“Andrew is a talented harpist who also has the gift of being a master teacher at a young age. At the most recent harp recital, I was amazed to see that he has passed on his musicality to his students of all ages as well as techniques for playing the harp at varying levels.
As a retired school music teacher and currently a private piano teacher, I am very impressed with the way in which Andrew readily adapts to individual student’s needs and abilities. He is always thinking of varied methods that will help his students to learn. I consider myself fortunate to have found such a caring and passionate harp teacher in Toronto.”
- Barbara, North York
“Andrew clearly enjoys teaching children and communicates well with them. He is a talented, patient, enthusiastic, supportive and understanding teacher. Each week, Andrew sets our daughter achievable goals; he assesses her rigorously, but very sympathetically. She has risen to the challenge. She feels empowered to learn and motivated to improve. She finds his lessons fun, yet demanding. She looks forward each week to her lesson and clearly feels at ease with him. Andrew seeks to instil in his students not merely strong technique and a solid grounding in music theory, but also an appreciation and importance of the aesthetics of music.
Our daughter was reluctant to play; Andrew is very largely responsible for both her enthusiasm and her remarkable progress. He even managed to extract from her that she was homesick for Scotland and convey to her that she is expected to apply herself to her. We have found him extremely accommodating beyond the context of music lessons. When we came to invest on a harp of our own, he offered his knowledgeable advice freely.
We recommend Andrew wholeheartedly.”
- Denis and Deborah, Toronto Downtown
“In addition to his musical talents, Andrew has been blessed with the warmth, patience, humour and understanding of a natural born harp teacher. I eagerly anticipate each lesson! As a University student without previous musical experience, I approached my interest in the harp with trepidation. However, after my very first harp lesson, I knew that with Andrew’s guidance, I’d not only learn from a gifted harpist, I’d also have a lot of fun doing it! Thanks Andrew.”
- Ted, Toronto Eastend
“Not only is Andrew a very talented harpist himself, he was born to be a gifted teacher who can inspire and motivate students of all ages to learn the harp. His unique teaching style is both fun and challenging. He corrected my technique and hand positions, and from which I credit him for advancing my harp playing. Andrew can solve all of my playing difficulties easily and effectively by either verbally explaining, or by demonstration. I can see his skill is a result of his many years of teaching experience as well as being a performer himself.
Andrew’s instruction can be demanding, yet I find achieving his standard has become my motivation for each lesson. He listens to my playing page by page and would correct me from bar to bar. Receiving a simple ‘good’ comment from him would make me happy for the whole week, knowing that I did prepare well for the lesson. What amazes me is that I find I’d learn something new in each lesson. I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to my class each week.
Andrew has taught me since 2013. Since then, he has helped me choosing the right harp that I adore, and guided my journey of harp playing beyond my expectation. Upon showing my desire to play outside my living room, Andrew continuously seeks out suitable opportunities for me to gain experience and build confidence such as performing with the Harp Sinfonia, participating in the annual concerts, performing for weddings and playing in local community orchestras.
I am very grateful that I have found Andrew to be my harp teacher!”
- Miranda, Markham
“Thank you so much for the time spent with Anna! She was so happy. And the students’ annual concert was real great! We all thank you for inviting Anna to participate! She is impressed and very touched. She was actually crying at the airport because she realized she was leaving you and your classes behind! It is such a pity we will be out of Spain July 27-Aug 4! Otherwise we would have come to Italy to meet you (when you will be there). Hope we manage to come again to Toronto next year. Which is actually a rather long waiting time. Please, keep us in mind and let us know if you have some really interesting occasions, special events. Maybe we could match our schedule so that we attend some.
Meanwhile Anna managed to perform at the concert upon arrival back to Spain. The same evening was one at the beautiful place above the sea. Her performance was much better than before she came to you.”
- Maria, parent of visiting student from Spain
“Thank you so much for your kindness in having our family to your home and sharing your insights into so many things harp related. It was a very interesting evening. You certainly have a passion for what you do and we thank you so much for sharing that passion with us and particularly with Sebastian. Sebastian is very fortunate to have you not only as a teacher but also as a very positive role model in his life. We truly appreciate your generosity.”
- Kelly and Wayne, Aurora
“Brilliant work and advocacy, not only for your students, but the integrity of the harp community! Bravo.”
- Shelley, Toronto
“I have to say I felt very comfortable with your lessons and haven’t found a teacher as good as you. So sadly I haven’t practiced much. But miss having you as my teacher! It was hard with traveling to the Toronto location. But I will be moving to Richmond Hill soon and was excited to see you at the Markham location, it is close to me!
