Welcome to FAC’s School of Music
Find everything you need to know about FAC School of Music below, including instruments, instructors, rates, schedules, studio policy, and payment options.
Lessons are in-person at FAC Deerfoot (12345 40 St SE). For more information or if you have any questions, please email schoolofmusic@faccalgary.com.
Calendar
Spring Term 2024
Please reach out directly via email if you have questions about lesson availability for the Spring Term.
(Mondays – 9 weeks| Tuesdays-Saturdays – 10 weeks)
- April 2: Lessons begin
- May 16-22: Midterm break, no lessons
- June 15: Last day of lessons
- June 18: Spring Recital
School of Music Faculty & Pricing
Tony Balakas – $29 per 30 minutes
Drums (Beginner, Intermediate)
Tony started playing drums at age 10 and shortly after was playing on worship teams at the old FAC campus. He went on to study at Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles and has played and recorded professionally with numerous bands and artists in Western Canada. Tony enjoys teaching students the foundational skills and styles of drumming to develop them for band and studio settings.
- Student Age Range: 5 years+
- Lesson Schedule: Tuesdays 4:30-8:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00-11:45 am
- Focus: Working with students to develop their own playing style across many genres and teaching skills to play in band or studio settings
[View Studio Policy & Payment Options]
Bethanie Klob – $31.50 per 30 min.
Piano (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced; theory as requested)
Bethanie has taught piano for 25 years. She has her ARCT in piano pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Canada as well as a BA in Christian Education with a focus on piano. She has taught piano at Kingswood University and privately as well. She enjoys teaching people classically-based music as well as worship stylings for church playing. She has enjoyed playing for several choirs and has been a collaborative pianist for the Calgary Girls’ Choir and the FAC choir.
- Student Age Range: 5 years+
- Lesson Schedule:
- Mondays 9:00 am-11:30 am, 4:30-8:30 pm
- Tuesdays 5:30-9:00 pm
- Thursdays 9:00 am-12:00 pm, 4:30-8:30 pm
- Focus: Worship playing (chord charts, playing by ear, improvisation) and advanced classical instruction.
[View Studio Policy & Payment Options]
Jayne Luy – $31.50 per 30 min.
Piano (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced; theory as requested)
Jayne has been a church musician from a young age, and worship music has been the most consistent and beloved component of Jayne’s life as a musician. Classical piano, worship music, and jazz piano are Jayne’s three main focuses. Jayne feels that music teaching is so much more than just getting a student to read notes and rhythms. The ‘why’ and ‘how’ of music are very important to her and she enjoys relating to each student’s unique understanding, whatever their level. Formally trained to the Masters’ level in classical piano performance, Jayne is a Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music (F.R.S.M.), United Kingdom, and a registered music teacher (R.M.T.) with the Alberta board, ARMTA, as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music, Canada. Jayne’s current musical profile includes serving in music at several Calgary area churches, and she song writes for and plays in Calgary’s contemporary Christian band, Hope’s Creed, as well as in the new jazz trio, Tuesday in Blue.
- Student Age Range: 6 years+
- Lesson Schedule:
- Tuesdays 4:00-8:00 pm
- Focus: The pillars of successful and life-enriching music learning are the building of friendship and understanding, as well as competent teaching.
[View Studio Policy & Payment Options]
Josh Rau – $29 per 30 min.
Guitar & Ukulele (Classical, Acoustic, Electric, Bass – Beginner & Intermediate; Ukulele – Beginner)
Josh began playing guitar at age 13 and started performing by age 16. In addition to leading worship teams, he has played in a variety of bands over the years. As a producer and engineer, he has worked on projects with classical performers and rock artists. In 2015 he graduated from Ambrose University with a Bachelor of Music (BMus, cum laude) focusing on classical guitar. Although Josh also loves bass guitar and ukulele, his first love is still electric guitar. A love of music can flourish at any age and Josh is excited to work with you toward reaching your goals.
- Student Age Range: 5 years+
- Lesson Schedule:
- Mondays 4:30-8:30 pm
- Tuesdays 4:30-8:30 pm
- Thursdays 4:30-6:30 pm
- Focus: Technique and musicality for musicians of all genres.
