Amanda has fulfilled her childhood dream of being a music teacher! She begged her parents for piano lessons at a young age and started playing at age 7, studying under some amazing teachers. Earning a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Toronto was a goal Amanda achieved with great pride. She also holds an ARCT in Piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Another dream was to be an examiner like her teacher had been for the Royal Conservatory of Music- she achieved that goal at age 25 and has been a member in good standing of the College of Examiners ever since! She also adjudicates music festivals, organizing and giving master classes and workshops on all topics of performance. Amanda is past President of the Oshawa-Whitby Branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association and has served as Eastern Zone representative and is an active member of her local Branch. Amanda has held the positions of accompanist for the General Motors Touring Choir, Entertainment Co-ordinator for the Cancer Society's Relay for Life Event, and Artistic Director of the Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival. In 1998 she founded the Durham Non-Competitive Music Festival for Piano. Amanda is presently the Music Director at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church In Oshawa. Amanda always wanted to teach piano privately and dreamed of owning her own music studio/store when she was a child! She started teaching as a teenager with a few young students under the watchful eye of her first piano teacher. She believes in providing a safe, encouraging and nurturing environment within her studio that is conducive to learning. She has been VS checked & knows CPR. Lessons are structured to each student's needs; reading skills are worked on and correct technical habits put into place whether the student is learning for fun and personal enjoyment or striving towards an exam. Amanda loves working with the young beginner (ages 4 and up) , teens and mature adults and she has students of all ages and levels. Weekly lessons in piano ( including RCM 1- ARCT), Theory,History and Harmony are available. Rates are on par with the local going rate ($30/30min). Performance and goal opportunities are provided with masterclasses, workshops, auditions, year-end recital, Festival and RCM exams. Amanda is currently accepting new students.
Steven has always loved playing guitar and enjoys sharing his love of music with his students. Over the years he has played bass, lead, rhythm guitar , both 6 and 12 string as well as resonator guitar, and even a little drum and keyboard! Emphasis in the lessons is on reading chords, lead sheets and tabs and playing songs the student may want to learn. Students are encouraged to play at open mic events as well as recitals. Some students have really come to life in the open mic setting, which is really rewarding to see, by both parent and teacher! All ages are welcome and it is never too late to try!