We offer private instrumental music lessons in two different methods: Traditional and Suzuki
Traditional Method
Private Lessons in Piano, Guitar and Violin
Private lessons are offered on a weekly basis for children age 6 and older. Our instructors are qualified with ARCT in piano and/or a Bachelor’s degree in music. An instrument at home is required for daily practice.
Classes start in September but if spaces are still available, you can register any time and your fees will be pro-rated.
Suzuki Method
Private lessons in Piano and Guitar
Children wishing to take Suzuki private instrumental lessons can start as early as age 5 if they have received some previous early childhood music education through our programs.
The difference between Traditional and Suzuki instrumental lessons
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether a student should take Traditional or Suzuki lessons, and what exactly the difference is between these two methods. Although the following points give a brief overview, it is important to keep in mind that there is a wide range of differences from one teacher to the next within each method. Many traditional teachers incorporate Suzuki concepts into their teaching, and the Suzuki method is often modified in practice.
The most striking difference between the two approaches is the fact that the Suzuki method involves the parent 100% of the time, which enables students to start lessons at a much earlier age than traditional lessons taken without parent supervision.
The Parent-Teacher-Student Triangle
In both Suzuki and Traditional methods, the role of the parent or caregiver is crucial to the success of the student. The parent’s role is much more intensive in the Suzuki method, however. The parent is expected to attend every lesson and take notes. They become the “home teacher” and are expected to actively participate in their child’s practice, reinforcing concepts learned in the lessons.
In traditional lessons, the parent may or may not watch the lessons, depending on each situation. The parent’s role is to provide an adequate practice environment with good lighting, free of noise and distractions, and to ensure that the practice takes place as scheduled according to the teacher’s guidelines. They should make sure the student arrives to his or her lesson on time, has all books and materials, and is picked up on time. Parent responsibilities beyond these vary greatly from teacher to teacher depending on the age, goals, and personality of each individual student.
Listening To and Reading Music
Suzuki method emphasizes watching and listening first, following the philosophy that children learn to play music through immersion in the same manner they acquire language and other skills – music is first and foremost about sound. Children learn to say new words only after they have heard them spoken hundreds of times. In the same way, it is essential that children listen to recordings of the pieces many times and become thoroughly familiar with them in order to play them beautifully.
Note reading is introduced after students learn to play, just as they learn to read after learning to speak. Since traditional teachers usually start a student at age 6 or later, note reading is typically introduced much sooner, often at the same time they are learning to play. It is worthwhile to note that the Suzuki method has proven to be effective with any age student, and many traditional teachers incorporate the Suzuki model of listening and watching first into their traditional teaching. Many traditional teachers use the Suzuki repertoire books as well, since they contain classic standard literature and are sequenced to develop musical and technical skills.
Group Setting
An important element of the Suzuki method is a group lesson component. Students learn by watching each other in a cooperative setting. There is a wide variety from teacher to teacher regarding the frequency and exact format of group lessons —some have weekly group classes in addition to private lessons, and some include group classes monthly or on a less frequent schedule. In general, Suzuki group classes are meant to be fun, interactive sessions where students develop friendships as well as polish musical skills.
Classes may include musical games, theory, and performing for one another, for example, and always are presented in a relaxed environment where students leave with a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Traditional lessons are typically one-on-one private lessons only. Although students are often encouraged to join ensembles and orchestras as they become more advanced, there is no expectation of group instruction as part of the curriculum.
The Suzuki Philosophy
Dr. Shinichi Suzuki referred to this method as “Talent Education”. He believed that with the proper education and environment, every child can learn. Talent can be learned, ability can be developed, and, just as every child learns to speak his/her native language, they can learn a musical skill through the Mother Tongue approach (listening and repetition). These are the core Suzuki Method concepts:
- Every child can learn
- Ability develops early
- Environment nurtures growth
- Parental involvement is critical
- Children learn from one another
- Success breeds success
- Encouragement is essential
Our Instructors
Nicole Wilton
Program Owner/Director
M.Ed, RMT, ARCT, B.A.
