Mike - BAH Teacher #2431

About Mike
Mike's teaching philosophy centers around making music a stress-free and enjoyable experience for students of all ages and genres. With a background in jazz saxophone performance and a wealth of experience in teaching, performing, and recording, Mike brings a unique blend of technical expertise and musical appreciation to his lessons. His approach emphasizes finding a balance between technical proficiency and playing music that students personally connect with. As a seasoned performer, Mike understands the importance of guiding students through performance anxiety and preparing them for real-world playing experiences.


BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH MIKE NOW

I believe music is one of the most important parts of the human experience. Music is something that everyone can relate to and enjoy. Music's diversity stretches as far as our diversity as people. When teaching music I make sure to find an engaging way for the student to find a balance between technical facility on their instrument as well as playing the music that they relate to and enjoy. I believe a fine balance between technique and music appreciation will help the brain grow, act as a release from the stresses of the world and overall be a positive experience to one's life. With me you can expect a stress-free and fun experience learning music regardless of age or genre.

Name: Mike (Full name will be provided upon registration)

Age: 27

Gender: male

I have obtained a Bachelors and an Advanced Diploma in Music from the following schools: Humber College - Bachelor of Music with Honours - At Humber I further developed my skills in jazz saxophone performance as well as learned new skills such as teaching, woodwind doubling, music business, big band arranging and professional studio recording. Mohawk College - Advanced Diploma of Music with Honours - At Mohawk I first started studying jazz performance, advancing my knowledge in jazz theory, classical theory, ear training, arranging and counterpoint.

- Richard Newell Scholarship - Antony Roberts Scholarship - Kenny MacLean Memorial Scholarship - Toronto Musicians’ Association Moe Koffman Memorial Award - Eddie Sossin Memorial Award - Mary Alice Stuart Scholarship (Nominee) - Winner of Niagara Jazz Fesitval’s “Jazz 4 The Ages” competition - Featured on JazzFM’s Jazzology Program

I have been a performing jazz saxophonist since I was 15 when I played my first gig. I first started playing professionally around the Niagara Region when I was in high school. Since finishing college I have playing live performances all across Southern Ontario ranging from Niagara Falls to Ottawa. I have played headline shows at many jazz festivals such as the TD Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, TD Oakville Jazz Festival, TD Brantford Jazz Festival and the TD Niagara Jazz Festival. I believe this performing experience helps me as an educator when it comes to guiding students through topics like performance anxiety as well as what is most important to learn for playing in the real world.

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

Mike 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.

Mike's Studio Location

Mike 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.

BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH MIKE NOW