Are you…
Living in an area without qualified music teachers?
Looking for activities that promote confidence and joy?
Wanting to learn a skill that will last a lifetime?
imagine learning an instrument to…
Increase confidence and a sense of accomplishment
Develop creativity
Foster self-expression
Goals set / goals achieved:
Learning 1 level in a specific time frame
Completing a Royal Conservatory of Music Exam
Learning a favorite piece and performing at an event
Growing up on the prairies in a farm community, many of us did not have access to qualified music teachers. Some of us were driven into a city hours away to take lessons, but most just didn't have that option.
Along comes 2023 and we have the technology to offer online lessons in the comfort of your own home.
PIANO ON THE PRAIRIES
PIANO ON THE PRAIRIES
Meet the piano teacherS
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Owner, NUVO Music School
Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance (University of Regina)
Education DegreeGrowing up in a rural area of Saskatchewan with plenty of time on her hands, Lesley filled the hours with music. She always loved playing the piano. Thought to be a performer at first, she completed a B. of Music Degree in Piano Performance and then as the winner of the Young Artist Series Competition, she performed a series of 10 concerts across Western Canada. She then realized her love of teaching. She taught in several music schools, adding an Education Degree and then took the leap to opening NUVO Music School 12 years ago in the South Surrey/ White Rock area in BC.
While running NUVO Music School, Lesley saw the need for a program with more instruction time throughout the week and created Piano on the Prairies which now includes Guitar, Violin, Voice, Clarinet & Saxophone, all taught by highly qualified and engaging teachers.
Between personal instruction and running NUVO Music School, Lesley has brought music to thousands of families throughout the years. With Piano on The Prairies, she is excited to bring an integrated approach to learning the piano with a focus on building confidence and fostering creativity through consistent weekly instruction with progress being key and achieving tangible results.
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RCM Certification: Piano & Theory, all levelsPiano Pedagogy Diploma (5 yr. program, Bulgaria)
National School of Music (Havana, Cuba)
Soloist with Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria)
Music EducationI have earned the Royal Conservatory of Music Teacher Certification in all subjects, including Piano (Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced) as well as Theory (Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced – Harmony and History). I have obtained a Piano Pedagogy Diploma from the National School of Fine Art, Music, and Dance “Dobrin Petkov” in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, which is a five-year program.
I have had many amazing teachers who I still keep in contact with. Among my inspiring piano teachers and performers are Prof. Dimo Dimov and Prof. Ninowska Fernandez-Brito.
My long journey as a student took me on a four-year study of piano and all theoretical subjects at Escuela Nacional de Musica de la Havana, Cuba, where I was introduced to their rich music and artistic culture and enjoyed playing works by Cuban composers. Among those composers are Ernesto Lecuona, Alejandro Garcia Caturla, Enrique Guerrero and others. Students in my class have had the opportunity to learn pieces by those composers as well as explore pop, jazz, movie, and game themes of their preference.
I have been a soloist of the Plovdiv Symphony Orchestra in Bulgaria and have performed over 14 solo recitals. I have been performing in different chamber music ensembles under the guidance of my dad who was a well-respected flute and chamber music professor for 35 years of his life. I have been the accompanist for several children and adult choirs under the guidance of my mom who was a choir director for 15 years.
Together we travelled to Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Cuba to take part in Youth Festivals and various concerts. I have also been an accompanist for ballet classes in different dance schools in Vancouver.
In the last 2 decades I have been dedicated to teaching students of all ages from the tender age of 4 to adults and even students in their golden age, some of whom continued with music in their post-secondary studies.
Teaching Philosophy
Confidence comes with love for your art, being consistent, having a supporting parent-teacher team, a solid background in your music education, and having achieved or worked towards your personal goals. My approach to teaching is connecting all these components in their delicate balance.
I am always open to hearing students’ input and ideas. Encouraging creativity is at the forefront of my teaching. Many of my students compose songs, solo piano pieces, and even cinematic music and participate at local festivals.
Developing strong skills in every area, be it technique, musicianship, ear training and sight-reading, or a strong understanding of the theoretical subjects is what you can expect in my class, all of which are taught with care and attention to personal goals.
Participation in Royal Conservatory of Music exams, local festivals, and recital opportunities is encouraged but always entirely up to each individual student. I’m happy to share that most students choose to participate and achieve great success in their exams, festivals, and recitals.
As a piano and theory teacher I strive to inspire and mentor each student with great attention to their individual goals for that builds confidence, and leaves a lifelong love for music and art.
