Piano Lessons Online and in Studio

"You, in your dreams and in your listening and your feeling, don’t have to bend to anyone. You have to reach out higher, and higher, and higher.” - Mannhem Pressler

I offer piano lessons in my Calgary studio in Bridgeland, and online to students throughout the world.

I am a classically-trained pianist (LRCM, ARCT). Piano teaching, adjudicating, practicing, and performing have been my main occupations since 2009. I have a degree in acting (BFA, University of Alberta), and more than two decades of professional stage experience throughout Canada.

I help children and adult piano students discover the freedom that comes from perseverance in piano practice and performance. I aim to lead my students by example: I am a working artist, an active festival adjudicator in high demand, and I maintain a significant commitment to my own study and practice.

I believe that music should be shared, so I offer regular performance opportunities in supportive environments such as group lessons, festivals, and recitals. I focus my curriculum around the Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program, and encourage RCM exam participation. I also encourage play-by-ear, improvisation, and chording. My students regularly achieve with distinction exam results (above 90%) and receive festival awards and scholarships.

It is important that parents play an active role in lessons for children up to the age of 12 - your regular presence in lessons and your support at home are important elements of success at the piano for young children.

Lesson fees: Lesson fees are $100/hr. Please note that in principle, new students are expected to commit to 34 lessons from September to June. At 30 minutes/lesson, this is an annual bill of $1700 which may be paid in monthly instalments ($170/month), semi-annually ($850 September 1 and January 1), or in a lump sum ($1700 September 1). Longer lesson times are direct multiples of this rate. Advanced adult students (RCM level 9+) may study with me on a flexible schedule at a rate of $100/hour

If you would like to request an initial meeting, please contact me today.

Reviews

“If you need reliability and someone who exceeds expectations on every task given, this person is a great actor, is an excellent pianist, and is an inspiring piano teacher. He is an honourable member of the Cassa Musical Arts Board of Directors as Treasurer and Web Master. Eric Nyland is outstanding! Thank you, Eric.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Linda Kundert, BMus, MMus (Piano Performance), CFMTA Hugheen Ferguson Teacher of Distinction Award, RCM Teacher of Distinction (2016), President and Artistic Director, Cassa Musical Arts

“Eric is an inventive, sensitive teacher who balances high standards with a shrewd understanding of the varying needs and interests of his students. For an advanced adult student like me, he is an excellent mentor and coach. He knows how to help his students tackle the challenges of performance; and he never lets us forget what's most important: the music we are learning to play. Thanks, Eric, for never pretending that playing the piano is easy, and for always reminding us why it's important.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Anne McWhir (B.Mus. piano 2018)

 “I highly recommend Eric! He is extremely talented, professional, and accommodating. My wedding day would not have been as magical without Eric. His music created the perfect ambiance for our ceremony and cocktail hour. Eric beyond exceeded our expectations and we cannot thank him enough for making our wedding day that much more special for us.” 5 stars, Google Review

-M Zdravko

“Eric Nyland is a positive and motivating adjudicator with a deft understanding of how to communicate with students in an encouraging way. He has a solid understanding of sound production on the piano and has great tips to help developing students improve their finger technique. Eric adjudicated our most recent Calgary Piano Pedagogy Group festival in Feb 2018, and we would gladly invite him again in the future.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Calgary Piano Pedagogy Group

“Eric is a gifted accompanist and integral member of my award-winning improv troupe One Lions. We never know what the show will be, and neither does Eric, but he always brings flexibility, feeling, and a deft touch to his improvised scores. With his intuitive accompaniment, Eric connects disparate themes, creates high art, and punctuates low comedy.” 5 stars, Google Review

-Stephen Kent, BFA (Acting)

"Eric Nyland is a gifted piano teacher who always offers excellent guidance that goes far beyond playing piano. His love of music is evident, his enthusiasm contagious, and he provides the ideal amount of firmness and encouragement to motivate my son. I recommend Eric unreservedly." 5 stars

-Elena Nasim

"I began my studies with Eric when I was 15 years old with little background in classical piano as I am a popular music singer and keyboardist. Eric showed me ways to incorporate classical studies into my popular music and join the two together. He helped me move from Level 1 RCM piano to Level 6 in just four years. The summer before entering university I asked him to help me with classical music theory. I was able to finish my music theory class in university with a 90 average all thanks to Eric for preparing me so well. He has a great passion for classical music and teaching and I would recommend him without hesitation. I will keep returning to him for the rest of my classical studies because he has taught me self-discipline with practicing, patience with the progression of my learning and he has taught me to love the journey of learning and studying classical music." 4.5 stars

-Paulina Zuczek (June 30, 2016)

“I am delighted to have found a wonderful piano teacher for my son who has found in Eric a mentor - he looks forward to lessons each week. He has taken off in his enthusiasm and now practices diligently and so enjoys his learning. Eric brings the perfect balance of developing strong relationships with his students, clear and engaging explanations and a high level of playing and professional abilities as a teacher, mentor and pianist. My son loves playing now and really benefits from the comprehensive approach to learning, with ear and reading, playing techniques with classical understanding of tone and touch, as well as creativity and improvisation through chording to pop tunes. He loves playing his 'classical' pieces and chording to a favourite song. Thank you Eric!” 5 stars

-Angela Frankowski ARCT ATCL RMT BSc (Hons) BEd (June 15th, 2016)

“Eric is an excellent piano teacher for our daughter. Even though he is a busy composer and actor he is very patient and encouraging with his students. Eric encourages performance by having the students participate in at least two recitals (on an amazing concert piano) per year. Eric reaches beyond the technical aspects of learning piano, helping the student achieve more than simply playing the correct notes. I like that he is very performant during the lessons, often he will sing along with the student as they play the piano, and use video recording of himself playing portions of the music so the student can review at home how the teacher plays the piece. He provides historical context for the music and interesting anecdotes about particular note combinations that are humorous and fun, and he stays positive and moves the lesson forward even when the student has a week where they do not practice much.” 5 stars

-Daryl Coutts Calgary (June 14th, 2016)

“Now that 2014-2015 is officially ended for your studio, I should tell you that one of my best decisions of last year was to sign up for piano classes with you. I really appreciate your patience and encouragements. It feels amazing to have music and piano back in my life.” 4.5 stars

-Nafiseh Dadgostar Phd PEng Calgary (May 21st, 2015)