About the Teacher
My name is Marlene Sabo. I'm an experienced piano and theory teacher, who has taught in the Coquitlam area for the past thirty years. I provide private lessons for piano and private and group lessons for music theory.
Here is my resume, references and my RCM recognition letter.
References from Parents
After our son Beno failed the RCM theory harmony 3 exam in Dec 2015, we have been struggling to find a qualified teacher until we met Ms. Marlene Sabo. Marlene always well prepared and organized, and laid out very clear instruction/task for each class. She even corrected and marked the homework before the class, all these significantly accelerated the process, and stimulated Beno's learning interest. Most important, she is aware of a variety of approaches to teaching music, and is constantly broadening her pedagogy based on best-practice. With her sophisticated board range teaching experience, and the positive attitude towards Beno, they worked out very well in this incredible two months extensive preparation, and Beno passed the ARCT harmony 3 exam in Dec 2016. We will highly recommend Marlene to all the parents/students!
Marlene Sabo has taught both our son and our daughter to play piano. Both of our children have really enjoyed having Marlene as a teacher and have always spoken very positively about their experience with her. Each year, Marlene organizes a wonderful piano recital which gives her students an opportunity to show their skills. We have really enjoyed seeing our children progressing through the grades and our home is now full of beautiful piano music! Marlene is always cheerful and positive and is kind to the children she teaches. We trust her completely and will continue to recommend her to our friends.
I appreciate the efforts you put into the History lessons for my child. Your enthusiasm is infectious and it has definitely rubbed off on him. For the first time in his life he is really enjoying theory lessons. Thank you!
References from Students
Thank you for the gift of music. You are the best piano teacher, because the best piano teacher teaches from the heart, not from the book.
Lessons with Mrs. Sabo have been instrumental (if you'll pardon the pun) in my musical education. Throughout the two years that I have been her student, I have always felt confident and prepared for my examinations and performances. I owe this to Mrs. Sabo's patience, energy and knowledge-ability during each class.
Mrs. Sabo is a kind, patient, and wonderful music teacher. I've taken piano and all of my music theory with her, and she's always in a cheerful mood. Mrs. Sabo never fails to encourage, and regularly gives extra practice tips and tricks to ensure I use my practice time wisely. With theory, she creates amazing curriculums and study methods to help memorize various composers and pieces, and even plays the music during the class to help me understand how all of the components fits together. I would highly recommend Mrs. Sabo for piano and theory lessons!
Mrs. Sabo has been my piano teacher for seven years. I enjoy being taught by Mrs. Sabo because she is a wonderful person. She is always in a good mood and is encouraging even when I mess up! She always helps me make the pieces I am learning sound great. I would highly recommend Mrs. Sabo as a piano teacher.
By playing out loud what I have written out on paper, Mrs. Sabo has made music theory become more interactive and alive. She has taught me to not fear, panic or ignore the errors that I make, but rather, to embrace and learn from those mistakes. Her patience and determination has helped immensely through my journey of learning.
Mrs. Sabo is a kind and experienced piano teacher whom I had a privilege to play for. She gives excellent feedback and constructive analysis of your playing skills and she improves on your weaker techniques, creating a more refined and mature pianist. Every lesson that I had with her has been enjoyable, knowledgeable, and fun. "Practice makes perfect" is her motto and she strives for her students to play beautiful music.
I have been with Mrs. Sabo for almost ten years. In those ten years, I have experienced Mrs. Sabo's passion for music and teaching, seeing it in her glinting eyes when she introduces a new piece or we discuss the history of music. She loves what she does, and as such is more qualified than a few diplomas can suggest. She is patient but firm, lenient when necessary but also pushes her students to achieve what they are fully capable of. Oh, and she bakes excellent cookies!
As a mature student, Marlene has been very patient and understanding with my learning needs. She has also opened a new world in music for me. Thank you Marlene.
Mrs. Sabo is perhaps one of the most remarkable teachers I have ever had. Amongst her numerous virtues, is her dedication to music, sense of humour, infinite patience, friendly approachability, tact, and genuine concern for her students are nonpareil. Most importantly, she is exceptionally skilled at relating musical concepts; in fact, her competence is so obvious that her students have the certificates to prove it.
Lesson Information
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Piano Lessons
I teach RCM (Royal Conservative of Music) repertoire from the beginners level to Level 10. Popular music selections are used to supplement Conservatory repertoire. Students will receive lessons tailored to their individual playing ability and learning speed. Adult students are always welcome. |
Music Theory
Rudiments courses are taught as required for Level 8 Piano. Students receive individual attention and are taught in groups of 1-2 people. There are weekly homework assignments which are marked and returned for correction at class time. |
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Fees:
Lesson Fees vary according to the length of the Piano Lesson.
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Fees:
All Rudiments lessons cost $25.00 per lesson.
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| Note: Small adjustments are made when I teach more than one student in the same family or when the student is taking theory as well as piano lessons. | |
Contact Me
My studio is centrally located near Town Centre Park, in the New Horizons neighbourhood in Coquitlam.
For further information that isn't found on this website, or if you'd like to schedule a lesson time, you can contact me by email at [email protected]
Lesson Availability
The listed times are available for scheduling. Additional lessons are available via email, and if there are additional inquiries regarding available times, feel free to contact me via the contact page.
Tuesday:
Morning and early afternoon lessons are available upon request.
Wednesday:
8:00 - 9:00 pm
Morning and early afternoon lessons are available upon request.
Thursday:
4:15 - 4:45 pm
4:45 - 5:15 pm
Morning and early afternoon lessons are available on request
Friday:
Studio Policy
There is a lot of hard work involved in learning to play the piano but there are many rewards in the process of learning - self-esteem, confidence, perseverance toward a long-term goal, poise, coordination, discipline, concentration and satisfaction with a job well done. It's fun to play the piano and it's a life-long skill. It takes commitment from the student, the parent(s) and the teacher. We're a TEAM!
