How It All Began

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I began studying the piano at the age of eight in a small town in the interior of British Columbia. My very first teacher was a farmer, and over the next ten years I studied with a variety of wonderful instructors and truly fell in love with the instrument.

There was, however, a challenge I wouldn’t fully recognize until well into my thirties. Despite years of study, I had unknowingly developed technical habits that limited my ability to perform and express music to its fullest. Correcting those habits required tremendous effort, and that experience now deeply informs my work as a teacher. I am committed to ensuring my students never have to dig themselves out of the same situation I once faced.

A major turning point came when I began studying with Thierry Gudel, a European concert pianist who had recently immigrated to Canada. Under his guidance, I essentially started over from the beginning, rebuilding my technique through the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) method. After six years of focused study, practice, and relearning, I established a strong and healthy technical foundation. This work opened the door to greater freedom and confidence at the piano—knowledge I now pass on to students who are either beginning their musical journey or correcting long-standing habits of their own.

My growth continued with Dr. Carla Dodek, who challenged me and supported my ongoing development as both a pianist and educator. I also studied music theory with the remarkable Deborah Choit, whose patience and expertise helped me overcome the many hurdles theory can present. Through determination on both our parts, I gained the tools needed to teach piano theory in a clear and accessible way.

One of the most influential teachers in my musical life was Walter Prossnitz—truly one of the great gifts of the piano world. I first met Walter at a piano day camp where he was a guest artist. Watching him play was inspiring, and studying with someone trained at Juilliard who had performed at Carnegie Hall expanded my understanding of what was possible. He pushed me further than I expected and helped me see the limitless potential of the piano.

I have had the privilege of studying with some of the finest piano teachers in the world. The experience and knowledge I’ve gained is not only a gift to me, but to my students as well. Through persistence and many challenges—including an eight-month period without access to a piano—I achieved my A.R.C.T. in Piano Performance.

Today, I continue to learn, grow, and evolve as both a pianist and instructor, and I am honoured to support my students with clarity, care, and a deep respect for the art of music.