To achieve a high standard in piano playing including mastering the techniques and musical sensation, students need to go through not only hours of practise and hard-working process, but also proper training with the right materials (pieces, books, learning methods) and helps from an experienced instructor. 

Students at Walnut Music will learn from recommended courses and exercise materials to help them to reach their goals.  Followings are some of the courses that are used at the studio:

Hanon, Czerny, Technique Scale books, Les Classiques Favoris Du Piano, Methode Rose, Celebration Series-The Piano Odyssey, Four Stars sight reading and ear training, Mark Sarnecki theory courses, etc.

Jason's teaching method is accumulated from many years of professional training and teaching experience. Students under his guidance will be trained in techniques to build a strong foundation.  They will learn to develope an artistic, fine tone, and work on musical concept comprehension and musical sensation.  Musicianship training including listening and sight-reading skills are also parts of the curriculum.  Students will be able to gain self-esteem and build the confidence in public performance through the well-rounded training program. 

The above courses will be utilized in three levels of training:

Beginner:  Students at this level will learn the fundamentals of piano such as correct hands and sitting position, sight-reading, ear-training, basic meter and rhythmic patterns, and the most important element: hand and fingering techniques. It is important that beginning students should develop listening skill and proper technique in oder to reach higher levels of piano playing without much difficulties. Some basic theory are envolved in this level of training.

Intermediate: At this level, student will explore different styles and periods of music, they will be exposed to some well-known compositions from important composers in those periods. Students will continue to work on more complex rhythms and meters, they will concertrate on the training of musical expression, dynamics and performance techniques, they also learn to develop varieties of touch controls, acquire tone colors, accuracy in their playing and polish the fingering techniques for further advancement at the piano. Listening skills are still emphasized along with the introduction of new elements and concepts.  Music rudiment and harmonry courses are also important parts in the intermediate level. 

Advanced: I have had the privilege to work with many advanced students.  And to my experience, this level of study is challenging for them, students need to have not only tremendous musical passion to pursuit the study at this level, but also a high commitment of time and energy, and to an extend, those are the requirement of admission to advanced level.  Students at this level will be guided to establish creative thinking, to develop their own judgment and problem solving techniques. It is essential that they will need to build up a deep knowledge of the vast piano literature, master the principles of technique, style, history and form. They will learn to analyze phrases, harmony, structure of particular works in order to gain an understanding far beyond what is right or wrong. Advanced students will also be trained to develop the maturity in music interpretation, they are guided and inspired to reach the emotional depth in order to render the master pieces successfully.

All students at Walnut Music studio are suggested to take exams in either Certificate of Merit program (CM) or the Royal Conservatory of Music program (RCM). These are the highest standard exam programs recognized nationally. The goals of taking  there exams are:

Students can also  participate in festivals, competitions and auditions base on teacher's recommendation and students' practise efforts. Annual recitals are held at the end of the year, all students are expected to perform at the recitals.