Parents: Provide a tuned instrument in a well-lighted, quiet area as free from distractions as possible. Encourage good practice habits. Work out a practice time in the best interests of your family and your student. Find a daily consistent time. Younger students should ideally have daily practicing supervised. Give lots of praise for accomplishments!
Students: The actual work of learning the piano - and the credit for success - rests with the student. Even the wisest and most competent teacher can't master the piano for a student. This is a great opportunity to develop discipline - to learn to set priorities and to understand you can't do everything every day. Wise choices about possible activities are important.
The piano requires the ability to study independently. Set aside a certain time to practice every day. This can be divided into 2 or 3 sessions. The lesson is no better than the effort you put into it. Relax and have fun learning a new skill and a new means of expression.
| 7-8 years old | 20 minutes |
| 9-10 years old | 30 minutes |
| 12-15 years old | 45 min - 1 hour |
| 16 and up | 1 hour or more |
Teacher: My personal goal is to give my students the tools to use their emotions and intellect for discovering the special world of music - to create a genuine love for music so that they will want to continue learning long after lessons have ceased and will enjoy music for a lifetime!
Tuition and Fees
The piano lesson year runs from Labor Day to the end of June. There will be Christmas Holidays and Spring Break which coincide with school holidays. Summer lessons are available for six weeks. Priority will be given to students with summer exams.
An invoice will be issued twice a year for lessons - in June and January. Post dated cheques as per invoice are requested the first lesson after the invoice is issued. New books should be paid by cheque, as the books are issued. No refunds for a partial month will be given once payment is made.
Please understand that tuition fees cover more than just private lesson time. They also cover marking time, computer paper and ink, lesson preparation time and all other supplies and expenses of running a business.
There will be no extra charge for times I feel the need to spend extra time with your child. This can and will happen when time allows me to give a little extra, so please let me know when students must leave the lesson on time. Students who arrive late won't be given extra time.
Please note that if you schedule other appointments during your lesson time, the lesson will be considered paid for. I require 24 hours notice of a lesson cancellation. In the event of an emergency, please phone by 8:00 am of the lesson day to cancel the piano lesson. Make-up lessons will be scheduled during Christmas Holidays, Spring Break, and in early July if no earlier convenient time can be found. If I need to cancel a lesson, I'll make it up at a mutually convenient time.
I am willing to offer four (4) trial lessons to prospective students to see if my teaching method is compatible with the student's learning style. The lessons must be pre-paid and used in four consecutive weeks.
Termination
Please give 30 days advance notice if a child plans to stop taking lessons. Once the date of the final lesson has been set, all post-dated cheques after that date will be returned. Students that withdraw within the term and wish to return will be placed on a waiting list.
Piano and Theory Exams
Piano exams will be scheduled at the discretion of the teacher - when I decide your child is ready to successfully play an exam. It is very important to me that your child is able to achieve a result that reflects effort to the best of their ability.
Formal theory instruction will begin around the time your student begins to play at the Grade 5 level. I teach all the theory courses required for the Royal Conservatory Exam Certificates.
Recitals and Festivals
The annual piano recital/party is scheduled for the second Saturday in June and begins at 7:00 pm. All students are expected to take part - a memorized solo and a duet with another student. It's an opportunity for your child to share his/her music with others in an appreciative atmosphere, as well as to take part in the annual prizes. The recital is followed by a party which you and your guests are invited to attend. Please mark your family calendar.
Not every student has the temperament to participate in Music Festivals. Students who show a love of performance, particularly in the higher grades, will be given opportunities to play in one or more Festivals.
New Student Interviews
Interviews for new students are available on request. I'm happy to spend 30 minutes with a new student and his/her family answering questions and concerns. The student should come prepared to play a selection of his/her choice where applicable.
Lesson Materials
Students are requested to come to each lesson with all their piano books and a notebook in which I'll write the weekly assignment. It's important that the assignment book is open and is being followed during lesson practice. Many students find a designated piano book bag very helpful.
If you wish to discuss your child's progress or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Student Recognition
CONGRATULATIONS
To students who achieved First Class Honors standing or higher in their exams in 2020
SPRING 2020
Nathan Grade 8 Piano
Natalie Grade 8 Piano
Aaron Harmony 10
Alex Harmony 10
Cher Harmony 9
To students who achieved First Class Honors standing or higher in their exams-in 2016
WINTER 2016 Nathan Grade 3 Piano ( With Distinction)
To students who achieved First Class Honors standing or higher in their exams in 2015 -
| SPRING 2015 | Felix | Grade 6 Piano |
| SUMMER 2015 | Luke | Advanced Rudiments |
| Alex | Advanced Rudiments |
To students who achieved First Class Honors standing or higher in their exams in 2014 -
| SPRING 2014 | Ryan | History 1 |
| Mya | Grade 4 Piano | |
| SUMMER 2014 | Nickolas | History 1 |
| WINTER 2014 | Jonathan | Grade 3 Piano |
| Matteus | Grade 3 Piano |
Congratulations to the students who achieved First Class Honors standing or higher in their exams in 2013:
| WINTER 2013 | Alanna | Basic Harmony |
| Felix | Basic Harmony | |
| Alice | Grade 10 Piano |
To Trophy winners (2012) -Coquitlam/Maple Ridge Branch of BCRMTA:
| Felix | top mark for Basic Harmony | 2012 |
| Edwina | top mark for Counterpoint | 2012 |
To students who achieved First Class Honors standing or higher in their exams in 2012:
| SPRING 2012 | Jordan |
| Edwina | |
| Alanna | |
| SUMMER 2012 | Alanna |
| Felix |
