Theory

Theory Lessons

Knowledge of Music Theory empowers students to:

  1. Understand how music works.
    Any graduate from music school should understand is how and why the performers and composers plan and execute their work. Their tools involve everything from rhythm, notes, and scales to harmony, voice-leading, and form.
  2. Be able to critically listen to music.
    Music students need to learn how to listen critically to what they hear, identify what it is, and be able to speak intelligently about it.
  3. Write and perform music accurately.
    Regular exercises in theory and aural skills will not only improve understanding, but it may also make the abstract concepts meaningful in a real-world context.
  4. Be able to detect errors.
    Performers, conductors, educators, music producers, and recording artists need the same sharpened listening skills. The point is that one never knows, as a musician, when error detection will come in handy. We focus on this from day one in aural skills and hone it regularly.
  5. Be able to sight read.
    Being able to read music accurately and effortlessly. The core of sight reading is being able to hear what you see.
  6. Understand the styles and genres of Western music
    Music developed over time. Being able to distinguish and follow the evolution of composing techniques and genres enables the student to understand the changes in society that happened and influenced humanity as a whole.
  7. Improve critical reasoning skills.
    Music theory classes are especially good places to sharpen critical thinking because we have a great deal of information that needs to be processed in a short amount of time when listening to or writing about music.

Meet our Students

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Our Theory Teachers

Click on a teacher to learn more about them!

Piano + Theory Teacher

Deborah Henry
music theory teacher and violin teacher in Oakville Nicolas Wojtarowicz standing with violin in hand in front of bookcase
Violin + Theory Teacher

Nicolas Wojtarowicz

Piano + Theory Teacher

Deborah Henry

Deborah received her B.Sc. from McMaster University. After further study, she received both her B. Mus. and M.A. in music criticism from McMaster University, and an M.A. in music theory from Western University. She received her Doctorate from York University in music perception.

Deborah has enjoyed an active career as both Organist and Choral Director. She is the Music Director at Maple Grove United Church in Oakville. Currently she is a piano and theory teacher, as well as our string orchestra accompanist at Klaudia’s Music Studio. Deborah is a theory and history examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is passionate about music and music education. Learning music theory and history add depth to the enjoyment of practicing, performing, teaching, and listening to music.

In her spare time, Deborah enjoys cycling, swimming, and running cross country with her dogs.

Dr. Deborah teaches all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music theory examinations. Including advanced history, harmony and couterpoint. She teaches piano to beginner students, with a goal to participate in concerts and exams, or enjoy the music of playing and improvisation on piano for pure enjoyment and fun.

music theory teacher and violin teacher in Oakville Nicolas Wojtarowicz standing with violin in hand in front of bookcase

Violin + Theory Teacher

Nicolas Wojtarowicz

Nicolas Wojtarowicz is a young violinist, violin teacher and theory teacher who resides in Oakville, commencing to work at Klaudia’s Music Studio in summer 2022. He has been playing the violin for 12 years and will attend the University of Toronto for Music in Performance, Violin in September 2022. He is fluent in English and French and loves teaching various topics.

Nicolas started playing the violin at age 6 and has studied with Ilana Waniuk, Andréa Tyniec and is currently studying with Marie Bérard. He has 8 years of experience playing in orchestras such as the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra (principal second) and currently the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. Nicolas has participated in various competitions such as the Kiwanis Music Festival, Peel Music Festival, the Canadian Music Competition and the TSYO Concerto Competition. He completed the grade 9 RCM exam in 2017 and his grade 9 Harmony and History RCM exams in 2020. He is currently working on his ARCT. Other than the violin, he has learned the piano, completing the grade 6 RCM exam.

Nicolas loves to teach young violinists and see them succeed. Helping them play their best is his greatest passion. He also plays chess and table tennis with friends and family. He is really looking forward to teaching and sharing his insight into music.

Theory Lessons

Pricing and Policies

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Theory Lesson Pricing

Initial trial lessons are offered at 1/2 price, paid in advance

Beginner Level – Level 4

$33 /30 min
$50 /45 min
$66 /1 hour

Level 5 – Level 10

$40 /30 min
$60 /45 min
$80 /1 hour

ONE-TIME REGISTRATION FEE

$50 /first family member
$25 /each additional family member

LATE FEE

$5 /per student per month

Studio Policies

SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULING AND MISSED LESSONS POLICY FROM SEPTEMBER TO JUNE:

After initial trial lesson you will be given exact time spot. From then on, lessons are scheduled on weekly basis. Lessons are billed and due monthly, on the first day of each month. One-time fees are billed at the time of booking. Registration fee is charged only after the initial trial lesson, once you confirm your interest. There are NO lessons (no charge for lessons) during Statutory Holidays. No make-up lessons policy: If you are unable to attend the scheduled lesson invite a friend or a family member to take a lesson in your place OR take online option at exact time of your lesson. No credits can be issued for any missed lessons. Also, there will be no alternate time allocated, only regular scheduled time.

