An inspiring, insightful & creative teacher based in Calgary for over 4 decades, Colleen has also been a Senior Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music throughout North America and adjudicated numerous Festivals including Vancouver Kiwanis Senior Piano, Winnipeg, Contemporary Showcase, and BC Provincials. She now teaches privately, but has taught Chamber Music and Musicianship skills at Mount Royal University Conservatory of Music for 40 years in the Academy Program for Gifted Youth. As a Workshop Presenter she is known for her innovative and engaging lecture-demonstrations and Masterclasses on a wide variety of topics of interest to the Musical Teaching community, both in Canada and abroad (Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan). She has been a consultant for the RCM Licentiate Piano Syllabus and is also joint-author of the book, “Impressionism: A Resource Guide”, for school teachers (Honens International Piano Competition Foundation). Her studio in Calgary features many extremely talented and accomplished students who have won national and international competitions and two with acclaimed international careers. Colleen encourages and guides her students to be creative, bringing out each student’s unique strengths. Some of them are budding composers and many professional musicians, but most importantly they all love music!
“Thank you for your continuous support over the years. Your encouragement ha been the motivation to push me to my best. Your passion continues to guide me to see the beautiful things in life. Having you as my teacher will always be my life’s blessing.”
– Caitlyn Lee (Youth of Distinction nominee Calgary)
“You have been way more to me than just a piano teacher. I feel like you have touched me spiritually and have made me a better person. Coming to my piano lessons I can be relaxed and be myself. I know it’s because of you that I never want to give up piano because you never gave up on me. I feel truly blessed to have been taught by you.”
– Mikayla Pachkowski
“You brought out the ME in me.”
– Marlee Dayman
Workshop Topics
- Creative Practising
- Fun Ways to Practise Technique
- Brain Gym & Yoga for Musicians
- Beethoven and Chopin, seen through the eyes of their inspired Students
- Anecdotes & Advice from an Amazing Teaching Career (spanning over 4 decades)
- The Art of Polishing
- Joys & Challenges of Teaching Gifted Students
- Transforming the Mundane into Magic
- Exciting New Piano Pieces for Teaching by Alberta Composers
- Grieg: His Life, Style, and Teaching Pieces
- History of the Hauskonzert
- Gyorgy Sebok: One of 20th Century’s most insightful & Profound Piano Pedagogues
Workshop Reviews
“I enjoyed her workshop, learned a lot, and my teaching immediately had more creative nuances.”
– Joseph Fridman (Piano Teacher, Edmonton)
“Thank you so much for the delightfully enriching class. You have so much wisdom and such a kind and welcoming energy. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your patience and all the work that you do! I can honestly say that I’ve never been more excited about learning and sharing music with those around me.”
– Esther Lipp (Piano Teacher Calgary)
Past Workshops
- CASSA (Calgary Arts Summer Camp) 2024
- International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conference, Australia (online) 2022
- Alberta Piano Teachers Association (APTA) Conference Red Deer 2022 and 2014
- Art to Heart Workshop for Young Teachers, France (online) 2021
- International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conference, Porto Allegre Brazil 2014
- Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association (CFMTA) conference 2005
- CanTai Festival, Taipei, Taiwan 2000 and 2001
Published Articles & Books
“The Legacy of Beethoven, seen through the eyes of his Students” published in the Canadian Music Teacher Journal in Jan. 2021.
“Impressionism: A Resource Guide” (Honens International Piano Competition Foundation) joint-author (Teacher Guide for Schools)
Numerous Articles in Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association, Alberta Piano Teachers Association magazines/newsletters.
Videos
Video Title/Description