Barbara K Byczko

B.Mus, B.Ed (OCT), M.A., L.T.C.L., A.R.C.T.

From an early age, I knew that I wanted to become a teacher and realized through teaching piano that I enjoyed the one-on-one aspect of private lessons. I have spent many years perfecting my teaching methods to find new and enticing ways to bring out the best in every student. I have worked with all types of learning styles including children with special needs, autism, and intellectual delays, both as a piano teacher and a group music teacher at Surrey Place Centre. Patience is the key to any student-teacher relationship as well as mutual respect. I encourage parental involvement so that everyone is "on board" to create and nurture a supportive environment for the student.

For 20 years, I was a Piano Faculty member at The Royal Conservatory of Music and served on numerous committees involved in creating and implementing enrichment programming for Suzuki/Traditional group classes. My pedagogical path evolved to include teaching Vocal Music to students in Grades K-6. In this energetic setting, I have developed a Suzuki Recorder program for Grade 4-6, directed Boomwhacker Clubs, Recorder ensembles and school choirs.

Presently, I do maintain a home studio for piano and theory. I am a member of the RCM College of Examiners, Ontario College of Teachers, O.R.M.T.A., Suzuki Association of the Americas, O.M.E.A and served as the Piano Representative for the Suzuki Association of Ontario from 2008-2019. I am presently a member of the CFMTA Professional Development Committee for 2021-23.

Qualifications:

ARCT diploma in Piano Performance
Kodaly Pedgogy Certificate
Orff Level 1 Training (Royal Conservatory of Music)
MusikGarten Teacher Training (all Levels)
Bachelor of Music Education (University of Toronto)
Bachelor of Education (OISE/UT)
Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance (Trinity College, London, England)
Master of Arts in Education (OISE/UT)
Piano Examiner (RCM) since 1997