Here is a list of music schools in the area I wanted to mention about. Some of them are recommended by my colleagues at work, others from graduates or transfer students. In your search for the best piano teacher, I urge you to consider all options and be very selective with your search. Choosing the best piano teacher is the most important decision you will make for your child's musical eduation and future advancement.
HOME STUDIO
Some piano teachers are very selective. If they have a very full and active studio, there may be only a specific age or playing level they are looking for in a prospective student to fill a spot, if any. You may be invited to an interview. As a parent, take this as an opportunity to interview the teacher! Visit the teacher and even observe a lesson if possible. Discuss your musical goals and ambitions for your child. The teacher should also have a series of interview-like questions for you and your child and do not be surprised if your child is required to play something on the spot. You may be lucky to receive a free impromptu lesson the spot. Look for the musical qualifications such as minimum Grade 8 RCM piano; a Music Degree in Pedagogy or Performance and/or ARCT Teachers Certification would be even better. Look for years of experience, manner of approaching technical diffulties, patience, how she deals with her own children, command of language, studio setup and just an overall gut feeling. If and when you get to the discussion on payment, expect to pay the tuition up front for the year, in post dated on the first of every month or quarterly.
CONSERVATORY
Conservatoire de Alymer/ Conservatoire de Hull/ Quebec belong to the same government program, offering free piano lessons to residents of Quebec, if the children meet the audition and admission requirements. It is a very competitive admission process to this prestigious school. I have a friend named Ruth (age 25) who did her piano lessons at the Conservatoire de Alymer from age 5 until she recently graduated and now she's doing her Masters in Piano Performance in New York City. She just came back to Ottawa on the weekend to play at the NAC to sub for a piano solo for the Mamma Mia pianist, her first professional gig at the NAC!
Macey Conservatory of Music 819-682-8888 http://www.conservatoire.ca/ Offering lessons in piano, violin, singing, guitar,drums etc. They offer instrument rentals and a free six week music discovery program before a child chooses an instrument. The rates seem to be $25 per half hour.
As previously mentioned, the word Conservatory may appear to be widely and broadly used in Quebec. In the USA, the Conservatory level is equated to the post-secondary institution level. In the rest of Canada, you'll hear about the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) which is a national school of national-wide standarized exams and repertoire; or the Canada National Conservatory of Music (CNCM). You'll have to be your own judge what is a true "Conservatory".
MUSIC SCHOOLS
Sonart Musique in Alymer, www.sonartmusique.com 819-557-0776 All the instructors have music degrees, owner Vincent Boudreault is a frequent judge at CEGEP en Spectacle and they have good ties with the Conservatoire in Hull.
The Ottawa Music Academy on Conroy Rd. My friend used to be a part-time piano teacher there; she's a professional financial analysts in the federal goverment (not a music major) but she was still very qualified to teach private piano lessons. She felt that the tuition rates were reasonable but the payment for the teacher was not. I also have two transfer students who played beginners piano there for two years. Although their mother felt that the piano teachers were young high-school/ university age students and junior quality, I have to point out that they did a fairly good job teaching the kids. A strong foundation in listening, rhythm, tone and touch.
The Long and McQuade music store on Alta Vista @ Bank has music school. I have an older former piano student in high school who moved her lessons there because it was closer to her high school and she could work the schedule better with her part time job and sports etc. I buy my music materials for my studio from this music store because they have a wide selection, the staff is friendly and they offer me a piano teacher discount on books!
The Yamaha Music School on Bank street offers private and group lessons too. About 10 years ago I took piano lessons there too because I was preparing for piano teacher exams and I needed a teacher too.
RATES
The going rate for piano lessons truly varies for the wide spectrum of teachers qualifications and the demographics for the city. I would say that the starting rate for a high school student just starting to teach piano is probably about $15 for half hour lessons. Advertised in an expensive newspaper ad for a music teacher in Ottawa offering private lessons at the studio or student's home, $25 for half hour or $40 for an hour. My own teacher with over 30 years of experience and teaching at the advanced levels but claiming to no rate hikes for years, charging $45 for one hour lessons. My friend teaching piano in New York, the one traveling to the suburbs by subway, charges $90 per hour.
PIANO LESSONS AT SCHOOL
At my daughter's school and many others in the public school board, they have a program offering group, semi-private or private piano lessons after school hours to the children ages 6 and up - 30 minutes/ week for 32 weeks. The fees are $365 for group class, semi-private cls is $499 and the individual instruction is $799. The contact information http://www.ocdsb.ca/Continuweb or http://www.artsforkidsatocdsb.com/ 613-239-2747
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) also has a program called "Music Therapy" sponsored in part by Long and MacQuade. I don't know the details about how the course is run or which patients qualify for the lessons and how it is funded, but it sounded like something that might be on a volunteer basis perhaps.
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