I have been teaching in Canada since 1993 as a private music teacher and established my music teaching business Accent Piano School in Barrie in 1999.
I engage students with enthusiasm, encouragement and spread the joy and love of music.
My students are high achievers on music competitions like in the Barrie Music Festival; year after year they bring in an average of 30-40 awards collectively.
During the pandemic, my teaching underwent a rapid evolution to include online mode of learning. Despite the transition, seventeen students won 59 awards in 2021, and in 2022 eighteen students won 76 awards in Canada-wide festivals including provincial 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
Amidst the pandemic, Accent Piano School held 5 virtual and 2 in-person concerts. Currently, Accent Piano School offers mainly in-person lessons, however, offers online classes as needed.
Many of my students are honoured with scholarships by the Barrie Music Festival Association.
Year after year I send large numbers of students for the Royal Conservatory of Music Exams and ORMTA Branch recognizes my students for these top achievements in piano and music theory.
I'm an active member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association (ORMTA).
I’ve been the treasurer in the association for 8 years. I help the association by volunteering time alongside my busy teaching schedule.
I received in 2016 a special award from ORMTA: the Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award.
I studied at the music art school: Kodály Zoltán Conservatory of Music in Debrecen.
My teaching and training as a musician includes the famous Kodály - method.
I received my musical and pedagogical studies at the Szent István University in Jászberény.
I maintain my knowledge by participating in Teachers' Summits and workshops in person and online across North America. I've been teaching music since 1983.
Please check out my new website: https://www.pianolessonsbarrie.ca/
Specialized in
- Youth (7-17)
- Adults (18+)
- Young Children (under 7)
- Beginner/Elementary
- Intermediate
Teaches At
- Teacher's home
- Teacher's studio
Specialist designation
- Piano - Advanced
- Piano - Elementary
- Piano - Intermediate
- Theory - Elementary
- Theory - Intermediate
Credentials
- 1985 - B.A. B.Mus Ed. - Szent István University , Hungary
- 1981 - Gr.10 diploma - Zoltán Kodály Conservatory of Musical Arts, Debrecen Hungary
Professional development
- Introducing Smart Start: The Royal Conservatory's Research-Based Early Childhood Music Program - Webinar : Introducing Smart Start: The Royal Conservatory's Research-Based Early Childhood Music Program Jun 27, 2023 - 2023
- Women Composers from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula - Hosted by Frances Clark Center
Webinar: Women Composers from Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula
Introduced the works of Fátima Graça Monteiro Corvisier, Fanarelia Guerrero López, Luis Sanchez
February 7 ,2024 - 2024
- Adapting Your In-Person Lessons to Online - RCM webinar May 7, 2020 - 2020
- Canada Music Week Celebration with our Canadian Composers - Connecting Canada Year Round ,CFMTA Workshop , Canada Music Week Celebration with our Canadian Composers, introduction some of the composers and their work and how they get inspired
November 23, 2023 - 2023
- Chords and Cadences in Celebrate Theory, Elaine Rusk - RCM Theory Teaching , Feb. 26, 2022 - 2022
- Collectif 9 - Barrie Concert #2
Montreal's String Ensemble concert
Nov. 25, 2023 - 2023
- Determinants of Motivation in World-Class Musicians and Olympic Athlet - Determinants of Motivation in World-Class Musicians and Olympic Athlet
Hosted by Frances Clark Center, Johannes Hatfield, Alejandro Cremaschi
January 24 2024 - 2024
- Discovering The RCM Online Theory Study Guides - RCM webinar ,Allyson Stout covered the RCM Online Theory Study Guides and learn how they can help students strengthen their music theory education and prepare for examinations.
Jan 29,2024 - 2024
- Diversity Summit - Frances Clark Center Feb. 19,2022 - 2022
- Dr. Jarred Dunn Zoom workshop - ORMTA Kingston Branch workshop
clinician : Dr. Jarred Dunn offer tips for teaching and interpreting a selection of short repertoire, with emphasis on specific keyboard techniques needed.
