Violin and Viola

Violin and Viola Lessons

Welcome to our violin page.

We consider each family and each student with care and attention to detail. If you come from different school we will evaluate you and help placing you with the best match teacher. 

We hold individual lessons in person, online and hybrid. As well as string orchestra for three levels of experience. From beginners to most advanced students.

We accept students of all ages. Our youngest program is preschool Junior Music class for ages 3+, where violin is introduced in a playful form. Next most common start time at at age 6. It can be later or earlier, depending on readiness. 

Violins are widely represented in string and symphonic orchestras, chamber orchestras, as well as being played solo.

Violin teachers of our music school will help you succeed in pursuing your personal goal and prepare you for our internal bi-annual solo recitals, exams or competitions, or continue to play violin for your own pleasure without the pressure of ever performing on a stage.

Many students take annual Royal Conservatory of Music Exams in levels 1 – 10 which we specialise in. Many other students wait until they reach very high levels 9 or 10 to take formal exams. Many students choose not to take any exams and follow their own steady progress. No matter what journey you are on, violin teachers of our school are here to help you progress.

Once you fall in love with the sound of the lovely melodies, dramatic steady progress of your playing and technically challenging new techniques of violin playing, there is no going back. There is always more to be learned. String players have one advantage of joining our own small string orchestra. That’s after they master the basics.

Alternatively to violin, you may start learning the VIOLA, or switch from violin to viola at any time during your studies. You may become to prefer it over the violin. All our violin teachers can also teach viola. The clef is different, violin uses treble clef and viola is using alto and treble clef, so reading music needs to be taught in order to read viola music. Viola has a mellow and smooth sound, one string is lower than on violin. Viola is slightly bigger in size, but can be adjusted for smaller hands, too. The sound board of viola produces deeper sound of a lower register. We need violas in orchestra, as they are a very important bridge between violin and cello sounds.

 

A Day in the Life of Our Violin Students

Meet our Students

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Our Violin and Viola Teachers

Click on a teacher to learn more about them!

Founder, Violin + Viola Teacher

Klaudia Thibault
Violin + Viola Teacher

Alexis Brett
Violin and viola teacher at klaudias music studio in oakville holding violin
Violin + Viola Teacher

Lorgia Loor
Violin Teacher

Dr. Metro Kozak
Violin + Viola Teacher

Anita Mirossayová
Violin Teacher

Justin Saulnier
headshot of olga, violin and viola teacher
Violin & Viola Teacher

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

Nicolas Wojtarowicz
Violin Teacher

Cordelia Kemp-Furlan

Founder, Violin + Viola Teacher

Klaudia Thibault

Klaudia Thibault is an experienced violin and viola teacher in Oakville. When you take lessons with her you can expect dedication, attention to details and consistency. All levels, all ages. Because she is also managing the entire music studio, you can expect a substitute teacher approximately once a month during her teaching year. Also, she is often called in to play with the local professional and community orchestras. Her lessons are engaging. She is using music backing tracks and modern technology aids, as well as musical games. Students play in group settings to gain important orchestral experience early on. Many of Klaudia’s past students became members of the Oakville Youth Symphony Orchestra which requires level 5 and up proficiency, and continued on their violin studies at university level. She has taught hundreds if not thousands of students over the years.

Klaudia regularly prepares students for the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) examinations, festivals and music competitions. She teaches all levels of RCM violin and viola, leads a unique summer violin summer camp and also conducts orchestra classes. Klaudia discovered over the years of playing and teaching how the posture affects the performance and abilities. Klaudia’s strong emphasis on correct posture and optimal set up makes her one of a kind, dedicated and determined teacher.

Klaudia Thibault, nee Mirossayova, studied in Slovakia with Rozalia Varcholova, Anita Mirossayova and in Canada with Amalia Canzoneri and Metro Kozak. Klaudia successfully completed 10 years of violin study in Slovakia (1984-1994: equivalent to Royal Conservatory ARCT) at the Jan Pöschl School of Music in Presov. Then, she graduated from the University of Prešov (Prešovska Univerzita), Slovakia, in 2001. She holds a Master’s Degree in Musical Education and Social Studies. In the latter part of 2001, Klaudia moved to Canada where she sought to become active and has since become established in the music community. She continues her education at strings workshops in USA and Canada regularly. Her strongest pursuit is perfecting student posture to achieve improved performance.

