Susan | Teacher #4123
About Susan
Susan is a dedicated piano, voice, and xylophone teacher, offering lessons to students of all ages in Toronto. She holds a Grade X honors diploma from The Royal Conservatory of Music, enabling her to teach students up to grade VIII. Susan is passionate about music education, having also studied Music in Early Childhood and The Orff Method of Music Education. She is committed to creating a safe and joyful learning environment, encouraging her students to play a variety of music fearlessly. Lessons are available online or at Susan's studio, with services tailored to meet each student's unique musical journey.
Piano Voice Xylophone Ear Training Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate) Solfege RCM Orff Jazz Improvation
Online Lessons In Studio Lessons
Classical Jazz Folk Broadway Musicals Rhythm and Blues Baroque
English
Teaching Philosophy
Playing piano and singing have been integral parts of my life since childhood. Both of these aspects have brought me endless joy for decades. I learned hundreds of songs every summer at camp and then eventually learned how to play these songs on the piano. Playing piano has brought me continual joy throughout my life. Bringing the joy of playing the piano to all of my students has helped me complete my musical circle of playing, singing, teaching, listening, and being. As a young child lights up when playing "Hot Cross Buns", so do I. As a more advanced student plays a prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach, we both delight in the beauty of the music. My goal as a piano teacher is to create a safe environment for the students to play a variety of music, to play fearlessly as they create music, irregardless of the difficulty of the piece of music. I like to expose my students to classical music, folk tunes, jazz songs so that I can discover where there musical passions lie. I let them know that there are no mistakes, only opportunities. With careful and positive guidance, my students and I grow into pianists with a passion for playing the piano. Playing piano is a life's journey. It is fun, exciting, and teaches perseverance along every step of the way. I hope to share the gifts that I've received along the way as a piano player, a piano teacher, and a lifelong learner with your children and with you.
Musical Education
I began taking piano lessons as a 6-year-old child in Flint, Michigan and immediately fell in love with playing piano. I took a hiatus from the piano at the age of 13. When I moved to Canada in 1976, I began seriously studying piano following the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum, beginning with grade 1V. My piano teacher encouraged me to teach beginning piano students. As a lifelong Montessori teacher and a lover of playing piano, I took to teaching piano immediately with great joy. I studied at The Royal Conervatory of Music and received my Grade X honors diploma, which allowed me to begin teaching students up through grade VIII. At the conservatory in the summer of 1980 (or so), I took a course with the esteemed Donna Wood in Music in Early Childhood, which expanded my love of teaching music to young children. The following three summers took me back to the conservatory where I studied The Orff Method of Music Education which integrated singing, movement, Orff instruments, and playing the recorder. I received my certificate in teaching The Orff method of music education. Following up with my passion for teaching music to children, I went to the Longy School of Music in Boston the following summer. My passion my music education was sealed as well as my love of piano playing.
Lessons in a music studio
Susan offers lessons from her studio. Map locations are approximate and based on the postal code of the teacher’s studio. The full address will be provided upon registration.Lessons on an online platform
Susan 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.Reviews
Associate Teacher Lesson Rates:
Susan is a Beethoven at Home Associate Teacher
- 30 minutes: $39
- 45 minutes: $49
- 60 minutes: $59
Home visit fee: $15 minimum fee. Teachers may negotiate a higher travel fee if the travel distance is longer than they are comfortable with. Most arrangements use the minimum fee.
One-Time Family Registration: $25. This covers your entire family for life - once you're in, everyone can take lessons!
Our Promise to You
Getting Started Together
We don't offer free trials, but we do something better - a relaxed 2-lesson getting-to-know-you period. You can pause anytime with just 24 hours notice. After your third lesson, we ask for a friendly 2-lesson heads up if you need to stop.
Life Happens - We Get It
Give us 24 hours notice for any cancellation or reschedule and you'll receive full credit. Planning a family vacation or summer break? Perfect - just let us know a day ahead and we'll pause your lessons.
When You're Under the Weather
If illness strikes with short notice (less than 24 hours), you'll still be charged since your teacher has reserved that time. However, most teachers are happy to offer makeup lessons when possible - they have the final say, especially if last-minute cancellations become a pattern.
Stopping Lessons
Need to take a break? We just ask for a 2-lesson notice:
Weekly lessons = 2 weeks notice
Every other week = 3 weeks notice
Twice weekly = 1 week notice
Summer breaks are different - no notice period needed when you return in the fall!
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