About Me
I grew up in Salmon Arm, B.C. The piano was the first instrument I studied and remains my primary instrument. My secondary instruments are organ, electric piano, synthesizer, and voice.
I studied classical music, Royal Conservatory method from ages 7-16. I wrote exams up to the grade nine level, achieving “Honors” and “First Class Honors”. During this time I competed in music festivals throughout the B.C interior, winning many categories including Baroque, 20th Century, Duets, Sight-Reading, as well as Most Improved and Most Promising Player.
I became frustrated with the rigidity of the Royal Conservatory system and changed piano teachers at age 16 to study jazz and pop music. I played piano in my high school’s jazz band and clarinet in concert band. While in high school I played in the B.C. Honors Band, received scholarships to study jazz piano and at summer music camps, and studied music composition.
Upon high school graduation, I received $6000 in scholarships and was accepted to Selkirk College in Nelson B.C. where I completed a diploma in Professional Music, Performance Major, with Honors. During my time at Selkirk I studied Jazz, Pop, Latin, Country, and Rock music.
After graduating in Nelson, I returned home to Salmon Arm and started teaching piano at a local music studio. I also volunteered as a teacher’s assistant in several schools. I taught classroom music from kindergarten to grade 12 and helped develop repertoire for Band and Choir. After a year in Salmon Arm, I auditioned and was accepted to Capilano University’s Jazz Studies degree program in North Vancouver, B.C. I spent five years at Capilano studying Jazz, Classical, and World Music with some of the best teachers and musicians in North America. I graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Education Major.
Since graduating from Capilano, I’ve been teaching and playing music full time. I’ve designed curriculum for and taught classes for children aged 18 months to 3 years, taught group piano classes for five year olds, vocal coaching for karaoke birthday parties, ‘Rock Ensemble’ for teenagers, and thousands of private piano lessons.
In 2003 I started my own independent teaching practice providing in-home lessons to students of all ages in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Burnaby, and East Vancouver. In addition to teaching music, I write and perform with my band called OK Maira, play at private functions as a solo pianist, and work as a session player in local recording studios. To inquire about available lesson times, please contact me at
www.alisonmaira@live.com
