I believe that the highest level of teaching is essential for beginner students as well as advanced students. Careful and artistic attention to fundamentals in the first lessons will save you so much time and difficulty later on.

I have several degrees in piano performance (Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, and the Ecole Normale de musique in Paris). I have participated in many masterclasses with renowned artists around the world. Throughout my training, I was often very inspired and challenged to grow as a musician in the best of ways.

During this time, I also witnessed many toxic learning environments and situations, where shame and abuse were normalized, standing in place of actual pedagogy. In these environments, talent can be seen as a fixed value, something you either have or don't have, and there is nothing to be done about it.

As I began to teach my own students, I came to really understand why teachers have a big responsibility.

Teaching is a path of life-long learning, just like being a student. With the right conditions, everyone is capable of learning music to a high level. Many students share with me how a previous teacher told them they were not talented, i.e. not able to learn something - often it's about developing their sense of rhythm, or singing in tune, or reading music fluently.

If you relate to this story, I encourage you to find a teacher who has a professional level of playing and teaching, AND who won't give up on you, who knows how to break problems into small, solvable challenges, and who is willing to look for new ways to help you learn - a teacher who remembers that they will need to grow and learn alongside the student.

Yes, "it takes two to tango!"

- I do expect that you come to lessons with a genuine desire and openness to learn, and for my part, I will do my best to find what inspires you and help you make satisfying progress towards your goals.

- I encourage a steady commitment to practicing with the emphasis on quality: attentive, thoughtful and efficient practice.

- I offer many resources and help you develop tools and problem-solving skills you may use with increasing independence and confidence in pursuit of your musical ambitions.

- I will respect your unique background and personal goals, and cultivating your love for music is always the first priority.

- Some students in my class decide to pursue a professional path in Western classical music and I have the experience to help them progress in that direction. I also have plenty of students who play music for their personal enrichment only, and many who wish to explore other styles or practices.

- I continue to invest in my growth as a teaching artist by staying up-to-date with the latest pedagogy research and taking a wide variety of artistic workshops.

- After my degree programs, I spent over two years studying with Robert Durso in Philadelphia, who is a marvellous human being, a true teaching artist, and one of the very few experts in effectively teaching the principles of Dorothy Taubman.

- I prioritize helping all students develop a healthy and efficient piano technique. Integrating biomechanics principles (and finding healthier replacements for out-dated teaching about piano technique or practicing) enhances students' artistic potential and helps to prevent injury.

- I also encourage students to develop body awareness through practices such as Alexander Technique, Feldenkreis, or Body Mapping.

- I regularly include music theory, ear-training, composition and improvisation activities in lessons, according to student interest.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions.