Merry Christmas everyone! I am so grateful to have students that never stop learning. Our first virtual Christmas recital was a huge success! Thank you everyone who were able to participate. Looking forward to our 2021 music journey!
Set device on the right side of the piano with a slightly elevated angle
Online lessons have opened up endless possibilities to teaching. For example, I can share music game apps, annotate score collaboratively, teach by demonstration with ease and much more. Now that our lessons are online, there are a lot of things that we could do which we couldn’t do before!
Setting the device on the right side of the piano, with a slightly elevated angle (as shown in picture above) is ideal, so I can see the student’s hands on each key clearly. Also, the camera should show the student’s upper body and ideally their foot on the damper pedal, too.
Since I will be demonstrating and sharing content quite frequently during the lesson, it is important that the student can see me through a bigger screen, such as a laptop or tablet. For optimal experience, you may consider an earphone/ headphone with microphone so students can hear the effect that I am trying to demonstrate. Sometimes, subtle nuances cannot be heard through an external speaker.
Stable internet connection is also crucial. Try to limit internet use during your lesson time to ensure the best audio/ video transmission.
The platform that I use for most of my online lessons is Google Meet. The link will be emailed to you and posted onto Google Classroom under your name.
Our first ever Christmas recital will be taking place on Dec 19 and Dec 20, 2020. This holiday season, we will be raising funds to support the highest priority needs at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). All donations made on this page will be issued digital tax receipts via e-mail.
I love human connections and hearing music live, so I have never planned to deliver music lessons online prior to the pandemic. However, ever since I started teaching online in March 2020, I discovered a lot of advantages to online lessons.
It is much easier for me to demonstrate on the piano to show the gesture/ technique that produced the corresponding sound (we don’t even have to “switch seats”!)
I can see and hear the instrument that the student is practising on (and provide feedback on the posture/ adjustments needed)
Students are more independent and feel more accountable to organize their work and notes
Technology like sharing screen/ sound/ virtual white board/ screen recording/ google classroom to hand in assignments/ virtual sticker chart make our lessons run more effectively and efficiently
No more worrying about snow days or forgetting your books
Remote exams offered by RCM has a very flexible schedule (no more waiting until the next exam session) so students can take exams as soon as they are ready
Until things return to “normal”, continuing your lessons online is the best alternative, but I do wish to SEE you (for real) soon!
Ever since we started conducting online lessons, I have been taking extra time outside of lesson to check and mark students’ theory homework. I believe that understanding how music works is the best way to help students make informed musical choices, and to keep them interested.
I’m thankful that technology has made it so much easier for us to connect in the age of the pandemic. If you are new to my studio and would like some guidance to upload homework pages, please see document below.
There is also a place in the classroom where students can leave me a message about brief questions/ comments that they may have!
Taking a theory exam soon? I am a certified piano/ theory teacher in Aurora, Ontario. I offer Flexible Small Group Theory Course for up to 3 students, even if they are from different levels.
Small group instruction is completely tailored to your music background, pace, deadline, schedule and learning style
Small group instruction provides in-depth explanation and application of concepts, so you are not just “learning to take the exam”, but also understanding the fundamentals of how music works to further enjoy and appreciate the repertoire you study
Flexible schedule unlike group courses at music school
Online support in between lessons
Cost effective since you only pay for lessons you need
Thanks everyone for coming to our recital on June 1! I was amazed by every student’s incredible growth over the past year. I was also touched by your courage, stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing your music with us. Hope you liked the personalized word art I made with the adjectives you described yourselves with! Good job writing thoughtful compliments to each other! You guys definitely have a musical ear. Since a lot of you told me afterwards how you enjoyed performing, maybe a summer concert in my backyard?
Catherine Shum's Piano Studio 