2023 Teacher Workshops
Introduction to Keyboard Harmony
FREE for ARMTA Calgary Members
In this 75 min talk, Nita and Joyce will introduce basic keyboard harmony concepts that correspond to the requirements for Level 9 practical exams. Joyce and Nita have created workbooks that guide students step by step through concepts such as melody creation, reading lead sheets, creating accompaniments, harmonizing Bach style chorales, harmonic analysis, counterpoint, and analysis of binary and ternary compositions.
Handouts will be available so participants can follow along easily as Joyce and Nita explain how to increase musicianship skills that tie together what students learn in technique (scales, chords, arpeggios), what is learned in theory rudiments up to Level 8 and what students are learning in their repertoire pieces.
Stay tuned for a fast and practical way to teach the circle of fifths
KBH workbooks will be available at special workshop prices!
Nita teaches piano, theory, history, keyboard harmony, and analysis from her home studio in Chilliwack, BC. As part of the “Instruments Alive” ensemble, Nita lectured to school age and university students. As collaborative pianist, Nita performs with community choirs, orchestras, and musical theatre groups. Duos and duets with the “Piano Extravaganza Duo” saw many performances in Vancouver and throughout the lower mainland. Nita has frequently served as accompanist for the annual Performing Arts BC competitions and coaches students preparing for festivals, competitions, and university admittance. Nita has lectured to music teachers and presented a talk at the 2018 RCM Summer Summit in Vancouver. The Chilliwack Arts Council awarded Nita the “Heart of the Arts” award in 2003 for “outstanding service to the musical life of our community.”
Joyce teaches piano, theory, history, analysis, written and keyboard harmony from her studio in Abbotsford, BC. She enjoys the challenge of relating to each student as an individual. Her love
of theory in all its forms motivates her in passing on its riches to those who study with her. Joyce is active in music in her studio, her church and her community as well as being registrar for
BCRMTA. She was co-chair for the BCRMTA provincial conference in 2012 – BC Vibes and for the upcoming conference in 2024 – ABC Back to Basics. Her vocal compositions have won in the CFMTA Call for Compositions (2018) and been a finalist in a carol writing competition (2014). In addition to scoring and editing the Keyboard Harmony workbooks, Joyce has developed self study
workbooks for history courses.
Brain Hacks for Learning Music
Come together with your fellow teachers to share ideas about learning music, and enjoy some delicious refreshments!
This workshop will take place at the beautiful cSpace Mardaloop RGOTreehouse. Parking is free on location or on the street.
The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes followed by a question period and mingling with refreshments.