Join the PIANO ON THE PRAIRIES PROGRAM:
OnLine instruction 3 times per week & 2 optional recitals annually
OTHER INSTRUMENTS OFFERED
GuitaR
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Degree: Licensed Professional Musician and Instrumental educator for Jazz and popular Music FMW Music Academy (Frankfurt, Germany)
Internship: Audio Engineer (Sky radio, Kasse, Germany)
Studies in Musicology: Goethe University (Frankfurt, Germany)
At the age of eight, I came across the legendary solos of Brian May in the “Queen” CD collection of my father. I was so fascinated that I picked up the solos on a cassette from all songs and listened to them again and again. My mother finally applied for me to have guitar lessons.
Over the last ten years I have played in various jazz and rock bands and have toured throughout Europe with my Band “GoRampage”. I have taught Rock Band Programs to children in Germany and Canada, teaching them the skills needed to play and perform well in a rock band.
I studied music in Germany and I have a recognized Degree as a musician and instrumental music teacher from Germany. (Jazz Guitar Performance Diploma)
I give lessons to students of all types: beginners and advanced players at all ages. I have been teaching all kinds of Rock, Metal, Jazz, Pop and other genres for over 15 years.
In my classes, I would like to promote the personal abilities of my students; all students are different. Once a student has discovered the fun and enjoyment of music, the teacher becomes a person to support, guide and inspire. The student will find their own way and music will accompany him forever throughout life.
Clarinet & saxophone
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Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance (UBC)
Milan Milosevic has earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance at the University of British Columbia. Recently, Milan received the British Columbia Arts Council Award, the UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies Research Award, and the UBC Graduate Award for Academic Excellence. Milan is a representative and endorsed artist of Légère Reeds, Canada. He was invited as a guest lecturer and at scholarly conferences, including the world premiere performance of commissioned work for the Jackson State University, The University of British Columbia, The Capilano University, Zagreb University, Croatia, and Ljubljana University, Slovenia.
He currently performs with the international Synergia 4 ensemble and VICO Orchestra. His recent performances in collaboration with Deutsche Gramophone and IGM artists in Zadar and Dubrovnik Summer Music festivals received high critical acclaim. Milan performed frequently as a visiting soloist, and the ensemble member with the Vancouver New Music Society, Redshift Music Society, and Virtuosi Concert Series. He performed as Principal clarinet and Bass clarinet with Victoria Symphony and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Milan is currently holding the clarinet position in the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra (VICO) and he has served as Director of Music Department and the clarinet instructor at Vancouver College for 14 years. Before his doctoral studies at UBC, he held an Associate Principal clarinet position with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. During his 10 years with the orchestra, he served as an artistic director and Principal clarinet of the Belgrade Philharmonic Woodwind Ensemble, and the International Woodwind Quintet Synergia 5. He was a featured soloist and ensemble performer at the Groundswell, Contemporary Music Series and New Music Festival with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Milan Milosevic has been a featured performing artist in numerous CBC Radio 2 National Broadcast performances, including the numerous TV and Radio broadcasts in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia.
The International Clarinet Association journal The Clarinet CD review committees praised his scholarly articles on extended clarinet performance techniques and reviews on the featured album Pearls & Yarn (2005) and the Pearls & Thrills (2017) as eclectic, ground-breaking and innovative. On another recording project, his Brahms & Beethoven recordings were cited as Lush and seductive...expressive & well controlled...mellow throughout the instrument’s range. The International Clarinet Association journal The Clarinet selected and published his academic article on the extended clarinet ornamentation techniques in June of 2017 quarterly issue of the magazine. His scholarly article contributions were selected in the finals of the International academic article competition in 2017. Milan is a featured artist of Summit Records, Arizona & the Chromadisc Publishing Company, Canada.
Violin
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Masters Degree In Chamber Music (Violin Major)
Bachelor Degree in Chamber Music (University of Romania)
Cristian is a third generation violinist originally from Romania, where he started his music journey at the age of 6.
He graduated from Cluj Napoca Music University, in the heart of Transylvania, where he studied with N. Silaghi (founder of the Transylvanian Quartet) and Stefan Ruha, a renowned international soloist winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition. Cristian holds a Master’s Degree in Chamber Music.
During his 20-year teaching career, Cristian has been privileged to teach students from all ages and levels, including students who have prepared for international competitions and concerts. Some of the highlights of his performing career include, performances as a soloist with the CMO in Canada, the EuroArt Chamber Orchestra in Romania and solo performances in Canada and the US.
Voice
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Cheryl Hodge graduated with a B.M. from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass.
Bachelor Of Music (Boston Mass) (Vocal Performance)Upon graduating, she was invited to join the faculty. She taught at her alma mater for nine years, during which time she also enjoyed a flourishing music career; recording on hundreds of commercials and several albums.
In 1990, Cheryl moved to Nelson, B.C., where she headed the Voice and Composition departments at Selkirk College.
She taught at Selkirk for 21 years. Hodge’s many awards include Best Jazz Song, 2013, and Hollywood Music in Media Awards.