2025 Calendar of Events
May 18 Annual Recital at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
September 28 Annual Potluck dinner Sunday
October 26 Canadian Repertoire in the RCM syllabus - levels 4-6
November 23 Baroque Dance Workshop at the Rhythm Room Studio with Catherine Lee
2024 Calendar of Events
January 28 Session on Improvisation with Boris Favre at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music
February 25 What an Examiner is Listening For with Raoul Velasco at the home/studio of member, Brenda Lam
May 26 Annual Recital at Immanuel Baptist Church
July 25 Annual dinner at Nuba on Fourth Avenue
September 12 Games Night at the home/studio of Drema Chuang
2023 Calendar of Events
May 7 STA Recital for students of STA members
August 10 Potluck dinner to plan for 2023-2024
September 24 Sight reading session of Canadian repertoire RCM levels Preliminary - Level 2
November 5 Sight reading session Canadian repertoire RCM levels 3-5 including duets
2022 Calendar of Events
February 3 Introduction and brief overview of Bartok’s Mikrokosmos and For Children and Kabalevsky’s Pieces For Children Op 39 and Op 27; Master class with Dr. Carla Dodek on Brahms Intermezzo Op.118 no 2 performed by Brenda Lam.
March 6 Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek: Beethoven Op 28 3rd and 4th movements performed by Emily Chu (student of Aimee Peii Huang); Bach Prelude and Fugue in A flat Major, Bk I performed by Emily Chu (student of Aimee Peii Huang)
April 14 Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek: Level 5-7 Repertoire; Chopin Prelude in e minor Op 28 no 4 performed by Brenda Lam
May 5 Group Exploration of Mikrokosmos, Books I-VI
June 13 Taking a Musical Approach to Reading Notation with Gregory Chase
July 21 Potluck dinner to plan for the upcoming year, 2022-2023
2021 Calendar of Events
April 12 General Meeting for wellness check-in, pandemic protocols, remote teaching ideas
May 27 Discussion of the book, The Perfect Wrong Note: Learning to Trust Your Musical Self by William Westney
June 7 Continuation of discussion of the book, The Perfect Wrong Note: Learning to Trust Your Musical Self by William Westney
June 27 "Teaching Very Young Children" presented by Estelle Copery
October 28 Masterclass presented by Dr. Carla Dodek on Haydn Sonata Hob.XVI:50 I performed by Brenda Lam
November 22 Presentation and demonstration of Debussy Arabesque no.1 by Dr. Carla Dodek highlighting background, structure, technical and interpretive ideas
2020 Calendar of Events
January 19 Discussion of the book, Mindset - The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
January 26 Attending the VRS recital of Lucas and Arthur Jussen in a piano duo concert
February 16 Session with violinist/psychologist, Paula Wise, on performance anxiety
March 1 Informal recitals played by students of the STA at Crofton Manor
April 5 The role of a conductor with Naomi Woo, Assistant Conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony via Google Hangout
April 13 Sharing remote teaching experiences via Google Hangout
June 5 Online recital featuring STA members and their students
August 26 Potluck picnic in Douglas Park to plan events for the upcoming year
September 24 Check-in on how remote teaching is going including sharing useful tips
October 22 Discussion of Mindset - The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, PhD, facilitated by Angela Essak (Note that this is an event rescheduled from January)
November 23 Teaching Adult Students, facilitated by Dr. Carla Dodek
2019 Calendar of Events
January 13 Jazz Improvisation with Boris Favre - Part I
February 3 Jazz Improvisation with Boris Favre - Part II
February 10 Jazz Improvisation with Boris Favre - Part III
March “Off-the-bench” activities for the very young piano student
April 8 "What exactly is an examiner listening for in an RCM exam?” with Alan Crane.
May Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek in preparation for the annual recital
June 2 Annual Recital at the Vancouver Unitarian Church for STA members and their students
July 30 Potluck and Planning session for the upcoming year
September 19 Sharing of favourite materials including collections, pieces, methods, etc.