SUMMER LESSONS SCHEDULING AND MISSED LESSONS POLICY FOR THE MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST:

In the summer months of July and August we have flexibility to accommodate as many or as few lessons as you choose. Lessons are scheduled ahead of time, on specific weeks and days. After detailed consultation with the teacher’s availability you can choose your weeks and length of your lessons. You may consider more frequent or longer lessons on the weeks you can make it, to gain time for missing some weeks you cannot come in. Billing will follow accordingly, based on pre-booked lessons. Lessons are paid for in advance. During summer months we ask for minimum 2-weeks cancellation notice, or the lesson is considered missed and paid for. No make up lesson will be allowed for the missed lesson without 2-week notice. We limit the make up lessons to 2 in the summer.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES

Labour Day: Sunday & Monday closed

Thanksgiving: Sunday & Monday closed

Winter Break: Two full weeks closed

Family Day: Sunday & Monday closed

March Break: Lessons on the 1st weekend then closed Monday to Sunday

Easter: Friday to Monday closed

Victoria Day: Sunday & Monday closed

 

Royal Conservatory of Music Theory System

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 Music Theory and History Education

Without theory training students cannot know what any one piece of their education will mean to them five or ten years in the future. Knowing about music in general is going to make them better readers, performers and listeners. We best serve ourselves as learners and musicians when we learn as much as possible without a prior agenda.

We recognize three general degrees of music theory and history:

  • ELEMENTARY: Levels Preparatory to Level 4
  • INTERMEDIATE: Level 5 – Level 8
  • ADVANCED: Level 9 – Level ARCT

Below is the CHART of corresponding Theory Co-requisites (any musical instrument including voice, excluding drama) of Royal Conservatory of Music Examination (RCME), and information on Music Certificates being accepted for Credit at High School. For the highest level of RCME called ARCT, there is a mandatory requirement in addition to your main instrument and that is Level 6 piano, for instruments other than piano. I know! Not quite fair! We, the violinists and cellists, need to know piano Level 6 too, to get the highest practical certificate!

CHART

Below you can read about the level of practical instrumental exam (piano, violin, cello etc.) with corresponding written theory test. No written test is required up to Level 4, but Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 Theory are expected to be studied along with the practical instrumental studies prior to taking Level 5 practical which requires the mandatory Theory Level 5 written test. In other words, start learning theory way ahead of your Level 5 instrumental exam, or else it will catch you unprepared and quite shocked when you all of a sudden need to master 5 levels of theory in one year, or within two years of your practical exam! If you are not too worried about getting the official certificate, you may just do the practical exams and continue up your levels. But there is a catch in this approach too! Each practical exam has variety of additional complex tasks, besides instrumental playing, like interval recognition, melody play back, sight reading and list goes on. If you have no foundation in theory you will find these additional requirements difficult and loose points in your practical exam.

Level Preparatory Practical + No written Theory test required

Level 1 Practical + No written Theory test required (Level 1 Theory book recommended)

Level 2 Practical + No written Theory test required (Level 2 Theory book recommended)

Level 3 Practical + No written Theory test required (Level 3 Theory book recommended)

Level 4 Practical + No written Theory test required (Level 4 Theory book recommended)

Level 5 Practical + Level 5 Theory

Level 6 Practical + Level 6 Theory

Level 7 Practical + Level 7 Theory

Level 8 Practical + Level 8 Theory and (Introductory Harmony recommended)

Level 9 Practical + Level 8 Theory, Level 9 Harmony + Level 9 History

Level 10 Practical + Level 8 Theory, Level 9 Harmony + Level 9 History, Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint + Level 10 History

Level ARCT Practical + Level 8 Theory, Level 9 Harmony + Level 9 History, Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint + Level 10 History, Level ARCT Harmony and Counterpoint + Level ARCT History + Level ARCT Analysis and Level 6 PIANO (for instruments other than piano).

