Student References
“Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching hundreds of students and families, and in many cases, I’ve watched my students grow up. My studio is more than just teaching piano. I get to know the student, the family, and a long term relationship often forms that lasts a lifetime. Below, you’ll find some references from some of my students over the years.”
“We have known Joanne for over twenty years in my capacity as a parent of two of her students, my two daughters. Joanne taught them both for about 10 years starting with the “Music for Young Children” program (joint parent and student weekly classes). After completing this program, Joanne continued to teach both of my daughters on a weekly basis, as they worked through the Royal Conservatory of Music levels, including examinations for each level. Both children completed grade 8 technical and grade 2 theory levels.
Joanne would organize annual recitals (usually a Christmas and a year-end recital) at various locations in the Edmonton area, which provided opportunities for all of her students to display their progress from the year by performing solos and duets. Duets were a fun tool that Joanne would use to incentivize the budding musicians. Both of my daughters benefited greatly from their lessons with Joanne. The skills they learned from piano lessons helped to provide a strong foundation for academic success allowing both children to be high achievers in their educational endeavors and career paths. Joanne’s strategies, theory and practice techniques were always exceptional.
We would highly recommend Joanne to parents looking for a piano teacher to support their children at any age and level.”
-Elmer & Francisca B.
“I started taking private piano lessons with Joanne when I was 3 years old, eventually moving through the RCM curriculum. Joanne was was always so welcoming, warm, patient and fun. Even our prep for exams were enjoyable, as were all of the performance opportunities - especially the Holiday recitals! As I got older, I actually worked in the studio as well, taking on students of my own, under her mentorship and guidance. This helped me pay for University. She was supportive of me in every way, and from the moment you meet Joanne, you’ll notice how kind and passionate she is about music. Whether it was classical studies, learning pop music, theory, or encouraging me to pursue jazz, or even taking on a few students of me own, Joanne has played a huge role in my life. I’m so grateful to have learned from her, and I’d recommend her in a heart beat!”
— Jennifer T.
“Joanne fostered a love of music and walked me through my very first scale all the way to receiving my Grade 8 RCM certification. Her patience, understanding, and stellar teaching allowed me to gain and retain essential music skills. Now, I have the freedom to pick up any song, be it a Sonata or a pop song off the radio, and learn it on the piano whenever I want. It’s a treasured ability that I’m so glad to have developed with Joanne’s help.”
— Victoria C.
“I began lessons with Joanne at the age of 4 and spent wonderful years being her student. I started with group lessons then moved into Royal Conservatory. I learned so much from Joanne and really enjoyed my weekly lessons with her. She is an incredible woman and piano teacher and is extremely passionate, experienced, and talented! She made piano lessons fun… I highly recommend Joanne to those who are interested in learning piano or to those who are experienced and want to increase their musical knowledge.”
— Kate Y.
“I began taking piano lessons with Joanne when I was about 5 years old up until age 16; completing the Music for Young Children all the way until Grade 8 Technical and Grade 2 Theory [RCM] levels. I continue to cherish the musical knowledge I gained over my years with Joanne and regularly use both my technical piano skills and my general understanding of music to pick up new instruments quickly and learn to play any song or genre I would like.
In addition to the strong musical foundation I developed through my 11 years of lessons with Joanne, we also created a strong bond, that to this day, I fondly look back at our time spent together and consider it a significant, foundational and character-defining experience. I truly think that having Joanne as a piano teacher goes far beyond the musical skills that I was taught. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable and talented at both playing and teaching piano, she is a wonderful mentor for children at all ages and a dear friend.
I really can’t recommend Joanne strongly enough to anyone who is looking for a reliable, professional, compassionate, and skilled piano teacher for their children at any age.”
- Monica B.
“Growing up, I took piano lessons with Joanne right up to completion of the Grade 10 RCM. Joanne is an incredible teacher. She is kind, patient and truly passionate about developing a child’s love of music. Her home is always a safe and welcoming space to learn. Some of my fondest memories are recitals and playing duets with Joanne. I highly recommend Joanne to anyone looking for an experienced piano teacher.”
- Jenny L.
“Joanne is a great piano teacher. She has helped me learn the fundamentals required to be successful in music. She is very personable and easy to get along with. I enjoyed my 12 years of piano with Joanne (from the age of 3 with MYC, to Grade 7 RCM piano)!!”
- Jonathan C.
“Joanne was my piano teacher for about 10 years and during this time, Joanne demonstrated her ability to instill confidence and build strong relationships with her students. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her, and by the time I finished with piano lessons, at the end of high school, I considered Joanne a good friend. Starting with children’s group lessons and then moving into individual lessons, as I worked through the Royal Conservatory of Music levels, Joanne supported me to eventually receive my grade 8 technical and grade 2 theory levels. Joanne was always eager to see her students and genuinely cared for their well-being. Joanne had a knack of knowing when to show patience and understanding, and when to show a bit of “tough love” and give her students an extra push. I would highly recommend Joanne to families in search of a piano teacher for their children.”
- Anita R.