About Catherine
I enjoy teaching piano to a diverse group of students, both children and adults. My goal is to guide students to acquire piano skills that enable them to express themselves creatively and make music throughout life. Lessons are taught from my studio in Fenwick, and distance lessons are offered in the online environment.
After receiving a BMus in music from Western University in London, I moved to Vancouver for graduate studies at Regent College and later returned to Ontario. I have an ARCT in piano performance, and a Master's degree in Education, the research emphasis of this degree was on improvisation for pianists. Currently, I am developing a curriculum in this area.
My teaching is focussed on exploring engaging ways to keep students playing the piano, and finding joy in their music making. Music lessons have been shown to be good for the development of mathematical and spatial skills, and playing an instrument like the piano is wonderful because it centres on creative expression, and the joy and freedom that exploration brings.
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Member of Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA)
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Certified Teacher with the Royal Conservatory (RCM)
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Member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO)
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Kodaly Level 1 Certification
Presenter at piano pedagogy conferences
Philosophy
Approach
My philosophy unites encouraging people in their musical growth, with a love for making music that connects people with each other. I am passionate about teaching, and endeavour to guide my students to experience a love of music, and to become independent and accomplished musicians.
Through the wonderful gift of music, I hopes my students will express themselves creatively, develop an enthusiasm for learning, and acquire a skill that gives both them and others joy throughout life.
Each student is unique, so lessons are tailored for different needs in order to keep students playing and motivated. This involves optimizing opportunities for ensemble playing and meaningful performance, as well as familiarizing myself with the particular tastes and preferences of each of my students; this may involve a blend of different styles, as well as some free improvisational playing.
Contact Me
Email Catherine