More testimonials
Susan is my grandkids’ piano teacher. She is an experienced teacher and performer and has developed creative and individualized piano programs for them. I know from attending their lessons and listening to them play piano that they are having fun and are learning to play well under her guidance.
When I decided to take piano lessons myself, I asked Susan to teach me. I wanted to be able to play for my own enjoyment but did not want a repertoire of kids’ songs. I asked Susan if she could teach me using music from Broadway shows and 1930s jazz. That is what she has done, and I am delighted by the way in which she introduces me to the melody of the song, then layers on an accompaniment of different chording styles and harmonies. I am learning the fundamentals while having fun adding styling and panache.
Susan is a gifted musician and a treat to have as a teacher!
Marta
When I decided to take piano lessons myself, I asked Susan to teach me. I wanted to be able to play for my own enjoyment but did not want a repertoire of kids’ songs. I asked Susan if she could teach me using music from Broadway shows and 1930s jazz. That is what she has done, and I am delighted by the way in which she introduces me to the melody of the song, then layers on an accompaniment of different chording styles and harmonies. I am learning the fundamentals while having fun adding styling and panache.
Susan is a gifted musician and a treat to have as a teacher!
Marta
As a mom of three boys who have been taking years of piano lessons, as well as from a teacher's point of view, I have found Susan's programs great for motivating students and for keeping them interested.
Not only are piano students learning, but they are also enjoying the process. Susan includes theory, composer studies and musical learning in her programming, and tailors the programs to her students' interests.
My thirteen-year-old son says, "It makes piano fun. Every year it's different and it's fun." My nephew echoes the same sentiment.
Each year Sue involves her piano students in an intriguing theme. In their many years of piano, my three sons, and two nephews (from age 6 - 15), have enjoyed themes such as a Treasure Hunt, a maze, "clocks", "Musingo" and an Olympic theme. These have been some of their favourites.
Within the themes are challenges. Students work on practicing skills and completing songs to move to the next level. They can earn stickers and prizes along the way. The themes are often tied to the year-end parties where students perform for each other and participate in additional challenges.
My boys would never have taken lessons as long as they have if it wasn't for Sue's creative and innovative programs. Her programs definitely make piano lessons and music learning fun and interesting for her students!
Monica Donadt, teacher and mother of piano students.
Not only are piano students learning, but they are also enjoying the process. Susan includes theory, composer studies and musical learning in her programming, and tailors the programs to her students' interests.
My thirteen-year-old son says, "It makes piano fun. Every year it's different and it's fun." My nephew echoes the same sentiment.
Each year Sue involves her piano students in an intriguing theme. In their many years of piano, my three sons, and two nephews (from age 6 - 15), have enjoyed themes such as a Treasure Hunt, a maze, "clocks", "Musingo" and an Olympic theme. These have been some of their favourites.
Within the themes are challenges. Students work on practicing skills and completing songs to move to the next level. They can earn stickers and prizes along the way. The themes are often tied to the year-end parties where students perform for each other and participate in additional challenges.
My boys would never have taken lessons as long as they have if it wasn't for Sue's creative and innovative programs. Her programs definitely make piano lessons and music learning fun and interesting for her students!
Monica Donadt, teacher and mother of piano students.
Susan! Where to begin? She is a musician and pianist extraordinaire! Her passion for creating a true musical experience that captivates her students is what kept my two sons in piano throughout their teenage years—and just that is saying it all. Susan’s endearing, professional tutelage exposed them to improvisation, chord progressions, and so much more, while they developed an “ear” and cultural appreciation for the purity of musical expression.
Susan goes beyond traditional music instruction, introducing techniques that have her students writing their own music and then performing it! What an indescribable feeling, as a parent, to be in an audience and experience a video montage, or a musical theatre production with your children in full costume, playing their own compositions. As well, all of this is accompanied by serious technical preparation for Royal Conservatory music and theory exams. Her students frequently excel with First Class Honors. My sons continue to use music in their personal and professional careers.
I am honored to provide a testament to the wonderful music experiences that Susan’s creativity and passion instills into a child’s music education. This is a gift for any child that will last a lifetime!
L. Daigle
Susan goes beyond traditional music instruction, introducing techniques that have her students writing their own music and then performing it! What an indescribable feeling, as a parent, to be in an audience and experience a video montage, or a musical theatre production with your children in full costume, playing their own compositions. As well, all of this is accompanied by serious technical preparation for Royal Conservatory music and theory exams. Her students frequently excel with First Class Honors. My sons continue to use music in their personal and professional careers.
I am honored to provide a testament to the wonderful music experiences that Susan’s creativity and passion instills into a child’s music education. This is a gift for any child that will last a lifetime!
L. Daigle
Susan has been a fantastic teacher for both of our children. She guided our daughter through the grade 8 Royal Conservatory practical exam as well as all of the necessary theory. Our son (who quite frankly, would rather be playing sports) was given a different kind of instruction that kept him engaged with more popular music. Both children were given guidance when learning to accompany Christmas carols or church music. I have also been very pleased with our daughter’s ability to chord and harmonize when given only a melody line.
In addition, Susan goes above and beyond regular music instruction in her organization of musical “parties” and musical shows that engage the children in acting and speaking as well as musical performance. I would recommend her to anyone. Thanks for the music!
S. Rabuka
In addition, Susan goes above and beyond regular music instruction in her organization of musical “parties” and musical shows that engage the children in acting and speaking as well as musical performance. I would recommend her to anyone. Thanks for the music!
S. Rabuka
Before my own children were old enough to play the piano, I already knew who I wanted them to learn from. This was because of the excitement that my friend’s children shared as I listened to and watched them show their love of the piano by playing, composing, performing and entertaining. They told me about their wonderful teacher who made learning so much fun that they actually wanted to practice! Susan Stanger was her name and each of these young girls demonstrated their enthusiasm for the methods Susan used to teach not just how to play, but how the piano can be used as a tool for expression by giving a voice to creative hands and minds. I put my son’s names on her waiting list.
Susan’s organized, upbeat, and fun way of teaching encourages her students to love sitting down at the piano and to communicate with multiple artistic methods. Although my sons’s have finished taking lessons, it is rare to have a day when the piano is not used in our home. One day, after figuring out how to play a piece my son heard on a soundtrack, he exclaimed, “You know, all those chord progressions Susan taught me way back when really come in handy!” Lessons with Susan have given our family a gift that will be used for a life-time. Despite having taken lessons myself for several years, I have learned so much by sharing in my children’s experience with Susan. Definitely money and time well-spent!
Rita Butts
Susan’s organized, upbeat, and fun way of teaching encourages her students to love sitting down at the piano and to communicate with multiple artistic methods. Although my sons’s have finished taking lessons, it is rare to have a day when the piano is not used in our home. One day, after figuring out how to play a piece my son heard on a soundtrack, he exclaimed, “You know, all those chord progressions Susan taught me way back when really come in handy!” Lessons with Susan have given our family a gift that will be used for a life-time. Despite having taken lessons myself for several years, I have learned so much by sharing in my children’s experience with Susan. Definitely money and time well-spent!
Rita Butts
Wow –how lucky we are to have met Susan! Susan’s teaching style and experience has been an incredible blessing to our family. She is very creative in her technique and her skill in motivating and inspiring music is insurmountable!
Susan has assisted our family in creating musical compositions beyond my children who take lessons from her. She has orchestrated parts for other instruments and is genuinely interested in our family’s musical journey.
The Shapka’s
Susan has assisted our family in creating musical compositions beyond my children who take lessons from her. She has orchestrated parts for other instruments and is genuinely interested in our family’s musical journey.
The Shapka’s