October 27 Sight-reading session of duets from beginner to advanced repertoire
November 24 How to Choose a Piano - with piano technician Bob Steele
December 15 Reading Jazz Charts with Boris Favre
2018 Calendar of Events
February 7 Teaching Challenges: initial approaches, technical, stylistic, and performance practises in repertoire currently being taught by STA members
March 4 Attended Marc-Andre Hamelin recital and pre-performance talk
March 8 Coping with Performance Anxiety presented by psychotherapist/musician (violin and viola) Paula Wise
April 23 Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek in preparation for the Annual Recital
May 27 Annual STA Recital for members and their students at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
June 10 On improvisation with Boris Favre
September 12 Sharing of favourite materials, pieces, and other resources including a music swap
October 9 Attended Evgeny Kissin recital at the Chan Centre
November 7 A critique of pre-recorded teaching sessions of members of the STA
December 12 Music and the Brain - Cognitive Development from birth to senior years with Andrea Unrau
2017 Calendar of Events
January 29 How to Read Lead Sheets with Boris Favre
February 19 Presentation by the Vancouver Adapted Music Society including a tour of their recording studio and demonstrations of adapted instruments
March 12 Art and Music facilitated by Estelle Copéry
April 9 Rhythm explored through Orff and African Drumming with Kofi Gbolonyo
May 28 Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek in preparation for the annual recital
June 11 Annual STA recital for members and their students at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
July 17 Potluck dinner and planning session for 2017-2018
November 15 Concepts of sight-reading and ear-tests: how to integrate them in teaching
December 14 The Russian School of Playing and Teaching with Sergei Saratovsky
2016 Calendar of Events
January 17 “Let’s Compose!"with Teresa Richert. Aimed at teachers who would like to introduce composition to their students or are even interested in doing composing themselves and aren't sure how to get started. Her has typically been piano teachers and she will include several piano compositions from Canadian repertoire (including her own) as examples of the various composition techniques.
February 7 & 9 Andras Schiff recitals with a pre-concert lecture
March 6 Pedagogy Q&A
April 10 Pedagogical Questions and Musical Games
May 15 Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek in preparation for the annual STA Recital
June 5 Annual STA recital at the Unitarian Church
August 16 Potluck Dinner and Planning Session for 2016-2017
September 18 Investigating the RCM Teacher Certification program at the professional development offerings AND Look at the New Theory Syllabus
November 6 Workshop presenting basic concepts needed for a teacher to gain confidence in using a Kodaly-based music program with insights into teaching sequential music education through singing and action games, emphasizing rhythm and sol-fa with Jo Yawney
November 13 Behzod Abduraimov piano recital, including pre-concert lecture
December 11 Tour of the Canadian Music Centre
2015 Calendar of Events
February 15 Prevention and Management of Musicians’ Injuries presented by Physiotherapist, Kinesiologist and Music Educator, Shirley Lecker
March 1 Pre-Concert talk by David Duke / attended Andras Schiff Piano Recital at the Chan Centre
April 26 Incorporating Music Rudiments and Theory into the Music Lesson, presented by Heather Mahaffy
May 10 Duet Repertoire Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek
June 7 Annual Recital at the Unitarian Church for STA members and their students
July 22 Potluck and Brainstorming Session
September 20 An overview and grade-by-grade summary of changes in the new RCM syllabus
October 18 Angela Cheng master class at the VSO School of Music
November 22 How to prepare and practise for the new requirements for the RCM ear and sight reading tests with Aline Banno
December 6 A brief history of the piano with insights into construction and mechanisms including the differences between uprights and grands with Chantall Fennell
February 7 & 9 Attended Andras Schiff recitals and pre-concert lecture
June 5 Annual STA recital for members and their students at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
