BIO

Introduction
Hello!  I'm Teacher Sharla.  I am a music teacher, working out of my home studio in Southwest Edmonton, Riverbend. My goal is to instill within each of my students an appreciation of and passion for music. Each child is encouraged to reach his or her full potential through instruction, encouragement and incentives. Music enriches families!

I believe the MYC approach is the premier method to introduce children to the language of music.  The methods I use in my classes ensure that the child knows not only "how" to play music, but "why" music works.  The Music for Young Children method is a holistic approach to learning music - fusing music theory, piano playing, singing, ear training and rhythm ensembles all together, while making the learning process exciting and fun.

A MYC class will also incorporate all the learning styles, so whether your child is an auditory, visual or kinaesthetic learner, he or she will be able to experience the music class in their preferred learning style!  The MYC program helps create well rounded musicians - able to learn future musical instruments with confidence and success!

For more information, or to come to a try it class, call 780.982.6266 or email teacher.sharla@gmail.com.

Teacher Qualifications:

23 Years experience teaching Music for Young Children

MYCC (Music for Young Children Certified) Teacher

Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 8 Piano with Honours

Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 2 Theory Rudiments with Honours

University of Alberta Graduate (Bachelor of Arts, Linguistics/French)

Medicine Hat College Graduate (Therapist Assistant Diploma with Honours, Speech-Language Pathology)

a love of teaching children, and helping them explore their musical potential

Testimonials:
"Sharla is an amazing instructor who has an infinite well of patience and knowledge. Her programs offer so much more than just learning how to play the piano. She teaches theory, appreciation, and the "why" of music. On top of that, she builds confidence and helps push young musicians to aspire to their own musical goals. She is simply an amazing instructor who truly embodies the MYC philosophy. We love Teacher
Sharla!"  ~Krista Li, MYC Parent (Sunbeams One)

"I would like to recommend to any parent the amazing and musically sound Music for Young Children program, especially under the gentle, kind, focused tutelage of Sharla Quantz. I have a Masters Degree in Elementary Music Education, and of all the programs out there, I consider this by far the most rigorous, well-rounded, carefully structured, fully engaging program for teaching children musical skill and appreciation.

My daughter, under Sharla's guidance for 5 years, progressed from a joyful pull-up wearing three year-old to an independently composing confident eight year-old, ready to challenge the Grade 1 Royal Conservatory Exam. By age 6 she was picking out melodies with her right hand and accurately matching chords in the left. She is by NO MEANS musically gifted - she simply has been given the gift of musical language and is becoming more and more fluent each day. She is currently working through Grade 3 Royal Conservatory pieces, and her MYC roots are consistently evident in her well trained ear, joy in composition and improvisation, and effective self-directed music practice.

My other three children are following in her footsteps to varying degrees, and have also moved easily onto complementary instruments (cello, viola, violin) while maintaining their piano foundations. I am glad to have worked with Sharla for 5 years as we nurtured my daughter's musical growth. Always patient, always ready with a smile, Sharla has led so many children to achieve their personal best in Music for Young Children."

Sincerely, Melanie Harmsma (mom of an MYC Grad)

Here's what research says about music and child development:

"Music Matters, a report by US coalition Arts Education Partnership, highlights four key ways music can help children learn: It can enhance fine motor skills, prepare the brain for achievement, boost memory and even improve abstract reasoning.

- Piedra-McKenzie, C. (2015, March
18). Why music is key to your child's development. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com.