW
I had the great fortune to grow up surrounded by music, and as the daughter of two music educators, I know the impact that music education can have on any student, no matter their age or learning style. I have taught in many different situations and at all levels, from advanced string players in pre-college programs to students in developing countries and inner-city schools, and the best lesson I have learned that influences my teaching philosophy is that music is a universal language that can reach any person regardless of their background or life experiences. I believe that anyone can be a musician and that fostering the innate musicality in each person can help that musicality to flourish into something that is enriching, engaging, and beneficial to all areas of a person's life. As the great Italian composer Gioachinno Rossini once said "The language of music is common to all generations and nations; it is understood by everybody, since it is understood with the heart." Or, put another way by Bono of the band U2, "Music can change the world because it can change people." I couldn't have said it better myself!
Name: Emma (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 30's
Gender: female
I began studying the cello at the age of nine and attended the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Program in New York City and the New York Youth Symphony Programs from the ages of 12 to 18. I went on to receive my Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance from the Bard College Conservatory of Music, my Artist's Diploma in Cello from the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, as well as my Master of Music and Graduate Diploma in Cello Performance from McGill University in Montreal. I am currently pursuing my Doctorate of Musical Arts in Cello Performance at the University of Toronto. In all of these schools I took additional classes specifically centered on string pedagogy, music education for children, and music education technique.
As the child of parents who are musicians, I was always surrounded by music in the home and was encouraged to pursue my musical interests. This led to many wonderful opportunities to learn from amazing professionals and have incredible experiences through music around the world. I have attended over two dozen music festivals in the United States, Canada, and abroad; some highlights include the Toronto Summer Music Festival, the Heifetz Institute, the Banff Centre Masterclasses, the Centre d'Arts Orford Piano Trio and Contemporary Music Seminars, the Domaine Forget de Charlevoix Chamber Music Academy, the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, and the Oxford Cello School in Oxford, England. As an educator, I have also had the amazing opportunity to be a mentor at the Connectt Youth Music Alliance and Orchestral Conference in Trinidad and Tobago, providing teaching and mentorship to the country's high school and university music students. During my time at the Glenn Gould School, I was a chamber music coach for the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, and I have also taught for the Orchestra of St. Luke's Youth Orchestra and Music Education program, providing lessons to students in New York City's inner city schools who otherwise could not afford or have access to music education. These experiences have allowed me to become comfortable in any teaching situation, no matter where it may be!
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
Emma 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.