Meet The Teachers

Interview with Tim

What inspired you to start teaching?

I think it all started with me being the oldest in my family, so I was always helping people younger than me. The traditional neighbourhood music school in Edmonton where I had taken lessons called me and asked me to start teaching! It was that simple; but I found the methodology to be problematic, and it was only when I got training in the Suzuki method that I moved toward working in music full-time.

What is your musical background?

I had been a traditional piano student, and studied some music courses in university (composition, choral, theory) but upon starting the Suzuki training, I was able to take the courses for each of books one through seven, along with courses in Dalcroze; and I finished my ARCT in piano performance which involved a long memorized concert format, and music history, analysis, and counterpoint courses.

What inspires your work?

I am inspired by Shinichi Suzuki's words, that "every child can learn." I also find inspiration in music itself, from the flurry of notes in Bach, to the energy of Beethoven, the Beatles, and the Weeknd; from the swing of Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, to the graceful simplicity of Arvo Part -- I listen to all styles of music and keep finding inspiration in the beauty, energy, and novelty of what I hear.

What is a common challenge that students face when learning to play the piano?

The physical challenge of playing hands together can be considerable. I tell students that sometimes it's like writing your first name with one hand and your last name with your other hand at the same time! But the key is to do repetitions, and break the challenge into smaller steps -- perhaps just one note in each hand! And keep listening to the recording.

What is your favourite concert memory?

I will never forget hearing the famous Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andnes in Carnegie Hall in New York. It's a huge space, with an amazing history (Tchaikovsky and the Beatles have been there, among an endless list of great names in music). I could not see him well when sitting up in the top balcony, but the acoustics in there are so great that someone fluttering a piece of paper slightly can be heard several metres away. He gave an inspiring concert, and several encores. Wow!

What advice do you have for parents to help their students succeed in their musical education?

Keep playing the recording quietly in the background; talk with your teacher about any challenges; and aim to practice every day, even if it's only few minutes -- this habit is very beneficial.

What is your favourite part of the Edmonton Suzuki Piano School community?

We share ideas and talk about challenges; this is not a group where people keep their "teaching secrets" to themselves, but rather, a group where teachers and parents can work better together in an open approach.

What is your favourite piece of music played on the piano?

I have too many favourite piano pieces to choose one, but I endlessly appreciate "1981" by the Estonian composer Lepo Sumera.

What is the most fun piece of music to teach in the Suzuki repertoire?

I think the most fun piece I teach regularly is the Polichinelo by the Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos, at the end of book 6. The left hand plays mostly black keys, the right hand plays mostly white keys, and it's almost a cacophony as a result, with a huge glissando at the end. What a treat!

What is something unique or surprising about you that many people would not know?

I went to Timbuktu in a leaky boat; I chased a cow down a highway in Nova Scotia and caught it; and I visited the American base in Guantanamo, Cuba.

Outside of the studio, what fills your time?

I do a lot of gardening in the summer, attend many festivals (Chamber Music, Jazz, The Works, Folk, Fringe, etc), go hiking, and read.

What is the best part of the Edmonton Suzuki Piano School community?

Teachers and parents work together for a better music experience for students.