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS (EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016)

GRADE 11 UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE PREPARATION MUSIC CREDIT (requirements differ from RCME Certification Program):
Level 7 Practical + Level 7 Theory (Intermediate Rudiments)
*RCME lists: Level 7 Practical + Level 6 or Level 7 Theory (this statement still needs to be confirmed with the Ministry of Education, as of March 2017)

GRADE 12 UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE PREPARATION MUSIC CREDIT
Level 8 Practical + Level 8 Theory (Advanced Rudiments)

FAQ's +
Home Practice Tips

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FAQ's

How do I begin? 

Fill our registration form online, so we have all your contact information. In there, write us a note describing what you are looking for. Pick an instrument based on your personal preference and we will match you with the teacher on a certain day and time of the week. Then we set up an initial lesson time for you. After you pay for the lesson, all is set. Registration fee is only charged after the initial lesson and when you decide to sign up for weekly lessons.

What if I don’t have the instrument and need to rent one?

We have selected instruments for rent, starting at $20/month.

What if I have a child who is not decided?

If you have a small child who is undecided, attend a Junior Class for very young children. Children 6 and up can also observe the Junior Class, or observe some other instrumental class by appointment.

How can I help my child to decide which instrument to pick?

Bring your child to a live music concert. We recommend classical music concert, or some of our internal music recitals we put on every December and June. Show your child variety of musical performances and styles. What resonates with them is the right choice. For us at Klaudia’s Music Studio is important to know what style you like. Classical music, light classics, popular contemporary music, heavy metal music, movie music, or anything else.

Do you only teach classical music?

We based our violin, piano, guitar, cello and double bass teaching on classical music, but not exclusively. For example, student can play a new music piece once the technique allows it. And we also have rock guitar and drums lessons that are not based on classical music at all. It all depends on instrument, teacher and student which way you want to lean towards.

How do I make sure the interest lasts?

Sign up for a trial 10-week period. After this time you will have a better understanding of what is involved.

Do all students have to take the Royal Conservatory Exam?

No. Teacher determined the readiness and it is only recommended for students who take music lessons and music education very seriously. Preparations are extensive and involve much more than just playing a musical instrument.

Do you offer a trial lesson and do I need to have an instrument?

Yes, for 1/2 price of the regular lesson. One-time initial trial class. You may take another trial lesson on different instrument. We provide instrument for trial class for free.

Do you rent instruments?

Yes. Violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, keyboard, electric piano.

Do you come to students home to teach? 

No, we only offer lessons at one of the Studio locations.

How young can children begin playing an instrument?

General music introduction starts at the age 3.5 in our Junior Music Class. Summer Camp is for children 5.5 years and up. Instrumental playing is recommended by Klaudia’s Music Studio at the age 5 or up, with exception of guitar where we recommend starting at minimum 8 years old.

Can I start learning instrument at any age?

Yes, absolutely.

How do I enroll?

Click the Register link at the top of the website, call us or send us an email.

Home Practice Tips

Our approach is to integrate all aspects of music into one beautiful, ear pleasing experience. Importance of home practicing is the key. The studio encourages daily home practicing from its students.

A word for parents of children: we encourage you to set and devote a prime part of their day to practice a musical instrument. First thing in the morning, if they are early birds; or 1-2 hours after they come home from school if that’s their prime attention time; or 1-2 hours after dinner if they stay up late. Feed your child nutritious food 1-2 hours prior to practicing and try not to offer sweets of any kind. This spike in sugar levels will make them tired for practicing. Keep giving them healthy snacks only and water to drink. Once it is time to practice turn off all electronic devices in the house. And we mean it. Even your buzzing phone on silent mode is a huge distraction to their sensitive and all aware senses. Give your child undivided attention for the time of practicing, especially at the beginnings when the instrument feels new. Help them to your best knowledge. A receptive audience is often all that is required to encourage a child to practice. Sit and listen, try not to interfere too much with teacher’s instructions. Reward them with a hug, sticker, small toy, but avoid sugar treats. Then eventually the child will want to practice alone, in private. This is a great step toward independence. Let it happen, but don’t forget to keep setting time for home practicing, set reminders and continue the rewards so they feel appreciated. Each child needs to hold accountable for his or her homework. Both teachers and parents as role models have an important part in a child’s advancement and only when sufficient effort is put in, will we see great results. If there is too much resistance from child it is time to talk and reconsider a different instrument, or a completely different path. On the contrary, if there is a great enthusiasm and practice reminders are not needed it is time to discuss the future exams with the teacher and get properly informed. Besides of instrument, theory lessons will be needed to develop all skills necessary to succeed in music. It is an investment into one’s future. 

Adult students should also devote time to home practicing to progress in their musical development. Home practice gives teachers important weekly feedback and guides both student and teacher to produce a more customized learning routine.

Ready to Learn Theory?

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