Philosophy

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.
- Henry Thoreau

Janet Hinton’s approach to teaching is to instill a life-long love for music in each of her students. She strives to create a well-rounded student by exposing them to the various periods and styles of music while ensuring each student is taught the basic fundamentals of the instrument.

With no two students having the same goals and aspirations for their piano studies, Janet identifies early on each student’s expectations and then tailors a course of study that will best suit them and allow them to fulfill their dreams while enjoying the study process.

With the piano often perceived as the most solitary of instruments, Ms. Hinton attempts to enrich each student’s learning experience through exposure to the ensemble world. The art of accompanying is first introduced early on through optional participation in the annual Christmas carol sing-along. Students prepare their chosen carol so they are able to lead their fellow students and audience in the singing of their carol.

Other ensemble opportunities include the joy of playing duets, trios and duos with other students. Often this is undertaken just for fun. For the more serious student, they may elect to participate in the Studio’s annual Duet Festival, an ORMTA Audition and Scholarship Recital or one of the local music festivals. No matter what the ensemble experience is, each student enjoys the social interaction with their peers, gains experience through playing and/or performing with other students but, most importantly, builds their confidence and self-esteem.

Ensemble work sets the stage and acts as a wonderful stepping stone for those wishing to venture into the world of solo performing. For such a student, there are many opportunities including Studio recitals, ORMTA Auditions and Scholarship Recitals, local music festivals and conservatory examinations. Students also have the opportunity to perform solo at the annual Christmas carol sing-along.

Whether or not a student may choose to do ensemble or solo work at the piano, or if their approach is more casual versus formal, a certain level of proficiency is required if one is to succeed. Just as a hockey player, soccer player, a dancer or an artist must continually work on their technique in order to succeed at their discipline, so it is with learning to play the piano. A commitment of time, effort and discipline is required.

Learning to play the piano can be likened to building a house. The foundation is key. Just as a house lacking a proper foundation will be on shaky ground, so it is with any pianist who has not been given the necessary fundamentals at the beginning of their training.

The most important years of learning are the first two or three years. During this period, the basic learning and playing habits are formed which determine the success (or failure) of any future training and progress.

Today, all too often, students are not reaching their full potential as the quest for quality teaching has been delayed until the more senior years of study. As a result, these students (as well as their teachers) are left to struggle with deeply rooted bad habits and major gaps in their musical training. (Habits acquired in the early stages of study remain deeply entrenched both in the child’s mind and muscles.) Often many of these students quit too early out of sheer frustration.

Thus the critical importance of the early development years can never be underestimated. The demand for finding a quality piano teacher right from the get-go ensures the creation of students who enjoy all stages of the learning process, stick with their studies and are well equipped with a life-long ability and love of playing the piano!