Teaching

I will be accepting a limited number of new students into my studio in September 2026. Please see class details below, or send me an email with your questions: emilyshawguitar@gmail.com

Music Classes and Private Guitar, Piano and Theory Lessons in Almonte, ON

I have experience teaching all ages and levels of music and enjoy working with students to meet individual needs and goals. I offer guitar, piano, and theory lessons in Almonte out of my home studio. 

Although my performance career is focused on the classical guitar, I am comfortable working with students on many styles of music. Many of my guitar students focus on acoustic guitar playing or chord-accompaniment for vocals while others focus on classical or fingerstyle guitar styles. Piano students often follow the traditional conservatory curriculum, although some choose to explore more popular styles of music.

Group Music Classes

All classes take place at my home in Almonte, Ontario and run from September- early December 2026. For more details or to sign up, send me an email at emilyshawguitar@gmail.com. Payment by e-transfer to that same email (or arranged barter option, see below) is required to secure your place in the class. I will update this page once classes are full.

Music and Movement for Toddlers

For ages 1-3, this 12 week course will combine music and hand percussion instruments with movement to introduce the fundamentals of music (i.e. rhythm, melody, expression) to young children accompanied by a caregiver. Classes are 30 minutes long, limited to 5 children, and will run on Mondays at 10am. Cost for all 12 sessions: $100

Mondays
September: 14, 21, 28
October: 5, 19, 26
November: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
December: 7

Music and Crafts for Young Children

For ages 4-6, this 12 week course will introduce the fundamentals of music to children through rhythm work and song, and will include a weekly musical craft (i.e. small instrument making such as shakers, drums, harmonicas etc). Classes are 50 minutes long, limited to 5 children, and will run on Thursdays at 10am or Saturdays at 9am (2 class times offered; sign up for one). Children can be dropped off or accompanied by a caregiver. Cost for all 12 sessions: $220. Instruments and craft materials included.

Thursdays:
September: 10, 17, 24
October: 1, 15, 22, 29
November: 12, 19, 26
December: 3, 10

Saturdays:
September: 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21, 28
December: 5

Beginning Ukulele

For ages 5-8, this 12 week course for a child and their caregiver will introduce young musicians to the ukulele and basic techniques for playing simple songs. Ukuleles for in-class use will be provided for both child and caregiver. (If you would like to purchase a ukulele for use at home, feel free to ask me about ordering an instrument). Classes are 45 minutes long, limited to 5 children, and will run on Tuesdays at 10 am or Saturdays at 10am (2 class times offered; sign up for one). Students will have the opportunity to participate in the end of term recital, and are welcome to join in Saturday jam sessions, details below. Cost for all 12 sessions: $220.

Tuesdays:
September: 8, 15, 22, 29
October: 6, 20, 27
November: 3, 10, 24
December: 1, 8

Saturdays:
September: 12, 19, 26
October: 3, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21, 28
December: 5

Saturday Jam Sessions

Free for all students who are signed up for a class or lesson program, Saturday Jam Sessions are an opportunity to play in a group setting and will run approximately biweekly from September through December on Saturdays at 11am. The group may perform at the end of term recital. Tea, coffee and snacks will be available, so if you are coming and have an allergy, please let me know so that I can accommodate your needs.

Saturdays:
September: 19
October: 3, 17
November: 7, 21
December: 5

Almonte Junior Homeschool Choir

If you have a child aged 4-8 who likes to sing, sign up for the Almonte Junior Homeschool Choir. $20/term ($30 for families or free if you are signed up for any other music classes with me, see above). Rehearsals will be Tuesdays 1-3pm, half of that time for music, half for play. Limited space available, sign up here:

Fall term: September 22-November 24
Winter term: Mid January-early March (dates TBA)
Spring term: April- June (dates TBA)

Private Music Lessons

Guitar Fundamentals

Aimed at students aged 7 years or older, I have developed this Guitar Fundamentals course to avoid the practise battle, establish good playing habits early on, and maintain the love of guitar in beginning musicians. Beginning students should start at the first level and will progress through levels 2 and 3 when both the teacher and student are ready for that change. Lesson books and materials will be provided and are included in the price of the class. Cost per term for all levels is $600

Guitar Fundamentals – Level 1

Students will commit to two 30 min lessons per week for the duration of each term (12 weeks). Students are not expected to practise at home and there is no theory homework required. Students are encouraged to join in the Saturday Jam Sessions as often as possible (see above). Students can perform in end of term recital. Topics covered in lessons will be geared towards the musical interests of individual students, but can include pentatonic scales, 12-bar blues, improvising, basic chord shapes, beginning musical literacy, power chords, ear training, and strumming patterns.

Guitar Fundamentals – Level 2

Students will commit to one 45 minute lesson/week for the duration of the term (12 weeks). Students are expected to practise between sessions at home, and there will be some weekly theory homework. Students are encouraged to participate in Saturday Jam Sessions (see above) and are encouraged to participate in the end of term recital. Topics covered in lessons will be geared towards the musical interests of individual students, but can include 12- bar blues, improvising, barre chords, moveable chord shapes, fingerpicking patterns, learning chords by ear to simple songs, popular chord patterns, and other scales.

Guitar Fundamentals – Level 3

Students will commit to one 60 minute lesson/week for the duration of the term (12 weeks). Students are expected to practise regularly for 30 minutes/day at home, and there will be theory homework. Students are encouraged to participate in Saturday Jam Sessions (see above) and are encouraged to participate in the end of term recital. Topics covered in lessons will be geared towards the musical interests of individual students, but can include composition and arrangement, transcription and advanced chord voicings and scale patterns.

Other Options

Intermediate/Advanced Classical Students (Guitar or Piano)

  • Weekly one hour lessons $50 each
  • Flexible option: 10 lesson punch card for $600
  • Student may perform in end of term recital

Beginner Adult Private lessons (Guitar or Piano)

  • Weekly 45 minute lessons $40 each
  • Flexible option: 10 lesson punch card for $500
  • Student may perform in end of term recital

Beginner Child Lessons (Guitar or Piano)

  • Weekly half hour lessons $30 each or twice weekly for $50/week
  • Caregiver support required (caregiver must attend every lesson and must commit to practising with the student 10 minutes every day between lessons)
  • Student may perform in end of term recital

Weekly Advanced Technique Class

  • not currently offered, but planned for future terms

Music Theory

  • Included in regular lesson programs, however if you would like to study theory separately from practical classes, please send me an email: emilyshawguitar@gmail.com

End of Term Recital

The End of Term Recital for fall 2026 will take place on December 12 at 3pm. Location and more details to follow.

Payment options

Lesson fees are listed in all course descriptions above, and should be paid in full before the start of the program. Private lessons are to be paid for monthly based on the number of weeks in the month. 24 hour notice is required for cancellation of private lessons. If you need a different schedule for payment, just ask.

If I have to cancel classes or lessons because of illness in my family, I will offer a replacement class during or at the end of the term. I have built buffer weeks into my scheduling to accommodate this.

Barter option

So long as my own costs are covered, I would happily accept alternative methods of payment in exchange for some or all tuition fees, so long as it is something that I need. For example: French lessons for myself and my 2 children, eggs or other food, or visual artwork.

For any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me by email: emilyshawguitar@gmail.com