Piano Lessons

I teach Piano. The Piano is a fabulous instrument to play, with an incredible range of expression. To begin, we’ll improve your note reading and piano technique. With each new lesson you’ll learn a wider variety of songs, from Classics by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and later, some Classic rock by Billy Joel, Carol King, Elton John, and later, some ‘Classy’ standards by Gershwin, Rogers & Hart, and throughout, we’ll be learning to read charts and make your own arrangements of rock, country, blues, and other styles.

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Here's what some 'piano' parents and students have said

Thanks, Pat.
I just wanted to say that the boys are both really enjoying their lessons with you. They are sitting down daily to practice (without me nagging them!!) and they’ve even been showing off their new skills to friends, haha!
We couldn’t be more thrilled with how it’s all going. We’re trying not to pressure them or breathe over their necks, but if there’s anything you’d like us to pay special attention to, don’t hesitate to mention it :)

As you were probably the first person to really ‘hear’ her objectively and promote her singing ability to her (and me), I thought I would share and say thank you. The steps she took to play and sing and perform with your help, I think, are leading her to something that makes her feel great while doing it and being with people who love it too.

Hi Pat!!!
A note to let you know how thrilled our daughter is with her most recent piano piece. She’s been at practicing this Beethoven piece so much and loving this. Icing on the cake was a virtual concert with my parents this afternoon that was met with bewilderment at her progress and great applause!
Amazing that she’s loving these classical pieces!

Dear Pat; I just wanted to take the time to thank-you for all that you have done for our daughter over the past 7-8 years. . You have been supportive, encouraging and so much fun. I think we will always remember her lessons with you and appreciate all that you have done for her. Wishing you and Jen all the best - thank-you!!

Guitar Lessons

I teach Guitar. The Guitar is an exciting instrument to play, blending harmony and rhythm and soaring above the band when soloing. At first we’ll learn picking and strumming. With each new lesson you’ll learn a wider variety of songs, from Classic rock by the Beatles, Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, Fingerstyle by Fleetwood Mac, Eva Cassidy, Country by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Taylor Swift, Roots rock by The Band, Rosanne Cash, Folk by John Denver, Ed Sheeran, and throughout, a healthy variety of rock soloing, bluegrass pickin’, bossa novas and other styles.


Here's what some 'guitar' parents and students have said

They had two shows for the elementary school kids on Thursday and Friday and today they played their “first show” for the general public. I heard from the back door as we plan to go on Wednesday night and next Saturday night with different groups. So much energy! Basically, the director said, 'our son' can rock it!”!! Thank you so much for all your work with him as he really does “feel” the music!

Hi Pat: I just want to thank you for all you have taught me over the years. I think my foundations are good and I have the ability to expand on them even more in the future thanks to you. This year I am taking a guitar course in school, which means I will be playing guitar for two hours a day at school until Christmas. I am hoping that this will give me a chance to get confident while playing with peers using the skills you've taught me

Yes - our son really enjoys guitar lessons absolutely! He told me he really likes learning about the music theory part especially as he realizes that to advance further he needs a solid understanding in the formal part. He jams with his uncle and plays on Sundays at church with another fellow, in addition to guitar class and jazz band at school. Basically- if he could play most of the day, he would!

”Also, I just wanted to say our son was happy as a lark last night from the compliments you gave him! He has been busy composing his music and made his room a music room like yours! Thank you! He even said to me last night, "Mom I'm so thankful to have learned so much from Pat." So cute! You have a real knack with teaching and the ability to hold his attention!

Drum Lessons

I teach Drums. The Drums are a kinetically demanding instrument to play, with the capacity to anchor any group. Initially we’ll focus on your co-ordination, your timing, and your chart reading. With each new lesson you’ll learn a wider variety of songs, progressing from 4/4 rock by Tom Petty, CCR to 12/8 shuffles by Toto, Queen, then onto advanced 16th note songs by Journey, Maroon 5, and others, as well as a sprinkling of world, funk, country, and other styles.

Here's what some 'drum' parents have said

He was so upset right before drums but came out happy, saying playing the drums and talking about music made his heart feel better.

He woke up at 7 AM today and was all dressed and ready for drum lessons.....I explained it would be on Fridays each week only :)

It was so incredible to stay and listen/watch you and (our son) yesterday - I loved it! He can't stop talking about his drum lesson!!

Info Page

POLICIES, ETC

After teaching here in ladner for more than 15 years i've had to develop a number of policies meant to provide a consistent approach with respect to missed lessons, fee payment, etc

my location: my wife and I live in a 1940's bungalow at 5175 central avenue in ladner. there's a blue sign in front

my schedule: i follow the delta school calendar pretty closely, beginning when school starts in september, and finishing on the final week of school. i teach 3 days a week (tuesday, wednesday and thursday)

makeups: all makeups should take place on the days i teach pretty soon after the missed lesson (within less than a month). otherwise we just have to let it go

holidays: i take two weeks off for christmas, two weeks off for spring break, and 2 months off in summer (july and august)

Lesson Fees: $130.00 per month, payable through cash or e-transfers dated to the 1st of each month.

i don't charge a registration fee

MY BIO

My family was musical. Mom & Dad played songs by the Carter Family and Hank Williams in between raising three kids and running a farm. For that reason alone, I still love country music.

I played in high school rock bands, and spent much of the 70‘s playing and singing in clubs, bars and taverns.

In the 80’s I studied at V.C.C. focusing on composition and arranging. I became proficient with MIDI and music software and taught keyboards at V.C.C for around 3 years.

I branched out, composing music for student and indie films, documentaries, and advertising. I still played regularly, mostly solo and duo gigs - classical or jazz stuff in restaurants, pop or country at weddings, etc.

In the 90’s I started taking side gigs as a recording engineer in a few of the recording studios I recorded in. I taught keyboards at Douglas College for a coupla more years.

I wanted to become a better educator, and enjoyed researching how what we see effects what we hear. I wrote a thesis on that subject and graduated from SFU with a Masters Degree in Arts Education.

I taught in a variety of recording arts and technical schools, eventually developing the curriculum for, and teaching in the 'Sound for Image' department at VFS.

In 2010, leaving VFS, I started playing again in a couple of jazz groups, sometimes leading a jazz trio.

Since 2010, I have given music lessons from our home in Ladner.