Nicole Wilton is a second generation Suzuki piano teacher in Saskatoon where she has taught for over 35 years. She maintains a private studio as well as being the Program Owner/Director of the Community Music Education Program, an early childhood music program and conservatory that she has managed for many years at the University of Saskatchewan. As of August, 2015, Nicole has taken this program off campus to run privately in the community which it serves as part of her own Wilton Academy Of Music.
Nicole holds a Master’s degree in Education, an ARCT in piano pedagogy and a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as various levels of Kodaly, Orff and Suzuki early childhood education designations. She is a frequent clinician, adjudicator and presenter at Suzuki workshops and institutes as well as early childhood conferences. Nicole has achieved her Teacher Trainer designation with the Suzuki Association of Americas and is only 1 of 5 in all of Canada. Nicole is a proud mom to 3 girls.
Brette Kristoff
Early Childhood Instructor
B.A. Hons
Brette has been involved in the early childhood music program since infancy, and even while in the womb, as both her mother (Nicole Wilton) and grandmother are/were musicians and early childhood music educators. Growing up in a musical household, she was encouraged to explore her creative and musical sides, enjoying a well-rounded and exploratory education. As a child, Brette was introduced to piano, violin, guitar, and voice— her favourite being musical theatre. She has been involved in assisting and teaching early childhood music through the CMEP summer camps since she was 15 years old, also working as a nanny/au pair in both Saskatoon and abroad. She enjoys working and learning with children through music and play in the early childhood music programs.
Brette holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and culture and is currently pursuing her Master degree in religion and politics.
Jeannette Gross
Early Childhood Instructor
Jeannette has had a long and very rewarding career teaching music in Saskatoon. Along with a large studio of private piano students, she taught group piano and early childhood music with Yamaha Canada.
Jeannette (or Mrs “G” as all the kids call her) has taught early childhood music classes as well as daycare/preschool programming with Wilton Academy for almost 20 years before retiring four years ago. Deciding it isn’t quite time to fully retire from teaching, she has returned to Wilton Academy to do some more!
Jeannette enjoys volunteering, reading, walking and extended time away in the winters.
Alice DeCloedt
Early Childhood Instructor
M. Ed (Bilingual Learning)
This is Alice’s first foray into the world of teaching music discreetly to young children. As a child, she grew up dancing, singing and occasionally acting in Hertfordshire, in the United Kingdom. With a mother who taught creative dance, Alice tried to learn the piano, persevering for a good 14 years! She spent her early teenage years attending Sing for Pleasure summer camps, and her University summers running the booking office of a tuscan opera festival, in the Garfagnana. She would like to pass on her love and appreciation of music to all of the little ones she might meet along the way.
Working with children in the early years has taken Alice on a journey around the world! Alice has learned and taught internationally, with experiences in the U.K., Italy, the United States, Africa, Japan and Canada. Her passion for travel, married with her love of language learning led her to complete a Masters of Education in Bilingual Learning. Since 2020, she has volunteered and worked on a local nonprofit, Wild Sky Adventure Learning, bringing children back to nature for unhurried, child-led learning opportunities. She also directs Saskatoon’s *only* parkrun, a weekly free timed 5km walk/run/jog.
Alice is a proud mum of two children and has enjoyed participating with them throughout the Parenting with Music and Music in Early Childhood programs of Wilton Academy of Music.
Skye Lennox
Early Childhood Instructor
B. Ed
Skye has been an early childhood music teacher with Wilton Academy for many years in our classes, daycares and preschools. She has a Bachelor of Education degree and has enjoyed sharing music through the Wilton program.
She is also a violinist and Irish fiddler. Music has always been an important part of her life. As an adult she became the first certified Irish fiddle instructor in western Canada.
In her spare time, Skye is working on her Masters of Political Studies. She loves spending time on her farm chasing her dogs and chickens around when she is not running to activities with kids!
Michael Swan
Suzuki and Traditional Violin
B.Mus, ARCT
Michael Swan was born in 1963 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He studied with Dorothy Overholt, Norman Lee Bisha, Mark Reedman and Robert Klose as he was growing up. In 1979, he was awarded the Gold Medal for the highest standing in Canada for Royal Conservatory of Toronto ARCT violin examinations. While studying with Yuri Mazurkevich at the Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario, he was awarded the Hideo Saito Prize for academic achievement in 1981 and 1982. He then studied with Aaron Rosand at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in 1984.
