About Melissa
Melissa, with over 15 years of experience, offers online and in-home lessons in piano, composition, ear training, harmony, and jazz improvisation. With a holistic teaching philosophy, Melissa believes in nurturing each student's musical connection by integrating listening, imitation, and self-expression. Holding degrees from prestigious institutions like Thompson Rivers University and Humber College, Melissa's approach is enriched by her background in jazz studies and early childhood music education. Book an interview now!
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH MELISSA NOW
Music is in all of us from the time we hear our mother's heartbeat in the womb. Our first instrument is our body in tandem with our senses of sight, touch, and sound. We learn music like we learn a language: by listening, imitating, and eventually finding our own voice. Too often, students are expected to learn to play an instrument and read music before they have fully nurtured this connection. The transition from ear/body/voice into reading and writing is a delicate process that requires a level of awareness and sensitivity. I am passionately dedicated to fostering a holistic connection to music and when it is time, guiding them through the transition to music literacy
Name: Melissa (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 40's
Gender: female
My musical journey began at home with my family. My parents are both professional actors and musicians, and as such, I grew up in a household that nurtured creativity. Our home was full of listening, singing, and playing opportunities of many different types of music, including the music they themselves had created. This environment laid the foundation for my love of music as well as my teaching style. I am a compassionate and empathetic person who believes in teaching the whole child. My curriculum is developed for each student to reflect their musical needs, interests, and goals. This approach to teaching helps children to understand more about themselves and in turn, inspires them to understand what they love about music. I include a variety of methodologies to help me as a teacher to connect with the child and to help the child experience multiple approaches and perspectives. Some of these methodologies are that of Zoltán Kodály, Émile Jacques-Dalcroze and Carl Orff. I have 15 years of teaching experience coupled with my years of experience as a musician. As a performer, arranger and teacher, I can provide insight into many sides of the art form and hopefully can provide insight into what music means to your child. I have attended the following schools and earned the following degrees: Royal Conservatory of Music & Ryerson University 2017 – Present Enrolled in Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Music Education Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC 2012 Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (Articulated through Humber College) Humber College, Toronto, ON 2008 Diploma in Jazz Studies (Honours) York University, Toronto, ON 2002 – 2004 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Spec. Hons. Music
Arranger on "Get 'Em" demo album for Canadian comedian and FACTOR grant recipient Danielle Léger.
In 2017 enrolled in the certificate program of Early Childhood Music Education (ECME) through the Royal Conservatory of Music in association with Ryerson University.
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
Melissa is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas
Online lessons
Melissa 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.