We offer our lessons and many various locations throughout Markham. We currently offer lessons at our Markham Home Studio (Highway 7 and Birchmount) Ms. Hutt’s Scarborough Home Studio (Markham Rd. and Sheppard Ave. East), at your home and within various schools in York Region. Please register to view the available schools and times.
Our lessons are not calculated per lesson, but rather per term/year. The tuition includes registration, location/services, exam fees (for group students only) and of course lesson costs.
We do not offer any trial lessons as it is not fair to your child nor is it fair to the other students in the class. We believe that by committing to a set term/month it will allow us to get to know each other and help your child become comfortable with the lesson structure. If you would like insight to our lessons please visit our social media.
No, but it is highly recommended. A paper keyboard is part of their binder which is suitable for beginning students to practice on temporarily. As well as piano apps on tablets will suffice for the first few weeks or so. A keyboard can be rented from us for the term, please contact us for details.
Otherwise a small keyboard with touch sensitivity will work up until level 4. Afterwards a full keyboard or piano with weighted keys and a pedal is imperative to progress.
THE LESSONS
Lesson time is for instruction. However, there are always extra pianos and keyboards around for our group lessons where students can revisit concepts covered during class or work on duets with other students. Proper practicing is to be done at home between lessons.
Parents are asked to drop their children off at the beginning of the lesson and return at the end. Having parents present during the lesson causes a distraction and confuses the student on who the authority figure is. This applies for our online lessons as well.
Is recommended that students consume their snacks before the lesson. However, a small clean snack is allowed (this does not include eating the rest of lunch). No juice boxes, sticky, oily or crunchy snacks that leave a mess.
Absolutely! Just have them register on our website - make sure that you give them your referral code to save on your next payment.
Yes, Ms. E. Lukie offers private lessons in person at our Markham home studio and online. Mr. M. Hutt offers lessons at our Markham Home studio, online and at the student’s home and Ms. E. Hutt offers lessons at our Markham Home studio Scarborough Home Studio, online and at the student’s home. Please contact us for more details.
Yes, we offer private lessons to adults interested in beginning or continuing their music education.
We also recommend that parents of our students sit down with their children and have them reiterate what they learned in class as a way of learning.
If we receive advanced notice (24 hours or more) we will do our best to offer alternate classes and lesson times to make up the lesson.
If less than 24 hours or no notice was given the lesson is counted as missed and the lesson fees are forfeit.
Group classes have an additional 15 minutes used to catch up on missed lessons as a result of P.A. Days, Holidays or students absences.
Yes but, it is most important that our students grasp the foundation of piano playing and theory first. After students have completed Rudimentary and Intermediate levels (about 4 books, 6 levels) then they will move on to private lessons to dive into the RCM curriculum.
Yes and no. Only registered students can stay past group lessons at their school, only if there is another class afterwards and they must not disrupt the class.
After all classes/lessons have completed at that location, we often have to travel to another location for the next class/lesson immediately. Children must be picked up promptly. Late pick ups will be subjected to a $2/minute late fee.
Detailed lessons notes are written in each student's binder and/or typed up and emailed to the parents. New songs/pieces are stamped with the date it was assigned and stamped with a fun colourful stamp upon completion. A report card is also emailed to group students with comments and marks. Private student parents are welcome to email to inquire or set up a phone call appointment.
There are a number of reasons a song/ exercise was not marked as complete. As teachers we are looking for the student to play evenly (no stopping), with the correct notes, with the proper hand position (up above the keys and with their wrist straight), with the correct articulation (walking, lifting, etc.) and musically. As students become more advanced it will take longer to master pieces as they involve a lot more.
Yes, students are encouraged to participate in piano competitions. We offer fun online competitions for all students regardless of level during holidays to give them a chance to win a gift bag.
Students at higher levels (RCM) are strongly encouraged to take part in other competitions within Markham and the GTA. Please contact your teacher to learn more. These competitions often have a monetary prize.
Competitions are a great way for students to boost their confidence and give them important performance experience.
MUSIC BOOKS
We have beautiful tote bags included in your Welcome Bundle to hold all the music books together. Otherwise, they are available for $5.
Our curriculum is based on Howmar’s Getting Started and Music Magic. Siblings are welcome to share these song books. Afterwards we teach the Royal Conservatory of Music newest edition.
If your child is transferring from another teacher/location we would love to take a look at their books at their first lesson as part of our assessment process.
Wait. A lot of the time the books do turn up. However, if you are certain the books are lost you can purchase replacements.
We often hold onto the music writing books to take home to mark. Very rarely a students books might get mixed up with another student. Not to worry, we'll switch the books at the next lesson.
