Brendan McGrath
About
I am a professional pianist who has worked across multiple genres. My professional resume includes:
- Performances and recordings with high level jazz players like Aretha Tillotson, Joel Jeschke, Jacob Do, and more.
- Performances and recordings with exceptional pop/rock musicians like Aladean Kheroufi, Calvin Love, Justine Vandergrift, Trevor McNeely, and more.
- Solo piano performances playing classical repertoire and improvising.
- Chamber music partnership with Soprano Erin Selin.
I have experience both academically and professionally across genres, and thus I am able to instruct you on the repertoire YOU want to play. I am here to help students problem-solve so that they can make the music they want to.
Teaching Style
As a teacher I specialize in online instruction, utilizing apps like OBS, Logic Pro X, Google Apps, Notion, Chordie, and more!
My style is open-ended, but honest. You guide the repertoire you want to play, but I will be there to supplement with suggestions if necessary. I am able to guide students through score interpretation, improvisation, composition, auditions and competitions, or any curriculums/exams they want to move through (RCM, ABRSM, Suzuki, etc).
I am also an expert teacher when it comes to technique, able to help students get the sound they want. My teaching borrows from Taubman, Whiteside, Fraser, and more in order to achieve this end.
Curriculum
While I do not use exclusively one teaching method, I am able to work within the Suzuki framework and I have experience in doing so.
I recommend Béla Bartók's Mikrokosmos to every student. I think it is a fantastic framework which can support an exceptional piano technique and sense of musicality. I also recommend plenty of works by J.S. Bach, especially (depending on level and needs) the Notebook for Anna Magdalena, the Chorales, the Inventions and Sinfonias, and the Well-Tempered Clavier.
For jazz students I also recommend the Charlie Parker Omnibook as a place to get started - I wish for the book to be treated sort of a collection of jazz exercises, not to be accessed in lieu of transcription or learning repertoire by ear. I also recommend Gary Lindsay's book on jazz arranging in order to facilitate a strong sense of organizing pitch.
Needless to say, when a student wants to move through a specific curriculum, or they're preparing for an audition or competition, then it is necessary for specific texts and repertoire to be recommended.
Credentials & Affiliations
BMus, MacEwan University - Jazz and Pop Piano Performance
MMus, University of Alberta - Classical Piano Performance
Every Child Can! - Suzuki Accredidation