About Jack
Jack is a dedicated saxophone teacher based in Toronto, providing lessons online, in his studio, and in students' homes. He holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from Mount Allison University and a Master's in Music Performance from the University of Toronto. His education includes workshops with Canadian music luminaries and he's a recipient of several prestigious awards, highlighting his musical expertise and dedication. Jack speaks English and French, offering lessons in saxophone, jazz improvisation, music appreciation, and advanced music theory. His special skills include instrument repair and sports psychology techniques to help students overcome performance anxiety. Book an interview now.
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH JACK NOW
I believe that a kind and nurturing approach is the most effective way to achieve musical brilliance. I do this both in the way that I offer instruction, as well as teaching my students how to be kind to themselves as they develop as musicians. I recognize that each student has different goals and methods in which they learn best, so I tailor my teaching to each student individually so that they can succeed and enjoy the process as much as possible. Music allows us to tell our stories no matter what they may be, and in my teaching, I strive to give my students the tools they need to express themselves freely, as well as grow not just as musicians, but as people.
Name: Jack (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 26
Gender: male
I hold a Bachelor of Music with Honours from Mount Allison University and a masters in music performance from the University of Toronto. I began studying music privately when I was six years old, when my father would drive me to a neighbouring town for piano lessons since there was no one who could offer them where I lived. I continued piano until high school, when I switched my focus to the saxophone. During my time at Mount Allison University, I studied primarily classical music, however I pursued additional instruction and study in jazz, pop and rock styles as well as instrument repair and maintenance. After I graduated, I moved to Toronto where I received my masters in saxophone performance. During this time I assisted the lower year undergraduate students with supplementary lessons, as well as developed a far greater understanding of musical theory and history. I have also received coaching and done workshops with some of the biggest names in Canadian music, including jazz saxophonist Phil Dwyer and singer/conductor Barbara Hannigan. My musical education has been filled with kind and supportive instructors and I hope to be able to carry on that torch.
I am a four time recipient of the Arts New Brunswick scholarship, and a 2 time recipient of their career development grant. Additionally, I was awarded the J.E.A crake performance award in music for the class of 2020 from Mount Allison University and was a co-winner of the Mount Allison Concerto Competition. I was also awarded the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance Emerging Young Artist Award and the Laetitia-Cyr bursary from Jeunesse Musicales.
During my undergraduate degree, I had the privilege of expanding my knowledge of instruments by learning instrument repair from my teacher. As such, I can not only teach how to play the saxophone but how to maintain complete minor repairs and understand the mechanics that make the instrument work. Additionally, my time with the Equilibrium Young Artist program has given me a strong grasp of sports psychology techniques to help mitigate performance anxiety and ways to improve practice habits and promote a positive mentality when approaching music.
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
Jack is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas
Online lessons
Jack 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.
Jack's Studio Location
Jack offers lessons from his studio. Please note that map locations are based on the postal code of the teachers studio. address will be released to you if needed.