Joseph Fazakas has been enjoying making music for over 35 years. Piano studies began at an early age and include studying piano performance at Wilfrid Laurier University, McMaster University, and the RCM. His teachers included Lillian Bedford, Garth Beckett, Valerie Tryon and Antonin Kubalek.
Joseph taught himself guitar at 10 and has sought teachers in a variety of styles; former teachers include Doug Murphy, Jeffrey McFadden, William Beauvais and Wendell Ferguson. Joseph performed in many bands and ensembles throughout his teens and early twenties, followed by 5 years of studying guitar at the RCM in Toronto, where he was a multiple silver medal winner. Joseph has participated in many Suzuki guitar and piano workshops, where he has studied with guitarist and Suzuki guitar co-founder William Kossler. While Joseph continues to take studies and is certified in the Yamaha method as well, he enjoys making Suzuki the foundation of his students’ habits while augmenting their musical education with a variety of contemporary techniques. In addition to 2 decades as an organist and church music director, Joseph maintains an active studio in Oakville and Hamilton, performs as a collaborative pianist and adjudicator. In addition to an active schedule Joseph strives to continually improve his knowledge and teaching methods. He is currently studying jazz piano with jazz pianist and educator David Story.
Studying Guitar:
Like any instrument, we want to enjoy the process of making music. However, there is definitely labour behind the art. While I attempt to make my lessons, and the learning process, as fun as possible, music making unquestionably becomes much more agreeable and entertaining when everyone knows what duties are laid out before them. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have, especially in terms of the guitar, but the following lists will give you and your child a framework in which to begin the music making process. Just remember, everyone involved should have fun, but it’s positively weighted in the student’s favour!