Simon-Marc de Freitas

Simon-Marc de Freitas holds a Master's degree in Collaborative Piano from the University of Toronto as well as a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of British Columbia. He also completed an after-degree in Music Secondary Education at the University of Alberta.

With funding from the Alberta Arts Foundation, Simon attended the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland where he studied with Kazimierz Gierzod and Malgorzata Spinalska. As a successful recipient of the Johann Strauss Foundation Scholarship, he continued his studies at the Mozarteum Inernational Summer Academy in Salzburg, Austria under the tutelage of Andrzej Jasinski and also in Vienna under Roland Batik.

In 2019-20 he spent a year in London, UK as a secondary music teacher and also in the post-secondary environment as a coach and collaborator at Goldsmith’s University. He assisted both vocal and instrumental students in preparation for their final year-end juries/recitals and in particular, a student who successfully auditioned for the Collaborative Piano program at the Royal Academy of Music. He also took part in an extra-curricular wind ensemble where he played in the trumpet section as well as piano for selected works.

Music has always played a significant part in Simon-Marc's life. He discovered a passion for piano whilst in high school in Fort McMurray where he studied with Anna Domanska at the Keyano Conservatory of Music. While studying at the University of British Columbia (UBC), he found a particular interest in collaborative piano through the works of Schubert's song cycles, Die Schöne Müllerin and Winterreise . He has found that the experience of playing and performing with other musicians tends to bring out the best of his abilities and continues to be in demand as a collaborative pianist.

He is currently a full-time instrumental music teacher with the Edmonton Catholic School District.

Teaching Quote/Philosophy: 

My teaching philosophy is centered on fostering a lifelong love of music while building a strong technical and artistic foundation. I believe every student learns differently, so I tailor lessons to each individual's goals, abilities and interests. Through encouragement, discipline, and creativity, I strive to develop confident, expressive musicians who enjoy the process of learning as much as the results. Whether a student is pursuing examinations, performance opportunities, or simply playing for personal enjoyment, my goal is to inspire excellence, curiosity, and a lasting appreciation for music. 

Lesson Description:

Classical Piano of all ages 
Preparation for RCM examinations 
Technical development 
Theory (Rudiments) 

Education and Certification:

Master of Music in Collaborative Piano, University of Toronto, 2009 
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, University of British Columbia, 2007 
Bachelor of Education in Secondary Music Education, University of Alberta