“I am just so excited to start back with my first teacher. Your techniques and the way you teach is a lot more effective I’m sure for many students, and I find it in my personal experience. I enjoyed the way you teach.”
-Anddy, Vaughan
“The lessons….the journey…the learning…the joy…, you have been the key to open a whole treasure chest of new possibilities in music for me. I am very grateful.”
“I want to thank you – again – for assisting with my fabulous Salvi Diana harp, and I also want to thank you – again – for being my teacher, mentor and guide on this amazing harp journey. There is a wisdom saying (no idea which wise person said it first!) that the teacher comes when the student is ready. At the time I first connected with you when I was looking for a harp (let’s see … that would be three harps ago now …) I thought it was serendipitous that you were the teacher I was hoping to be ready for. It’s been both inspirational and joyful to study with you. I have learned so much with you and learned that there is so much more to learn!
Not every artist can be a teacher. I think it takes a special gift to unravel the particular mysteries of technique, rhythm, and harmony and then help others understand how to weave those components into their own unique musical artistry. You have that gift. You are one of the rare artists who can also teach. You met me where I was when I first came to you, and then with care and attention, you started me on the magical journey towards my own ever-expanding goals.
Somehow you also keep up with your own performance demands and creative commitments. I think your vitality as an artist feeds into your dynamic teaching skills. Your performance expertise and your years of teaching, combined with your amazing knack of reducing the most complicated technical feats down to their basic building blocks, equip you to be the wonderful (and demanding!) teacher that you are. But you go far beyond the technical aspects of playing the harp. You fill in the “program notes” of the music by telling the stories of the composers, the compositions, and the stylistic elements that anchor the pieces in their time. So interesting – and so helpful! You have given me musical insights, as well as the means and the hope of achieving musicality of my own.
You are endlessly patient … tireless in your efforts to help me acquire good, solid technique … you have a wonderful sense of humour … and a depth of knowledge and experience that is a rich resource which you share so freely. I am very grateful.
Your journey metaphor fits with my experience of studying with you. I have made lots of steps along the way and I look forward to what is waiting around the next bend in the road. I know it will continue to be a life-giving adventure. And the learning is not just about how to play the harp; the learning encompasses the magic and mystery of truly making music. Thank you so much.”
- Leslie, Collingwood
“I came to the harp when I was a full-time caregiver to my late husband when Andrew accepted me as his student despite my age and having no musical background at all. He provided me with an uplifting learning experience from my first struggles to the joyful sessions of today. My harp lessons with Andrew are still among the highlights of each week. I thank him for his expert advice on learning to play the harp, as well as progressing steadily from lever harp to now pedal harp! Andrew is not just a sensational artist and teacher, but also an exceptional human being. And I am sure that all of his students, including myself, would thank him for that.
- Emma, Markham
“I wholeheartedly agree with the many praises of Andrew’s dedication as a teacher, his perfection and talents as a harpist, as well as his breadth of knowledge as a musician. In addition, Andrew also performs miracles with his syllabus: He designs his own syllabus and tailors it to individual differences. My son, now six, and I have been learning with Andrew for almost three years. Andrew can miraculously teach the same pieces of music to my son and myself, but personalizing them with different flavours. He picks songs that my son and I can play a duet, or songs that daddy and grandmother can hum the tune along when we play. He has made harp music meaningful and fun-filled, a special tie that bonds our family. Truly grateful for his teaching!”
- Diana, Toronto Westend
“I met Andrew in September of 2007. I found this very professional website on the internet. He struck me as a very highly skilled and professional harpist, and a serious harp teacher.
Since being taught by Andrew, I have learned the harp at a progressive pace. Andrew moves the student forward, is encouraging and flexible, and at the same time holds the student to proper techniques. At the 3 recitals I participated in, and on meeting Andrew’s other students, it is clear that he uses his fine teaching skills for all his students. Students range in age, it seems, from approximately 7 years old through to people who are seniors; I am 51. All the students are serious and show great improvement from one recital to the next.
This is a serious and expert and positive learning experience.
I so enjoy the harp lessons, and am enjoying my progress, and right now look forward to my next assigned material and songs!”
- Sari, Vaughan
“Andrew is a wonderful person and a great harp teacher. When I first met him, I was drawn in by his enthusiasm for music and especially for the harp. Over the past year, Andrew has helped me to learn the harp, using his professional attitude and his loving character to guide me.
As a senior, I was very timid about learning the harp, but Andrew has made learning the harp an easy and beautiful activity and I have progressed beyond anything I hoped to achieve in a year…… I recommend Andrew as an excellent harp teacher to anyone of any age. I and my family, thank you.”
- Kay, Toronto mid-town
“You have some very talented students, and it was great to listen to them playing (at the annual concert). I loved the little ones, so cute, but also so good. Your students are certainly impressive……they have such talent, but talent is not enough, one needs an excellent teacher to bring out the gifts that are there in the person. Your students are so good because of the time that you spend with them and the great teaching you offer. Congratulations on a great day!”
-Gail, Toronto downtown.
“Words cannot express sometimes the feelings between a master and a student. Each week, you give me a gift beyond measure. The gift of music — the ability to manufacture it from my own hands is magical, and it touches me very deeply. Your patience, persistence, and pushing are so apppreciated. And your on-going insistence that I slow down to move forward is making it possible for me to keep studying.
Learning music is a metaphor for life and I thank you for opening my eyes and ears to this. And I thank also for your profound respect for me, and your art.”
- Pauline, Kingston
“Thanks for all your good harp teaching with our daughter this past year. We are very pleased and proud.”
-Susan, Markham
“I just want to thank you for the joy of harp music you have given me. You might not have noticed how important you are, but you have become a part of my healing journey….Thank you for all the encouragement and courage you have given me…..to learn to play the harp and explore the love of harp music.”
- Holly, Scarborough
“Dear Andrew, Thank you for taking the time to give my daughter her introductory lesson this morning. She was so excited after the class that she talked about it all through lunch and all the way home!”
- Sarah, North York
“I had such an awesome time meeting you today!!! You are a PHENOMENAL teacher. A true guru of the arts.”
“I felt an instant connection with your passion and teaching style. You really are phenomenal. Moreover, I felt a connection with the harp.”
- Jewel, Etobicoke
“Thank you for the great work with Kira – she really has blossomed in her overall approach and appreciation for music. She was coming along well with Cello, but she is much more focused on harp – it really shows in her playing and talking about it. The cello is gathering dust.”
- Arjun, downtown west.
“I will take this opportunity to say a HUGE THANKYOU to one of the most amazing music teachers I have ever had! You are so talented and inspiring! You have taught me so much! Not only how to play and have good technique and to feel the music, but also a new and stronger love for the harp and music! Thank you so much for everything!! For helping me learn songs for wedding (which the wedding went splendidly well!), and songs for church! As much as I hate playing in front of people, I am very glad you encouraged me and pushed me to do it! I do see the benefits in pushing yourself to new level. THANKYOU! These have been a great few years studying with you!”
- Brooke, Oshawa
“Most of your students should realize that you would be very hard to replace. You are a good teacher and you work hard at your teaching.”
“I am looking forward to advance my understanding and learning of my new harp. Thank you again for all your encouragement, terrific lessons and musical insights.”
- Elaine, Kingston
“Thank you for the wonderful harp experience. Harp lessons have added so much colour to my life! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to perform at the harp recital. Above all, thank you for teaching me how to enjoy playing harp music! Hope you can visit Singapore one day!”
- Pamela, visiting student from Singapore
“They were the most fruitful and productive lessons I’ve ever had in my life and I enjoyed very much. I’ve learned lots of useful skills during your lessons. You’re not only a very talented harpist but also a very good teacher!”
“After I took your lessons in Toronto, I realized the striking difference of your excellent lessons!”
- Megumi, visiting student from Tokyo Japan.
“Nicole loves her harp! Thank you for all your positive influence over her. She recently wrote a little book about her harp, her teacher, harp friends and is pretty cute!”
- Vivian, Markham
” Thanks for your understanding and again for your careful and warm handling of her lessons and performance! My husband and I were really impressed with how you interact with your students.”
- Jenn, Port Perry
“I am very pleased you continue to offer lessons and at such a highly professional and personal level. As you know, our son has grown considerably with your guidance.”
-Chris, Kingston
“Thank you for giving me the gift of music.” (when at age 13)
“All in all, I am very pleased with my performance….I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! You are truly the best teacher I’ve ever had…..” (when at age 15)
-Amelia, Belleville
“Thank you so much for a wonderful year of harp-playing! It’s been such a joy to learn from you and I really appreciate all the work and passion you put into teaching. Here’s to many more years of lessons, I hope!”
- Caleigh, Kingston
“As a mature student, I have always felt very fortunate to have Mr. Andrew Chan as my harp teacher. I found him to be a remarkably talented young harpist and a superb performer. He is a skilled, knowledgeable, learned and experienced harp teacher who always carries himself in a professional manner…….he is accommodating, helpful, supportive, kind and sympathetic to his students and with his peers. I wish him great success.”
- Beryl, Vancouver
“Thank you for your dedication to teaching my children harp lessons. You have endless patience and a terrific sense of humour.”
- Annelise, Vancouver