Private Lessons

At ‘Harmony is’ we offer private instruction in piano, flute and voice. All of our teachers have graduated with University music/music therapy degrees, and offer a fun and encouraging learning environment. “Harmony is” teachers are members of the Milton Music Teachers Association. Our students are invited to participate in the Milton Music Festival, held bi-annually by the MMTA. All ‘Harmony is’ students have the opportunity to play in our year end student recital. This gives students a performance experience, different from standard lessons and/or exam preparation. Followed by a small reception, this showcase is a celebration for all our students and families, and something that we all look forward to throughout the year! Please contact us for further information about our private lessons, fees and schedules.

Click below for further information about our private lessons:

Piano	Flute	Voice

Piano lessons at ‘Harmony is’
At ‘Harmony is’ we are pleased to provide private piano lessons for beginner students: children and adults alike. Our lessons incorporate both practical (playing) and written (theory) components, as well as work with ear training and sight reading. Our teachers have extensive experience working with children, either through Kindermusik or music therapy, and are able to use these techniques to adapt lessons and make the learning process fun and engaging. We also offer training for RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) standard examinations, and are very proud of our students’ success rate!

When is my child ready for private piano instruction?
Each child develops differently, so we ask parents to consider the following checklist to help decide if a child is ready to begin private piano instruction: Does my child:

- Understand sequencing? (i.e., reading from left to right of the page)
- Know/recognize the letters A , B. C, D, E, F, G
- Know/recognize the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Have the ability to move fingers independently
- Have the attention span to sit at the piano for a 30 minute interval
- Show motivation to learn/play the piano
- Thrive in individual (as compared to group) lesson setting

Flute lessons at ‘Harmony is’
At 'Harmony is' we also provide flute lessons for students of all levels. Depending up on the previous musical knowledge and goals of the student, these lessons include practical components, including flute repertoire, studies, technique and orchestral excerpts, as well as written theory work, ear training, and sight-reading. It is also a part of our teaching philosophy to include duets in the lesson, played with the teacher, as they help the student work towards more accurate rhythm, pitch, and sight-reading. Duets also provide an opportunity for ensemble playing, something that is important in the life of a flute player. We offer training towards RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) standard flute examinations and university auditions. We also have many students who play purely for enjoyment, and with these students we develop more individualized goals.

Our teachers are university trained performers whose experience in music therapy, solo and ensemble performance, and teaching help them to make each student's learning experience everything they had hoped for.

When is my child ready for private instruction on the flute?
Children often begin flute lessons between the ages of 8 and 12, because at that point they have grown enough to manage the physical aspects of playing. Younger children, however, can learn on a children's-sized flute. Each child develops differently, so we ask parents to please consider the following checklist to help decide whether their child is ready for private flute lessons.

Does my child:
-Show motivation to learn and play the flute?
-Have the attention span and physical ability to stand for a 30 minute lesson?
-Have the ability to move the fingers independently?
-Have the physical ability to hold the flute for an extended period of time?
-Understand sequencing (i.e., reading from left to right on a page)?
-Know and recognize the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G and the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5?

Please contact us for further information about our private lessons, fees and schedules.

 

Voice lessons at ‘Harmony is’
Our voice lessons provide practical components (singing scales, intervals and songs from a wide variety of genres), written components (theory) as well as ear training and sight singing. Because each human voice is unique and singing is not as tangible as playing an instrument, voice lessons can cover a wide spectrum of elements depending on the age, the natural ability, the experience, and the goals of each student. Typical areas of focus include:

- breathing and breath support for singing
- posture for singing
- pitch matching and learning to comfortably sing intervals
- identification of and extension of vocal range
- development of consistent vocal production, tone and resonance/projection
- performance skills and practices

When is my child ready for private instruction on the voice?
Because each human voice is unique the best age to start a child in voice lessons varies. The vocal folds (cords) physically grow and change as your child does so it is always important to constantly monitor vocal health in younger children who do take singing lessons.  Each child develops differently, so we ask parents to please consider the following checklist to help decide whether their child is ready for private voice lessons.

Does my child:
- Show motivation to learn to sing?
- Have the ability to recognizably sing common tunes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Happy Birthday?
- Have some experience singing in a group setting i.e., Children's Choir, Kindermusik Class etc.
(please note that this is not a prerequisite for beginning voice lessons).
- Have the attention span and physical ability to stand for a 30 minute lesson?
- Understand sequencing (i.e., reading from left to right on a page)?
- Know and recognize the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G and the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5?
- Thrive in individual (as compared to group) lesson setting

Please contact us for further information about our private lessons, fees and schedules.