What you should know about us

Soon-to-be-incorporated teachers dedicated, exclusively, to the teaching of piano performance and supportive academic subjects - theory, history and composition.
All teachers have, minimally, an undergraduate degree in music; a Performer's ARCT Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto in hand or in progress; a commitment to furthering their education through pursuit of graduate degrees and performance opportunities wherever possible.
All associates are active members of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association. All Butler Piano Associates support and encourage in both themselves and their students, membership in, attendance at and involvement with all agencies concerned with the production and performance of classical music. Its students will enter Royal Conservatory and Conservatory Canada examinations and actively participate, when ready, in all national, provincial and local festivals and competitions.
All associates firmly believe that, like athletes, the realization of the development of skill is in how they play the game. For musicians and, in particular, pianists, this is making music through playing the piano well. The primary goal of Butler Piano Associates is to provide the best opportunities to each and every student in the development of their musical and pianistic skills.
Butler Piano Associates are totally committed to the principle of master classes as the best means of monitoring, achieving and maintaining a world-class piano performance standard. Dr. Butler serves as the Master Teacher for Butler Piano Associates and all master classes will be through him. In his absence, Butler Associates will appoint a senior member in his place. Master class appearances are the sole arbiter of performance readiness for Butler Piano Associates students and will, accordingly, determine each and every student's ability to apply for examinations, festivals competitions and the like.
Butler Piano Associates accepts and registers each student, by appointment with Dr. Butler, in one level of performance, called Tier I Performance Level. Within five months of the registration date, permanent level placement, according to each student's musical abilities and learning expectations, occurs through consultation with Dr. Butler, the assigned teacher and the student's performance in a master class. Tier I Performance Level is designed to satisfy those parents and students wishing little or no pressure, slower progress and less performance emphasis. Students can proceed to Grade VI Royal Conservatory in this level but would not be eligible for festivals and competitions. Students wishing a stronger performance focus with opportunities for advancement from Grade VII Royal Conservatory through artist performance levels can qualify, by audition through a master class, for Tier II Performance Level. Tier II is for the more advanced beginner and for all those pursuing piano beyond Grade VI, Royal Conservatory. At any time, a Tier I student may choose to audition, through a master class, for Tier II Performance Level.
Registration by Appointment does not involve an audition or playing of any kind and takes place throughout the year but most especially in the months of May and June. There is a one-time registration fee of $50. Interested parents and students should consult our registration page at www.butlerpianoassociates.com/register.php, or call (519) 973-7687 for a registration appointment, at their convenience, with Dr. Butler. Registration appointments will take less than half an hour during which time materials are handed out, Butler Piano Associates is explained and the teacher is assigned.
All students of Butler Piano Associates must be assessed at least once a year through performance in a master class with Dr. Butler.
Butler Piano Associates is committed in its comprehensive approach to hourly piano lessons.
Fees for teachers of Butler Piano Associates range from $30 per hourly lesson to $125 per hourly lesson. The $30 fee for master classes and the $125 hourly rate will not increase in the foreseeable future. Other hourly rates will increase 5%, minimally, every two years.