About Mark
Mark is a dedicated music instructor with a diverse background in drum set, percussion, ear training, harmony, jazz improvisation, music appreciation, music history, and advanced music theory. With a strong emphasis on fostering curiosity and passion for music, Mark believes that successful learning starts with developing a love for making music. With an honors BA in Music from the University of Guelph and additional training from the MA Ethnomusicology program at York University, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching practice. He has received several awards and distinctions for his musical achievements, including the Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation Award in Performing Arts and the University of Guelph Essay Prize in Music. Mark offers online lessons and teaches from his studio, providing a relaxed and engaging learning environment for students of all ages. Book an interview now with Mark to begin your musical journey!
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK NOW
With students of all ages, my goal is to get them engaged with the joy of making music right away, while learning the fundamentals, exploring the skills, and cultivating creativity to help them be well-rounded musicians. Successful learning starts with curiosity that develops into a passion, so my number one goal as a teacher is to help students cultivate their passion for music, beginning with the music that moves them most. Song based lessons help accelerate their learning, all while developing their skills and understanding to broaden their horizons and achieve a greater deeper engagement with music that they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Name: Mark (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 40's
Gender: male
I have an honours BA in Music from the University of Guelph, which included courses in drum set, percussion, and improvisation with Jesse Stewart. In the MA Ethnomusicology program at York University I took courses in South Indian Carnatic percussion and rhythmic theory with master Trichy Sankaran. After years of working as an active performer, I furthered my studies, working with renowned master drum set educator Jim Blackley, exploring the essence of the rhythmic language of jazz and musicality on the drum set. I continue to be a life-long student of music.
Cambridge & North Dumfries Community Foundation Award in Performing Arts University of Guelph Essay Prize in Music Friends of Music Book Prize Ralph and Edith Kidd Scholarship in Music
As a long-time member of the rich and diverse scene of jazz and improvised music in Toronto, I have been grateful to be involved with so many incredible peers, and to have worked with many internationally renowned composers and improvisors who's unique work and concepts have provided me with a deep understanding of music and creativity. Through my work in audio engineering and sound design for dance and theatre, I also enjoy assisting students to learn about the tools they can use to create and produce their own music.
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
Mark 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.
Mark's Studio Location
Mark 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.