PERFORMING AND CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE

The daughter of a violin teacher Anita and an engineer Stanislav, Klaudia has been an enthusiastic violin player since five years of age, performing as a soloist and a youth classical music orchestra concertmaster since 1987. The youth orchestra “Orchester Jana Poschla in Presov” performed in Eastern and Western Europe, and obtained high marks at national Slovak competitions and international competitions each year. Most memorable was the competition in Neerpelt, Belgium where the orchestra received the golden medal. Klaudia’s mom Anita Mirossayova acted as a conductor of this highly successful student string orchestra.

In 1993, Klaudia joined the Slovak Folk Ensemble ”Sarisancek” and then “Šarišan”, a national music and dance group, traveling and performing on violin for the next six years in nine countries around the world: in Europe (France, Italy, Czech Republic, Ukraine), South America (Brazil) and North America (USA), Africa (Tunisia) and Asia (Malaysia, South Korea). Klaudia was a founder of music section of children folk group “Rozmarija” in Presov. She successfully lead the group of young musicians to become confident in their performance and traveled with them to Finland, Sweden and many other countries in Europe.

While studying at university, Klaudia won a university violin competition in her first year of study. After this, she was the concertmaster of the University Chamber Orchestra “Camerata Academica” for the next four years. In her graduation year 2001, Klaudia compiled and produced a one-hour orchestral educational program for children about the role of different musical instruments in orchestra; in addition to spoken word, she also conducted this 50-member youth university orchestra which performed her program at the Performing Arts Centre (PKO) in Presov, Slovakia to a 600-member audience. At that time, she also conducted a children’s string orchestra of classical music at the Jan Pöschl School of Music in Presov, Slovakia.

Between 2002 – 2013, Klaudia played with the Oakville Symphony Orchestra and it was the first year she was awarded the Oakville Symphony’s Young Artist Award thanks to Ian Morrison who suggested Klaudia take up this opportunity. Klaudia was given a $1500 scholarship for which she was eternally grateful. She met a lot of new friends and fellow musicians during her years with the Oakville Symphony. Klaudia has performed on violin with the Oakville Messiah Orchestra, Dundas Valley Orchestra, Oakville Chamber Orchestra, Masterworks Oakville, community orchestras and internal school orchestra at Klaudia’s Music Studio. In June 2005, she became a member of the String Quartet. She performs regularly at weddings and occasions throughout the year.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Klaudia was a member of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra’s Community Outreach Committee from 2005 – 2012. This committee introduced very successful series of mini-concerts and a full-orchestra concert for young people. Klaudia donated a quality student violin for seven consecutive years to the Poster Contest of the Oakville Symphony Orchestra as a main prize and the violin was presented to the winner at the full-orchestra concert each year. Each year, the Studio students perform at Retirement Home Residences in the community.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Klaudia’s most recent success with student is Level 10 Level violin exam achieving high mark of 81% in June 2023. Student is now in ARCT level and continues to study with Klaudia. In the past, successful exams marks were in high 80% to 90%. Klaudia teachers newly established group violin beginner classes since September 2023. One is for children, one is for adults. Advanced experienced students of studio are part of Orchestra Apollo 11 is the mixed levels mixed ages all-inclusive student orchestra established in April 2023, performing with great success.

Klaudia started to teach violin at the Jan Pöschl School of Music in Presov, Slovakia in 1997, and has been teaching continuously ever since. In 2002, she established Klaudia’s Music Studio in Oakville. Klaudia educates young students (3 years of age and up). She has been successful in preparing students of all ages and levels of experience for Royal Conservatory of Music exams, and Hamilton and Toronto music festivals.

Klaudia presents recitals bi-annually in winter and summer, giving parents the opportunity to enjoy their child’s musical progress and allowing students to perform in public thereby building stage-performance skills and confidence. She also organizes teachers concerts designed to inspire. She takes immense joy in all its achievements at concerts, competitions and festivals.

Violin + Viola Teacher

Alexis Brett

Alexis Brett teaches the violin, viola, theory and she conducts our orchestra classes. She is very successful at preparing students for all levels of Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Violin Exams. Alexis is very personable and works well with young children, tees and adults alike. Her easy, friendly and non-threatening approach earned her a great reputation at our Studio.

Alexis holds a Bachelor of Music degree from McGill University, where she studied with Brett Molzan and Chantal Rémillard. She also has a Master of Music degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, where she studied with Simon Standage. She is a sought-after freelance performer, and has performed with ensembles throughout Europe and Canada.

As a teacher, Alexis has several years experience teaching students of all ages and skill levels. She believes in helping students work to the best of their abilities, but also that learning the violins should be first and foremost a fun experience, and that parental involvement is key. Alexis tailors her lesson approach to meet the individual needs of each student.

