Welcome! I’m Heidi – I keep this page as a place of resources for my students, and those who are thinking of studying with me!
To know more about my teaching philosophy, keep scrolling!
For my bio and credentials, click here,
or to see my upcoming performance dates, click here!
WHY
At the heart of what I’m doing in my teaching is not the fundamentals of music in scales and songs, or even good technique (although I have a deep love of good technique) but the belief that we can actively refine ourselves, that we can make face difficult things and gain capabilities we hadn’t had before. I aim to give a practical experience of self-efficacy that can be translated through the other arenas of life.
When people ask what I do for a living, I sometimes reply, “I teach people the important stuff, how to expand your attention span, why not to post a picture of your new drivers license online, how to blow your nose, what it means to make peace with difficulty – oh, and music
MUSIC
My students love that they can choose what music they would like to learn, most often striking a balance between the songs they know and love, and new repertoire I can introduce them to. Variety is the spice of life!
I do RCM exam preparation for my students who enjoy the structure and rigours of classical music. Some have gone on to first class honours (YAY!), but I know that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea – certainly not mine as a kid – and as such I want my students to to enjoy playing whatever catches their imagination, be it video game themes, Star Wars or Harry Potter
TECHNIQUE
I am probably more passionate about good technique than anyone you know. Strong words, but believe me – towards the end of my music degree I got a playing injury that left me wondering if I would ever play the piano again. This sort of crisis can shake your identity if you see yourself as a musician – and it is something I never want my students to go through. I want my students to know that the piano is there for them and they can play whatever they want, whenever they want, for the rest of their lives.
This has led me to studying the Taubman approach, a method that deals with preventing/curing piano injuries and facilitating a health virtuosity. Beyond learning to be good to your body, it can open up room for much more precise expression and interpretation. In my time with a Taubman teacher, I have been clearing away the clutter in between my intention and my sound. It’s a beautiful thing.
I realized in the middle of my music degree, what am I doing to myself that I am having joint pain? There’s nothing wrong with me – except something I am doing during these repetitive motions at the piano and in the rest of life. I decided to try out the Alexander Technique (a mind-body coordination postural behaviour method that’s impossible to explain, you really must experience it), and found a superb teacher who not only made me a few inches taller because we uncompressed my spine, but greatly helped me find a quietness inside my body in which performance anxiety just couldn’t take root. I credit the Alexander Technique for being the light at the end of the carpal tunnel (see what I did there). I am currently in the immersive 3 year process to become an Alexander teacher because I’ve seen what it can do for the artist.
THEORY
Theory is fun – when you have something to do with it, and by something to do I don’t mean writing exams! I encourage my students to make up songs and to find their way through theoretical concepts in a practical and compositional way. This way, it at least means something.
PRACTICE
I expect my students to practice. Yes I do. Just like I expect myself to practice. Music lessons are fun – for sure – but also about the thrill of getting better, going where you want to go, and taking pride in your work. Realizing you are more capable than you’ve thought is a reward in and of itself as well!
To book a lesson, send me your details here: