About us.
"Music is the only language that doesn't require translation."
- Nathanael Xavier, Founder and Director of XSOM
Welcome to Xavier's School of Music!
Being an accomplished pianist and violinist with about 25 years of music experience and over a decade of teaching experience, I decided to create Xavier's School of Music in January 2017, as a place for people of all ages to start their musical journey and discover their love for music without having to break the bank.
For as long as I can remember I've had a passion for music, which all started at the age of six when my parents signed me up for piano lessons. Seeing my love for music, they enrolled me in the RCM piano program and I continued to learn and grow as a pianist, eventually completing my Level 10 practical exam in high school.
I studied at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts and chose to specialize in strings, which yielded my love for another instrument - the violin. During my time there I belonged to many of the school's orchestras and took part in several concerts, festivals, and music conferences, which sharpened my skill and passion for music. Although I took a bit of a detour after high school (I studied animation and started working in the animation/visual effects industry), I never stopped the music, and I continued to push myself to greater heights in both the piano and violin.
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Fast forward to today, where I am an RCM certified teacher and have completed my ARCT in piano performance. I also hold a Bachelor of Education degree from York University and am certified by the Ontario College of Teachers. In addition to managing Xavier's School of Music, I currently work part-time for the Toronto Catholic District School Board as an occasional teacher. In addition to playing piano and violin, I also play trumpet, guitar, melodica, and a bit of percussion. I also compose my own music and have scored music for a few short films.
In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and board games as well as watching TV shows and movies. I love to spend time with my family doing all of the above.
My hope is that Xavier's School of Music can help people realize how essential learning music is. Music provides an outlet to de-stress, relax, and have fun for many. And for those who wish to pursue music as a career, know that it is a long road ahead but it will be rewarding in the end! Once again, I welcome you to the community and I wish you a prosperous future in the world of music!
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Sincerely,
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Nathanael Xavier
Director and Founder
Xavier's School of Music
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
Music is the only language that doesn’t require translation. Everyone can speak a language, but the language of music comes as an inspiration from deep within an individual. Inspiration is the spark which creates the interest to learn and the desire to achieve one’s goal. While adapting to each student’s individual style, our goal is to establish a strong musical foundation in a fun, interactive and inspiring way.
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Xavier’s School of Music accepts students of all ages, because we believe that it is never too late to journey into the world of music. Our private lessons revolve around the nationally recognized RCM Certificate program (Prep-Level 10), with group classes also being an available option.
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Not all students learn the same way, and each student has his/her own unique learning abilities. When a new student starts music lessons, the teacher spends some time getting to know him/her, then makes an assessment of the individual’s strengths and weaknesses, and continues to develop the student’s capabilities while targeting the areas of concern on a regular basis. For example, a student who is having trouble keeping the wrists up and fingers curled, can be given several hand and finger strengthening exercises to enhance his/her playing technique in a fun and interactive way. Or a student who is having difficulty in ear training may be asked to listen to a favourite song many times (jazz, pop, classical, etc.) and then play back a short passage of the main melody with some help, thus greatly strengthening the ear technique while having fun.
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A few of our teaching specialties include: playing by ear, memorizing vast amounts of music, and learning difficult songs quickly. We hope to share these abilities and more with every student that joins the school. Students will develop a strong foundation in the fundamentals of music including new repertoire, technical exercises, sight reading and ear tests, and a theoretical component in every lesson. With this acquired knowledge, the student could address his/her short and long term goals, including anything from wanting to play the piano as a hobby, to possibly starting a career in music.
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Being Toronto’s newest music school in the Scarborough/North York region, Xavier’s School of Music welcomes you into our community and we wish you all the success that music has to offer!
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