Audrey Falk Janzen is a music teacher who specializes in Piano Performance, Voice, Theory, and Collaborative Piano.
.Mus, B.Mus, B.Ch.Mus, ARCT Performance, College of Examiners-Royal Conservatory of Music
We’ve wound up or lessons for 2025! Just in time as the cold seems to have really set in. Last week the drive to Bellevue was an adventure as heavy snow had fallen the day before. For the Christmas break, I wish all of my students a peaceful and relaxing time. Spend some good time with family and friends. Embrace the winter weather in the best way as us Saskatchewanians can!
We have a great Winter and Christmas recital at the Mennonite Nursing Home a few weekends ago. You brought so much joy to the residents there, and you all played & sang so well! Make sure to share the highlights video with all your friends and family.
“10,000 hours of practice” was Joel Peters’ mantra when he started lessons with me many years ago, and I am certain he’s far exceeded that goal by now. I know how much time and effort he put into his practicing as a student, and his continued discipline to his craft is so exciting to see and hear!
On November 16, I am playing piano at a concert in Saskatoon. I play for a choir, North Sky Chorale, and included in this concert is a featured performance on the pipe organ by Montreal musician Joel Peters (who is originally from Waldheim, SK)
I am so delighted, (and yes, proud) to have Joel as our guest artist, and of course, to share this concert with North Sky Chorale. This varied group of musicians brings so much to the choral “table” and they are truly fantastic people as well!
This concert features many different sonorities and timbres that all evoke a wide range of feelings and moods. Close your eyes and listen to the many harmonies – some expected; others not as predictable. Hushed tones, rich, vibrant chords, and shimmering and mysterious colours make up this concert’s palette that strives to put what we see and hear into something we feel. Here’s a great little video of Joel describing a piece he wrote and willl play at the concert, and how he was inspired to write it:
I really hope to see some of you there! Ask me about discounts for music students. You can get tickets through the choir’s website.
And now, to prepare for the concert I need to put in my own 10,000 hours!
If you have come across a social media post that links you back to my page, it’s because my husband is trying to sell our pickup truck. It’s a nice one.
Lessons have paused for summer, but my work continues with administering online piano exams for The Royal Conservatory and facilitating the online RCM Pedagogy Courses. Fortunately I can – weather permitting – do much of my work in my back yard while looking at our gardens, – on the deck, under the gazebo, in shade. When we hit the road for a summer holiday road trip, I can even take my marking with me.
Thank you to those who have contacted me and reserved their lesson spot for fall. Space is filling up fast, and I have a bit of a waiting list, but certainly you should contact me asap to book your time. Use my contact form, give me all the info you can about what you are looking for, and I’ll get back to you.
Looking ahead, in addition to scheduling individual lessons, I am also beginning to prepare for the next concert cycle for North Sky Chorale – a community chamber choir in Saskatoon that I play piano for. I’m very excited to welcome “home” a former student of mine – Joel Peters – who will be our featured guest artist on the pipe organ at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on November 16. Watch NSC’s socials for concert info later this summer and early fall.
North Sky Chorale Instagram/Facebook/YouTube: @northskychorale
One of the things I get to do is travel to various places in (mostly western) Canada to conduct levelled exams for The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM). As a member of the College of Examiners for the RCM, I have had the opportunity to observe the great music education that is happening in places such as Burnaby, BC, various centres in Alberta, and Whitehorse YK.
I just returned from administering exams in Calgary and Red Deer, AB. Thank you to my centre reps at both locations for helping make the process run as smoothly as possible. A good centre rep is so very important for a successful assignment!
I was challenged during this set of exams by going out of my experience and comfort zones by assessing disciplines that I don’t normally see. So in addition to the normal piano exams from Level 1 to Senior Level, I also observed voice performances (I’ve done this a few times), keyboard harmony for ARCT level (I REALLY enjoyed these!) and even some violin and cello exams. I found the latter the most challenging, but thanks to the support and tutorial material supplied by RCM, I feel proud to have been able to successfully assess the string performances!
It is always a joy to watch young performers accomplish their levelled exams. And occasionally you come across some gems of interaction. Like one charming young performer in Red Deer, as he came to the end of Poole’s TARANTELLE:
ME: “You must really like that piece!”
“YES! I used to have a pet tarantula!!!”
To students who wonder if preparing for exams is really worth it, I offer a wholehearted YES! To prepare a list of repertoire successfully takes discipline, effort, and concentration – qualities that our young students need to feed and nurture!
I look forward to my next assignment to administer music exams!
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