Robert - BAH Teacher #4523

About Robert
Robert offers piano lessons for students aged 5 and up, with additional expertise in composition, ear training, and advanced music theory. He teaches both online and in-home in areas like Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto. Robert holds a Master of Music Education and an Honours BA in Music, along with Level 10 RCM Honors. His lessons are available online or in-home, with a focus on fostering creativity and emotional depth in music.


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I believe that music is a phenomenon that extends beyond the mere arrangement of notes on a page. Rather, it is a language of expression, imagination, and storytelling. My pedagogical approach is grounded in the conviction that each musical composition conveys a distinctive narrative, and it is my objective to facilitate students in evoking that narrative through their performance. It is my objective to foster an environment conducive to creativity and to empower students to explore their emotional and artistic identity. While technical proficiency and precision are undoubtedly valuable, I place particular emphasis on fostering an understanding of the emotional depth and nuance inherent in each musical composition. By encouraging students to interpret the music beyond the technical, I facilitate critical thinking, imaginative engagement, and a personal connection with the audience. It is my intention to provide each student, regardless of their level of proficiency, with the necessary support to facilitate their growth and development. This is achieved through the provision of individualised attention, clear guidance and the nurturing of their musical curiosity, all while having fun learning and discovering themselves as musicians. Through disciplined practice and creative exploration, students learn to express themselves with both confidence and artistry, employing the piano as a medium to convey their personal narratives and those embedded in the music they perform. Ultimately, it is my objective that my students perceive music not merely as a skill to be acquired, but as a potent instrument for self-expression and storytelling—a voyage of discovery that reflects their individuality and their aspirations.

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

Age: 23

Gender: male

I hold a Master of Music Education degree from the University of York, where I was awarded the distinction of upper second-class honours for my dissertation on Group teaching and Leadership in the United Kingdom. The UK education system is notably rigorous, and the expectations were much higher, which made this achievement particularly meaningful. Prior to that, I achieved my Honours BA in Music from Brock University, where I achieved first-class honours with distinction. I commenced piano studies at the relatively late age of 16 and did not have the benefit of a classically trained teacher until my first year of university. My piano instructor, who had studied at Mount Allison and McGill Universities and later earned a PhD in musicology from the University of Toronto, provided a robust foundation and elevated academic standards that significantly influenced my growth as a pianist. Additionally, I was afforded the opportunity to perform in both my Master's and Bachelor's degrees, where I was a member of the university choir and initiated my own performances on the piano, on a voluntary basis in my Bachelor's degree. These experiences included professional performances with RBC Tuesday at noon concerts, as well as at the universities. I am currently preparing to embark on a PhD in Music Education and striving to compete in the International Chopin Competition, which has been a driving force in my continued growth as a musician.

Masters Music Education: Group Teaching and Leadership Upper Second Class Honours • Scholarship: University of York 60th Year Anniversary International student award Bachelors of Art, Concentration: Music Education First Class Honours • Dean’s Honour List-Year One • Dean’s Honour List- Year Two • Dean’s Honour List- Year Three Scholarships • Bonnie O’Donnell Scholarship Year one • Bonnie O’Donnell Scholarship Year two • Bonnie O’Donnell Scholarship Year three • Bonnie O’Donnell Scholarship Year four Level 10 RCM Honors

Throughout my formative years, I developed a keen interest in animated programs such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes, which incorporated music in a manner that enhanced my imaginative capabilities. It was not until I observed my cousin playing the piano that I developed a profound interest in learning to play the piano myself. I commenced my piano studies with the acquisition of a modest keyboard instrument and subsequently obtained instructional literature. Initially, my family lacked the financial resources to engage the services of a qualified instructor. My training was conducted in a domestic setting, and my tenacity enabled me to develop my abilities to the point where I was able to receive instruction from a qualified teacher and further refine my skills to attain my current level of proficiency as a pianist. I am currently engaged in daily training with the objective of one day participating in the International Chopin Competition and subsequently imparting my knowledge to future piano students.

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).

Lessons in your home

Robert is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas

Online lessons

Robert 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.

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