[View Studio Policy & Payment Options]
Heather Schienbein
Flute – $34 per 30 min. (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Piano – $29 per 30 min. (Beginner, Intermediate)
Heather is passionate about teaching music and has taught piano and flute for 25 years. She received a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Flute Performance from McGill University, and completed a Master of Music in Flute Performance, as well as a Performer’s Diploma, from Indiana University. During her time at Indiana, she taught as an Assistant Instructor of Flute for the University. Recently she taught piano and flute for several years at Glenmore Christian Academy. In addition to teaching, Heather plays both flute and piccolo with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra having started over 20 years ago.
- Flute Student Age Range: 9 years+ (must be able to hold a flute comfortably, with a straight or curved head joint)
- Piano Student Age Range: 5 years+
- Lesson Schedule: Mondays 4:00-8:00, Thursdays 5:00-8:30
- Focus: Teaching students to have fun playing, love music, and gain confidence while improving their technique and sound.
[View Studio Policy & Payment Options]
Laura Holmes – $24 per 30 min.
Voice (Beginner, Intermediate)
Laura has taught voice for over 25 years across Canada and the United States. She studied voice and music theory in College and has been coached by some of the most influential artists in her field. Over the years she has provided private voice instruction, small and large group lessons, and has also taught acapella workshops with her award-winning female quartet. Laura has performed on many stages across the world at both the regional and International levels, earning the title of “Harmony Queen.” She has made 2 CDs and continues to teach both locally and in surrounding areas. You may recognize her as a member of FAC Music at the Deerfoot campus!
- Student Age Range: 5 years+
- Lesson Schedule: Tuesdays 4:30-8:30 pm
- Focus: Specializing in vocal freedom, performance techniques, breath management, mindfulness and expression!
For further information or if you have questions about faculty, lesson schedules, instruments, or pricing beyond what’s provided here, please contact us directly: schoolofmusic@faccalgary.com.
[View Studio Policy & Payment Options]
School of Music Studio Policy
Welcome to the FAC School of Music! Thank you for choosing us to help you explore and enhance your musical abilities and gifts. Below is some information you need to know, so please read it carefully.
- Please know that you’re always welcome to sit in for any of your student’s lessons. This lets you observe first-hand your student and their instructor in action and may enable you to better support your student as they practice at home. This, however, is not a time for prolonged conversation with the instructor. If there is an issue you wish to discuss, please make arrangements to do this outside of the lesson as this time is precious. In rooms where there is no clear visual access, the room door will be left slightly ajar if possible and/or unlocked. Sometimes, noise bleed either into the room or from the room makes this impractical but instructors will do this whenever they can.
- Schedule: Lessons will be scheduled in 3 terms throughout the year running from September to June. For specific dates, please see the general calendar. All lessons take place at the Deerfoot Campus of First Alliance Church, 12345 40 Street SE, Calgary. Our preference is for in-person lessons but if you’d like to chat about online options, please contact schoolofmusic@faccalgary.com.
- Attendance: For the sake of consistency, we encourage students to attend all lessons (illness aside) but sometimes that’s not possible. If a student must miss a lesson, the parent must inform the instructor at least 24 hours in advance. The instructor will do their best to reschedule lessons up to a maximum of 3 times per year, time permitting.
- The health of students and instructors is important; please don’t send your student to a lesson if they’re ill.
- If the instructor misses a lesson, the student will be notified by the instructor and the lesson rescheduled.
- Students are expected to arrive promptly. Lessons will not be extended past their scheduled time to compensate for late arrivals.
- Cancellation: If a student must end lessons during the year, we require written notification from the parent and 30 days paid notice.
- Recitals will take place twice a year. All students are expected to participate in these. There will be no additional charge for recitals. The dates of the recitals are listed on the FAC School of Music calendar.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email schoolofmusic@faccalgary.com.
The health of our students and instructors is important; please don’t send your student to a lesson if they’re ill.
Payment Options
There are a couple of options in regard to making payments:
- *NEW* e-Transfer: use payment@faccalgary.com and you must include the student’s full name and “School of Music” in the memo line.
- Post-dated cheques, dated the first of each month, made payable to “First Alliance Church”; these are due before the term begins.
- Payment by debit or credit card for the full term is payable by the beginning of each term.
In addition to lesson fees, an annual, non-refundable fee is required at the time of registration to help offset recital costs and other administrative expenses. This will be $75 if you sign up for a full year of lessons or $100 if you sign up for 1 term.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email schoolofmusic@faccalgary.com.
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