Music Style(s):
Classical, pop
Teaching at Yamaha since:
2022
Courses Taught at Yamaha:
JMC; Private: Piano, Composition
Music Qualifications:
Bachelor of Music (Honours Specialization in Piano Performance) at The University of Western Ontario
Other Accomplishments: Curtis is a Toronto-based pianist who has successfully completed his Bachelor of Music (Honours Specialization in Piano Performance) at The University of Western Ontario. Throughout his undergraduate degree, Curtis studied under pianist Allison Wiebe and under the instruction of many other professionals including Dr. Christine Tithecott, Dr. Cathy Benedict, and Professor Patrick Murray. Under the instruction of these professors, Curtis had the opportunity to participate in multiple workshops and classes related to music education including studies in piano pedagogy, early music education, and choral conducting. Overall, Curtis is a passionate teacher who has worked with piano students from the beginner to advanced levels. Through teaching, Curtis strives to help students discover their artistic styles by encouraging them to develop their own musical interpretations, while upholding the foundations of various musical genres. Apart from teaching, Curtis has also taken part in piano performance opportunities with Dr. Leslie Kinton and Dr. Michael Kim. He has studied accompaniment, piano duos, and collaborative piano with various orchestral instruments. Finally, Curtis enjoys performing both as a soloist and collaborative pianist while playing a wide range of repertoire. He has served as a member of the university’s choir ensemble, Chorale for three consecutive years, performed in piano masterclasses, and participated and placed in several music festivals such as North York Piano Festival and Kiwanis Music Festival.
Outside the classroom…
• Curtis loves to improvise and create his own arrangement; write, illustrate, and compose original music for his children’s short stories; and enjoys listening to film music and soundtrack.