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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 AmericasO.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