Alexis teaches all 10 RCM levels of violin, viola and has an extended knowledge of music theory. She can help students of all string instruments with their theory co-requisites for the Royal Conservatory Exams, including music harmony and history to ensure a well-rounded musical education.

Violin and viola teacher at klaudias music studio in oakville holding violin

Violin + Viola Teacher

Lorgia Loor

Ecuadorian violinist with international experience in performing and teaching, now teaching at Klaudia’s Music Studio in Oakville. 

From 8 to 18 years old, Lorgia studied violin in her hometown, Guayaquil, where she participated as a member of the city’s Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

At the age of 20 she was accepted into the Odessa National Conservatory of Music in Ukraine where she studied with Professor Mikhail Turchinsky. She continued her studies for master degree in Performance and inPedagogy at the Zurich School of Music in Switzerland with Professor Alexander Sitkovetsky.

As a soloist she has participated multiple times with the chamber Orchestra in Guayaquil and in Colombia with the project of the Colombo-Swiss Orchestra in Bogota. In Switzerland Lorgia played in the first violins with the Kammerphilarmonie Graubunden. 

Lorgia has more than 5 years of experience teaching violin and viola to children, youth and adults. In the lessons, she cultivates an environment that stimulates creativity, self-confidence and knowledge of the instrument and music theory. 

She is a very passionate about improving people’s lives through music. She makes it her mission to encourage each one of her students to reach their maximal potential through curiosity and interest in the instrument, providing an interactive music learning experience, now including all aspects of Royal Conservatory of Music Syllabus into her teaching. 

Her goal as a teacher is to convey to her students a sense of appreciation for music, while at the same time teaching the instrument technique, improvisation, composing and playing for an audience. 

Violin Teacher

Dr. Metro Kozak

Dr. Metro Kozak is a native of Toronto, Canada and studied violin under some of the world’s foremost teachers including: Ivan Galamian, Broadus Erle, Roman Totenberg and Angel Reyes. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (University of Toronto), a Master of Violin Performance degree (Yale University) and a Doctorate in Musical Arts (University of Michigan). Dr. Kozak has had an extensive career as a conductor, performer and teacher and is recognized as one of the leading violin pedagogues in Canada. He is recently retired as a teacher at Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology in Sudbury as well as conductor of the Sudbury and North Bay Symphony Orchestras, and conductor of the Sudbury Youth Orchestras. He is in demand as an adjudicator, and a teacher of master classes and workshops across Canada.
Dr. Kozak has been recognized by the City of Sudbury for his outstanding musical contributions to that city. Recently, he was honoured with the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris International Award. More about Metro Kozak, please read here.

Violin + Viola Teacher

Anita Mirossayová

Ms. Anita is well respected and experienced teacher, native of Slovakia. She teaches violin students of all levels of experience with passion, kindness and expertise. Anita is also a viola teacher and retired orchestra conductor. Her ability to bring most beautiful sound out of large group of students was remarkable and it was valued by numerous awards at competitive festivals and at concerts with standing ovations. Anita’s youth orchestra “Orchester Jána Pöshla v Prešove” recorded memorable piece Namah of contemporary Slovak composer Peter Machajdík. Orchestra won Slovak national awards, as well as awards abroad in Belgium, Czech Republic and Hungary. Ms. Anita teaches violin lessons at Klaudia’s Music Studio to beginners, as well as advanced.

Violin Teacher

Justin Saulnier

Justin is a young violinist from Orléans, Ontario. He’s been teaching at Klaudia’s Music Studio since 2021 in a capacity of a substitute teacher and as a trainee violin teacher of young children. He follows the Royal Conservaroty of Music Syllabus, working exclusively online, from his residence in Ottawa. Justin is fully bilingual in both English and French. 

Justin has studied violin since age four, first with Catherine Ferreira and then David Thies-Thompson. He is now pursuing his studies with Donnie Deacon. Before the pandemic, Justin was the principal second of the Ottawa Youth Orchestra, having played in the Academy’s various string ensembles since he was six. He has had the opportunity to perform with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Thirteen Strings, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra and the Ottawa Parkdale Orchestra. He was a member of the Four Score String Quartet, which has performed with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and at the Ottawa Kiwanis Festival, winning the Richard Casselman Trophy in 2018 and the Anantaraman Trophy in 2019. As a soloist, Justin has recently played in masterclasses with James Ehnes and Jonathan Crow. In February of 2020, he won the Ottawa Youth Orchestra concerto competition and is looking forward to performing with them as soloist. He was also an invited soloist with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra in June 2019. That same year, he was awarded the RCM Gold Medal for Ontario for best mark in his Grade 9 exam and was invited to perform at the Ontario Celebration of Excellence of the Royal Conservatory at Mazzoleni Hall in Toronto. He received that same honour in 2017 for his Grade 7 exam. A returning participant in the Ottawa Kiwanis Music Festival, Justin was awarded the Edythe Young Browne Memorial Trophy for senior strings in 2019 and the Sziladi Family Trophy and Scholarship in 2017.