Since September 1984, Mr. Swan has been the Concertmaster of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Saskatoon Symphony Chamber Players, appearing as soloist with the Orchestra on several occasions. He performs solo recitals regularly, and has several musical compositions (solo, chamber, orchestra and vocal), and a few professional conducting engagements to his credit. He has been featured both as a solo violinist and as a composer on CBC radio.
Throughout his entire performing career, Mr. Swan has taught individual lessons in violin, viola and music theory, and has also given instruction in group settings.
Isaac Lo
Traditional Piano
ABRSM, RCM
Isaac has been playing and studying piano since 2006. After moving from Hong Kong to Saskatchewan in 2018, he has studied with Audrey Falk Janzen and currently, Lynn Ewing. Isaac has completed his ATCL through the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) with Trinity College London (the RCM equivalent level of ARCT).
Isaac enjoys performing and competing in various piano competitions and has also participated in Greystone Singers where he has explored many varieties of music. He is proficient in clarinet and has also studied rock and pop drum with Trinity College London.
In addition to English, Isaac is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese. He has been a piano instructor in Hong Kong as well as a volunteer instructor at Caswell Community School in Saskatoon. He encourages students to express themselves through music to build self-esteem and confidence.
Isaac is currently in his fourth year of biomedical science at the U of S, focusing on neuroscience, and hopes to pursue a masters and a medical degree in the future.
Brandon Redekop
Suzuki and Traditional Piano
Brandon has been a student in Nicole Wilton’s piano studio since the age of 4 years. He also attended U of S Early Childhood classes for several years with Mrs. Cole as his teacher.
He has completed Book 7 Suzuki piano as well as Book 4 Teacher Training, and is continuing his music education in Grade 10 Royal Conservatory of Music studies.
Brandon enjoys sharing his love of music with his ever growing family of piano students. Franz Schubert is his favorite composer and he enjoys listening to and playing all the great composers of every era. Brandon is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He is also an avid competitor in Badminton.
Sam Gibson
Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Sam Gibson is a guitarist and instructor of acoustic and electric guitar. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and plays a variety of musical styles including Classical, Jazz and Rock. His music education began with piano in 2007, eventually completing a Royal Conservatory of Music grade 8 certificate. In 2011, Sam began taking guitar lessons and has since studied guitar as his primary instrument.
Sam has played with several local groups including performances at the Saskatoon Jazz Festival. He has been a member of the worship team at Elim Church in Saskatoon for 10 years and is the founder of Electric Praise which provides sheet music and video tutorials to worship team guitar players.
Currently, Sam is in the final year of his Computer Science degree at the University of Saskatchewan and has spent the last 4 years developing animation and graphic arts software that has applications in music education.
Pricing: Private Music Lessons
All tuition rates are for full year enrolment which includes 32 lessons between September and June.
Option 1
Full Payment
No Amin Fees – Cheques or e-Transfer
- $1100 (30 minute lessons)
- $1650 (45 minute lessons)
- $2200 (60 minute lessons)
Option 2
Deposit + Balance
No admin fees – Cheques only!
Please date deposit payable today and postdated cheque for the balance dated September 1 as follows:
- $200 + $900 = $1100 (30 minute lessons)
- $300 + $1350 = $1650 (45 minute lessons)
- $400 + $1800 = $2200 (60 minute lessons)
Mail both cheques together.
Option 3
Instalments
$40 admin fee – Cheques only!
Please make amounts and dates as follows:
- 30 min lessons: $240 dated today + $180 (x5) dated September 1 to January 1 = $1140 Total
- 45 min lessons: $340 dated today + $270 (x5) dated September 1 to January 1 = $1690 Total
- 60 min lessons: $440 dated today + $360 (x5) dated September 1 to January 1 = $2240 Total
Mail both cheques together.
Payment Options
** Please wait until your registration has been confirmed before sending payment.
Email Transfer:
- Recipient name: “Wilton Academy of Music”
- Recipient email: cmep@sasktel.net
- Message/Comment: enter student’s full name
- Auto-deposit / No security question required
Cheque:
- Make cheque payable to: “Wilton Academy of Music Inc”
- Mail cheque to: Wilton Academy of Music, 347 Coldspring Cres, Saskatoon, S7J 3M9