Piano
- Lisa Raposa Millar, DMA
- 1:1 In-person or hybrid online/in-person
- 45 or 60 minutes weekly
- Late-beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Diploma Level
- Children 10+, Teenagers, Adults
Playing the piano is one of life’s great pleasures. We believe that anyone can be taught to play expressively. There are musical wonders to be enjoyed at every stage, from the simplest of tunes to the most intricate counterpoint.
Helping students develop technical and personal skills they can take beyond their years of lessons is our priority.
Children (aged 10-12) who have already taken lessons for a couple of years or more often will be in the late-beginning to early-intermediate phase of development. Some may be working through method books while others may be playing multi-page sonatinas. We teach classical positioning of the hands and fingers in coordination with motions of the wrists and arms. Such movements can bring character and life to music by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach. Lastly, the playing of triads (3-note chords) receives much attention in this phase. The ability of the pianist to play more than one note at a time is what enables the instrument to feel like an orchestra at one’s fingertips.
Teenagers continue to develop tastes in different styles. As their hands grow, they will find more music open to them, as there are many pieces requiring a hand-span of an octave (thumb to pinky across 6 black or 8 white keys). In the intermediate phase of development, students tend to have several items needing prioritization. As they absorb the “foreign languages” of various composers we work through knots and emphasize good learning habits. In the early teenaged years (aged 13-15), students are taught to play four-note chords with a big, full sound that will serve them well in their romantic repertoire (e.g. – music of Frederic Chopin). Students in their mid-teens through the end of high school (aged 16-18) are encouraged to develop ever subtler senses of expression at the keyboard while studying music from the 17th through 21st centuries.
Adults who wish to take up piano as a meaningful life project are welcome to contact us.
Our home studio in Swansea Village is set up with a grand piano and digital keyboard, allowing a student and teacher to play together.
Beyond lessons, students are encouraged to participate in studio recitals and events hosted by community organizations in the GTA. We are well-connected and seek out opportunities for our students to perform for a variety of audiences and master teachers.
The piano is serviced by Radek Baran, Founder of RmB Pianos.
Theory
- Gregory Millar, DMA
- Online or in-person
- Lengths: 45 or 60 minutes weekly
- Beginner through ARCT
- Children 10+, Teenagers, Adults
- Previous instruction in singing or playing an instrument is desirable
The study of music theory is an important complement to lessons, whether you sing, play the piano, violin, cello, or any other instrument.
What is music theory? Simply put it is the grammar and vocabulary of music. Knowledge of theory results in a deeper understanding and enjoyment of music. It is also a path to learning repertoire more quickly and securely.
Theory lessons closely follow the Royal Conservatory curriculum and examination requirements.
Early and Intermediate Levels
Theory I. is the foundational level covering the basics of reading (the staff, clefs, note values) as well as scales, intervals, and rhythm (up through RCM Level 2).
Theory II. builds upon the material of Theory I. and adds octave transposition, simple meters, more major and minor scales, and the primary triads and seventh chords. Students who complete this class will be ready to take the RCM Level 5 Theory examination.
Theory III. covers more advanced topics that are requirements for the Level 6, 7, and 8 examinations.
Advanced Levels
RCM Level 9 Harmony
RCM Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint
ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint
ARCT Analysis
Most theory lessons are held online. In-person lessons are held at our home studio or Runnymede United Church.
A digital keyboard and projector are used for demonstrations.
