Teaching
I have taught classical, jazz and popular piano to dozens of students since 1999. I use an approach tailored to each skill set, personality, and desired goals, guided by a teaching philosophy that foregrounds patience (especially with oneself) and gradual growth. I have coached students through to successful Royal Conservatory of Music exams at the honours level, jazz pianists, and those wanting to improve their ability to play by ear.
Though the bulk of my own training is as a jazz pianist, I have served as a classical pianist, a classical accompanist, and perhaps most close to my heart, as an instructor to students from six years to seniors. I was an instructor at Toronto’s The Music Studio for 15 years, and held my own private studio, before relocating to Westboro in Ottawa, Ontario.
Everyone needs to find their own pianistic rigour, and I would be thrilled to help you find yours.
“I am delighted to provide a heartfelt testimonial for our music teacher Ali, who played an instrumental role in shaping my son’s musical journey for several years. From the very beginning, it was clear that Ali possessed not only a deep knowledge of music but also a genuine passion for teaching and inspiring young minds. One of the standout qualities of Ali is his friendly and approachable nature. Right from the first lesson, he established a warm and comfortable environment, which instantly put my son at ease. This friendly demeanour not only built trust but also created a positive atmosphere where my son felt safe to express himself and explore the world of music. Ali possessed an innate ability to tailor their lessons to my son’s individual needs and learning style and made each lesson engaging, interactive, and fun. In conclusion, I cannot speak highly enough of Ali. His friendly nature, innovative teaching approach, and infectious passion for music is a great asset for a teacher to have. I wholeheartedly recommend Ali to any parent seeking a talented, passionate, and nurturing music teacher for their child.”
-Tony
“As an adult with a desire to learn piano, I am happy to have found a great teacher like Ali. From our first meeting, Ali has been incredibly welcoming, and encouraging, helping create a comfortable environment for me to learn. I always look forward to our lessons together and am starting to rediscover my love for playing music. Thank you, Ali, for being such a fantastic teacher!“
-Maria
Accompanying
I have over 25 years of experience of piano accompanying jazz, classical, musical theatre and choral performances and rehearsals. I have accompanied for festivals such as Kiwanis as well as countless RCM exams.
Arranging & Music Copyist Services
Do you need your sheet music to make sense and look good? Using experience, ingenuity and professional engraving software, I can help your ideas jump off the page with clarity and purpose.
Bringing together my experience in classical theory, jazz transcription, composition and most importantly, years of sight-reading at the professional level, I can translate even the messiest and confused ideas into a pristine score or part your players (or perhaps even you!) can breathe life into. Check out my samples below…
Melody with Guitar Chords
Jazz Leadsheet
Big Band/Large Ensemble excerpts