Bringing the correct music books is vital to student success. Try to pack the night before to not forget in the morning rush. Also, if a student arrives without music books then they can work on their theory and borrow a playing book from another student.
TEACHING
I have noticed that you wrote, "Always use your voice when you practice." How is a student's voice able to help their piano playing?
Using the voice when playing is a scientifically proven tool to help students retain knowledge. We ask that students say the note names (letters), note values (quarter..) and count the beats.
Naming the notes out loud while playing helps with reading music correctly. Students learn the notes from saying the notes out loud.
Saying the note values out loud when playing helps to ensure holding the note length correctly.
Counting the beats out loud while playing the song ensures playing evenly with the correct timing.
Students successfully learn in a group setting filled with their peers. Each teacher is expertly experienced in teaching group as we know how to maximize time and learning. We maintain an organized, friendly environment in which to learn. All musical concepts are continually reviewed and reinforced through music activities and games.
While students are at the piano, the remaining students are working on their music theory, a crucial part of their music education.
Our classes are relaxed and comfortable but energetic and warm and happy with constant motion.
Lots of insights into the lessons can be found on our social media.
Larger group classes may have additional teachers volunteering their free time to help. Group classes may also have student teachers earning their community service hours. These student teachers are current piano students who have completed RCM 8 or higher.
Ms. E. Lukie has been teaching since 1986. She has helped many students complete the RCM (The Royal Conservatory of Music) curriculum with top marks.
Mr. M. Hutt has been teaching since 2008. He started teaching alongside Mr. B. Hutt and Ms. E. Lukie in group lessons. He loves to attend Magic conferences and bring Music Magic into his lessons.
Ms. E. Hutt has been teaching since 2008. She has since become a RCM certified teacher and enjoys attending workshops, conferences and webinars to further her education and teaching style.
HOME PIANO PRACTICE
Yes! There is an extreme difference between students who practice properly at home and students who do not. We ask that every student play their assignments slowly, carefully while following the lesson notes that the teacher has written every day of the week.
Practice is needed in order to progress. Set a time every day for piano practice so that it is a part of their routine. Asking your child to show you what they learned during their lesson is another great way to encourage them to play at home.
COMMUNICATION
Thank you so much for calling. We will return your call as soon as possible. Did you leave a clear message with your phone number? If you still have not heard back please email us at learn@huttpianolessons.ca or leave a comment on this website. We do teach everyday and will contact you as soon as we can.
Yes! When you registered you created a family account. Within the account you have access to lesson notes (for online students), exam study packages and resources which includes educational colouring sheets and songs.
Furthermore, please make sure that you are thoroughly reading any emails from us. Periodically check your spam/junk/promotions folder to make sure our emails didn’t get lost and mark them as safe/important.
Lastly, our social media is often updated with what our students are working on or towards. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
We’re happy to answer any questions you have outside of the lesson time. Please send us an email or give us a phone call and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Yes! Piano students who have completed their RCM 8 theory and practical examination are welcome to come and earn their community service hours teaching with us.
THIS PIANO LESSON WEBSITE
Yes! There is a fully interactive learning section here to help the piano students. These games will help reinforce information we have learned in class.
Your family account is where you schedule your child’s lessons, examinations, view messages, have access to a referral code, games, online resources and more!
The online resources have holiday songs, educational colouring sheets, information and more!
After you login, select the format you’d like the lessons to take. You should see a selection of available days and times. Just choose the one that works for you and that’s it!
If you would like private lessons, select the teacher you would like to teach the lessons and you’ll be taken to their Calendly scheduler page. Just select the format and length (ex: 30 mins at our home studio) and the day and time you would like the lessons to be held each week. We will take care of the rest.
For each new student that registers with your referral code you will receive a $10 credit to be applied to any purchases (books, lessons, etc). This does not apply to immediate family members.
PIANO EXAMINATIONS
The cost of the examination covers the exam itself as well as two frameable certificates and the hours put in by the teachers to adjudicate, proctor and mark the examinations.
The cost of the examination is covered in your Term fee if you are a group student. If you are a private student, the exam cost will be emailed to you in January/February as we begin to prepare. The cost varies per level.
THE PIANO RECITAL
Yes! Every year end we hold a piano recital for each student to showcase their talent. The best performances will be highlighted on our social media and website.
Anyone! The invitation is open to your friends and family.
The piece will be decided on with the teacher after they complete their examination. The piece needs to have been completed over the current school year and “performance ready”.
Private lessons will continue throughout the summer. Group lessons will continue right along into our summer piano camp at our home studio.