Halifax - Piano Lessons

avery dakin (Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Songwriting, Composition)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: pop

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Avery Dakin is a ECMA nominated composer, singer-songwriter, band leader, and multi-instrumentalist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Acadia University, and has been teaching since graduating in 2018. Her passions lie in finding the elements of music-making that interest each individual student across genres and styles, and supporting young musicians in their musical journeys with fun and exploration at the forefront. In 2021 Avery won bronze in The Coast’s Best-Of Halifax Awards for Best New Artist, and this year has been nominated for Best Songwriter and Best R&B Artist after releasing her debut album, "Bloom". Avery also works as a supporting keyboard player and vocalist for other local artists and bands. Her lesson rate is $25/30 minutes.

behrooz mihankhah (Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Friday

Behrooz Mihankhah is a Canadian-Iranian composer, piano player and songwriter born in Tehran, Iran. He started his musical career after moving to India in 2007, touring across the country as a singer-songwriter and keyboard player for various projects. Behrooz holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from StFX University and his exposure to various Iranian and Indian cultural and musical traditions combined with his love of Jazz has informed his compositional style and song writing approach. Since moving to Halifax, Nova Scotian in 2015 he has been involved in multiple projects including Open Borders, LaZeez and Superfluid. Lessons with Behrooz are $26 per 30 minute lesson.

cristina kindl (Piano, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday

Cristina studied music at the University of Ottawa, and has been teaching piano, acting and movement since 2004 to both children and adults. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies. Cristina specializes in creating individually tailored lessons for pianists and performers, and her passion lies in creating a safe, fun, and supportive environment to help students play and sing with ease and confidence. Lessons are available in English, French and Italian, and are $27 per 30 minutes.

daryl nichol (Piano, Accordion, Organ)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Style: classical, jazz

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday

With nearly 20 years of teaching experience, level 10 RCM, and a Bachelor of Music Honours degree (jazz piano) from St.FX University, studio lessons with Daryl Nichol provide a comprehensive approach to the musical fundamentals of theory, instrumental technique, efficient practice methods, arranging and composition, all in a friendly and encouraging learning environment. Daryl currently performs with his Jazz Trio, and has much experience playing in many genres, including: classical, folk, jazz, blues, pop, country, etc. Daryl's rate is $29/half-hour lesson.

fiona ryan (Piano, Composition, Clarinet, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Fiona has a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Toronto, a Master of Music from Newcastle University, where she studied composition and improvisation, and a Bachelor of Music from Dalhousie University, specializing in clarinet performance. Fiona also studied piano and voice privately. Fiona has taught music in various settings including private music lessons, workshops, and University music courses. In addition to teaching music, Fiona also works as a music director, performs music in a variety of styles, and is an award-winning composer whose song cycle “Lady of the Lake” was nominated for an ECMA for Classical Composition of the Year in 2018. Her rate is $26.00 per 30 minute lesson.

janet munson (Violin, Voice, Piano)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

Janet formally studied violin and piano in the United Kingdom, and has played and sung in all types of venues around the world. She’s worked with a who’s who of Canadian performers including Leonard Cohen, Sylvia Tyson and Lennie Gallant, among many others. Janet has been teaching groups and privately for over 25 years. Her rate for a half hour private lesson is $26.00.

karlene francis (Piano, Voice)

Online Lessons:

Teaching Day(s): Tuesday, Thursday

A Halifax native, Karlene began teaching privately not long after graduating from Western University with a BA Music degree. Alongside her private teaching studio, she was a Music Itinerant Specialist with the Toronto District School Board for three years, where she taught classroom music to children using Orff pedagogy methods. She is also a certified music therapist which informs her teaching approach for individuals of all abiilities. Karlene also performs in the local scene as a solo vocalist and a cover artist on vocals and keyboards. Karlene has prepared students successfully for Royal Conservatory of Music exams and the Kiwanis Festival for solo and group competitive classes. She instructs students in classical and/or contemporary genres and encourages in her students a love of learning music, and her rate for a 30 minute lesson is $27.