Spencer - BAH Teacher #2610

About Spencer
Spencer holds an honors BA in Music from the University of Guelph, where he excelled in music theory, history, and pedagogy. With a deep-rooted passion for percussion instruments since childhood, Spencer brings over 6 years of teaching experience to his drum set and dictation lessons. Trained by renowned drummer Joe Sorbara, Spencer's musical journey is enriched by live performances and extensive knowledge in show production. Fluent in English, he fosters a personalized learning environment focused on student preferences, encouraging exploration and musical growth. Spencer offers in-home, studio, and online lessons, aiming to inspire a lifelong love for music. Book an interview now.


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It's all about you! I can get the basics rolling, and get you to understand the instrument and how to play it, however, I structure my lessons based on YOUR PREFERENCES. Want to play punk? I'll get you there. Want to play Latin? Same thing. Rock 'n' Roll? No problem. The blues? Got you covered. The number one thing on my list is to make sure that my students pursue music not only during but AFTER lessons with me as well. The beauty of this approach is that if someone doesn't know where they want to go with the instrument, it means we can just explore, and find something along the road that really grabs them. Music is like breathing for me, and so is making people laugh/smile. I am not just a teacher or mentor, I am also a friend. I firmly believe that music can change the world, and can change the hearts of its inhabitants for the better. All I want to do is share that with the world.

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

Age: 30's

Gender: male

I was educated at the University of Guelph, and earned an honours BA in Music. This program included classes on music history, music theory, music pedagogy (the study of teaching), and yearly performances in front of a jury of professors that would decide whether my performance was good enough to advance to the next year. I have been in front of a piano since I was 6 years old, and have always gravitated toward percussion instruments. I was trained in drumming by Joe Sorbara (and he was taught by Herbie Hancock, among others). He taught me to hear all sounds in the world as musical ones. I experience being in an active nature as I would a piece of music. He also taught/challenged me to make sounds with my drums that I have never made before. I succeeded. I have played numerous live shows, including shows in front of nearly a thousand people. I also know the ins and outs of putting on/setting up a show as my brother is a tour manager as well.

Graduated with honours.

I was a scout leader for over 5 years. I am EXTREMELY well versed in leadership skills (took courses), and indeed talking to children. I even have my St. John's Ambulance certification. I will always encourage a safe space for learning as well as teaching.

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

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

Online lessons

Spencer 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.

Spencer's Studio Location

Spencer 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 SPENCER NOW