2014 Calendar of Events
January 19 Music games (card/board) for use in the music lesson with Drema Chuang
February 23 Pre-concert discussion facilitated by Dr. Carla Dodek/attended Murray Perahia Piano Recital at the Chan Centre
March 30 Duet Literature for Beginner to Intermediate Students with Dr. Carla Dodek
April 27 Master Class for STA members with Bernard Duerksen
May 11 STA Recital at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
June 1 The Use of Music Therapy in Brain Injury Recovery with Katherine Wright
September 28 Financial advice on running a music studio including accounting and taxes with Nicholas Tong
October 19 “Objects and Observations” with Ailsa Zaenker
November 23 Baroque Dance workshop with Catherine Lee
December 7 Schools of Piano Technique with Dr. Carla Dodek
2013 Calendar of Events
January 13 Building a record library with Ed Savenye, co-owner of Sikora's Records
February 24 Treating and preventing practice and/or playing related injuries David Vandereyk
April 7 On decoding jazz notation and transitioning from Classical to Jazz playing styles with Boris Favre
May 19 Master Class with Rena Sharon
May 26 STA Recital at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
June 9 Feldenkrais workshop with Sarah Templeton
September 29 Teaching and Ethics with Dr. Carla Dodek
October 20 Comparing Studio Policies
November 17 Incorporating Composition into the Piano Lesson with Iman Habibi
December 8 Music Games with Drema Chuang followed by a potluck dinner
2012 Calendar of Events
January 16 Tour of the VSO School of Music
February 26 Interactive Pedagogy Session
March 25 French Music and Performance Practices with Dr. Carla Dodek
April 29 The use of social networking in running and promoting a music with Dr. Stan Shaw, founder of Corban Technology Solutions Inc.
May 20 Master class with Dr. Terence Dawson
June 17 STA recital for members and their students at the Vancouver Unitarian Church
September 23 Exploring different pedagogical approaches to current teaching repertoire through teaching demonstrations with Dr. Carla Dodek
October 18 Tour of the Sarah McLaughlin School of Music led by Kevan Ellis, Coordinator of Instruction and Professional Development
December 9 On memorization with Dr. Carla Dodek
2011 Calendar of Events
January 30 Met the representative of the Piano Teachers Federation to establish a relationship with them and their services of free advertising for teachers, piano sales and service, free recital space, and we heard more about what other ties they hope to create. The piano technician from Pacey's Pianos spoke about the basic mechanics of pianos - an essential for any pianist
February 27 Kodaly Workshop with Connie More
March 6 Tour of Paula McLaughlin's teaching studio where she has incorporated the use of computers.
April 24 Master Class with Dr. Carla Dodek
May 29 STA RECITAL at the Masonic Hall for STA members and their students
June 5 Presentation of the Associated Board from the Royal Schools of Music syllabus with Patricia Rolston, Canadian representative for the ABRSM
September 23 A survey of Adult Method Books at Long and McQuade
October 9 Orff workshop with Tonia Allen
November 6 On How Boys and Girls Learn Differently with Bruce Ivany
December 11 Alexander Technique workshop with Heather Walker
2010 Calendar of Events
January 24 Baroque Ornamentation with Martha Brickman
March 28 STA meeting
April 25 Common Problems in Teaching with Mary Tickner
May 16 The Kelly Kirby Method with Aline Banno
May 30 Recital at the Vancouver Unitarian Church featuring STA members and their students
June 13 Sushi year-end dinner
September 12 Identifying and addressing psychological disorders in children - presented by psychologist, Simone Leung
October 3 Body Mapping workshop presented by Kerry Travers - a collaboration with the RMT parent branch and the UBC School of Music organized by the STA
November 7 How to Prepare Your Students to Achieve a First Class Performance -What Examiners are Listening For presented by RCM examiner, Marilyn Glazer
December 12 Baroque and Other Ornamentation with Dr. Carla Dodek
2009 Calendar of Events
January 25 "How Music Heals the Brain" with Katherine Wright from GF Strong
February 8 Sasha Starcevich on teaching different styles (i.e.Baroque, Classical, Romantic...)