Justin is currently working towards Level 10 Royal Conservatory of Music Exam, alongside with his studies at school and teaching violin. He welcomes opportunity to teach and share his passion for violin with you. 

headshot of olga, violin and viola teacher

Violin & Viola Teacher

Olga Rykov

Olga Rykov is a sought after violinist and violin instructor. She studied with some of the most distinguished Canadian violinists: Jonathan Crow, Yaëla Hertz, and Annalee Patipatanakoon. A graduate of McGill University and UofT, Ms. Rykov acted as the concertmaster for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the UTSO, and performed under the baton of such renowned conductors as Pinchas Zuckerman, Jacques Lacombe, Yoav Talmi, Alexis Hauser, Kerry Stratton, Boris Brott, and Gemma New. In her teaching studio she trains her students to succeed in daily practice, in stage performance, as well as helps them to prepare for examinations, music festivals, and competitions. Olga Rykov has an extensive history of organizing and contributing to a wide variety of projects: from live concerts to music livestreaming, from music education to leading students in performance, from recording film scores to playing in the orchestra, from forming classical chamber groups to arranging music and performing with a folk rock band. While still a student, Ms. Rykov ran a series of recitals with the illustrious pianists Jean Desmarais and Marc Pierre Toth. A violinist of the Kazaam Trio, she and her group performed at the Savonlinna Music Academy in Finland, where Olga premiered a new work dedicated to her by the Canadian composer Richard Mascall. During her position as the Associate Concertmaster of the North Bay Symphony Orchestra she was featured as the soloist with Michael Daugherty’s Violin Concerto and works by Andrea Hansen, her mentor and founder of the Strings Across the Sky program. Ms. Rykov’s students were also featured with an extensive SATS repertoire accompanied by the orchestra during the same event. In 2019 Olga Rykov performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra as part of the Concerto Competition Winners Showcase, where she played the Beethoven Violin Concerto. In 2020 Ms. Rykov was one of the recipients of the Canada Arts Council Digital Originals grant for her contribution to the project conceived by the Colombian-Canadian composer Felipe Téllez.

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.

Violin Teacher

Cordelia Kemp-Furlan

At age 6 Cordelia started studying the violin with Klaudia Thibault, owner of Klaudia’s Music Studio, in summer violin camp, enjoying violin playing with others and continuing violin study for many years to follow. She now became a violin teacher assistant of Klaudia. Her kindness, gentle nature, and extremely proficient violin playing make her a valuable addition to our music school. She is learning the skill of teaching and she motivates students. She shows examples of being a role model to the younger generation by still taking lessons and competing at high levels in violin, piano, and flute.

Cordelia currently studies violin under Metro Kozak, mentor and master teacher from Sudbury, in Level 9/10 Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) repertoire. She competed in Hamilton Music Festival winning 1st prize in one of the categories in 2023 and in 2022 competed in Ontario’s Provincial Music Festival earning an honorable mention. Cordelia has been a member of the Oakville Symphony Youth Orchestra since September 2019.

Cordelia is also talented in piano playing, which she started in 2020, studying under Natalia Lepeshkina, master piano teacher in our studio. She completed the RCM Level 7 Exam and is studying for the RCM Level 8 Exam in January 2024. She competed in the Hamilton Music Festival in 2022 for Level 5 RCM in piano with success.

Cordelia shows musicality by also excelling in comprehensive theory study with Deborah Henry, theory teacher of our studio and examiner for the RCM. Cordelia takes flute lessons, too.

We are happy to have Cordelia interact with students and gain experience in teaching. She is happy to see students succeed!

Get Better Sound Production on your Violin!

To get the most benefit from this video, we recommend having the following items handy:

  • A second device to download the new recommended apps
  • A paper and pencil for making notes
  • Your violin to practice
  • Your favourite piece of music to practice to

Younger students may require assistance from an adult. Don’t just watch the video, but rather, really do the proposed exercises. Play along. Try the suggested ideas as many times as you need, with your favourite piece of music. Feel free to pause or repeat parts of the video, as needed. Once you have completed the 45 minute video, you can revisit any parts you’d like to practice more and skip over parts you’re already familiar with. Stretching should always be done before every violin practice, lesson or performance. I wish you all the most successful practice that leads to real results and improves your tone production. Stay in tune, be on time, have patience and add extras to make your violin “sing”. One small consistent step at a time.

