“[Michelle is] an inspiring, conscientious and motivating jazz piano teacher. I enjoy studying with her, and I’ve been very impressed with how she teaches”
~ Ingrid Toews“You are a very good teacher”
Private Lessons – Online Lessons
For fees and to book lessons, please send me an email, or call me at (403) 228-1175. Currently, all lessons are taught online. Once COVID eases, lessons can resume in person at my studio in Bankview or at Morin Music in the SW. Online lessons will continue to be an option and work very well. In order to have a time earmarked for me at Morin Music, contact me first and then we can register you at Morin Music once the time is earmarked.
Promo Video
>> Watch and listen to Michelle’s Promotional Video
Jazz piano lessons with Michelle Grégoire
- Chords and jazz voicings
- Improvisation and jazz theory
- Composition and arranging
- Technique and injury prevention
- Keyboard skills for instrumentalists
- Jazz advancement for classically trained pianists and teachers
- Keyboard and writing skills for singer-songwriters
- University jazz program preparation
- Career development and business of music
- Learn on a new Yamaha piano
- 33 years of teaching and performance experience
Most of my students range from jazz pianists, adults and teens mostly, singer-songwriters, classical piano teachers who wish to expand and learn more about jazz, other musicians who want to improve keyboard skills or develop themselves as composers, and much more. I’ve also spent years preparing young musicians for university auditions – most have moved on to programs in Canada’s finest jazz programs and successful careers in the field.
I’ve developed countless strategies over the past 33 years and have developed clear and concise pedagogical approaches. I’ve been blessed with some of the best teachers out there myself, and my own passion for teaching and developing effective strategies creates an efficient and effective learning environment.
I believe that teaching is really about reading the student properly and creating an approach that is tailored for them. I work very hard to help each person clarify their learning goals working with them to create a syllabus and practice schedule that is achievable.
I firmly believe in the importance of encouraging every person’s own voice. I treat my students with respect and offer them as much support as possible. I do expect hard work and accountability and can offer strategies to improve productivity if and when needed.
“After classical training and years of piano teaching, I needed a fresh approach. Michelle’s contagious enthusiasm was the kickstart I needed to dust off my old notions of tonal and rhythmic principles and embark on a new musical journey. She has challenged me to appreciate more, and fear less, the wonderful complexities of jazz!”
~ Franca Colatruglio, Piano teacher
Workshops
I also offer school workshops having taught in many K-12 schools through the IAJE’s Jazz Mobile program. I’ve also had the pleasure of presenting workshops with my quintet in Canada’s top university jazz programs including Humber College, my alma mater ST.F.X.U, Capilano College and more. Recently I’ve worked with the top jazz band programs in Calgary offering private and group lessons to budding jazz pianists. (ABE, Lord Beaverbrook HS, EP Scarlett, WCHS and many more).
When working in schools, I’ve offered private and group piano lessons to young pianists to help them quickly learn about voicing chords, improvising and so much more. Band sessions with middle school and high school students are often geared towards improvisation techniques, understanding jazz forms, rhythmic approaches, phrasing, respecting their own creative voices and much more.
College workshops range in topics from composition, improvisation, business, philosophy, and more.