About
If you want professional music lessons that allow you the creativity and flexibility of being an artist, Nyssa's Studio is perfect. The friendly yet serious atmosphere challenges students, ages 3 to 65+, in a way that beginners and seasoned musicians alike feel very comfortable. Lessons are adapted to the goal of the student in unique and creative ways, incorporating sight reading, ear training, songwriting, and chording as well as teaching awareness of the body in music making. Prices are reasonable and students have a lot of fun!
My students!
Highlights
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Yvonne L.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I try to be as relevant as possible from the first lesson by finding out a student's goals and priorities. A lesson will include technical skills, instruction on awareness of the body, games to emphasize theory topics, sight reading, rhythm, or ear training, and concentrated work on repertoire.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a BA in Music from Trinity Western University, and 20+ years experience with choirs and bands (participating, leading, and teaching).
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$20 per 30 min lesson ($80 per month)
How did you get started teaching?
Word of mouth
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students who wanted to major in music in college, and also with retired adults who have had lessons on their bucket list for years. I have preschool students including a 5-year old with mental disability learning to use his fingers (so that lessons were like occupational therapy), and also leaders of church bands wanting to hone their skills. But my favorite students are beginners willing to learn.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If you would like to study piano, it's necessary to have daily access to the instrument in order to practice before the next lesson. Keyboards work for beginners and those who enjoy orchestrating sounds, but in general, acoustic pianos are best for building muscle strength in fingers and overall understanding of the instrument. (With this in mind, however, pianos over 80 years old most likely will not hold a tuning which can hinder ear training among other things). For studying voice, it's possible to learn to sing even if you have always thought you couldn't. Most of the time this takes courage to embrace the sound you have and build from there. Voice is the most vulnerable of instruments, but in my opinion, the most valuable and worth the investment!