January 26, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
- 2024
- Effective Communication and Adaptive Facilitation: Helping Students who are Special Learners Thrive in the Music Lesson. - Frances Clark Center Webinar Oct.6 2021 - 2021
- Engage! Equip! Inspire! - ORMTA Barrie Branch Online Workshop Jan. 21 2022 - 2022
- Engaging the student - back into routines; setting goals with the student & parent; Fall incentives and events - Connecting Canada , CFMTA Professional Development
Engaging the student - back into routines; setting goals with the student & parent; Fall incentives and events 22 Aug 2023 - 2023
- Exploring The RCM Ear Training & Sight-Reading Digital Tools - RCM Webinar
Exploring The RCM Ear Training & Sight-Reading Digital Tools presented by RCM USA division
Feb 12, 2024 - 2024
- Fostering Creativity Through Melody Writing , Elaine Rusk - RCM Theory Teaching Feb.26 2022 - 2022
- Goals and Aspirations for My New Teaching Year - Frances Clark Center Webinar Sep. 22,2021 - 2021
- Harnessing RCM Resources for Teaching Theory - Harnessing RCM Resources for Teaching Theory webinar held by Carey Worrod and Carrie Campbell on May 25, 2022 - 2022
- How Do Amateur Adult Piano Students Experience Learning the Piano? - Research Webinar: How Do Amateur Adult Piano Students Experience Learning the Piano?
Pei-Chen Chen and Elizabeth Haddon, hosted by Alejandro Cremaschi
October 25,2023 - 2023
- Inside Piano Inspires Kids: A New Publication of the Frances Clark Center - Introduction of a new Music Magazine for kids
Inside Piano Inspires Kids: A New Publication of the Frances Clark Center
October 11, 2023 - 2023
- Making Your Online Teaching Interactive and Multi Modal - RCM webinar May 19,2020 - 2020
- Online Community and Class Management - RCM webinar May 12,2020 - 2020
- Online Teaching with Different Learning - RCM webinar May 21, 2020 - 2020
- Penderecki String Quartet - Barrie Concerts #4
The Penderecki String Quartet performed with Ben Smith pianist performed Ravel, Milhaud and César Franck pieces.
Feb. 24,2024 - 2024
- Piano Trio Concert - Georgian Music Barrie Concert series
Sept. 17,2023 - 2023
- Practice Makes Progress - Practice Makes Progress- How to help students develop strong practice habits
Webinar hosted by Paloma Music , Doreen Hall
February 19, 2024 - 2024
- Preparing Your Teaching Practice for Online Music Lessons - RCM webinar May 5,2020 - 2020
- RCM Improvisation and Lead sheets - Connecting Canada Year Round, CFMTA workshop
Elaine Rusk's presentation on improvisation and lead sheets
Feb.15,2024 - 2024
- Rhythm Bliss - Adventure of being a Percussionist
Rhythmic adventure to the kingdom of beats.
Jan.20, 2024 - 2024
- Sheng Cai , piano - Barrie Concerts #3
Sheng Chai performed The Romantics; Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, André Mathieu pieces. - 2024
- Sight Reading Research - Conservatory Canada webinar about Alessandra Dicienzo's sight reading research
Nov 24, 2023 - 2023
- Sir András Schiff, Piano Masterclass , BEETHOVEN – Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3 - RCM Masterclass - 2022
- Sir András Schiff, Piano Masterclass ,BACH – Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 - RCM Masterclass - 2022
- Spirit '20 - Barrie Concert series #1
Sextet performance of jazz pieces
Sept. 30, 2023 - 2023
- STAR Factor - Conservatory Canada workshop
Alessandra Dicienzo - STAR Factor
How to strengthen student independence and accountability, and providing stimulating musical experiences.
Feb 2, 2024 - 2024
- Studio Policies for the 21st Century Music Teacher - Frances Clark Center Webinar Oct. 20,2021 - 2021
- Successful Communication with Students and Parents - RCM webinar May 14,2020 - 2020
- Technique through Repertoire with Christopher Madden and Jani Parsons - Frances Clark Center Webinar Fe. 20,2022 - 2022
- Think It, Speak It Play It - Think It, Speak It Play It , virtual workshop organized by ORMTA Barrie Branch, Clinician: Cheryl Graham
January 17, 2024, - 2024
- Welcome to Life-Savers.org - Webinar Hosted by Frances Clark Center, Marvin Blickenstaff Welcome to Life-Savers.org
September 27 2023 - 2023
- Where Are They Now? A Look at the Students and Teachers from the Beginner Course - Webinar Hosted by Dr. Sara Ernst in a review of growth and continued learning in the students and teachers of the Frances Clark Center's inaugural Teacher Education Online Course Nov.8, 2023 - 2023
School Associations
- Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association - Provincial / State