Bio

A pianist, professional actor, and music teacher, Eric holds Associate and Licentiate Piano Performance Diplomas from the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta. He is a Registered Music Teacher with RCM Advanced Teacher Specialization, is a member of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association and is the facilitator for the piano program at Cassa Musical Arts.

Eric’s major acting and piano performance mentors include Linda Kundert, Dr. Thomas Peacock, Dr. Lillian Upright, and James DeFelice. He has also studied with Joseph Fridman, Dr. Irena Kofman, Allen Reiser, and Derek Chiu. He has performed masterclasses with Dr. Ludmilla Lazar, Dr. Jennifer Snow, Roman Rabinovich, and Dr. Jacques Despres.

He has performed throughout Canada as an actor and pianist, most recently recording for the upcoming Flyover Canada, and in Mozart’s 2 piano concerto with fellow pianist and composer Garrett Krause. He has performed for the National Music Centre’s Street Sounds series and the Pro Arts Society. In 2015, Eric appeared as soloist in Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto for the inaugural concert of the Calgary Arts Orchestra.

Eric has served as the musical director for the long-form theatre improvisation duo One Lions, as well as serving as accompanist for instrumentalists and singers, and is an active festival adjudicator in high demand.

Eric developed and taught two courses for Mount Royal University: Introductory Keyboard for Adults: Play-by-Ear/Improvisation, and Reading Standard Notation.

In 2015 Eric was a nominee for Outstanding Actor in a Play for the Calgary Theatre Critics’ Awards for his work in the world premiere of Butcher by Governor-General Award-winning playwright Nicolas Billon. In 2016 Eric served as a lead actor, pianist, and composer for Station Arts Centre’s production of Armin Wiebe’s The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz.

Teaching Info

I offer piano lessons in my Calgary studio in Bridgeland, and online to students throughout the world.

I am a classically-trained pianist (LRCM, ARCT). Piano teaching, adjudicating, practicing, and performing have been my main occupations since 2009. I have a degree in acting (BFA, University of Alberta), and more than two decades of professional stage experience throughout Canada.

I help children and adult piano students discover the freedom that comes from perseverance in piano practice and performance. I aim to lead my students by example: I am a working artist, an active festival adjudicator in high demand, and I maintain a significant commitment to my own study and practice.

Adjudicating at the Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival

I believe that music should be shared, so I offer regular performance opportunities in supportive environments such as group lessons, festivals, and recitals. I focus my curriculum around the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program, and encourage RCM exam participation. I also encourage play-by-ear, improvisation, and chording. My students regularly achieve with distinction exam results (above 90%) and receive festival awards and scholarships.

It is important that parents play an active role in lessons for children up to the age of 12 – your regular presence in lessons and your support at home are important elements of success at the piano for young children.

Lesson fees: Lesson fees are $100/hr. Please note that in principle, new students are expected to commit to 34 lessons from September to June. At 30 minutes/lesson, this is an annual bill of $1700 which may be paid in monthly instalments ($170/month), semi-annually ($850 September 1 and January 1), or in a lump sum ($1700 September 1). Longer lesson times are direct multiples of this rate. Advanced adult students (RCM level 9+) may study with me on a flexible schedule at a rate of $100/hour

If you would like to request an initial meeting, please contact me today.