February 15-16 Nadia Lasserson workshop and masterclass
March 8 Murray Nichol on teaching ear-training and sight-reading
April 26 Ron Morgan on what an examiner is listening for
May 24 Recital for members and their students
June 7 Alice Enns on setting up a studio
September 21 Exploring Method Books/Choosing Editions with Christie Smith and Bob Kohl from Long and McQuade
October 18 Musical Career Paths - Beyond the Teaching Studio with guest panelists, Grant Rowledge (producer and recording engineer for CBC), David Duke (music critic, educator and composer) and Jeff Alexander (president and CEO of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra), co-sponsored with the Vancouver Branch
November 8 The Dalcroze Method - workshop on movement to explore music making with Dalcroze expert, Deborah Young co-sponsored with UBC and the Vancouver Branch
December 9 Working with musicians with physical disabilities - an introduction to the Adapted Music Society including a visit to the GF Strong recording studio presented by music therapist, Sheila Lee.
2008 Calendar of Events
January 27 Stephen Chatman presented a workshop on his piano music entitled “Approaches to Composition and Related Performance Practice”
February 17 The STA joined the parent branch at Marienne Uszler’s workshop.
March 30 Comprehensive tour of the Canadian Music Centre with Colin Miles and an informal recital of Canadian music played by members of the STA on Murray Adaskin’s piano. The STA made a donation to the CMC in for Colin Miles’ immense generosity of his time and expertise.
May 4 “Teaching Piano to Adults” presented by Dr. Carla Dodek
June 26 STA members met at the new Long and McQuade conference room to critique beginner method books. An informal dinner followed at a restaurant to discuss ideas further.
September 21 Our first meeting after the summer break when the year’s events were planned. We welcomed one new member.
October 19 Ailsa Zaenker presented a workshop on collaborative piano.
November 16 Anne-Elise Keefer presented a workshop on the Suzuki Method.
December 21 Sasha Starcevich was scheduled to speak on teaching different styles (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic). This meeting was cancelled due to snow and is rescheduled for February 8.
2007 Calendar of Events
January 25-27 STA to attend Cassard masterclasses and recital at UBC
February 25 Mary Tickner presented a workshop on teaching jazz
March 4 Wendy Guimont, BC representative for Music for Young Children, gave a presentation on MYC
March 25 Nancy Sicsic, registered Alexander Technique instructor, gave a workshop on the Alexander Technique and how it relates to piano playing
April 29 Paula Wise, violinist/registered therapist, spoke on performance anxiety
September 9 Members met after a summer break to plan upcoming events. There was a short discussion on different teaching styles including differences between teaching children and teaching adults. This topic will be elaborated on at a later date.
October 28 Recommended Readings and Reference Materials – each member brought a selection of pedagogical reference materials ( Uszler, Bastien, Lewis etc) and interesting readings about music (Oliver Sacks, Daniel Levitan) to share and critique
November 25 Paula Wise spoke on how we, as teachers, transfer our ideas and values to our students from a psychological perspective
December 9 Studio management workshop at the studio of John Dupuis
2006 Calendar of Events
January 29 A meeting was held at Daisy Chu’s house. Murray Nichol presented a talk and initiated discussion on “Preparing Students for RCM Examinations – What constitutes a performance graded as pass, honours, first class honours and first class honours with distinction?”
February 26 Tara Wohlberg spoke on Canadian Music
March 26 Mary Tickner spoke on Beginner Method Books
April 23 Masterclass given to STA members on advanced repertoire by Dr. Carla Dodek
May 28 Discussion of beginner and intermediate duet literature led by Dr. Carla Dodek including a “round robin” reading session
November 5 “Round robin” reading session of beginner and intermediate duet literature part 2, led by Dr. Carla Dodek
2005 Calendar of Events
March 27 AGM held at Christina Cheng’s house. A tentative schedule for the year’s events was put into place.
May 15 Performance class of repertoire performed by students of STA members led by Dr. Carla Dodek
May 29 Scholarship competition held at St. Faith’s Church. Barbara Siemens and Helen Hall were the adjudicators and a total of 31 students participated in the event. Contact with Tom Lee Music was initiated and gift certificates were donated for first prizes in each category.
October 16 Meeting at Christina Cheng’s house where confirmation of remaining events to take place were made. Dr. Carla Dodek presented the new RCM Piano Pedagogy Syllabus.