About Leo
Leo, with extensive international experience, offers online and in-studio lessons in a wide range of instruments including bass clarinet, clarinet, flute, piano, piccolo, recorder, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, and tuba, along with advanced and beginner-intermediate music theory. With a PhD in Music Education from the University of Toronto and multiple degrees from prestigious institutions like The State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Fluent in English, Hebrew, and Russian, Leo's diverse background allows him to connect with students from various cultural backgrounds. Book an interview now!
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH LEO NOW
My travels have taught me one of life's most significant lessons: respect for diverse cultures, people, traditions, and beliefs. As a music educator, I see my students first and foremost as human beings, each with their own unique life experiences, opinions, values, and perspectives. I recognize that their diverse backgrounds influence how they approach learning and their preferred learning styles. I respect their individual strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. Rather than viewing myself as a mere knowledge provider, I envision my role as facilitating an equal educational partnership with my students. I consider music learning a transformative experience. Instead of providing ready-made answers, I aim to guide them in discovering knowledge for themselves. Having had the privilege of teaching in various cultural and social settings, I've learned the importance of flexibility in my teaching approach. I employ a range of methods, with dialogue as a central element in my teaching philosophy. My duty as a teacher is to establish a secure, constructive, and dynamic learning environment where my students' hard work and dedication are acknowledged and encouraged. I strive to motivate them to actively engage in the learning process. Continuously seeking more effective ways to connect with my students and spark their intellectual curiosity, my aim is to foster meaningful and reflective dialogues that enrich the experiences of all participants. Ultimately, I aspire to help my students incorporate music into their daily lives.
Name: Leo (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 60's
Gender: male
I hold the following degrees: PhD in Music Education from the University of Toronto; MA in Music Education from the University of Toronto; MA in Music Performance (specialty clarinet/saxophone) from The State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Moscow, Russia; BA in Music Performance (woodwind/brass) and Wind Pedagogy from The State Tchaikovsky Conservatory; and BA in wind ensemble conducting from The State Tchaikovsky Conservatory. I have an extensive teaching experience internationally at different levels-from University to private studio. I have performed extensively, and served as principal clarinet for many symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, and groups around the world.
• University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies Conference Travel Grant • Ontario Graduate Scholarship • University of Toronto Research Committee Travel Grant • University of Toronto and Halbert Exchange Program, Halbert Network Fellowship award • University of Toronto Scholarship • University of Toronto Teaching Assistantship • Diploma Summa Cum Laude, The State P. Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music, Moscow, Russia • Diploma Summa Cum Laude, The State P. Tchaikovsky College of Music, Moscow, Russia • Winner of the Moscow Competition for Wind Instruments • Member of the Academy and Jury Boards of the ENKOR Wind/Brass and Chamber Music Competition
I'm fluent in 3 languages: English, Hebrew, and Russian. I've had a chance to study, live, perform, and teach music in many different parts of the world. My research and papers on music education were published and presented internationally at many important music education conferences. I hope with my background and experience I'll be able to find a "common language" with all my students, encourage and inspire them to make music a part of their everyday life.
English
Russian
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
Leo 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.
Leo's Studio Location
Leo 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.