Gary Johnston

Renowned pianist, composer and arranger, Gary has been teaching for over 35 years and performing since his early teens.  His friendly, professional teaching style takes into account your abilities and personal goals to help you achieve musical success.  He has performed all across Canada and his recordings have been featured on radio programmes around the world. Gary has conducted clinics in jazz piano for the Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival performing at the festival every year. A student of Andreas Barban,  Neil van Allen, Gary Williamson and Florian Hoefner Gary brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching practice.

A prolific composer, Gary has written and arranged many student pieces published by Piano Pronto and Sheet Music Plus. He has also written commissions for large jazz ensembles and concert bands.

As a jazz pianist Gary performs with his wife, double bassist Denise Lear, and together, as Johnston and Lear, they have produced an album of original material titled "In A Heartbeat" nominated for best jazz album 2013 by MusicNL.

As well as being an accomplished pianist Gary has developed a love for the ukulele and enjoys sharing his knowledge and skill whenever he can. He leads a local ukulele club and writes arrangements to share with others. 

Whether piano or ukulele Gary will work with you to discover your abilities and goals and build upon your skills to achieve your personal success.  He'll devise specific and unique lesson plans to suit your individual needs.

Jazz and contemporary piano students will build skill through learning how to read chord symbols, fake books, big band charts, scales and chords and how to put it all together. You will be given the skills to improvise and compose your own material.  You'll explore the masters of each genre through active listening of original recordings unlocking the secrets of these great players.

Adult beginners are gently led through the beginning stages of music reading and piano technique, building on new concepts each lesson to get you playing as soon as possible.

Gary also has a personal love for the ukulele and is always eager to share his knowledge and skill with others . As a ukulele student you will rapidly become proficient in playing chords, strumming, reading tablature and improvising.