Marie Calvert

IN-PERSON LESSONS

Marie Calvert has been teaching and performing music in the greater Vancouver area for four decades, and brings a broad range of knowledge and experience to her studio and classroom. She has been a life-long learner of music and education, studying and exploring various approaches to teaching pedagogies and methodologies.

As a music specialist and teacher in the public school system, Marie gained experience and expertise in classroom music methods and disciplines. Marie also taught Kodaly and Suzuki Piano at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and acquired knowledge of the pedagogies of Orff and Dalcroze.

When her daughter was born, Marie took her to a Colourstrings Music and Movement class for toddlers, and immediately realized the benefits of the method. She was excited to see how effectively children of this young age could learn skills taught through play-based activities when the lesson environment was ripe with imagination and fun. Marie then trained to become a Colourstrings Music and Movement Kindergarten teacher. She has been teaching music to preschool age children ever since.

In her piano studio Marie focuses on developing a relaxed technique, and creating a beautiful sound with the instrument. Marie guides her students to become involved in their own learning, helping them set their own high standards, and to work towards their goals. Most importantly, she helps them to feel pride and satisfaction in their music making and accomplishments.

Marie has always had a strong interest with how children learn. She studied numerous learning styles and is continually interested in exploring new ways to work with students, including those with neurodivergence. Marie believes that children learn the most when they feel connected, and are happy, relaxed, and engaged. Marie believes that music is a part of every person, and through it, children can learn self confidence, feel personal pride, and experience joy.

At the VSO School of Music, Marie teaches private piano and Mini-Music Makers classes with a focus on Colourstrings pedagogy. She teaches two new classes that she developed: Musicianship FUNdamentals and Theory FUNdamentals. These classes are for 6 – 9 year olds, and they teach beginning reading concepts to help launch young musicians into a lifetime path of music making.

Miss Marie, as her students call her, enjoys working with young children, helping them to develop a keen ear, strong music skills, and of course a great love for music. She believes strongly in the importance of developing the ear and innate musicality in children before they begin to study an instrument.

Marie’s daughter and husband are both cellists, and Marie is newly and happily learning the cello now herself! When she’s not making music, Marie likes to spend time in her garden, riding her bike, or hiking in the mountains and rain forests.

Marie holds:
Certificate in Colourstrings Kindergarten C.A.T.M.K.
MMus degree in Piano Performance
BMusic degree in General Studies
Professional Teaching Certificate for BC Schools
Associate Diploma in Piano Teaching A.T.C.L. with Trinity College
Licentiante Diploma in Piano Performance L.T.C.L. with Trinity College
Suzuki Piano Certification
B.C.R.M.T.A. Membership