Kjel | Teacher #4816
About Kjel
Kjel teaches organ and piano to students aged 6 through adult in English and French. With a Bachelor of Music from UBC and a Master’s in composition and sound design from l'Université de Montréal, he brings a strong academic foundation. Kjel also offers instruction in theory, ear training, composition, and more. Lessons are available online, in-studio in Montréal, and in your home.
Piano Organ Ear Training Music History Counterpoint Harmony Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate) Solfege Music Appreciation Dictation Composition Music Theory (Advanced) Jazz Improvation
Online Lessons In Studio Lessons Lessons in Your Home
Classical Jazz Pop Folk Baroque
English French
Teaching Philosophy
As a composer, organist, and pianist, music permeates my daily life. I believe it plays a vital role in the well-being of a society, and that an essential part of what defines music is the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. As far as my teaching philosophy, I believe in a self-directed approach. This means that I take care to listen to my students’ needs/passion and structure their lessons around that. I find that people are much more likely to become immersed in a subject if they are following their motivation rather than fighting it. This naturally creates a learning path that is non-linear, but very rewarding. I aim to be simply a resource and a guide; providing a clarity and a focus to the chaos of art.
Musical Education
I have a Bachelor of Music from the University of British Columbia with a major in composition, and a minor in applied music technology. During this time I studied piano performance with Mark Anderson, and music composition with Stephen Chatman and Dorothy Chang. I also have a D.E.S.S. in digital music from l'Université de Montréal as well as a Master of Music in composition and sound design from l'Université de Montréal. My master's thesis is entitled: Élégies for hyper-organ : conceiving, playing and writing for an augmented Casavant Frères pipe organ.
Awards and Distinctions
Bourse OICRM Ernest Wesley Cubitt Sharpe Memorial Scholarship Go Global Award: Global Seminar Programs Marie Elizabeth and Adolphe William Pal Jones Bursary Harold B and Nellie Boyes Memorial Bursary David L. Kaplan Scholarship
Special Skills and Trainings
There are several aspects to my path that could be considered unique. Though I have been intensely interested in traditional approaches to keyboard playing and music composition, I have also been immersed from the beginning in the technological aspects of music making. At UBC, I spent three years as a recording technician, recording both audio and video at the Barnett Recital Hall and the Chan Centre. During this time I recorded my first album, Ad viger, which contained 11 of my own experimental compositions, drawing on classical, jazz, folk, and pop influences. In addition to skills in recording and editing audio and video, I am also adept in music-centered programming paradigms like Max MSP, supercollider, and pyo. One of the most fascinating ways I have merged these traditional and technological worlds is through the treatment of the pipe organ as an augmented instrument. As pipe organist at l'église Saint-Édouard, I have been able to create an interface that places this ancient instrument in a contemporary light.
Lessons in your home
Kjel is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas:- Montreal, QC
Lessons in a music studio
Kjel offers lessons from his studio. Map locations are approximate and based on the postal code of the teacher’s studio. The full address will be provided upon registration.Lessons on an online platform
Kjel 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:
Kjel 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!
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