London South - Composition Lessons

Danial Derakhshan (Piano, Composition)

Online Lessons: No

Teaching Day(s): Monday

Danial is a composer and pianist with over ten years of experience teaching piano, theory, composition, electronic music, and ear training in both private and academic settings. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Composition from Western University and a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from Iran. His student-focused approach supports each learner’s musical interests—whether classical, popular, jazz, or experimental—and encourages creative exploration. Danial welcomes students of all ages and levels, helping them build their skills while making music they genuinely enjoy. His rate is $30/half-hour private lesson.

Kayla Whipple (Piano, Theory, Composition)

Online Lessons: No

Teaching Day(s): Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Kayla Whipple has been playing piano and composing since the age of 9. She continued studying piano through her post-secondary education and received her honours Bachelor's degree at Brock University in 2018. While at university, she was able to take classes in theory, composition, and piano pedagogy, alongside participating in many recitals and performance opportunities. Kayla recently won an Ontario-wide composition contest, and is preparing for her ARCT piano exam through the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is passionate about teaching, and enjoys applying unique strategies to help students explore their creativity in a fun and exciting way. Kayla's rate is $30/half hour private lesson.

MJ Idzerda (Composition, Group)

Online Lessons: No

Teaching Day(s): Wednesday

With over 45 years inventing and improvising new age, prog, fusion, and electronic music, MJ’s lifelong exploration of sound shapes his intuitive approach to teaching. Rooted in Grade 8 Royal Conservatory piano and college level art and design, MJ played keys with 1990s Toronto alternative bands, later spending several years in the London avant-garde scene with groups like Eric Stach’s ‘Free Music Unit’ and Dennis Siren's 'Art of Streaming'. Focusing on interactive, free-play techniques, MJ fosters creative, spontaneous music-making to instill confidence for musicians of all skill levels on any instrument. MJ's rate is $29/half-hour private lesson and $25/hour-long group lesson per student in his "Go With The Flow" Improv class.