Sabrina Lea

Teaches Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Music Production, Songwriting, Group Music

About Sabrina

I began my formal piano training at the age of 6, and continued my piano and musical studies throughout high school and college; also receiving training in vocal, ukulele, electric/ acoustic/ & Spanish acoustic guitar, and electric bass. While in college, I received my degree in Child Psychology with a minor in specialized music therapy. Starting in 2002, I began teaching group lessons for children aged 14 months to aged 2, group lessons for children aged 2-3, and private lessons for children starting at aged 4. And 2004, I also began offering individually catered lessons to children and adults who were classified as neurodivergent, as well as individuals with varying special needs.

In addition to teaching, I’ve also composed, written and recorded scores for several independent films. In 2001 I joined the Ozzfest Music Festival and worked alongside many internationally known artists for the entire east coast leg of the tour, assisting the talent with instrument maintenance and band merchandising.

As a keen proponent of early music education for children, I love to communicate to families the academic advantage and enrichment of analytical/ critical thinking skills that offering music to students can assist with (feel free to ask!!). For adults, I often preach that an addition of music learning into normal routine assists in continuing creativity, increased brain function & memory, and logic adeptness.

I welcome any and all students from every walk of life, functioning and level…and am happy to answer any questions you may have!

I welcome any and all students from every walk of life, functioning and level…and am happy to answer any questions you may have!

What is a musical obstacle that you remember overcoming? How did you overcome it?

When I was 8 my right eardrum was partially ruptured due to an injury, which reduced my hearing by 20%. And then at 19, the eardrum fully shattered/ ruptured, leaving me with less than 10% hearing in that ear and officially classifying me as “hard of hearing/ hearing impaired. Regardless of those setbacks, I used this challenge to more finely tune my hearing in my left ear, and was able to develop a much better sense of pitch and tone. So even though I’m legally hearing impaired, I have been told on many occasions that I have an incredibly refined ear (pun intended lol) when it comes to music! Hooray for the body being amazing and learning how to compensate with whatever life throws at it!

What style(s) of music do you like to play the most? Why?

My favourite style of music to play usually runs along the lines of Industrial music, avant-garde, trip-hop, grunge rock, folk, and classical; depending on which instrument I’m utilizing at that time. I really enjoy playing a wide range of music and creating new pieces and concepts within each of those sub-genres.

What other instruments, aside from the ones you teach, have you played before?

I enjoy playing banjo, mandolin, and the accordion in my spare time.

When did you start playing music, what brought you to it?

When I was 6 I received a small toy keyboard for Christmas and was fascinated with it. Within a month of having it, I had figured out, by ear, every commercial jingle and tv theme song I got a chance to hear. My family noticed, and decided since I seemed to have a (previously unknown) aptitude for music, that I should start receiving formal training. After my first lesson, I never stopped wanting to learn, and continued my musical training all the way through college, adding several instruments along the way.

What are some of your favorite teaching moments?

After teaching for over 20 years, there are too many to recount! So many moments are just amazing! But I’d have to say across the board, my favourite moments are always when one of my students finally “gets it” with a piece they’ve been struggling with, everything clicks, and they just plow through and master it! It’s so fantastic to see my students bloom and watch them radiate with confidence when they fully grasp new concepts and pieces!

What are some musical goals you hope to acheive?

I would love to learn the violin/ fiddle and the cello!

What advice could you give to someone who has just begun learning music?

I like to let them know that even though in the beginning it may seem frustrating, labourious, or tedious, to just stick with it through that first learning hurdle. Once you get the basics down, everything else falls into place, and the learning moves at lightening speed, which is when the fun starts!

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