Camas Music Studio
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Camas Music Studio -
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About
Camas Piano Studio offers lessons in piano, theory & music composition.
We specialize in teaching adult students who are looking for an engaging and creative music experience. Whether you are a complete beginner, a musician returning to the instrument after time away, or already engaged in a meaningful practice, we would love to hear from you!
About Anna:
Anna’s teaching philosophy is rooted in her own artistry, and in the belief that a creative life filled with music and imagination brings deep meaning and joy. Her teaching style focuses on supporting her students towards greater clarity, expression and musical understanding, whether in the study of piano, theory or composition.
Anna is a Canadian composer, pianist and educator who has been teaching for over 20 years. She holds a B.Mus. in Theory and Composition and M.Mus in Composition from the University of Victoria where she studied piano with Arthur Rowe and composition with Christopher Butterfield. Previous studies at Vancouver Community College focused on jazz theory/ arranging and jazz piano with Alan Matheson. Anna received a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Toronto in 2013, where she was a student of Gary Kulesha and James Rolfe. During this time, she also pursued advanced piano studies with Eve Egoyan.
While a sessional instructor at UVic, Anna taught theory and composition and directed the new music ensemble, Sonic Lab. Currently, she plays with improv group Soft Time.
Anna began welcoming students to Camas Studio in beautiful Victoria in 2018. Prior to this, she ran the thriving Cascadia Music Studio in Corso Italia in Toronto.
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Piano Lessons
We love helping students learn about music and develop a comfortable relationship with the piano.
Age: 7 to Adult
Level: Beginner to RCM 10
Lessons include:
- learning scales, chords & arpeggios
- playing repertoire from classical, popular, notated jazz, and contemporary classical traditions
- developing a variety of practice techniques
- exploring creativity, eg. chording & lead sheets
- theory / ear training foundations
Consistency in scheduling and practice is also strongly encouraged in order to ensure steady and lasting progress.
Students are welcome to perform for friends and family at our yearly recitals in James Bay.
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Adult Lessons:
Playing the piano can be especially rewarding for adult pianists. Older students bring emotional insight and a capacity for reflection to their playing. There is no rush to reach external goals, but rather the focus is on establishing confidence, ease and comfort at the piano, working on right hand/ left hand independence and integration, feeling rhythm in the body, quickly recognizing notes and patterns, and expressing a beautiful sound. Students are encouraged to bring in music they are eager to play and learn!
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Composing
Mentorship is offered in composition for those who feel drawn to creating.
It is never to late to explore the world of music composition. Anna has taught composition workshops in Toronto and Victoria, adjudicated young composers in festivals, and is a Juno-nominated classical composer actively engaged in the new music community. She has mentored and taught student composers at the graduate and undergraduate level and given numerous private lessons. See Anna’s composition website here.
Possible topics of exploration include:
—improvising / composing at the piano
—writing short solos, duets & trios
—arranging and/or transcribing existing music
—lessons in instrumentation & orchestration
—using Sibelius
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RCM Exam Preparation
The Royal Conservatory of Music is a well-established Canadian music learning system providing national standards for measuring student progress. Camas studio follows the RCM syllabus and has successfully prepared over 70 students for RCM exams.
We prepare students for the following exams:
Piano: Prep A to Grade 10
Theory: Levels 5 through 8, Level 9 Harmony, Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint
Designations: Anna is recognized as an RCM Elementary and Intermediate Theory Specialist, and Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Piano Specialist.
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Book a Lesson
Lesson times
Anna offers piano, theory, and composition lessons from Monday to Friday, 11 to 6 PM.
By appointment only.FAQ: Please see the menu below for frequently asked questions, including current availability.
For more information and to book a lesson, fill out the contact form and we will be in touch with you.
Thank you for your interest in music lessons!
Get in Touch
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Yes, please be in touch as to which days of the week and times are currently available.
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Effective September 2025
Piano and theory lessons are available in person and online.
Private $36 per 30-minute class ($144/month for 4)
$54 per 45-minute class ($216/month for 4)
$72 per hour class ($288/month for 4)
Semi-private $54 per hour- class ($216/month for 4)
Group (max 4) $35 per hour class ($140/month for 4)
Composition
Private
$90 per hour class
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I will send my full Studio Policies sheet to each student upon registration to be read through and signed. My missed lesson policy is as follows:
1) No refunds or make-up lessons will be offered for lessons missed by the student, except by special arrangements in cases of prolonged illness. This includes cancellations for extended family vacations and school- related absences, and will be strictly adhered to.
2) If a student or immediate family member is sick and 8 hours’ notice is provided by the parent/student that a lesson will be missed due to sickness, Camas Piano Studio will place your name on a list and will inform you of any available lesson times that open up during the term. A make-up lesson is not guaranteed and the student will still be charged the full amount for the missed lesson.
3) Lessons cancelled by the teacher will be re-scheduled or a refund will be offered.
4) If withdrawing from the studio, notice must be given at least 28 days before the end of the month. If less than 28 days notice is given, tuition for the following month will still be charged in full as a cancellation fee. This policy applies throughout the year, even during the summer term. Students that have registered to begin or resume lessons in September must give 28 days’ notice of withdrawal before August 31st or tuition for September will still be charged.
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Weekly Piano Lesson length:
45-minute piano lessons are recommended for beginning students.
30-minute lessons are only available in the first 1-2 years of study.
60-minute lessons are recommended for students in RCM level 4 and above and also for any students who would like to progress more rapidly with their piano studies.
Practicing: Students need daily, quiet, non-interrupted practice time. All students are encouraged to practice five or more days per week. A beginner student will be asked to practice approximately 15 minutes each day at the start of the year and build towards practicing 30 minutes a day by the end of their first year of study. A practice log is very helpful for students to record their practice minutes each week.
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Required Materials:
Students must have a piano or equivalent keyboard available to practice on daily.
A piano must be tuned and maintained regularly.
A keyboard must have 88 keys and be fully weighted with hammer action keys.
A metronome (or an app with a metronome feature) is also required.
Piano books are usually ordered or picked up by parents or adult students from Long and McQuade or Tapestry Music, or online from the RCM Store. Book costs are about $50, twice per year.
Online access: All students are required to have access to equipment that would enable them to have their lessons online should the need arise.
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Online Lessons: All students must be prepared to transition to online lessons at any time if the need arises. If they cannot attend in person, all students have the option of scheduling any lesson online. Students must have a web- enabled device with a working camera and microphone for online lessons.
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Hygiene: All students must wash their hands before their piano lesson. Fingernails must be kept short and clean. Open hand/finger sores, cuts, blisters, or contagious skin conditions must be covered with a band aid during lessons.
Sickness Protocols: In-studio lessons will only be available at the discretion of the studio in accordance with current health orders and recommendations. Students may not attend lessons in-studio or any in-person studio events if they are sick with a contagious illness or are required to self-isolate. It is easy for germs and sickness to spread quickly within the studio. Many students are preparing for important events such as exams so if their teacher needs to cancel a lesson due to sickness they may not be fully prepared for their event.
Moving to Online Lessons: If they cannot attend in person due to a cold, etc, all students have the option of having the lesson online.