  • Part 1: Tuning Application
  • Part 2: Metronome App
  • Part 3: Stretching
  • Part 4: Bow Division
  • Part 5: Shifting
  • Part 6: Vibrato
  • Part 7: Fast Playing
  • Part 8: Resources
  • Part 9: Off String Bowings Staccato and Ricochet

Sound Production
Violin Tips for Better Sound

Violin + Viola Lessons

Pricing, Policies, Examinations and Recital Information

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Violin + Viola Lesson Pricing

Initial trial lessons $20/30 minutes, paid in advance

Beginner Level – RCM Level 4 (corresponds to Suzuki 3)

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

RCM Level 5 – Level 10 + senior instructors (RCM Level 5 corresponds to Suzuki 4)

$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 an online option at the exact time of 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

Recital + Exam Fees

ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC PREPARATION FOR STRING PLAYERS:

Piano accompaniment at the exam is mandatory. We provide all the preparation and accompaniment at the exam. One original copy of music must be provided for the accompanist and one for the adjudicator. Also technique book is required at exam, one original copy for you and one for the adjudicator. We have spare books you can borrow for this purpose free of charge.

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT FEE AT REHEARSAL

$20 /each 10 minutes

STRINGS ADDITIONAL RECITAL FEES

$20 /each 10 minutes of piano accompaniment rehearsal
$20 /per student at the recital for levels Preparatory Level to Level 4
$20-60 /per student for advanced levels depending on level of difficulty and length of pieces

FEE FOR THE EXAM PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT AT THE ACTUAL EXAM DAY

$60 /exam Preparatory Level to Level 4
$75 /exam Level 5
$85 /exam Level 6
$95 /exam Level 7
$105 /exam Level 8
$120 /exam Levels 9
$140 /exam Level 10
$160 /exam Level ARCT

Violin + Viola Rentals

Pricing and Rent to Own Information

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Violin + Viola Rental Program

INSTRUMENT RENTAL FEES

$20 /month for violin
$30 /month for viola

RENT-TO-OWN PROGRAM

Half (1/2) of the amount spent on renting the instrument goes towards later purchase (only for some instruments, exceptions apply). Payment plan for buy out is also available.
Withdrawal from lessons 2 weeks notice.

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.

True Story

So much have been said about benefits of learning a musical instrument. How good it is to study music regularly for our brain. And that is because it makes our brain work! It requires counting, concentration, persistence, memory, creativity and interest. It needs to be close to our heart, we need to be interested, or there is no music.

And now a true story. (September 2019)

“This is a story about a girl who’s dream of playing the violin came true at the age 40.” We will call the girl Sunny. She turned into violin after many other things she tried couldn’t hold her attention. It all started at the time when her children were grown up, so what to do with her free time, to make her unwind after a long day working in front of the computer screen? Cooking class? Refresh piano from her childhood? Creative writing? Running? All those choices! When suddenly, Sunny remembered liking this Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert, or was it the Oakville Symphony Orchestra that caught her attention? Violin sounded so dear to her ear. So she thought to try violin for herself. Just like that, the decision was made, followed by a message to us asking about violin lessons. With her very first rental violin, Sunny started her lessons. Unsure of herself, but utterly determined to give it her all. Lesson to lesson, step by step, she was a step closer to her goal. She rehearsed her violin with the piano accompanist and braved the student recital like a pro! With shaky hands, she stood up in front of a small audience and season by season, year by year, she played with love and more and more confidence. Now playing difficult pieces, shifting up and down, learning the intricate technique, time has come to buy her own $5000 dollar violin and some $500 dollar bow. At this point it was clear that Sunny wasn’t joking about becoming a violinist. She was becoming one! About five years into her private one-on-one violin lessons Sunny signed up for our String Orchestra named MagicK. The name was supposed to be a symbol for creating something magical with conductor and leader Klaudia, out of simple individual performances. From the very first rehearsal, she was living her dream. No more shaky hands, in orchestra she felt equal, even, accepted. She had others’ support. She is now, at the time of writing this essay, close to her 55th birthday. She continues to take violin lessons, continues with her orchestra rehearsals and concerts and she is even a member of a string quartet with her fellow adult musicians.

What to say to end this story? If you have any doubts about persuing your idea, do not get discouraged by your age, neighbour, colleague at work, family member, your child. Live your dream. Try new things. It will be worth it.

 

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